Response Of The Capsule Production And Spore Germination Of Sphagnum Species In Hani Peatland To Environmental Changes

Sphagnum is the dominant plant in peatlands, and it plays an important role in global carbon cycling. Capsule production and spore germination may be significant to the sustainable regeneration of Sphagnum. However, quite few related studies have been reported.Taking S. palustre, S. capillifolium and S. fallax as the study species in Hani Peatland, this paper studied the effects of the habit and microhabitat differences on capsule production of Sphagnum species, the change of germination rate with the time and the effects of environmental changes on spore germination and germination potential.,I tried to acquire a direct evidence of sexual reproduction of Sphagnum.The main results and conclusions in this study are as follows:(1) Habit differences affected the production of spore capsule. The number of spore capsule in forest edge was far more than that in open area of Hani Peatland. Water level and position in hummocks and other micro habitat conditions affected production of spore capsule.(2) The spore germination rate of S. fallax decreased with the time passing, while that of S. palustre and S. capillifolium was different. Being controlled by a dormancy mechanism, their spores decreased germination rate sharply after maturity. In the end of the growing season, their germination rate closed to zero, but it rose highly in the beginning of the next growing season.(3)In field, nitrogen significantly promoted the germination of the spores of 3 Sphagnum species, while it didn't significantly affect the germination potential of theirs spore. Phosphorus did not show significant effect on spore germination and germination potential in all the three Sphagnum species.(4)The last, but maybe the most important result of this paper, is that the spores of three Sphagnum species could germinate in hummocks. This study provided a direct evidence of Sphagnum spore germination in field. It is of great significance for reproduction ecology of Sphagnum to produce spore regularly. It suggests that Sphagnum can rebuilt its population from spore germination after disturbed by the fire, volcano eruption or other natural disasters.