Morphological Responses Explain Tolerance of the BambooYushania microphyllato Grazing

[摘要] Mechanisms of tolerance of the bambooY. microphyllato ungulate herbivory were investigated by measuring above- and belowground morphogenetic traits and biomass allocation patterns of the bambooY. microphyllaunder grazed and ungrazed conditions in a Himalayan mixed conifer forest.Data were collected from 5 populations consisting of 10 ramets each in adjacent grazed and ungrazed plots. Compared with ungrazed ramets, the aboveground morphological modifications of grazed ramets were higher culm density, shorter and thinner culms, shorter internode, and shorter top leaf.The belowground morphological modifications for the grazed ramets were thinner rhizomes, lower rhizome biomass and dry matter, more nodes, and shorter internodes.Despite the lower biomass and dry matter, the root-to-shoot ratio was higher for grazed ramets.Results suggest thatY. microphyllasubjected to herbivory shows aboveground overcompensation in terms of densification at the cost of belowground biomass, but at the same time maintains a higher proportion of belowground reserves, as compared to ungrazed conditions. These responses provide adequate evidence to conclude thatY. microphyllatolerates ungulate herbivory through above- and belowground morphological modifications.

[学科分类] 植物学