中文摘要：

短命植物主要生长在冬季湿润的干草原、荒漠、地中海气候条件下的草地以及中生落叶林下，利用短暂湿季生长的特殊植物类群，因此生活周期很短。以往对短命植物的研究多集中在分类和区系方面，而对该类群生境适应性的研究虽在各方面均有所涉及，但缺乏横向的对比和系统的总结，也没有得到足够的重视。本研究从短命植物对光照、温度、水分等环境因子的适应和反馈方面总结了当前国内外短命植物的研究进展。短命植物具有较强的环境适应能力，在长期适应环境的过程中形成了许多独特的形态、行为以及生理生态适应特征；在条件恶劣的环境中，短命植物作为先锋植物进入环境，对土壤质地和水分有一定的改良作用，从而为新物种的生长提供有利条件；短命植物对各类养分因子的“春坝”作用，促进了土壤养分的良性循环；短命植物具有很高的光合速率，在荒漠群落中有极高的生产量，作为重要的初级生产者可能是重要的碳汇。最后，从以上几个方面总结了短命植物对生境适应性的研究进展，展望了短命植物未来的研究方向。该研究可以为了解短命植物这类特殊的植物类群及其环境适应性提供全面认识，以及为进一步开展的短命植物研究提供思路和借鉴。

英文摘要：

Ephemerals are specially adapted to desert grasslands, Mediterranean grasslands, and the floor of deciduous, broad-leaved temperate forests conditions. They are considered to be a special herbaceous population that can take advantage of water resources and temperature conditions to rapidly complete their life-circle within two or three months. They mainly occur in arid or semi-arid areas, such as North America, Africa, Mediterranean areas, Western and Central Asia and partial zones of mid-Asia. Previous studies focused on their taxonomy and flora. Their adaptations to growing environmental conditions have not received enough attention, nevertheless, most aspects of adaptations to habitats are included in current studies although they are short of lateral comparison and systematic summarization. This paper reviews current research on the adaptations and feedback of ephemerals to light, temperature, water in environment, etc. Ephemerals have strong adaptability to habitats, and form their characteristic morphology, behavior and eeo-physiology adaptations during a long-term process of acclimatization. In many extreme surroundings, ephemerals, as pioneer plants, play an important role in modifying soil texture and water cessful invasion under improved environmental conditions. content to provide new plants with a chance of sue- Ephemerals can act as a ＂Vernal Dam＂ by absorbing many nutrient elements on their surface and by promoting sound soil nutrient cycling. Ephemerals have higher photosynthetic rates and biomass in desert communities. They are important primary producers that may be important for the carbon pool. Finally, from the research summary and conclusions of the above dissertation, we discuss prospective future research directions. This paper can provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of ephemerals and their adaptation to environments, and supply concepts and references for further research.