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1.
The present work compared the effects of starvation (7 days) and dehydration (10 days) followed by rehydration, on erythrocyte membranes of the desert camel (Camelus dromedarius). Total lipids, cholesterol, total phospholipids, phospholipid classes, fatty acids of phospholipid classes and proteins in the erythrocyte membranes of normal camels, sheep (Ovis aries) and desert goats (Capra hircus) have also been investigated. The results suggested that the lipid profile in the erythrocytes of the normal camels was significantly different from those found in normal sheep and goats. Between the two later species no significant differences were observed. In the erythrocyte membranes of the camel two classes of phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin), cholesterol and proteins were significantly higher than in sheep and goats. These constituents were not altered significantly by dehydration or starvation in the camel. These results may help to explain the resistance of camel erythrocytes to haemolysis after rehydration, infection with blood parasites or when confronted with other harsh environmental conditions.  相似文献   

2.
The desert plant Hedysarum scoparium uses leaflets and rachises as its photosynthetic organs. The abundance of leaflets was lower under unfavorable environmental conditions and higher with improved water conditions. To examine the characteristics associated with the adaptation of H. scoparium to its environment, we selected plants with both compound leaves and rachis without leaflets to study the anatomical structures and gas exchange characteristics of the two organs. The results show that the water storage tissues in rachises were more developed compared with the leaflets. The diurnal courses of the net photosynthetic rate for the rachis and the leaflet were both in a bimodal pattern. Meanwhile, both two peak values of the rachis were significantly higher than those of the leaflet. The daily average transpiration rate was significantly higher in the rachis than in the leaflet in order to lower the temperature of the rachises. It was concluded that under desert drought conditions, the leaflets of H. scoparium were partially or completely degraded to reduce the transpiration area as an adaptive response to water deficit, and only the rachises were retained as photosynthetic organ. The rachises were found to be better suited to a desert habitat than the leaflets.  相似文献   

3.
Over the last 10 years a great interest in spineless cactus pear was shown in the drier areas in terms of both fresh fruit and fodder production. However, there is a lack of knowledge on quantitative data on root dynamics of these plants needed to fully understand its potential under water limiting conditions. This study aimed at quantifying the effects of water stress on the growth of tap roots, side roots and rain roots of the species Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (cultivar Morado—green cladode) and O. robusta Wendl. (cultivar Monterey—blue cladode). One-year-old cladodes were planted in root boxes and pots (2002/2003 season) that were kept in the greenhouse at day/night temperatures of 25–30 °C/15–18 °C. Placing the cladodes flat on the soil, more areoles came in contact with the soil and therefore more roots developed in both species with an average of only 3.4% areole complexes not rooting. Each areole complex formed on average 3 roots. The highest daily tap root growth was 42 and 36 mm for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta, respectively. Tap root growth increased in the morning with water stress for both species but decreased in the afternoon. Side root growth increased with water stress, with that of O. robusta more per tap root than O. ficus-indica. O. robusta showed a finer root system than O. ficus-indica. The side roots grew as much as 8 and 5 mm per day for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta, respectively. Whitish rain roots developed on the established roots within the first hour after rewetting the soil and grew for only 3 days. Rain roots grew up to 7 and 5 mm within a day for O. ficus-indica and O. robusta, respectively. Considering all studied aspects of their roots systems, O. robusta appears to be better adapted to drought (less sensitive to water stress) than O. ficus-indica.  相似文献   

4.
Desert rodents are occasionally exposed to long spells of drought. We aimed to examine how such dehydrating conditions affect resting metabolic rate (RMR), non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) and osmoregulatory capabilities in the desert inhabiting species Sekeetamys calurus. Dehydration was imposed by gradually increasing salinity of drinking water and by feeding the animals a high-protein diet. S. calurus responded to osmotic stress by reducing RMR, increasing NST capacity, reducing urine volume and increasing urine concentration. It is suggested that the reduction in RMR is an adaptation for conserving water, while the increase in NST capacity compensates for the reduction in RMR.  相似文献   

5.
测定了荒漠地区超旱生小灌木红砂在3种生境(山前荒漠、山前戈壁和中游戈壁)下的叶片水分状态、抗氧化酶活性及渗透调节物质含量,以探讨荒漠植物在不同生境下的生理生化特征及对荒漠极端环境的适应机制。结果表明:在3种生境下,红砂叶片相对含水量和叶片水势随着土壤含水量的下降而下降,叶绿素含量随着土壤含水量的下降而升高。随着生境土壤干旱的加剧,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及过氧化物酶(POD)活性逐渐升高,而过氧化氢酶活性下降。在土壤含水量较少的戈壁生境,渗透调节物质含量上升。SOD和POD活性的升高是红砂抵御干旱环境的主要抗氧化保护机制;渗透调节在红砂叶片适应干旱胁迫的过程中发挥着重要作用,高的渗透调节能力使红砂在水分不足的条件下维持较低的渗透势,有利于植物吸水,从而增强其耐旱性。  相似文献   

6.
Despite low growth rates, plants in arid areas have a strong ability to modify soil surface properties affecting ecosystem processes and community dynamics. But our knowledge on species effects on soil properties in these areas comes largely from observational studies, increasing the risk of confounding factors and precluding estimations of rates of change. We evaluated changes in soil surface properties underneath Acacia salicina, Pinus halepensis and Eucalyptus occidentalis in a 10-year-old common garden experiment established on a degraded Stipa tenacissima steppe in southern Tunisia. The three species tested improved soil properties compared to those of open areas. Acacia salicina ranked first as soil modifier as the soil underneath this species showed higher total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil CO2 efflux and infiltration rate, and lower soil hydrophobicity than soil in open areas. The richness of vascular plants was higher under A. salicina than under the other types of cover. This species showed higher ability to improve microsite conditions and foster succession. Short rotations of A. salicina could thus be employed for the restoration of degraded S. tenacissima steppes provided that other aspects of its ecology are controlled. Pinus halepensis represents a good alternative when native species are a priority, albeit facilitative ability is lower.  相似文献   

7.
Octodontid rodents have a long evolutionary history in arid landscapes of South America. The red vizcacha rat, Tympanoctomys barrerae , is a monotypic, micro-endemic species that inhabits salt pan-sand dune habitats in west-central Argentina. Its natural history is almost unknown. We present an analysis of the ecology, morphology, behavior, and physiology of the red vizcacha rat and assess the overall degree of convergence of this species with rodents that inhabit similar habitats in different deserts. Our results show that Tympanoctomys barrerae is highly adapted to salt flat basin habitats. Its diet of halophytic vegetation with a high salt content, and physiological and anatomical traits related to salt consumption, are similar to those found in some members of the families Heteromyidae (Dipodomys microps) of North America, and Muridae (Psammomys obesus and Rhombomys opimus) of Africa and Asia. Similarities include feeding behavior, diet composition, kidney morphology, and urine concentration, among other traits. Tympanoctomys barrerae is more similar to these desert rodents than it is to confamilials that do not feed on halophytes.  相似文献   

8.
In the field of phylogenetic analyses, the rbcL gene encoded large subunit Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC4.1.1.39), which plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis for most terrestrial plants, has been considered to be conserved; however, recent controversy regarding rbcL conservation has appeared since it was proposed to be under natural selection within all principal lineages of land plants. In this study, by examining the variation of DNA and protein sequences among 17 species in the family Tamaricaceae, three nonsynonymous mutations were identified to be under positive selection. The favored sites were located in the alph-helix domains of Rubisco, with decreased hydrophobicity and increased entropy, which could facilitate CO2 penetration into the active site of Rubisco. We also found that the expression level of rbcL in different genotypes of Reaumuria soongarica shifted in response to various stresses such as drought, temperature, salt, and light. This study not only sheds light on the functional/structural features of Rubisco in the evolution scenarios from C3-like into C4 in Tamaricaceae but also provides useful information on directing genetic performance to enhance photosynthesis efficiency of desert plants for sustaining fragile desert ecosystems; furthermore, it promotes the ability to cope with desert aridification and global warming.  相似文献   

9.
Citrulus colocynthis(wild gourd) is a desert plant of the Cucurbitaceae, naturally adapted to arid environments. It was known in biblical times as a source of seed oil and its fruits were used as an efficient laxative. Accessions were collected in Israel and evaluated as a potential oil seed crop adapted to arid zones. It was found that its oil composition is similar to safflower oil, with a total of 80-85% unsaturated fatty acids. A potential yield of oil of 250-400 l ha−1was calculated. The best yield was obtained during the first 4 weeks of the 10-week maturation period. Yield potential should be estimated under desert conditions in order to evaluate the plant's economic future as a crop suitable for an arid environment.  相似文献   

10.
Studies were conducted in the central Mojave Desert to quantify how creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata) respond to physical damage during large-scale military training exercises. Creosote bush possesses a resilient growth form that recovers from repeated physical damage via resprouts arising from meristems in stem bark below severed or crushed canopy units. At high levels of disturbance by heavy vehicles, nearly all individuals showed measurable breakage, but without additional damage each plant can regain a full canopy within 5 years under arid field conditions. Resprouts exhibited more vigorous growth and doubled the biomass accumulation stimulated by high rainfall of 1998, an El Niño year, vs. a normal year. New shoots of resprouted individuals were markedly different in morphological traits than canopy old growth and had slightly higher predawn shoot water potentials. The natural ability of this evergreen species to recover from cutting and crushing bodes well for re-establishment of creosote bush desert scrub communities following episodes of severe damage by vehicles.  相似文献   

11.
Water use efficiency of C4 plants is higher than that of C3 plants, and CAM (Crassulaceae Acid Metabolism) plants have the highest water use efficiency. In the desert regions of China, CAM plants are scarce, and C4 plants, especially C4 woody plants, have an important position and role in the desert ecosystem. There are 45 species of C4 woody plants in the desert regions of China, including semi-woody plants, accounting for 6% of the total desert plant species in China, and most of them are concentrated in the families of Chenopodiaceae and Polygonaceae, which are 19 species and 26 species, respectively. The number of C4 herbaceous plants is 107 species, including 48 monocot species and 59 dicot species. C4 woody plants mainly inhabit the northwestern arid desert regions of China west of the Helan Mountains. The drought-resistance and drought-tolerance of C4 herbaceous plants are worse than C4 woody plants, and C4 herbaceous plants mainly inhabit areas with shallow groundwater depth and better water conditions in the desert regions, and are widely distributed along the margins of oases. The abundance of C4 woody plants is closely correlated with drought, but the abundance of C4 herbaceous plants increases with wet conditions.  相似文献   

12.
连续2年对新疆阿勒泰地区荒漠植物大赖草(Leymus racemosus)居群(公路附近沙丘平坦处,P1;农田周围沙丘平坦处,P2;周围积水沙丘中下部,P3;多个沙丘中间平坦处,P4;多个沙丘中间隆起处,P5)、小穗间和小穗内的结实格局进行了比较研究。结果表明:(1)2011年大赖草的穗长、穗宽、总花数、结实率和大种子比率都高于2012年,小种子数低于2012年;2年的结实率在5个居群间均表现为P2P3P1P5P4。(2)每花序内不同小穗的穗宽、总花数和结实率表现为中部下部上部。(3)每小穗均有3.7±0.56朵花、0.6±0.09粒种子,小穗基部的结实率较高。大赖草结实率在年际和不同环境下波动较大,水分和温度是影响其结实格局的主要因素;小穗间及小穗内的资源分配符合资源竞争假说。大赖草花多果少的结实格局是适应荒漠资源贫瘠、干旱少雨气候条件的一种生殖保障。  相似文献   

13.
Evapotranspiration (ET) within an ecosystem is crucial for the water-limited environment that currently lacks adequate quantification in the arid region of Northwest China, mainly covered by phreatophytes, such as the Populus euphratica Oliv. tree and the Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. shrub species. Accordingly, ET was measured for an entire year using eddy covariance (EC) in P. euphratica stands in the lower Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. During the growing season, the total ET was 850 mm, with a mean of 4.0 mm/d, which is obviously more than that observed at tree-level and standlevel scales, which was likely due to the different level of soil evaporation induced by irrigation via water conveyance. Factors associated with ET fall into either environmental or plant eco-physiological categories. Environmental factors account for at least 79% variation of ET, and the linear relationship between ET and the groundwater table (GWT) revealed the potential water use of P. euphratica forests under the non-water stress condition with the GWT less than 3 m deep. Plant eco-physiological parameters, specifically the leaf area index (LAI), have direct impact on the seasonal pattern of ET, which provides a valuable reference to the wide-area estimates of ET for riparian forests by using LAI. In conclusion, P.euphratica forests have high water use after water conveyance, which may be the result of long-term adapting to local climates and limited water availability.  相似文献   

14.
Seeds ofAcacia origena,A. pilispinaandPterolobium stellatumhave a hard seed coat that hampers imbibition of water and prevents maximum, uniform and rapid germination. Therefore, the seeds were subjected to different treatments involving mechanical scarification, concentrated sulphuric acid and boiling water to break the dormancy imposed by the hard seed coat. To determine the effects of different constant temperature regimes on germination, scarified seeds were incubated on a thermogradient at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Germination of scarified seeds was also tested in light and dark. Mechanical scarification resulted in 100% germination for theAcaciaspecies and 94% forP. stellatum. ForA. origena, sulphuric acid treatments for 60, 90 and 120 min resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>95%) than all the other treatments. ForA. pilispina, sulphuric acid treatments for 45 and 60 min, as well as immersing seeds for 1 min in hot water, gave significantly higher per cent germination (97%) than all the other treatments. ForP. stellatum, mechanical scarification and all the acid treatments applied resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>85%) than the control and all hot water treatments. All seeds ofP. stellatumimmersed in hot water, even for 1 min, rotted soon after sowing, indicating that they are sensitive to high temperatures. Scarified seeds of the twoAcaciaspecies germinated to a higher degree (≥90%) between 10 and 30°C, while germination of scarified seeds ofP. stellatumranged from 48 to 82% between 10 and 30°C. Scarified seeds of the three species germinated to a large extent (>70%) both in light and dark, indicating that seeds do not require light for germination.  相似文献   

15.
Understanding of biomass and water allocation in plant populations will provide useful information on their growth pattern and resource allocation dynamics. By direct measurement, the biomass and water...  相似文献   

16.
This study investigates the soil fauna in a part of the rainless desert of southern Egypt. Three sites were examined: two downstream of Wadi Allaqi, both of which have been inundated by the water of Lake Nasser for several years. The third site is in Wadi Quleib, a principal tributary of Wadi Allaqi which was not inundated. Soil fauna were collected by pitfall traps during April-November 1989. Data were treated by multivariate analysis techniques, including correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchic classification. Most species were Arthropoda, particularly Coleoptera (7 species). Wadi Quleib was richer than Wadi Allaqi both in number of species and density. In Wadi Allaqi, the first site was richer than the second, both in species and density. These differences are partially related to differences in soft texture between Wadi Quleib and Wadi Allaqi, and to the presence of dense groves of Tamarix nilotica in the first site of Wadi Allaqi.  相似文献   

17.
为掌握人工种植条件下肉苁蓉(Cistanche deserticola)个体质量特征,在塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地咸水滴灌人工梭梭林内,采用统一的开沟、撒种接种方式,对不同林龄、不同深度接种肉苁蓉以及造林当年接种连年采收肉苁蓉的质量进行了调查和分析。结果表明:(1)所有样地出土肉苁蓉个体间质量差异大,分布离散程度高。(2)接种时林龄越大,出土肉苁蓉个体平均质量、质量品质较好的比率以及质量分布离散程度都越高;不同林龄间肉苁蓉个体质量有极显著差异。造林当年接种、连年出土肉苁蓉个体质量的特征与不同林龄的相似,但质量品质较好的比率相对较低。(3)在40~120cm深度,随种植深度增加,出土2年生以上肉苁蓉个体的数量以及质量品质较好的比率总体呈现增加趋势,并可以分为3个层面:40cm、50~80cm、100~120cm。其中40cm深度质量指标明显较低,其他深度间没有表现出明显的差异和规律,100~120cm深度的肉苁蓉个体相对细长、品相差。  相似文献   

18.
Populations of two ornamental exotic species, Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Stapelia gigantea, have been recently detected inside a protected area containing arid ecosystems in Venezuela. We indirectly tested their invasive potential by characterizing their reproductive biology and recruitment patterns and comparing our estimates against Baker's Law and reproductive profiles reported for invasive plants. K. daigremontiana is autogamous, produces >16,000 seeds per plant and also reproduces clonally. Despite low seed viability (17.9%) and germination rates (11.9%), seeds were present in the seed bank. Plantlets of asexual origin showed high survival (75–100%) compared to seedlings of sexual origin (10%). S. gigantea is self-incompatible, xenogamous and produces close to 1500 seeds per m2 of plant tissue. Seed viability (77%) and germination rates (62%) were high, but this species is not represented in the seed bank. It has a vegetative growth. A combination of reproductive and recruitment attributes, which match those considered in Baker's Law and others reported for invasive plants, confer K. daigremontiana and S. gigantea the potential to invade Neotropical arid zones; the former mainly through selfing and production of numerous asexual plantlets, and the latter through an association with a locally abundant pollinator and production of wind dispersed seeds.  相似文献   

19.
Abiotic conditions and interactions among plants are important factors determining plant geographical distributions. With the aim of analyzing the distribution of a perennial grass species in a semiarid mountain range, we experimentally tested above- and belowground effects of shrubs on the grass along a gradient of aridity. We measured growth, physiology and reproductive output of Stipa tenacissima tussocks surrounded by intact or manipulated neighbour shrubs. Performance of Stipa improved under mesic conditions, but the net effect of shrubs on Stipa did not change along the gradient. Belowground, we did not find significant effects, suggesting belowground resource partitioning between tussocks and shrubs. Aboveground net effects of shrubs on Stipa were generally positive and independent from abiotic conditions. The improved performance of Stipa at the mesic end of gradient suggests that its absolute physiological optimum lies out of its realized range. Overall, the arid end of the geographical distribution of Stipa in this mountain range may be determined by environmental severity. The coincidence of the upper limit of Stipa with the lower tree limit suggests that the more mesic end of Stipa distribution may depend on other factors; most likely competition with trees, which, unlike shrubs, could be excluding Stipa tenacissima from forests.  相似文献   

20.
We investigated the effects of winter and summer drought on plants of the Colorado Plateau in western North America. This winter-cold, summer-hot desert region receives both winter and summer precipitation. Droughts were imposed for two consecutive years using rainout shelters. Here, we examine drought effects on the hydrologic interactions between plants and soil. We chose three perennial species for this study, representing different rooting patterns and responsiveness to precipitation pulses: Oryzopsis hymenoides, a perennial bunch grass with shallow roots; Gutierrezia sarothrae, a subshrub with dimorphic roots; and Ceratoides lanata, a predominantly deep-rooted woody shrub. Drought effects on plant water status were qualitatively similar among species, despite morphological differences. Summer drought affected the water status of all species more negatively than winter drought. Isotopic analysis of stem water revealed that all three species took up deeper soil water under drought conditions and shallow soil water after a large rainfall event in summer. Thus all three species appeared to use the same water sources most of the time. However, after a particularly dry summer, only the deepest-rooted species continued to take up soil water, while the more shallow-rooted species were either dead or dormant. Our study suggests therefore that increased occurrence of summer drought could favor the most deep-rooted species in ecosystem.  相似文献   

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