Variation and potential influence factors of foliar pH in land-water ecozones of three small plateau lakes

Abstract

Aims Foliar pH of terrestrial plants, a trait tightly associated with plant physiology and nutrient utilization, varies with plant functional types (PFT) and environmental changes. However, it is yet unclear about the variation in foliar pH of aquatic plants, and the difference between aquatic and terrestrial plants. Methods Foliar pH, leaf carbon, nitrogen content of plants along the lakeshore zones and the environmental conditions (water or soil pH, water status) of the corresponding vegetation of three small plateau lakes were investigated, to determine the variation and potential influence factors of foliar pH at both PFT and community levels. Important Findings Foliar pH varied largely among aquatic plants, and across aquatic, helophytic and terrestrial plants. Floating-leaved macrophytes had more acidic foliage (pH = 4.21 ± 0.05) than emergent (5.71 ± 0.07) and submerged macrophytes (5.82 ± 0.06). Foliar pH of aquatic herbs (5.43 ± 0.10) was lower than that of helophytic (6.12 ± 0.07) and terrestrial herbs (5.74 ± 0.05). Terrestrial herbs had significantly higher foliar pH than woody plants. The variation in foliar pH across PFTs may be mainly ascribed to leaf structure, light utilization and nutrient characteristics. Consistent with the pattern on PFT level, aquatic communities had more acidic foliage than terrestrial communities, which was mainly shaped by species composition, water status and environmental pH. This study documented the first-time foliar-pH of aquatic plants, and comparison of foliar-pH among various plant types at a landscape scale. Our results provide bases for further exploration of the underlying mechanism and its ecological significance for wetland ecosystems.

Mechanistic Insight into the Internalization, Distribution, and Autophagy Process of Manganese Nanoparticles in Capsicum annuum L.: Evidence from Orthogonal Microscopic Analysis

“…Therefore, the internalization process likely involves the dissolution of MnNPs into Mn ions, which was enhanced by the high humidity in the growth chamber (70%) or due to the low leaf surface pH. Although foliar pH can be affected by plant species and soil type, reported levels are commonly between 5 and 6. , Therefore, time-dependent structural changes in the aggregates on the leaf surfaces were observed. Interestingly, Ye et al reported that foliar exposure to MnNPs (60–250 mg/L) increased the biosynthesis of long-chain n -alkanes in C. annuum L. leaf wax .…”

“…Although foliar pH can be affected by plant species and soil type, reported levels are commonly between 5 and 6. 24,25 Therefore, timedependent structural changes in the aggregates on the leaf surfaces were observed. Interestingly, Ye et al reported that foliar exposure to MnNPs (60−250 mg/L) increased the biosynthesis of long-chain n-alkanes in C. annuum L. leaf wax.…”

Characteristics of and Influencing Factors of Hydrochemistry and Carbon/Nitrogen Variation in the Huangzhouhe River Basin, a World Natural Heritage Site

“…Planktonic algae and aquatic plants can absorb and utilize water DIC through photosynthesis [ 54 ], so lower levels of planktonic algae lead to weaker photosynthesis in the water column, which, in turn, reduces the amount of DIC absorbed and used in the water [ 55 ]. These processes inevitably cause changes in the pH of the water [ 56 ], which affect the growth activities of microorganisms and algae [ 57 , 58 ], which affect DOC release and TN decomposition. Dead cells of planktonic algae release high-molecular-weight DOC, while living cells release low-molecular-weight DOC [ 59 ].…”

Determination of Leaf pH without Grinding the Sample: Is It Closer to the Reality?

“…Plant pH, especially leaf pH, is a valuable plant functional trait, which is believed to be a species-specific trait with large-scale spatio-temporal patterns [4][5][6][7]. Leaf pH can not only regulate the nutrient cycling and biological relationships [5,8,9], but also indicate the air pollution [10], reveal plant responses to the environment and jointly affects plant survival strategies with other plant functional traits [6,[11][12][13]. Thus, focusing our attention on leaf pH is of great significance to both plant physiology and ecology.…”