ArticleBMC plant biology2026
Intraspecific variation pattern and adaptation mechanism of ephemeral plants root functional traits in arid region.
Article in BMC plant biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundPrecipitation is a crucial factor influencing the growth of herbaceous plants, particularly in the Gurbantunggut Desert where water is scarce. Adequate water availability promotes diversity and increases biomass in plant communities, an effect that is more pronounced in water-sensitive herbaceous communities. However, the adaptation of root morphology and root biomass of desert herbaceous communities to changes in precipitation remains unclear. Six sampling points were established along the precipitation gradient of the Gurbantunggut Desert to investigate the effects of precipitation changes on plant root morphology and root biomass. We selected five ephemeral plant species from different sites: Erodium oxyrhinchum (EO), Corispermum lehmannianum (CL), Arnebia decumbens (AD), Senecio subdentatus (SS), and Tetracme quadricornis (TQ).
resultsThe results indicated that precipitation significantly influenced root traits and biomass, but responses were species‑specific and often deviated from the Root Economic Spectrum (RES). The proportion of fine roots decreased, while root length, root diameter, and rooting depth increased across species as precipitation increased. Specific root length (SRL) of Erodium oxyrhinchum and Senecio subdentatus increased, accompanied by decreasing root tissue density (RTD). In contrast, Arnebia decumbens and Tetracme quadricornis showed opposite trends (decreasing SRL and increasing RTD), indicating divergence from RES predictions. Above‑ground biomass of all five species increased with precipitation. Below‑ground biomass, however, E. oxyrhinchum exhibited a U‑shaped response (decreasing then increasing), while the other four species showed monotonic increases. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that precipitation affects root biomass through different mechanisms.
conclusionsThese findings enhance our understanding of root niche differentiation and life strategy selection among different ephemeral plants in desert ecosystems with precipitation gradients. They are beneficial for predicting the stability and evolutionary patterns of desert ecosystems under global climate change.
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