ORIGINAL PAPER
Enrichment of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes
of plant populations and plateau pikas along
altitudes
1 |
College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology,
Luoyang, 471003, P.R. China |
2 |
Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS),
59#, Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai, P.R. China |
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2006;15(4):661–667
Publication date: 2006-11-06
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were measured in plant populations and plateau pikas
to determine enrichment in stable isotopes of three alpine meadow ecosystems at different elevations
in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results indicated that stable carbon isotope signatures of plant
populations at the three locations showed significant variations, δ13C of plant populations showed
an enrichment of 0.86‰ per 1000 m over the linear proportion of the altitudinal response, while
stable nitrogen isotopes showed no apparent difference. The stable nitrogen isotopes of plateau pikas
became significantly isotopically heavier along altitudinal gradients and showed an enrichment
of 3.17‰/km. Stable carbon isotopes showed no significance, however, and the enrichment of
0.448‰/km. δ 13C and δ 15N in plateau pikas were not significantly correlated. There appeared to
be segregation between the metabolism of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of plateau pikas.
Variances in metabolic rate at lower water availability and temperatures are presumed to be the main
cause of enrichment of stable nitrogen isotopes along altitudinal gradients. Attention should be paid
to construct trophic positions and to trace food chain information based on an isotopic enrichment
model.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
X. F. Yi
College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology,
Luoyang, 471003, P.R. China; Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS),
59#, Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai, P.R. China
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