Publications by authors named "Shengchao Qiao"
The life span of leaves increases with their mass per unit area (LMA). It is unclear why. Here, we show that this empirical generalization (the foundation of the worldwide leaf economics spectrum) is a consequence of natural selection, maximizing average net carbon gain over the leaf life cycle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant functional traits represent adaptive strategies to the environment, linked to biophysical and biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning. Compilations of trait data facilitate research in multiple fields from plant ecology through to land-surface modelling. Here we present version 2 of the China Plant Trait Database, which contains information on morphometric, physical, chemical, photosynthetic and hydraulic traits from 1529 unique species in 140 sites spanning a diversity of vegetation types.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Recent observations show mixed vegetation responses on the Tibetan Plateau, with drier areas experiencing greening and wetter regions facing browning, despite similar climatic trends from 1982 to 2016.
- - A new model based on eco-evolutionary optimality (EEO) effectively explains these divergent trends by examining the limitations of water and energy, achieving a strong correlation with satellite data.
- - The study suggests that while increased CO2 promotes plant growth, its effects on photosynthesis are diminishing, indicating a shift in vegetation sensitivity from water to energy limitations due to climate change.
The nitrogen cycle has been radically changed by human activities. China consumes nearly one third of the world's nitrogen fertilizers. The excessive application of fertilizers and increased nitrogen discharge from livestock, domestic and industrial sources have resulted in pervasive water pollution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF