Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of water level fluctuations on root architectural and morphological traits of plants in lakeshore areas of three subtropical floodplain lakes in China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Plant roots in lakeshore areas can directly determine the survival of the aboveground plant parts. However, most current studies are focused on the aerial shoots, and less attention has been paid to the functions of the roots. In order to evaluate the effects of water level fluctuations (WLFs) on root architectural and morphological traits of plants in lakeshore areas, field investigations were conducted seasonally in three subtropical floodplain lakes with different types of WLFs. The results showed that both the pH and moisture contents of the soils were significantly different in all seasons among the three lakes, while the total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the soils only showed significant differences in certain seasons. Significant differences were also found in the two architectural trait parameters (root length density and root branching number) and three morphological trait parameters (root tissue density, root surface area, and root volume), all of which (except for root tissue density) were highest in the Dahuchi lake that experiences intermittent WLFs, and lowest in the Chaohu Lake with reservoir-like WLFs. With increasing lakeshore elevation gradients, we found that root length density, root branching number, root surface area, and root volume in the three lakes changed significantly, and all these root trait parameters increased first and then decreased. However, no significant differences were found for the above four root traits in the three lakes over the different seasons. Spearman correlation analyses indicated that both the hydrological and physicochemical factors were strongly correlated with the architectural and morphological root trait parameters, and the duration of submergence (duration) was the most important factor, judging from the correlation coefficients (R). The results of stepwise multiple regression further indicated the duration was the key factor affecting plant root traits. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that the WLFs in reservoir-like lakes should be changed in order to improve the ecological functions of the lakeshore.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bardgett RD, Mommer L, De Vries FT (2014) Going underground: root traits as drivers of ecosystem processes. Trends Ecol Evol 29(12):692–699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birouste M, Kazakou E, Blanchard A, Roumet C (2011) Plant traits and decomposition: are the relationships for roots comparable to those for leaves? Ann Bot 109(2):463–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang C, Xie ZQ, Xiong GM, Chu LM (2011) The effect of flooding on soil physical and chemical properties of riparian zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir. J Nat Resour 26(7):1236–1244 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman N, Miller AJ, Lindsey K, Whalley WR (2012) Roots, water, and nutrient acquisition: let’s get physical. Trends Ecol Evol 17:701–710

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coops H, Beklioglu M, Crisman TL (2003) The role of water–level fluctuations in shallow lake ecosystems–workshop conclusions. Hydrobiologia 506(509):23–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng ZM, Zhang X, Zhang H, Pan GY, Qin XQ (2016) Analysis of stable oxygen isotope of soil-plant-groundwater in Poyang Lake wetland. Resour Environ Yangtze Basin 25(6):989–995 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding QZ (2013) Impacts of water level fluctuations on substrate environments of lakeshore vegetation. Dissertation of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (in Chinese)

  • Furey PC, Nordin RN, Mazumder A (2004) Water level drawdown affects physical and biogeochemical properties of littoral sediments of a reservoir and a natural lake. Lake Reserv Manage 20(4):280–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel I, Vile D, Violle C, Devaux J, Ricci B, Blanchard A, Garnier E, Roumet C (2007) Relating root structure and anatomy to whole-plant functioning in 14 herbaceous Mediterranean species. New Phytol 173(2):313–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang JJ, Zhao M, Li GY, Zhang JQ, Wang F (2016) Preliminary study on the sand-fixing characteristics of Carex brunnescens in desertification grassland of Maqu County. Soil Water Conser China 2:47–51 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambers H, Raven JA, Shaver GR, Smith SE (2008) Plant nutrient-acquisition strategies change with soil age. Trends Ecol Evol 23(2):95–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leira M, Cantonati M (2008) Effects of water-level fluctuations on lakes: an annotated bibliography. Hydrobiologia 613:171–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenssen JPM, De Kroon H (2005) Abiotic constraints at the upper boundaries of two Rumex species on a freshwater flooding gradient. J Ecol 93(1):138–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li ZF, Zhang XK, Wan A, Wang HL, Xie J (2018) Effects of water depth and substrate type on rhizome bud sprouting and growth in Zizania latifolia. Wetl Ecol Manag 26(3):277–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu RS (2000) Soil and agriculture chemical analysis methods. Chinese agricultural science and technology press, Beijing (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo WT, Wu YN, Zhang FJ, Huo GW, Lv JZ (2011) Root characteristics under different grazing intensities in Stipa krylovii steppe. Chin J Ecol 30(12):2692–2699 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lytle DA, Poff NL (2004) Adaptation to natural flow regimes. Trends Ecol Evol 19:94–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magee TK, Kentula ME (2005) Response of wetland plant species to hydrologic conditions. Wetl Ecol Manag 13(2):163–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narteh LT, Sahrawat KL (1999) Influence of flooding on electrochemical and chemical properties of West African soils. Geoderma 87(3):179–207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poorter H, Niklas KJ, Reich PB, Oleksyn J, Poot P, Mommer L (2012) Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control. New Phytol 193(1):30–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu S, McComb AJ (1996) Drying-induced stimulation of ammonium release and nitrification in reflooded lake sediment. Mar Freshw Res 47(3):531–536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shan LS, Li Y, Ren W, Su SP, Dong QL, Geng DM (2013) Root architecture of two desert plants in central Hexi corridor of Northwest China. Chin J Appl Ecol 24(1):25–31 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tjoelker MG, Craine JM, Wedin D, Reich PB, Tilman D (2005) Linking leaf and root trait syndromes among 39 grassland and savannah species. New Phytol 167(2):493–508

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Visser EJ, Blom CW, Voesenek LA (1996) Flooding-induced adventitious rooting in Rumex: morphology and development in an ecological perspective. Acta Botanica Neerlandica 45(1):17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wahl S, Ryser P (2000) Root tissue structure is linked to ecological strategies of grasses. New Phytol 148(3):459–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SM, Dou HS (1998) Lakes of China. Science Press, Beijing (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang P, Deng X, Huang Y, Fang X, Zhang J, Wan H, Yang C (2016) Root morphological responses of five soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] cultivars to cadmium stress at young seedlings. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:1860–1872

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wantzen KM, Rothhaupt KO, Mörtl M, Cantonati M, László G, Fischer P (2008) Ecological effects of water-level fluctuations in lakes: an urgent issue. Hydrobiologia 613(1):1–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie Y, Luo W, Wang K, Ren B (2008) Root growth dynamics of Deyeuxia angustifolia seedlings in response to water level. Aquat Bot 89(3):292–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu SJ, Zeng B (2008) Enhancement effects of 5 flooding-tolerant species' roots on soil anti-erodibility in Three Gorges reservoir region. J Soil Water Conserv 22(6):13–18 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang XL, Zhang XM, Li YL, Li SC, Sun HL (2008) Analysis of root architecture and root adaptive strategy in the Taklimakan Desert area of China. Chin J Plant Ecol 32:1268–1276 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye C, Zhang K, Deng Q, Zhang Q (2013) Plant communities in relation to flooding and soil characteristics in the water level fluctuation zone of the three gorges reservoir, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(3):1794–1802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan S, Yang Z, Liu X, Wang H (2017) Key parameters of water level fluctuations determining the distribution of Carex in shallow lakes. Wetlands 37:1005–1014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-017-0934-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XK (2013) Water level fluctuation requirements of plants in the Yangtze floodplain lakes. Dissertation of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (In Chinese)

  • Zhang X, Liu X, Wang H (2014) Developing water level regulation strategies for macrophytes restoration of a large river–disconnected lake, China. Ecol Eng 68:25–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Liu X, Wang H (2015) Effects of water level fluctuations on lakeshore vegetation of three subtropical floodplain lakes, China. Hydrobiologia 747:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Wan A, Wang H, Zhu L, Yin J, Liu Z, Yu D (2016) The overgrowth of Zizania latifolia in a subtropical floodplain lake: changes in its distribution and possible water level control measures. Ecol Eng 89:114–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zobel RW, Kinraide TB, Baligar VC (2007) Fine root diameters can change in response to changes in nutrient concentrations. Plant Soil 297(1–2):243–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We appreciate Wei Jiang, Wenjie Luo, Xiaoyu Gao, and Fan Wu at the Anqing Normal University for their efforts in the experiments. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 41501028, 31560133].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center of Aquatic Organism Conservation and Water Ecosystem Restoration in University of Anhui Province, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, 246011, China

    Xiaoke Zhang, Huili Wang & An Wan

  2. Center for Watershed Ecology, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China

    Haiming Qin

  3. Jiangxi Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, Nanchang, 330000, China

    Guanhua Liu

Authors
  1. Xiaoke Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haiming Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huili Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. An Wan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Guanhua Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoke Zhang.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Boqiang Qin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, X., Qin, H., Wang, H. et al. Effects of water level fluctuations on root architectural and morphological traits of plants in lakeshore areas of three subtropical floodplain lakes in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 34583–34594 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3429-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3429-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation