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<p>The semi-arid region of western Liaoning features forests characterized by a simple stand structure and low quality. Optimizing tree species composition and rationally configuring stand structure are crucial for enhancing forest quality. Leaf functional traits provide valuable indicators of plant responses and adaptability to external environmental conditions. This study investigated the effects of species composition and seasonal variation on key leaf functional traits in <i>Syringa reticulata</i>. We examined pure <i>Syringa reticulata</i> forest (SRPF) and three mixed forest types: <i>Syringa reticulata</i>–<i>Syringa oblata</i> (SR-OMF), <i>Syringa reticulata</i>–<i>Gleditsia sinensis</i> (SR-GSMF), and <i>Syringa reticulata</i>–<i>Populus</i> spp. (SR-PMF). Measurements of leaf structural traits (LT, LA, SLA, LTD, LDMC, LMA) and water-related traits (LWC, RWC, WSD, LWRC) were conducted during spring, summer, and autumn. Compared to pure forests (SRPF), <i>Syringa reticulata</i> in mixed forests exhibited consistently decreased SLA across all seasons. Other structural traits (LA, LTD, LDMC, and LMA) were generally enhanced in mixed stands during spring, though these differences diminished as the growing season progressed; notably, leaf thickness (LT) showed no significant variation among stand types. This pattern aligns with the adaptive trait variation predicted by leaf economics spectrum theory. Regarding water relations, mixed stands generally experienced lower RWC, LWC, and LWRC, alongside higher WSD during spring and summer. However, a significant reversal occurred in autumn, where specific mixed stands (SR-GSMF and SR-PMF) maintained higher RWC and lower WSD than pure forests, exhibiting superior late-season drought resilience. Seasonal changes significantly influenced leaf traits across all stand types. LTD, LDMC, and LMA increased from spring to summer before decreasing towards autumn, whereas SLA displayed the opposite trend. Correspondingly, LWC peaked in summer, while RWC and LWRC progressively increased to reach their maximums in autumn, contrasting with a continuous decline in WSD. The interaction between species composition and season exerted highly significant effects (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) on LA, SLA, RWC, and WSD. Principal component analysis revealed that SR-GSMF attained the highest PC1 score (1.448) in autumn, with principal component loadings strongly associated with water use efficiency (LWC loading = 0.397). This study provides a theoretical foundation for tree species selection and the rational stand structure configuration to improve forest quality in the semi-arid region of western Liaoning.</p>

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Optimal configuration of Syringa reticulata stands in semi-arid western Liaoning driven by tree composition and seasonal changes

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月19日

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  • Bingyu Zhang,
  • Mengxuan He,
  • Jiao Deng,
  • Sinan Gao,
  • Yutao Wang,
  • Ping Liu

摘要

The semi-arid region of western Liaoning features forests characterized by a simple stand structure and low quality. Optimizing tree species composition and rationally configuring stand structure are crucial for enhancing forest quality. Leaf functional traits provide valuable indicators of plant responses and adaptability to external environmental conditions. This study investigated the effects of species composition and seasonal variation on key leaf functional traits in Syringa reticulata. We examined pure Syringa reticulata forest (SRPF) and three mixed forest types: Syringa reticulata–Syringa oblata (SR-OMF), Syringa reticulata–Gleditsia sinensis (SR-GSMF), and Syringa reticulata–Populus spp. (SR-PMF). Measurements of leaf structural traits (LT, LA, SLA, LTD, LDMC, LMA) and water-related traits (LWC, RWC, WSD, LWRC) were conducted during spring, summer, and autumn. Compared to pure forests (SRPF), Syringa reticulata in mixed forests exhibited consistently decreased SLA across all seasons. Other structural traits (LA, LTD, LDMC, and LMA) were generally enhanced in mixed stands during spring, though these differences diminished as the growing season progressed; notably, leaf thickness (LT) showed no significant variation among stand types. This pattern aligns with the adaptive trait variation predicted by leaf economics spectrum theory. Regarding water relations, mixed stands generally experienced lower RWC, LWC, and LWRC, alongside higher WSD during spring and summer. However, a significant reversal occurred in autumn, where specific mixed stands (SR-GSMF and SR-PMF) maintained higher RWC and lower WSD than pure forests, exhibiting superior late-season drought resilience. Seasonal changes significantly influenced leaf traits across all stand types. LTD, LDMC, and LMA increased from spring to summer before decreasing towards autumn, whereas SLA displayed the opposite trend. Correspondingly, LWC peaked in summer, while RWC and LWRC progressively increased to reach their maximums in autumn, contrasting with a continuous decline in WSD. The interaction between species composition and season exerted highly significant effects (p < 0.001) on LA, SLA, RWC, and WSD. Principal component analysis revealed that SR-GSMF attained the highest PC1 score (1.448) in autumn, with principal component loadings strongly associated with water use efficiency (LWC loading = 0.397). This study provides a theoretical foundation for tree species selection and the rational stand structure configuration to improve forest quality in the semi-arid region of western Liaoning.