Head of the Group:  Dr. Jiao-Lin Zhang (Associate Professor) 

Email: zjl@xtbg.org.cn

Website: http://159.226.69.5/ppe/index.asp

Research interests:

Our research interests focus on investigating the mechanisms governing the patterns and processes of the tropical and subtropical terrestrial ecosystems by using the techniques and methods of plant physiology. Especially, plant water relations and hydraulics of different plant functional groups in relation to adaptation and acclimation to different environments; plant trait evolution and the relations between functional traits and community assembly as well as plant distribution; cambium growth of tropical trees, the responses of photosynthesis and photoprotection of tropical and subtropical plants to environmental stresses such as low temperature and drought; using dendrochronology to study the climate history and impacts of climate change on tree growth.

Main projects since 2002：

2006-2010，Ecophysiological study of plants of dry tropical forests on Karst mountains, a project under a major 973 project funded by Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, budget: RMB 400,000.

2007-2009，Comparative ecophysiology of evergreen and deciduous broadleaved trees in the montane cloud forest of Mt. Ailaoshan, Central Yunnan, a project funded by the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China(NSFC), RMB 270,000 .

2004-2007，The degradation mechanism of vegetations in the hot-dry valley of the Yuanjiang River(the upper Red River), the ecophysiological aspects, a key project funded by NSFC, RMB 800,000.

2003-2006，The adaptation mechanism of plants to environmental stresses in the hot-dry valleys. A key project of Chinese Academy of Scciences (CAS), RMB 1,200,000 distributed into 3 subprojects.

2002-2005，The mechanisms causing the endangerness of Parashorea wangtianensis(Shorea chinensis). A subproject of a major research project funded by CAS, RMB 425,000.

Selected publications：

               Zhang SB, Sun M, Cao KF, Hu H, Zhang JL: Leaf Photosynthetic Rate of Tropical Ferns Is Evolutionarily Linked to Water Transport Capacity. PLoS One 2014, 9(1).  

                Yang SJ, Sun M, Zhang YJ, Cochard H, Cao KF: Strong leaf morphological, anatomical, and physiological responses of a subtropical woody bamboo (Sinarundinaria nitida) to contrasting light environments. Plant Ecol 2014, 215(1):97-109.

                Liu GF, Cornwell WK, Pan X, Cao KF, Ye XH, Huang ZY, Dong M, Cornelissen JHC: Understanding the ecosystem implications of the angiosperm rise to dominance: leaf litter decomposability among magnoliids and other basal angiosperms. J Ecol 2014, 102(2):337-344.

                Huang W, Zhang JL, Zhang SB, Hu H: Evidence for the regulation of leaf movement by photosystem II activity. Environ Exp Bot 2014, 107:167-172.

                Hu YH, Kitching RL, Lan GY, Zhang JL, Sha LQ, Cao M: Size-Class Effect Contributes to Tree Species Assembly through Influencing Dispersal in Tropical Forests. PLoS One 2014, 9(9).

                Ghestem M, Cao KF, Ma WZ, Rowe N, Leclerc R, Gadenne C, Stokes A: A Framework for Identifying Plant Species to Be Used as 'Ecological Engineers' for Fixing Soil on Unstable Slopes. PLoS One 2014, 9(8).

                Chen YJ, Bongers F, Zhang JL, Liu JY, Cao KF: DIFFERENT BIOMECHANICAL DESIGN AND ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN JUVENILES OF TWO LIANA SPECIES WITH CONTRASTING GROWTH HABIT. Am J Bot 2014, 101(6):925-934.

                Zhang YJ, Yang QY, Lee DW, Goldstein G, Cao KF: Extended leaf senescence promotes carbon gain and nutrient resorption: importance of maintaining winter photosynthesis in subtropical forests. Oecologia 2013, 173(3):721-730.

                Zhang YJ, Meinzer FC, Qi JH, Goldstein G, Cao KF: Midday stomatal conductance is more related to stem rather than leaf water status in subtropical deciduous and evergreen broadleaf trees. Plant Cell Environ 2013, 36(1):149-158.

                Zhang SB, Cao KF, Fan ZX, Zhang JL: Potential hydraulic efficiency in angiosperm trees increases with growth-site temperature but has no trade-off with mechanical strength. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 2013, 22(8):971-981.

                Tan ZH, Cao M, Yu GR, Tang JW, Deng XB, Song QH, Tang Y, Zheng Z, Liu WJ, Feng ZL et al: High sensitivity of a tropical rainforest to water variability: Evidence from 10 years of inventory and eddy flux data. J Geophys Res-Atmos 2013, 118(16):9393-9400.

                Li S, Zhang YJ, Sack L, Scoffoni C, Ishida A, Chen YJ, Cao KF: The Heterogeneity and Spatial Patterning of Structure and Physiology across the Leaf Surface in Giant Leaves of Alocasia macrorrhiza. PLoS One 2013, 8(6).

                Huang W, Fu PL, Jiang YJ, Zhang JL, Zhang SB, Hu H, Cao KF: Differences in the responses of photosystem I and photosystem II of three tree species Cleistanthus sumatranus, Celtis philippensis and Pistacia weinmannifolia exposed to a prolonged drought in a tropical limestone forest. Tree Physiol 2013, 33(2):211-220.

                Hao GY, Wang AY, Sack L, Goldstein G, Cao KF: Is hemiepiphytism an adaptation to high irradiance? Testing seedling responses to light levels and drought in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus. Physiol Plant 2013, 148(1):74-86.

                Zhang JL, Poorter L, Hao GY, Cao KF: Photosynthetic thermotolerance of woody savanna species in China is correlated with leaf life span. Ann Bot 2012, 110(5):1027-1033.

                Zhang JL, Poorter L, Cao KF: Productive leaf functional traits of Chinese savanna species. Plant Ecol 2012, 213(9):1449-1460.

                Yang SJ, Zhang YJ, Sun M, Goldstein G, Cao KF: Recovery of diurnal depression of leaf hydraulic conductance in a subtropical woody bamboo species: embolism refilling by nocturnal root pressure. Tree Physiol 2012, 32(4):414-422.

                Tan ZH, Zhang YP, Liang NS, Hsia YJ, Zhang YJ, Zhou GY, Li YL, Juang JY, Chu HS, Yan JH et al: An observational study of the carbon-sink strength of East Asian subtropical evergreen forests. Environ Res Lett 2012, 7(4).

                Huang W, Zhang SB, Cao KF: Evidence for leaf fold to remedy the deficiency of physiological photoprotection for photosystem II. Photosynth Res 2012, 110(3):185-191.

                Huang W, Yang SJ, Zhang SB, Zhang JL, Cao KF: Cyclic electron flow plays an important role in photoprotection for the resurrection plant Paraboea rufescens under drought stress. Planta 2012, 235(4):819-828.

                Hu YH, Sha LQ, Blanchet FG, Zhang JL, Tang Y, Lan GY, Cao M: Dominant species and dispersal limitation regulate tree species distributions in a 20-ha plot in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. Oikos 2012, 121(6):952-960.

                Fu PL, Jiang YJ, Wang AY, Brodribb TJ, Zhang JL, Zhu SD, Cao KF: Stem hydraulic traits and leaf water-stress tolerance are co-ordinated with the leaf phenology of angiosperm trees in an Asian tropical dry karst forest. Ann Bot 2012, 110(1):189-199.

                Fan ZX, Zhang SB, Hao GY, Slik JWF, Cao KF: Hydraulic conductivity traits predict growth rates and adult stature of 40 Asian tropical tree species better than wood density. J Ecol 2012, 100(3):732-741.

                Cao KF, Yang SJ, Zhang YJ, Brodribb TJ: The maximum height of grasses is determined by roots. Ecol Lett 2012, 15(7):666-672.

                Bartlett MK, Scoffoni C, Ardy R, Zhang Y, Sun SW, Cao KF, Sack L: Rapid determination of comparative drought tolerance traits: using an osmometer to predict turgor loss point. Methods Ecol Evol 2012, 3(5):880-888.

                Zhang SB, Slik JWF, Zhang JL, Cao KF: Spatial patterns of wood traits in China are controlled by phylogeny and the environment. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 2011, 20(2):241-250.

                Zhang SB, Guan ZJ, Chang W, Hu H, Yin Q, Cao KF: Slow photosynthetic induction and low photosynthesis in Paphiopedilum armeniacum are related to its lack of guard cell chloroplast and peculiar stomatal anatomy. Physiol Plant 2011, 142(2):118-127.

                Huang W, Zhang SB, Cao KF: Cyclic Electron Flow Plays an Important Role in Photoprotection of Tropical Trees Illuminated at Temporal Chilling Temperature. Plant Cell Physiol 2011, 52(2):297-305.

                Hao GY, Wang AY, Liu ZH, Franco AC, Goldstein G, Cao KF: Differentiation in light energy dissipation between hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus species with contrasting xylem hydraulic conductivity. Tree Physiol 2011, 31(6):626-636.

                Hao GY, Goldstein G, Sack L, Holbrook NM, Liu ZH, Wang AY, Harrison RD, Su ZH, Cao KF: Ecology of hemiepiphytism in fig species is based on evolutionary correlation of hydraulics and carbon economy. Ecology 2011, 92(11):2117-2130.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Thomas A, Li JB, Cao KF: Spatial and temporal temperature trends on the Yunnan Plateau (Southwest China) during 1961-2004. Int J Climatol 2011, 31(14):2078-2090.

                Chen JW, Zhang QA, Li XS, Cao KF: Steady and dynamic photosynthetic responses of seedlings from contrasting successional groups under low-light growth conditions. Physiol Plant 2011, 141(1):84-95.

                Bai KD, Jiang DB, Cao KF, Liao DB, Wan XC: The physiological advantage of an ecological filter species, Indocalamus longiauritus, over co-occurring Fagus lucida and Castanopsis lamontii seedlings. Ecol Res 2011, 26(1):15-25.

                Zhu SD, Cao KF: Contrasting cost-benefit strategy between lianas and trees in a tropical seasonal rain forest in southwestern China. Oecologia 2010, 163(3):591-599.

                Huang W, Zhang SB, Cao KF: The different effects of chilling stress under moderate light intensity on photosystem II compared with photosystem I and subsequent recovery in tropical tree species. Photosynth Res 2010, 103(3):175-182.

                Huang W, Zhang SB, Cao KF: Stimulation of Cyclic Electron Flow During Recovery After Chilling-Induced Photoinhibition of PSII. Plant Cell Physiol 2010, 51(11):1922-1928.

                Hao GY, Sack L, Wang AY, Cao KF, Goldstein G: Differentiation of leaf water flux and drought tolerance traits in hemiepiphytic and non-hemiepiphytic Ficus tree species. Funct Ecol 2010, 24(4):731-740.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Tian QH, Yang B, Cao KF: Tree ring recorded May-August temperature variations since AD 1585 in the Gaoligong Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Paleogeogr Paleoclimatol Paleoecol 2010, 296(1-2):94-102.

                Chen JW, Zhang QA, Li XS, Cao KF: Gas exchange and hydraulics in seedlings of Hevea brasiliensis during water stress and recovery. Tree Physiol 2010, 30(7):876-885.

                Zhu SD, Cao KF: Hydraulic properties and photosynthetic rates in co-occurring lianas and trees in a seasonal tropical rainforest in southwestern China. Plant Ecol 2009, 204(2):295-304.

                Zheng L, Ives AR, Garland T, Larget BR, Yu Y, Cao KF: New multivariate tests for phylogenetic signal and trait correlations applied to ecophysiological phenotypes of nine Manglietia species. Funct Ecol 2009, 23(6):1059-1069.

                Zhang YJ, Meinzer FC, Hao GY, Scholz FG, Bucci SJ, Takahashi FSC, Villalobos-Vega R, Giraldo JP, Cao KF, Hoffmann WA et al: Size-dependent mortality in a Neotropical savanna tree: the role of height-related adjustments in hydraulic architecture and carbon allocation. Plant Cell Environ 2009, 32(10):1456-1466.

                Zhang Q, Chen JW, Li BG, Cao KF: The effect of drought on photosynthesis in two epiphytic and two terrestrial tropical fern species. Photosynthetica 2009, 47(1):128-132.

                Zhang Q, Chen JW, Li BG, Cao KF: Epiphytes and hemiepiphytes have slower photosynthetic response to lightflecks than terrestrial plants: evidence from ferns and figs. J Trop Ecol 2009, 25:465-472.

                Zhang JL, Meng LZ, Cao KF: Sustained diurnal photosynthetic depression in uppermost-canopy leaves of four dipterocarp species in the rainy and dry seasons: does photorespiration play a role in photoprotection? Tree Physiol 2009, 29(2):217-228.

                Zhang JL, Cao KF: Stem hydraulics mediates leaf water status, carbon gain, nutrient use efficiencies and plant growth rates across dipterocarp species. Funct Ecol 2009, 23(4):658-667.

                Hao GY, Jones TJ, Luton C, Zhang YJ, Manzane E, Scholz FG, Bucci SJ, Cao KF, Goldstein G: Hydraulic redistribution in dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees driven by interstitial soil water salinity gradients: impacts on hydraulic architecture and gas exchange. Tree Physiol 2009, 29(5):697-705.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Yang B, Cao KF: Tree ring density-based summer temperature reconstruction for the central Hengduan Mountains in southern China. Glob Planet Change 2009, 65(1-2):1-11.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Cao KF, Zhu SD: Growth-climate responses of high-elevation conifers in the central Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China. For Ecol Manage 2009, 258(3):306-313.

                Chen JW, Zhang Q, Li XS, Cao KF: Independence of stem and leaf hydraulic traits in six Euphorbiaceae tree species with contrasting leaf phenology. Planta 2009, 230(3):459-468.

                Chen JW, Zhang Q, Cao KF: Inter-species variation of photosynthetic and xylem hydraulic traits in the deciduous and evergreen Euphorbiaceae tree species from a seasonally tropical forest in south-western China. Ecol Res 2009, 24(1):65-73.

                Chen JW, Bai KD, Cao KF: Inhibition of monoterpene biosynthesis accelerates oxidative stress and leads to enhancement of antioxidant defenses in leaves of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Acta Physiol Plant 2009, 31(1):95-101.

                Hao GY, Hoffmann WA, Scholz FG, Bucci SJ, Meinzer FC, Franco AC, Cao KF, Goldstein G: Stem and leaf hydraulics of congeneric tree species from adjacent tropical savanna and forest ecosystems. Oecologia 2008, 155(3):405-415.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Cao KF: Annual temperature reconstruction in the central Hengduan Mountains, China, as deduced from tree rings. Dendrochronologia 2008, 26(2):97-107.

                Fan ZX, Brauning A, Cao KF: Tree-ring based drought reconstruction in the central Hengduan Mountains region (China) since AD 1655. Int J Climatol 2008, 28(14):1879-1887.

                Elsheery NI, Cao KF: Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and osmotic adjustment in two mango cultivars under drought stress. Acta Physiol Plant 2008, 30(6):769-777.

                Chen YJ, Bongers F, Cao KF, Cai ZQ: Above- and below-ground competition in high and low irradiance: tree seedling responses to a competing liana Byttneria grandifolia. J Trop Ecol 2008, 24:517-524.

                Chen JW, Cao KF: Changes in activities of antioxidative system and monoterpene and photochemical efficiency during seasonal leaf senescence in Hevea brasiliensis trees. Acta Physiol Plant 2008, 30(1):1-9.

                Bai KD, Liao DB, Jiang DB, Cao KF: Photosynthetic induction in leaves of co-occurring Fagus lucida and Castanopsis lamontii saplings grown in contrasting light environments. Trees-Struct Funct 2008, 22(4):449-462.

                Zhang JL, Zhu JJ, Cao KF: Seasonal variation in photosynthesis in six woody species with different leaf phenology in a valley savanna in southwestern China. Trees-Struct Funct 2007, 21(6):631-643.

                Wilske B, Cao KF, Schebeske G, Chen JW, Wang A, Kesselmeier J: Isoprenoid emissions of trees in a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, SW China. Atmos Environ 2007, 41(18):3748-3757.

                Elsheery NI, Wilske B, Zhang JL, Cao KF: Seasonal variations in gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of five mango cultivars in southern Yunnan, China. J Horticult Sci Biotechnol 2007, 82(6):855-862.

                Cai ZQ, Poorter L, Cao KF, Bongers F: Seedling growth strategies in Bauhinia species: Comparing lianas and trees. Ann Bot 2007, 100(4):831-838.

                Guo XR, Cao KF, Xu ZF: Acclimation to irradiance in seedlings of three tropical rain forest Garcinia species after simulated gap formation. Photosynthetica 2006, 44(2):193-201.

                Cao KF, Guo YH, Cai ZQ: Photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity in breadfruit, jackfruit and mangosteen in Southern Yunnan, China. J Horticult Sci Biotechnol 2006, 81(1):168-172.

                Feng YL, Cao KF: Photosynthesis and photoinhibition after night chilling in seedlings of two tropical tree species grown under three irradiances. Photosynthetica 2005, 43(4):567-574.

                Cai ZQ, Chen YJ, Guo YH, Cao KF: Responses of two field-grown coffee species to drought and re-hydration. Photosynthetica 2005, 43(2):187-193.

                Feng YL, Cao KF, Zhang JL: Photosynthetic characteristics, dark respiration, and leaf mass per unit area in seedlings of four tropical tree species grown under three irradiances. Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):431-437.

                Feng YL, Cao KF, Feng ZL: Thermal dissipation, leaf rolling and inactivation of PSII reaction centres in Amomum villosum. J Trop Ecol 2002, 18:865-876.

                Cao KF, Booth EW: Leaf anatomical structure and photosynthetic induction for seedlings of five dipterocarp species under contrasting light conditions in a Bornean heath forest. J Trop Ecol 2001, 17:163-175.

                Cao KF: Morphology and growth of deciduous and evergreen broadleaved saplings under different light conditions in a Chinese beech forest with dense bamboo undergrowth. Ecol Res 2001, 16(3):509-517.

                Cao KF: Water relations and gas exchange of tropical saplings during a prolonged drought in a Bornean heath forest, with reference to root architecture. J Trop Ecol 2000, 16:101-116.

                Cao KF: Leaf anatomy and chlorophyll content of 12 woody species in contrasting light conditions in a Bornean heath forest. Can J Bot-Rev Can Bot 2000, 78(10):1245-1253.

International cooperation with：

University of Miami,

California University at Los Angeles,

　　  Harvard University, USA;

Wageningen University, the Netherlands;

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany;

  　INRA, UMR AMAP, Montpellier, France;

Utsunomiya and Kyoto Universities, Japan.