Photosynthetica, 2018 (vol. 56), issue 4

Photosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1304-1312 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0838-0

Changes in winter snow depth affects photosynthesis and physiological characteristics of biological soil crusts in the Tengger Desert

R. Hui1, R. M. Zhao2,*, L. C. Liu1, Y. X. Li3, H. T. Yang1, Y. L. Wang1, M. Xie1, X. Q. Wang4
1 Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
2 School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
3 College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
4 Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China

Water availability is a major limiting factor in desert ecosystems. However, a winter snowfall role in the growth of biological soil crusts is still less investigated. Here, four snow treatments were designed to evaluate the effects of snow depth on photosynthesis and physiological characteristics of biological soil crusts. Results showed that snow strongly affected the chlorophyll fluorescence properties. The increased snow depth led to increased contents of photosynthetic pigments and soluble proteins. However, all biological soil crusts also exhibited a decline in malondialdehyde and soluble sugar contents as snow increased. Results demonstrated that different biological soil crusts exhibited different responses to snow depth treatment due to differences in their morphological characteristics and microhabitat. In addition, interspecies differentiation in response to snow depth treatment might affect the survival of some biological soil crusts. Further, this influence might lead to changes in the structural composition and functional communities of biological soil crusts.

Keywords: biological soil crusts; chlorophyll fluorescence; photosynthetic pigments; soluble sugar; water availability

Received: August 24, 2017; Accepted: January 1, 2018; Prepublished online: December 1, 2018; Published: November 1, 2018Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Hui, R., Zhao, R.M., Liu, L.C., Li, Y.X., Yang, H.T., Wang, Y.L., Xie, M., & Wang, X.Q. (2018). Changes in winter snow depth affects photosynthesis and physiological characteristics of biological soil crusts in the Tengger Desert. Photosynthetica, 56(4), 1304-1312. doi: 10.1007/s11099-018-0838-0.
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Abed R.M., Polerecky L., Al-Habsi A. et al.: Rapid recovery of cyanobacterial pigments in desiccated biological soil crusts following addition of water.-PLoS ONE 9: e112372, 2014. Go to original source...
    2. Ashraf M., Harris P.J.C.: Photosynthesis under stressful environments: An overview.-Photosynthetica 51: 163-190, 2013. Go to original source...
    3. Auton M., Rösgen J., Sinev M. et al.: Osmolyte effects on protein stability and solubility: A balancing act between backbone and side-chains.-Biophys. Chem. 159: 90-99, 2011. Go to original source...
    4. Bates L.S., Waldren R.P., Teare I.D.: Rapid determination of free proline for water stress studies.-Plant Soil 39: 205-207, 1973. Go to original source...
    5. Belnap J., Phillips S.L., Miller M.E.: Response of desert biological soil crusts to alterations in precipitation frequency.-Oecologia 141: 306-316, 2004. Go to original source...
    6. Bosiö J., Stiegler, C., Johansson M. et al.: Increased photosynthesis compensates for shorter growing season in subarctic tundra-8 years of snow accumulation manipulations.-Climatic Change 127: 321-334, 2014. Go to original source...
    7. Bowker M.A., Belnap J., Büdel B. et al.: Controls on distribution patterns of biological soil crusts at micro to global scales.-In: Weber B., Büdel B., Belnap J. (ed.): Biological Soil Crusts: An Organizing Principle in Drylands, Ecological Studies. Pp. 173-197. Springer, Berlin 2016. Go to original source...
    8. Bradford M.M.: A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein dye-binding.-Anal. Biochem. 72: 248-254, 1976. Go to original source...
    9. Callaghan T.V., Johansson M., Brown R.D. et al.: The changing face of Arctic snow cover: A synthesis of observed and projected changes.-AMBIO 40: 17-31, 2011. Go to original source...
    10. Cazzonelli C.I., Pogson B.J.: Source to sink: regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in plants.-Trends Plant Sci. 15: 266-274, 2010. Go to original source...
    11. Castillo-Monroy A.P., Maestre F.T., Delgado-Baquerizo M., Gallardo A.: Biological soil crusts modulate nitrogen availability in semi-arid ecosystems: insights from a Mediterranean grassland.-Plant Soil 333: 21-34, 2010. Go to original source...
    12. Chaudhary V.B., Bowker M.A., O'Dell T.E. et al.: Untangling the biological contributions to soil stability in semiarid shrublands.-Ecol. Appl. 19: 110-122, 2009. Go to original source...
    13. Colesie C., Green T.G.A., Raggio J., Büdel B.: Summer activity patterns of Antarctic and high alpine lichen-dominated biological soil crusts-Similar but different?-Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res. 48: 449-460, 2016. Go to original source...
    14. Domonkos I., Kis M., Gombos Z., Ughy B.: Carotenoids, versatile components of oxygenic photosynthesis.-Prog. Lipid Res. 52: 539-561, 2013. Go to original source...
    15. Eldridge D.J., Bowker M.A., Maestre F.T. et al.: Interactive effects of three ecosystem engineers on infiltration in a semiarid Mediterranean Grassland.-Ecosystems 13: 499-510, 2010. Go to original source...
    16. Evans R.D., Fonda R.W.: The influence of snow on subalpine meadow community pattern, North Cascades, Washington.-Can. J. Bot. 68: 212-220, 1990.
    17. Gharibi S., Tabatabaei B.E.S., Saeidi G., Goli S.A.H.: Effect of drought stress on total phenolic, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activity of Achillea species.-Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 178: 796-809, 2016. Go to original source...
    18. Grote E.E., Belnap J., Housman D.C., Sparks J.P.: Carbon exchange in biological soil crust communities under differential temperatures and soil water contents: implications for global change.-Glob. Change Biol. 16: 2763-2774, 2010. Go to original source...
    19. Hashimoto H., Uragami C., Cogdell R.J.: Carotenoids and photosynthesis.-Subcell. Biochem. 79: 111-139, 2016. Go to original source...
    20. Havaux M., Kloppstech K.: The protective functions of carotenoid and flavonoid pigments against excess visible radiation at chilling temperature investigated in Arabidopsis npq and tt mutants.-Planta 213: 953-966, 2001. Go to original source...
    21. Havaux M., Ksas B., Szewczyk A. et al.: Vatamin B6 deficient plants display increased sensitivity to high light and photooxidative stress.-BMC Plant Biol. 9: 130-151, 2009.
    22. Hui R., Li X.R., Chen C.Y. et al.: Responses of photosynthetic properties and chloroplast ultrastructure of Bryum argenteum from a desert biological soil crust to elevate ultraviolet-B radiation.-Physiol. Plantarum 147: 489-501, 2013. Go to original source...
    23. Hui R., Li X.R., Zhao R.M. et al.: UV-B radiation suppresses chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant systems of two key species in soil crusts from the Tengger Desert, China.-J. Arid Environ. 113: 6-15, 2015. Go to original source...
    24. IPCC.: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report, Summary for Policymakers. IPCC Plenary XXVII. Pp. 17-20. IPCC, Valencia 2007.
    25. Jia R.L., Li X.R., Liu L.C. et al.: Differential wind tolerance of soil crust mosses explains their micro-distribution in nature.-Soil Biol. Biochem. 45: 31-39, 2012. Go to original source...
    26. Karsten U., Lembcke S., Schumann R.: The effects of ultraviolet radiation on photosynthetic performance, growth and sunscreen compounds in aeroterrestrial biofilm algae isolated from building facaded.-Planta 225: 991-1000, 2007. Go to original source...
    27. Kogawara S., Yamanoshita T., Norisada M. et al.: Photosynthesis and photoassimilate transport during root hypoxia in Melaleuca cajuputi, a flood-tolerant species, and in Eucalyptus camaldulensis, a moderately flood-tolerant species.-Tree Physiol. 26: 1413-1423, 2006. Go to original source...
    28. Kummerová M., Krulová J., Zezulka Š., Tríska J.: Evaluation of fluoranthene phytotoxicity in pea plants by Hill reaction and chlorophyll fluorescence.-Chemosphere 65: 489-496, 2006. Go to original source...
    29. Lan S.B., Wu L., Zhang D.L., Hu C.X.: Successional stages of biological soil crusts and their microstructure variability in Shapotou region (China).-Environ. Earth Sci. 65: 77-88, 2012. Go to original source...
    30. Lan S.B., Wu L., Zhang D.L. et al.: Ethanol outperforms multiple solvents in the extraction of chlorophyll a from biological soil crusts.-Soil Biol. Biochem. 43: 857-861, 2011. Go to original source...
    31. Lange O.L., Belnap J., Reichenberger H.: Photosynthesis of the cyanobacterial soil-crust lichen Collema tenax from arid lands in southern Utah, USA: role of water content on light and temperature responses of CO2 exchange.-Funct. Ecol. 12: 195-202, 1998. Go to original source...
    32. Li J.H., Li X.R., Chen C.Y.: Degradation and reorganization of thylakoid protein complexes of Bryum argenteum in response to dehydration and rehydration.-Bryologist 117: 110-118, 2014. Go to original source...
    33. Li X.R.: Study on Eco-Hydrology of Desert Biological Soil Crusts. Pp. 431-463. High Education Press, Beijing 2012.
    34. Li X.R., Jia R.L. Chen Y.W. et al.: Association of ant nests with successional stages of biological soil crusts in the Tengger Desert, Northern China.-Appl. Soil Ecol. 47: 59-66, 2011. Go to original source...
    35. Li X.R., Jia X.H., Long L.Q., Zerbe S.: Effect of biological soil crusts on seed bank, germination and establishment of two desert annual plants.-Plant Soil 277: 375-385, 2005. Go to original source...
    36. Li X.R., Zhang J.G., Wang X.P. et al.: Study on soil microbiotic crust and its influences on sand-fixing vegetation in arid desert region.-Acta Bot. Sin. 42: 965-970, 2000.
    37. Lu Y., Li X.R., He M.Z. et al.: Nickel effects on growth and antioxidative enzymes activities in desert plant Zygophyllum xanthoxylon (Bunge) Maxim.-Sci. Cold Arid Reg. 2: 436-444, 2010.
    38. Mafakheri A., Siosemardeh A., Bahramnejad B. et al.: Effect of drought stress on yield, proline and chlorophyll contents in three chickpea cultivars.-Aust. J. Crop Sci. 4: 580-585, 2010.
    39. Melick D.R., Seppelt R.D.: Loss of soluble carbohydrate and changes in freezing point of Antarctic bryophytes after leaching and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.-Antarct. Sci. 4: 399-404, 1992. Go to original source...
    40. Mondoni A., Rossi G., Orsenigo S., Probert R.J.: Climate warming could shift the timing of seed germination in alpine plants.-Ann. Bot.-London 110: 155-164, 2012. Go to original source...
    41. Olsen M.S., Callaghan T.V., Reist J.D. et al.: The changing arctic cryosphere and likely consequences: an overview.-AMBIO 40: 111-118, 2011. Go to original source...
    42. Peng Q., Zhou Q.: Influence of lanthanum on chloroplast ultrastructure of soybean leaves under ultraviolet-B stress.-J. Rare Earth. 27: 304-307, 2009. Go to original source...
    43. Perata P., Armstrong W., Voesenek L.A.C.J.: Plants and flooding stress.-New Phytol. 190: 269-273, 2011. Go to original source...
    44. Sala O.E., Lauenroth W.K.: Small rainfall events: an ecological role in semiarid regions.-Oecologia 53: 301-304, 1982. Go to original source...
    45. Salguero-Gómez R., Siewert W., Casper B.B., Tielbörger K.: A demographic approach to study effects of climate change in desert plants.-Philos. T. Roy. Soc. B 367: 3100-3114, 2012. Go to original source...
    46. Sara K., Abbaspour H., Sinaki J.M., Makarian H.: Effects of water deficit and chitosan spraying on osmotic adjustment and soluble protein of cultivars castor bean (Ricinus communis L.).-J. Stress Physiol. Biochem. 8: 160-169, 2012.
    47. Seyyednejad M.S., Koochak H.: A study on air pollution effects on Eucalyptus camaldulensis.-In: International Conference on Environmental, Biomedical and Biotechnology. Pp. 98-101. IPCBEE. IACSIT Press, Singapore 2011.
    48. Sharmila P., Pardha Saradhi P.: Proline accumulation in heavy metal stressed plants: an adaptive strategy.-In: Prasad M.N.V., Strzalka K. (ed.): Physiology and Biochemistry of Metal Toxicity and Tolerance in Plants. Pp. 179-199. Kluwer, Dordrecht 2010. Go to original source...
    49. Singh N.K., LaRosa P.C., Handa A.K. et al.: Hormonal regulation of protein synthesis associated with salt tolerance in plant cells.-P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84: 739-743, 1987. Go to original source...
    50. Sponseller R.A.: Precipitation pulses and soil CO2 flux in a Sonoran Desert ecosystem.-Glob. Change Biol. 13: 426-436, 2007. Go to original source...
    51. Tan B., Wu F.Z., Yang W.Q., He X.H.: Snow removal alters soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity in a Tibetan alpine forest.-Appl. Soil Ecol. 76: 34-41, 2014. Go to original source...
    52. Tang B., Xu S.Z., Zou X.L. et al.: Changes of antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation in leaves and roots of waterlogging-tolerant and waterlogging-sensitive maize genotypes at seedling stage.-Agr. Sci. China 9: 651-661, 2010. Go to original source...
    53. Thomas A.D., Hoon S.R., Linton P.E.: Carbon dioxide fluxes from cyanobacteria crusted soils in the Kalahari.-Appl. Soil Ecol. 39: 254-263, 2008. Go to original source...
    54. Wei J., Yuen E.Y., Liu W. et al.: Estrogen protects against the detrimental effects of repeated stress on glutamatergic transmission and cognition.-Mol. Psychiatr. 19: 588-598, 2014. Go to original source...
    55. Wilson B.C., Jacobs D.F.: Chlorophyll fluorescence of stem cambial tissue reflects dormancy development in Juglans nigra seedlings.-New Forest. 43: 771-778, 2012. Go to original source...
    56. Wipf S., Rixen C.: A review of snow manipulation experiments in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems.-Polar Res. 29: 95-109, 2010. Go to original source...
    57. Wu L., Lei Y., Lan S., Hu C.: Photosynthetic recovery and acclimation to excess light intensity in the rehydrated lichen soil crusts.-PLoS ONE 12: e0172537, 2017. Go to original source...
    58. Zhao R.M., Hui R., Wang Z.R. et al.: Winter snowfall can have a positive effect on photosynthetic carbon fixation and biomass accumulation of biological soil crusts from the Gurbantunggut Desert, China.-Ecol. Res. 31: 251-262, 2016. Go to original source...
    59. Zhao Y., Li X.R., Zhang Z.S. et al.: Biological soil crusts influence carbon release responses following rainfall in a temperate desert, northern China.-Ecol. Res. 29: 889-896, 2014. Go to original source...

    Return to the content