• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Future N deposition and precipitation changes will be beneficial for the growth of Haloxylon ammodendron in Gurbantunggut Desert, northwest China
  • Contributor: Zhao, Wen-Qin; Lv, Xin-hua; Li, Yong-guan; Wang, Zhong-ke; Zhang, Wei; Zhuang, Li
  • imprint: Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2019
  • Published in: Scientific Reports
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37245-8
  • ISSN: 2045-2322
  • Keywords: Multidisciplinary
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Evaluation of precipitation and nitrogen (N) deposition in desert ecosystems helps to elucidate the reaction of desert ecosystems to future environmental changes. An <jats:italic>in-situ</jats:italic> field experiment was established to examine the influence of a long-term enhanced precipitation and N deposition on the photosynthetic traits and physiological characteristics of <jats:italic>Haloxylon ammodendron</jats:italic> in the Gurbantunggut Desert, northwest China, throughout the growing season in 2014–2016. Results showed a significant interaction between precipitation and N applications. Increased precipitation and N deposition and their coupling could significantly improve photosynthetic capacity, alter the variability in amplitude of water potential and change the content of substances regulating osmotic pressure in <jats:italic>H. ammodendron</jats:italic>. According to the comprehensive evaluation of <jats:italic>H. ammodendron’s</jats:italic> adaptability using six different water and N coupling models, a combination of a 30% increase in precipitation and a 30 kg N ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> yr<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> addition in nitrogen deposition, or the addition of N at a concentration of 60 kg N ha<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> yr<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> with natural precipitation were beneficial to <jats:italic>H. ammodendron</jats:italic> growth and development. Hence, changes in the future global environment can be anticipated to be beneficial to <jats:italic>H. ammodendron</jats:italic> growth.</jats:p>
  • Access State: Open Access