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Regeneration limitations of Hippophae rhamnoides population after successfully encroached on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
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  • Baoli Fan,
  • Pengfei Gao,
  • Tingting Tian,
  • Jinhua Jiang,
  • Nana Ding,
  • Yongkuan Wan,
  • Miaojun Ma,
  • Kun Sun
Baoli Fan
Northwest Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Pengfei Gao
Northwest Normal University
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Tingting Tian
Northwest Normal University
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Jinhua Jiang
Northwest Normal University
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Nana Ding
Northwest Normal University
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Yongkuan Wan
Northwest Normal University
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Miaojun Ma
Lanzhou University
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Kun Sun
Northwest Normal University
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Abstract

Shrub encroachment can alter the structure and function of grassland ecosystems, leading to their degradation. Therefore, population regeneration dynamics after shrub encroachment on the influence of grassland should not be ignored. H. rhamnoides, as a pioneer species, has significantly encroached with large areas onto the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) due to climate change and over-grazing. However, few studies have focused on the dynamics of population regeneration following successful encroachment. Therefore, we studied H. rhamnoides natural population in the alpine grasslands, investigating population regeneration pattern, seed, bud production and storage, and limitation imposed by microhabitats (soil, light and feeding). Our aim was to explore population regeneration strategies and identify key limiting factors for population regeneration after successful encroachment. Our findings revealed several key points: (i) H. rhamnoides entered the alpine grassland by relying on seeds, it would seize resources by low-cost clonal reproduction, then increase sexual reproduction to improve genetic diversity. (ii) The production and storage of seeds and buds was sufficient, seed vigor was high, seed emergence rate was higher duo to mechanical restriction of hard seed coat was weakened by the water transport channels in the palisade layer, and formation of seedlings was less restricted. (iii) H. rhamnoides population regeneration was mainly limited by microhabitats light and feeding. However, light and feeding significantly affected seedlings photosynthesis and carbon storage, their interaction significantly reduced the seedlings survival, and further restricted population regeneration. The results can provide theoretical basis for the restoration and management of alpine grassland degradation caused by shrub encroachment.
13 Aug 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
23 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
30 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 Oct 20241st Revision Received
14 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
14 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
14 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Nov 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor