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Physiological Characteristics and Cold Resistance of Five Woody Plants in Treeline Ecotone of Sygera Mountains

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  • Huihui Ding

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

  • Wensheng Chen

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

  • Jiangrong Li

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

  • Fangwei Fu

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

  • Yueyao Li

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

  • Siying Xiao

    (Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
    National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China
    Key Laboratory of Alpine Vegetation Ecological Security in Tibet, Nyingchi 860000, China)

Abstract

Investigating the distribution of internal physiological indicators and the cold resistance of woody plants in the alpine treeline ecotone is of great ecological importance to explain the mechanism of alpine treeline formation. Less research has been conducted on the cold resistance mechanisms of alpine treeline woody plants than on commercial crops. In this paper, five different tree species in the alpine treeline ecotone of the Sygera Mountains were used as the research objects and the leaves, branches, and roots of 19 woody plants were collected in the non-growing season (November) of 2019. Their non-structural carbohydrate content (soluble sugar and starch), malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), proline, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase levels were measured. The contents of C, N, P, and K elements were analyzed, along with the distribution characteristics of physiological indices and organs of various woody plants and their relationship to plant nutrients. Results showed that the MDA (5.46 ± 1.95 μg·g −1 ) and H 2 O 2 (4.11 ± 0.76 mmol·g −1 ) of tree root organs and the MDA (3.03 ± 2.05 μg·g −1 ) and H 2 O 2 (4.25 ± 1.03 mmol·g −1 ) of shrub leaf organs were higher than those of other organs, indicating that under the stress of low temperatures, the root organ of arbor species and the leaf organ of shrub species experienced the most damage. Osmotic substances, particularly soluble sugars, play a crucial role in the response of the woody plants in Sygera Mountains to low-temperature stress. Plant nutrients could enhance plant stress resistance by further activating the activity of the antioxidant system and increasing the synthesis of osmotic substances. This study hypothesized that the stress on the root organs of the arbor species in the treeline ecotone may not be repaired in time, which may be a key mechanism for the formation of the alpine treeline in the Sygera Mountains.

Suggested Citation

  • Huihui Ding & Wensheng Chen & Jiangrong Li & Fangwei Fu & Yueyao Li & Siying Xiao, 2023. "Physiological Characteristics and Cold Resistance of Five Woody Plants in Treeline Ecotone of Sygera Mountains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3040-:d:1061012
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