RESUMEN
It is increasingly recognized that belowground responses to vegetation change are closely linked to plant functional traits. However, our understanding is limited concerning the relative importance of different plant traits for soil functions and of the mechanisms by which traits influence soil properties in the real world. Here we test the hypothesis that taller species, or those with complex rooting structures, are associated with high rates of nutrient and carbon (C) cycling in grassland. We further hypothesized that communities dominated by species with deeper roots may be more resilient to drought. These hypotheses were tested in a 3-yr grassland restoration experiment on degraded ex-arable land in southern England. We sowed three trait-based plant functional groups, assembled using database derived values of plant traits, and their combinations into bare soil. This formed a range of plant trait syndromes onto which we superimposed a simulated drought 2 yr after initial establishment. We found strong evidence that community weighted mean (CWM) of plant height is negatively associated with soil nitrogen cycling and availability and soil multifunctionality. We propose that this was due to an exploitative resource capture strategy that was inappropriate in shallow chalk soils. Further, complexity of root architecture was positively related to soil multifunctionality throughout the season, with fine fibrous roots being associated with greater rates of nutrient cycling. Drought resistance of soil functions including ecosystem respiration, mineralization, and nitrification were positively related to functional divergence of rooting depth, indicating that, in shallow chalk soils, a range of water capture strategies is necessary to maintain functions. Finally, after 3 yr of the experiment, we did not detect any links between the plant traits and microbial communities, supporting the finding that traits based on plant structure and resource foraging capacity are the main variables driving soil function in the early years of grassland conversion. We suggest that screening recently restored grassland communities for potential soil multifunctionality and drought resilience may be possible based on rooting architecture and plant height. These results indicate that informed assembly of plant communities based on plant traits could aid in the restoration of functioning in degraded soil.
Asunto(s)
Sequías , Suelo/química , Ecosistema , Inglaterra , PraderaRESUMEN
We investigated the natriuretic and kaliuretic effect of distal tubular diuretics in saline-loaded spontaneously hypertensive Wistar rats (SHR) from three different sources and normotensive Wistar rats (NWR). Orally administered early distal tubular diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, metolazone, indapamide and cicletanine) caused much less potassium excretion in SHR than in NWR, whereas the magnitude of concurrent natriuresis was similar in both NWR and SHR. The intriguing renal handling of potassium excretion was exemplified by hydrochlorothiazide, for which enhanced kaliuresis was dose dependent in NWR but not in SHR. The doses tested ranged from 1 to 100 mg/kg, p.o. Amiloride, a late distal tubular diuretic, was also evaluated for its effect on sodium and potassium excretion in NWR and SHR. Amiloride produced potassium retention more effectively in NWR than in SHR, although the magnitude of natriuresis was similar. The difference between SHR and NWR with regard to potassium-retaining activity of amiloride was consistent at all doses tested (1-30 mg/kg, p.o.). In conclusion, it was suggested that SHR appear to have a genetic defect in potassium transport in the distal nephron.
Asunto(s)
Hipertensión/metabolismo , Túbulos Renales Distales/metabolismo , Potasio/metabolismo , Administración Oral , Animales , Diuréticos/administración & dosificación , Hipertensión/genética , Túbulos Renales Distales/efectos de los fármacos , Potasio/orina , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas SHR , Ratas Endogámicas , Defectos Congénitos del Transporte Tubular Renal/genética , Defectos Congénitos del Transporte Tubular Renal/metabolismo , Sodio/orinaRESUMEN
In this paper we report on a series of experiments evaluating a model of renal artery infusion (RAI) as a screening technique for comparison of new diuretics, and test some assumptions underlying its use. The femoral artery and vein of Beagle dogs were catheterized for the infusion of solutions, measurement of arterial blood pressure and the sampling of arterial blood. The left kidney was isolated through a flank incision, and a 27 ga. needle, connected to PE10 tubing, was inserted into the renal artery for administration of test diuretics. Both ureters were catheterized for collection of urine. Effects on renal function were assessed during control, drug infusion, and recovery periods. At low doses, the loop diuretics, furosemide (FUR) and MK447, increased urinary excretion within the first 15 min of infusion. The effect of muzolimine, another loop diuretic, was delayed until about 45 min after initiation of infusion. Renal function returned to baseline after cessation of drug infusion. At high doses, excretion was increased by all the loop diuretics within the first 15 min of infusion. The response to muzolimine and MK447 was prolonged well into the recovery period, while that to furosemide returned promptly to baseline. Two distal diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride, caused a significant increase in urinary excretion at both low and high doses. The magnitude of the response was significantly less than for the loop diuretics. Low doses of the loop diuretics had very little effect on the contralateral kidney; however, at high doses the excretion rate of the contralateral kidney was significantly increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)