title: A comparison of the functional traits of common reed (Phragmites australis) in northern China: aquatic vs. terrestrial ecotypes.
abstract: Common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) is distributed widely throughout the world with various ecotypes. This research compares the functional traits and biomass allocation patterns of two contrasting reed ecotypes. Twelve pairs of aquatic and terrestrial reed samples were collected in northern China. Significant differences in functional traits between the two reed ecotypes were observed, while biomass allocation patterns of reed organs did not differ significantly except for at the root. The dry matter content (DMC) in the whole of the reed plant, leaf, root, and rhizome was higher; while the specific leaf area (SLA) and specific root length (SRL) were lower in terrestrial versus aquatic reed. The biomass allocation in organs of the two forms of reed was isometric, only root in the terrestrial habitat increased faster with an increase in the whole plant biomass. It can be affirmed that aquatic and terrestrial reed that adapt to different environments generally has distinct leaf and root functional traits but isometric biomass allocation patterns. This suggests different resource acquisition strategies: (1) aquatic reed grows faster with high SLA and SRL and is more responsive to the environment, while (2) terrestrial reed with high DMC grows slower and is less responsive to the adverse environment (e.g. dry soil conditions).
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ; Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wenxuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thevs
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture and Forestry, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiuhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chengjun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Regional Eco-Process and Function Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Armin O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Tommaso
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Cirella
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zerbe
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D018533:Biomass; D002681:China; D003890:Desiccation; D017753:Ecosystem; D060146:Ecotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D006109:Poaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable