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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (8): 219-230.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240427

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Changes of Resource Acquisition and Defense Capabilities of Temperate Broadleaf Tree Species at Different Life History Stages

Kaibo Wang,Guangze Jin,Zhili Liu*()   

  1. School of Ecology, Northeast Forestry University Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center Harbin 150040
  • Received:2024-07-09 Online:2025-08-25 Published:2025-09-02
  • Contact: Zhili Liu E-mail:liuzl2093@126.com

Abstract:

Objective: In view of different broadleaved tree species in Northeast China, this study explored the correlation between plant resource acquisition traits and defense traits and their driving factors, to reveal the correlation between the resource acquisition ability and defense ability of woody plants, to analyze the dynamic adaptation mechanism of woody plants to the environment, and to provide a scientific basis for forest ecosystem management. Method: In this study, we measured 20 phytofunctional traits in leaves, new twigs, and old branchs of five broadleaf species with different shade tolerance in temperate forests, including Betula platyphylla, Fraxinus mandshurica, Ulmus laciniata, Tilia amurensis, and Acer pictum subsp. mono, at three different life-history stages (seedling, sapling, and mature tree), and these traits were divided into resource-acquisition traits and defense traits, to explore the interrelationships and influencing factors of the two types of traits in woody plants. Result: There was weak correlation between leaf resource acquisition capacity and aboveground defense capacity, and the correlation between resource acquisition capacity and defense capacity varied at different life stages. At the seedling stage, the two capacities had a collaborative relationship (angle<90°); at the sapling stage, the two capacities were decoupled (angle≈90°); and at the mature tree stage, the two capacities had a trade-off relationship (angle>90°). Combining the effects of environmental factors (soil nutrients, soil pH, soil water content) and plant characteristics (life history stages, shade tolerance) on plant resource acquisition traits and defense traits, it was found that environmental factors (PC1 56%, PC2 73%) had a stronger effect on the two types of traits than plant characteristics (PC1 44%, PC2 27%). Conclusion: The coordination strategies between resource acquisition and defense vary across different growth stages. While environmental factors serve as the primary driving forces, plant characteristics also play a crucial role.

Key words: resource acquisition capacity, defense capacity, drivers, environmental factors, life history

CLC Number: