Carbon physiological integration in clonal plants and its ecological effects

Carbon physiological integration is an important component of physiological integration in clonal plants, and also the material basis for their survival, growth and reproduction. The basic mechanism of carbon physiological integration in clonal plants should be consistent or similar, but different species may perform differently in terms of integration range, intensity, direction and course, or when they live in different habitats, at developmental stages or suffer different disturbances. This review analyzes the basic characteristics and ecological effects of carbon physiological integration in clonal plants, as well as the main influential factors. The progresses in the carbon physiological integration of clonal plants are summarized and the main research methods are assessed. The studies on the genetic basis for the carbon physiological integration, and physiological, anatomical and ecological mechanisms in clonal plants should be strengthened in the future.