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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (7): 1176-1184.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.801

• Climatology and Hydrology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Water use efficiency of pioneer tree species in reclamation ecosystem of open-pit coal mine in loess hilly region

WANG Shuang1,2(), YUAN Ye1,2(), YUAN Yuan1,2, LI Qian1,2, ZHAO Jiayu1,2, YANG Rongxin1,2, YANG Yuqing1,2   

  1. 1. Center of Land Reclamation in Mining Area, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
    2. School of Public Administration, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
  • Received:2024-12-31 Revised:2025-02-18 Online:2025-07-25 Published:2025-07-04
  • Contact: YUAN Ye E-mail:18235769691@163.com;yuanye2452@163.com

Abstract:

Plant water-use efficiency (WUE), which measures the balance between carbon assimilation and water transpiration, serves as a vital indicator of how plants adapt to environmental constraints. This study investigated the dynamics of leaf WUE in pioneer tree species within a reclaimed ecosystem at the Pingshuo open-pit coal mine of Shanxi Province, a representative site in the loess hilly region of China. We focused on three dominant pioneer species: Pinus tabuliformis, Ulmus pumila, and Robinia pseudoacacia, across a chronosequence of reclamation ages (5, 15, 20, and 28 years). The study involved determining leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, C/N ratios, and long-term WUE as inferred from stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C). We also analyzed the relationship between leaf C/N stoichiometry and WUE. The results revealed the following. (1) Leaf C and N concentrations in R. pseudoacacia and U. pumila generally increased with reclamation age, whereas P. tabuliformis peaked in C and N levels at 15 and 20 years, respectively. P. tabuliformis had a significantly higher leaf C concentration and C/N ratio compared to U. pumila (P<0.05) but a lower N concentration compared to the other two tree species (P<0.05). R. pseudoacacia maintained the highest leaf N concentration among the species (P<0.05). (2) Intra-specific WUE varied significantly (P<0.05) with reclamation age: P. tabuliformis had the highest WUE at five years and the lowest at 28 years; U. pumila peaked at 28 years and was at its minimum at five years; R. pseudoacacia reached its maximum WUE at 15 years and minimum at five years. Inter-specifically, P. tabuliformis consistently exhibited higher WUE than both U. pumila and R. pseudoacacia. (3) Across all three species, leaf WUE showed significant positive correlations with leaf C concentration and C/N ratio, whereas its correlation with leaf N concentration was insignificant. These findings elucidate the species-specific WUE characteristics and adaptive physiological adjustments of pioneer trees during vegetation succession in the Pingshuo reclaimed mine area, offering a theoretical foundation for vegetation restoration efforts in open-pit coal mines within the loess hilly region.

Key words: Pingshuo open-pit coalmine, water use efficiency, stable isotope technology, nutrient content