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Jackson Z, Xue B. Dynamic Trait Distribution as a Source for Shifts in Interaction Strength and Population Density. Am Nat 2024; 204:1-14. [PMID: 38857344 DOI: 10.1086/730264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
AbstractIntraspecific trait variation has been increasingly recognized as an important factor in determining species interactions and diversity. Eco-evolutionary models have studied the distribution of trait values within a population that changes over the generations as a result of selection and heritability. Nonheritable traits that can change within the lifetime, such as behavior, can cause trait-mediated indirect effects, often studied by modeling the dynamics of a homogeneous trait. Complementary to these approaches, we study the distribution of traits within a population and its dynamics on short timescales due to ecological processes. We consider several mechanisms by which the trait distribution can shift dynamically: phenotypic plasticity within each individual, differential growth among individuals, and preferential consumption by the predator. Through a simple predator-prey model that explicitly tracks the trait distribution within the prey, we identify the density and trait effects from the predator. We show that the dynamic shift of the trait distribution can lead to the modification of interaction strength between species and result in otherwise unexpected consequences. A particular example is the emergent promotion of the prey by the predator, where the introduction of the predator causes the prey population to increase rather than decrease.
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2
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Aziza N, Khaydarov K, Zamira D, Ochilov U, Dilshod M. Exploring microscopic pollen morphology in herbaceous Flora: Insights and analysis using scanning electron microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:1201-1209. [PMID: 38299712 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Microscopic techniques can be applied to solve taxonomic problems in the field of plant systematic and are extremely versatile in nature. This study was focused on the new approaches to visualizing the imaging, tool to cover the micro-structural techniques applied to the pollen study of flowers. The current research was proposed to evaluate microscopic pollen morphological attributes using light and scanning electron microscopy of herbaceous flora from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. A total of 13 herbaceous species, classified into 11 different families were collected, pressed, and identified, and then acetolyzed their pollen to visualize under light and scanning electron microscopy. Herbaceous flora can be characterized by small to very large-sized pollen morphotypes presenting four types of pollen shapes, prolate spheroidal (six species), spheroidal (three species) and prolate and oblate (two species each). The polar diameter and equatorial distance were calculated maximum in Hibiscus syriacus 110.55 and 111.2 μm respectively. Pollen of six different types was found namely tricolporate pollen observed in seven species, tricolpate and pantoporate in two species each, sulcate in Gagea olgae and hexacolpate pollen was examined in Salvia rosmarinus. Exine ornamentation of pollen was examined tectate perforate, verrucate-reticulate, micro-reticulate, reticulate, reticulate-cristatum, gemmate-echinate, echinate-perforate, perforate-striate, rugulate, rugulate-striate, bi-reticulate, reticulate-perforate and perforate-micro-reticulate showing great variations. Exine thickness was noted highest for Rosa canina 2.9 μm and minimum in Punica granatum 0.65 μm. This study of pollen imaging visualization of herbaceous flora contributes to the opportunity for the taxonomic evaluation of and fills knowledge gaps in studies of herbaceous flora identification using classical microscopic taxonomic tools for their accurate identification. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Pollen in unexplored herbaceous flora of the Samarkand region was studied with light and scanning electron microscopic pollen study. There is a high variation in observed pollen micromorphological characters. Pollen microscopic morphology has important taxonomic value for the identification of herbaceous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozimova Aziza
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Samarkand State University, University Bulvvar, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - Khislat Khaydarov
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Samarkand State University, University Bulvvar, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - Djumayeva Zamira
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Samarkand State University, University Bulvvar, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - Ulugbek Ochilov
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Samarkand State University, University Bulvvar, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - Muminov Dilshod
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Samarkand State University, University Bulvvar, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Zelený D, Helsen K, Lee YN. Extending the CWM approach to intraspecific trait variation: how to deal with overly optimistic standard tests? Oecologia 2024:10.1007/s00442-024-05568-1. [PMID: 38806949 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05568-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Community weighted means (CWMs) are widely used to study the relationship between community-level functional traits and environment. For certain null hypotheses, CWM-environment relationships assessed by linear regression or ANOVA and tested by standard parametric tests are prone to inflated Type I error rates. Previous research has found that this problem can be solved by permutation tests (i.e., the max test). A recent extension of the CWM approach allows the inclusion of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) by the separate calculation of fixed, site-specific, and intraspecific CWMs. The question is whether the same Type I error rate inflation exists for the relationship between environment and site-specific or intraspecific CWM. Using simulated and real-world community datasets, we show that site-specific CWM-environment relationships have also inflated Type I error rate, and this rate is negatively related to the relative ITV magnitude. In contrast, for intraspecific CWM-environment relationships, standard parametric tests have the correct Type I error rate, although somewhat reduced statistical power. We introduce an ITV-extended version of the max test, which can solve the inflation problem for site-specific CWM-environment relationships and, without considering ITV, becomes equivalent to the "original" max test used for the CWM approach. We show that this new ITV-extended max test works well across the full possible magnitude of ITV on both simulated and real-world data. Most real datasets probably do not have intraspecific trait variation large enough to alleviate the problem of inflated Type I error rate, and published studies possibly report overly optimistic significance results.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zelený
- Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Kenny Helsen
- Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Nuo Lee
- Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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4
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Lewis Najev BS, Neiman M. Invasive freshwater snails are less sensitive to population density than native conspecifics. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11161. [PMID: 38774144 PMCID: PMC11106046 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how and why some species or lineages become invasive is critically important for effectively predicting and mitigating biological invasions. Here, we address an important unanswered question in invasion biology: do key life-history traits of invasive versus native lineages within a species differ in response to key environmental stressors? We focus on the environmental factor of population density, which is a fundamental characteristic of all populations, and investigate how changes in density affect native versus invasive Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand mudsnail). P. antipodarum has invaded 39 countries and detrimentally affects invaded environments. Previous studies of native and invasive populations and from laboratory experiments have demonstrated that growth and reproduction of P. antipodarum is sensitive to population density, though whether and how this sensitivity varies across native versus invasive lineages remains uncharacterized. We quantified individual growth rate and reproduction in P. antipodarum from multiple distinct native and invasive lineages across three different population density treatments. The growth of native but not invasive lineages decreased as density increased. There was no differential effect of density treatment on embryo production of invasive versus native snails, but a significantly higher proportion of snails were reproductive in high density compared to intermediate density for invasive lineages. In native lineages, there were no significant differences in the relative frequency of reproductive snails across density treatments. While the extent to which these results from our laboratory study can be extrapolated to the more complex natural world remain unclear, our findings are consistent with a scenario where differential sensitivity to population density could help explain why some lineages become successful invaders. Our findings also align with previous studies that show that invasive P. antipodarum lineages exhibit a relatively wide range of tolerance to environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurine Neiman
- Department of BiologyUniversity of IowaIowa CityIowaUSA
- Department of Gender, Women's and Sexuality StudiesUniversity of IowaIowa CityIowaUSA
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De Giorgi F, Roscher C, Durka W. Effects of species diversity on trait expression of the clonal herb Taraxacum officinale and its relation to genotype diversity and phenotypic plasticity. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11430. [PMID: 38766311 PMCID: PMC11099733 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant species respond to varying plant species diversity and associated changes in their abiotic and biotic environment with changes in their phenotype. However, it is not clear to what degree this phenotypic differentiation is due to genotype diversity within populations or phenotypic plasticity of plant individuals. We studied individuals of 16 populations of the clonal herb Taraxacum officinale grown in plant communities of different species richness in a 17-year-old grassland biodiversity experiment (Jena Experiment). We collected 12 individuals in each population to measure phenotypic traits and identify distinct genotypes using microsatellite DNA markers. Plant species richness did not influence population-level genotype and trait diversity. However, it affected the expression of several phenotypic traits, e.g. leaf and inflorescence number, maximum leaf length and seed mass, which increased with increasing plant species richness. Moreover, population-level trait diversity correlated positively with genotype richness for leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and negatively with inflorescence number. For several traits (i.e. seed mass, germination rate, LDMC, specific leaf area (SLA)), a larger portion of variance was explained by genotype identity, while variance in other traits (i.e. number of inflorescences, leaf nitrogen concentration, leaf number, leaf length) resided within genotypes and thus was mostly due to phenotypic plasticity. Overall, our findings show that plant species richness positively affected the population means of some traits related to whole-plant performance, whose variation was achieved through both phenotypic plasticity and genotype composition of a population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Giorgi
- Department of Physiological DiversityHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Christiane Roscher
- Department of Physiological DiversityHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Walter Durka
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
- Department of Community EcologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZHalleGermany
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Ojeda-Prieto L, Medina-van Berkum P, Unsicker SB, Heinen R, Weisser WW. Intraspecific chemical variation of Tanacetum vulgare affects plant growth and reproductive traits in field plant communities. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024. [PMID: 38593287 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The study investigated the impact of intraspecific plant chemodiversity on plant growth and reproductive traits at both the plant and plot levels. It also aimed to understand how chemodiversity at stand level affects ecosystem functioning and plant-plant interactions. We describe a biodiversity experiment in which we manipulated intraspecific plant chemodiversity at the plot level using six different chemotypes of common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L., Asteraceae). We tested the effects of chemotype identity and plot-level chemotype richness on plant growth and reproductive traits and plot-level headspace emissions. The study found that plant chemotypes differed in growth and reproductive traits and that traits were affected by the chemotype richness of the plots. Although morphological differences among chemotypes became less pronounced over time, reproductive phenology patterns persisted. Plot-level trait means were also affected by the presence or absence of certain chemotypes in a plot, and the direction of the effect depended on the specific chemotype. However, chemotype richness did not lead to overyielding effects. Lastly, chemotype blends released from plant communities were neither richer nor more diverse with increasing plot-level chemotype richness, but became more dissimilar as they became more dissimilar in their leaf terpenoid profiles. We found that intraspecific plant chemodiversity is crucial in plant-plant interactions. We also found that the effects of chemodiversity on plant growth and reproductive traits were complex and varied depending on the chemotype richness of the plots. This long-term field experiment will allow further investigation into plant-insect interactions and insect community assembly in response to intraspecific chemodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ojeda-Prieto
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - P Medina-van Berkum
- Department for Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - S B Unsicker
- Department for Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
- Plant-Environment-Interactions Group, Botanical Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Heinen
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - W W Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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7
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Rodríguez-Alarcón S, Tamme R, Carmona CP. Intraspecific variation in fine-root traits is larger than in aboveground traits in European herbaceous species regardless of drought. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1375371. [PMID: 38654904 PMCID: PMC11035731 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1375371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Differences within species (Intraspecific trait variation - ITV) contribute substantially to overall trait variability and environmental harshness can reduce among-species variation. While aboveground traits have received considerable attention, knowledge about ITV in fine-root traits and how it differs from ITV in aboveground traits remains limited. This study examined the partitioning of trait variation aboveground and fine-root traits in 52 European herbaceous species and how such proportions change in response to drought, offering valuable insights for accurate functional species characterization and inter-species comparisons. We studied seven morphological aboveground and fine-root traits under drought and well-watered conditions in a greenhouse experiment. Linear mixed effect models and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were employed to decompose trait variation, ensuring the robustness of our results. We also calculated variance partitioning for the combination of aboveground traits and the combination of fine-root traits, as well as pairs of analogous leaf and fine-root traits (i.e., traits that fulfill similar functions) for each treatment (control and drought). Among-species trait differences explained a greater proportion of overall variance than within-species variation, except for root dry matter content (RDMC). Height and leaf area stood out, with species' identity accounting for 87-90% of total trait variation. Drought had no significant effect on the proportions of variation in any of the traits. However, the combination of fine-root traits exhibited higher intraspecific variability (44-44%) than aboveground traits (19-21%) under both drought and control. Analogous root traits also showed higher ITV (51-50%) than analogous leaf traits (27-31%). Our findings highlight substantial within-species variation and the nuanced responses of fine-root traits, particularly RDMC, suggesting root traits' flexibility to soil heterogeneity that fosters less differentiation among species. Among-species trait differences, especially aboveground, may underscore distinct strategies and competitive abilities for resource acquisition and utilization. This study contributes to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the multifunctionality of the above- and belowground plants compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riin Tamme
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Department of Botany, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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8
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Green ET, Dell AI, Crawford JA, Biro EG, Daversa DR. Trait variation in patchy landscapes: Morphology of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) varies more within ponds than between ponds. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299101. [PMID: 38573913 PMCID: PMC10994278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The influence of intraspecific trait variation on species interactions makes trait-based approaches critical to understanding eco-evolutionary processes. Because species occupy habitats that are patchily distributed in space, species interactions are influenced not just by the degree of intraspecific trait variation but also the relative proportion of trait variation that occurs within- versus between-patches. Advancement in trait-based ecology hinges on understanding how trait variation is distributed within and between habitat patches across the landscape. We sampled larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) across six spatially discrete ponds to quantify within- and between-pond variation in mass, length, and various metrics associated with their relationship (scaling, body condition, shape). Across all traits, within-pond variation contributed more to total observed morphological variation than between-pond variation. Between-pond variation was not negligible, however, and explained 20-41% of total observed variation in measured traits. Between-pond variation was more pronounced in salamander tail morphology compared to head or body morphology, suggesting that pond-level factors more strongly influence tails than other body parts. We also observed differences in mass-length relationships across ponds, both in terms of scaling slopes and intercepts, though differences in the intercepts were much stronger. Preliminary evidence hinted that newly constructed ponds were a driver of the observed differences in mass-length relationships and morphometrics. General pond-level difference in salamander trait covariation suggest that allometric scaling of morphological traits is context dependent in patchy landscapes. Effects of pond age offer the hypothesis that habitat restoration through pond construction is a driver of variation in trait scaling, which managers may leverage to bolster trait diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T. Green
- National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), East Alton, IL, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Anthony I. Dell
- National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), East Alton, IL, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - John A. Crawford
- National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), East Alton, IL, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth G. Biro
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- Tyson Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - David R. Daversa
- National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), East Alton, IL, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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9
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Wan JSH, Bonser SP, Pang CK, Fazlioglu F, Rutherford S. Adaptive responses to living in stressful habitats: Do invasive and native plant populations use different strategies? Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14419. [PMID: 38613177 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Plants inhabit stressful environments characterized by a variety of stressors, including mine sites, mountains, deserts, and high latitudes. Populations from stressful and reference (non-stressful) sites often have performance differences. However, while invasive and native species may respond differently to stressful environments, there is limited understanding of the patterns in reaction norms of populations from these sites. Here, we use phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis to assess the performance of populations under stress and non-stress conditions. We ask whether stress populations of natives and invasives differ in the magnitude of lowered performance under non-stress conditions and if they vary in the degree of performance advantage under stress. We also assessed whether these distinctions differ with stress intensity. Our findings revealed that natives not only have greater adaptive advantages but also more performance reductions than invasives. Populations from very stressful sites had more efficient adaptations, and performance costs increased with stress intensity in natives only. Overall, the results support the notion that adaptation is frequently costless. Reproductive output was most closely associated with adaptive costs and benefits. Our study characterized the adaptive strategies used by invasive and native plants under stressful conditions, thereby providing important insights into the limitations of adaptation to extreme sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin S H Wan
- Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Australian Institute of Botanic Science, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen P Bonser
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Clara K Pang
- PlantClinic, Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Susan Rutherford
- Center for Sustainable Environmental and Ecosystem Research, Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Kean University, Union, New Jersey, USA
- Zhejiang Bioinformatics International Science and Technology Cooperation Center, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Lab for Applied Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Informatics, Ouhai, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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10
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Zheng S, Yu M, Webber BL, Didham RK. Intraspecific leaf trait variation mediates edge effects on litter decomposition rate in fragmented forests. Ecology 2024; 105:e4260. [PMID: 38353290 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
There is strong trait dependence in species-level responses to environmental change and their cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. However, there is little understanding of whether intraspecific trait variation (ITV) can also be an important mechanism mediating environmental effects on ecosystem functioning. This is surprising, given that global change processes such as habitat fragmentation and the creation of forest edges drive strong trait shifts within species. On 20 islands in the Thousand Island Lake, China, we quantified intraspecific leaf trait shifts of a widely distributed shrub species, Vaccinium carlesii, in response to habitat fragmentation. Using a reciprocal transplant decomposition experiment between forest edge and interior on 11 islands with varying areas, we disentangled the relative effects of intraspecific leaf trait variation versus altered environmental conditions on leaf decomposition rates in forest fragments. We found strong intraspecific variation in leaf traits in response to edge effects, with a shift toward recalcitrant leaves with low specific leaf area and high leaf dry matter content from forest interior to the edge. Using structural equation modeling, we showed that such intraspecific leaf trait response to habitat fragmentation had translated into significant plant afterlife effects on leaf decomposition, leading to decreased leaf decomposition rates from the forest interior to the edge. Importantly, the effects of intraspecific leaf trait variation were additive to and stronger than the effects from local environmental changes due to edge effects and habitat loss. Our experiment provides the first quantitative study showing that intraspecific leaf trait response to edge effects is an important driver of the decrease in leaf decomposition rate in fragmented forests. By extending the trait-based response-effect framework toward the individual level, intraspecific variation in leaf economics traits can provide the missing functional link between environmental change and ecological processes. These findings suggest an important area for future research on incorporating ITV to understand and predict changes in ecosystem functioning in the context of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mingjian Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bruce L Webber
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat, Western Australia, Australia
- Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Raphael K Didham
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Floreat, Western Australia, Australia
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Song X, Gu J, Ye Y, Wang M, Wang R, Ma H, Shao X. Exploring Intraspecific Trait Variation in a Xerophytic Moss Species Indusiella thianschanica (Ptychomitriaceae) across Environmental Gradients on the Tibetan Plateau. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:921. [PMID: 38611451 PMCID: PMC11013618 DOI: 10.3390/plants13070921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Indusiella thianschanica Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibetan Plateau, aiming to uncover its adaptation and response mechanisms to environmental changes. Specimens were collected from 26 sites across elevations ranging from 3642 m to 5528 m, and the relationships between 23 morphological traits and 15 environmental factors were analyzed. Results indicated that coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 5.91% to 36.11%, with gametophyte height (GH) and basal cell transverse wall thickness (STW) showing the highest and lowest variations, respectively. Temperature, elevation, and potential evapo-transpiration (PET) emerged as primary environmental drivers. Leaf traits, especially those of the leaf sheath, exhibited a more pronounced response to the environment. The traits exhibited apparent covariation in response to environmental challenges and indicated flexible adaptive strategies. This study revealed the adaptation and response patterns of different morphological traits of I. thianschanica to environmental changes on the Tibetan Plateau, emphasizing the significant effect of temperature on trait variation. Our findings deepen the understanding of the ecology and adaptive strategies of lithophytic mosses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Song
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiqi Gu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanhui Ye
- Resources & Environment College, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China;
| | - Mengzhen Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruihong Wang
- Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China; (R.W.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Heping Ma
- Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China; (R.W.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Xiaoming Shao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Resources & Environment College, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China;
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Amstutz A, Firth LB, Foggo A, Spicer JI, Hanley ME. The north-south divide? Macroalgal functional trait diversity and redundancy varies with intertidal aspect. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:145-152. [PMID: 37971357 PMCID: PMC10921827 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Marine macroalgae ('seaweeds') are critical to coastal ecosystem structure and function, but also vulnerable to the many environmental changes associated with anthropogenic climate change (ACC). The local habitat conditions underpinning observed and predicted ACC-driven changes in intertidal macroalgal communities are complex and probably site-specific and operate in addition to more commonly reported regional factors such as sea surface temperatures. METHODS We examined how the composition and functional trait expression of macroalgal communities in SW England varied with aspect (i.e. north-south orientation) at four sites with opposing Equator- (EF) and Pole-facing (PF) surfaces. Previous work at these sites had established that average annual (low tide) temperatures vary by 1.6 °C and that EF-surfaces experience six-fold more frequent extremes (i.e. >30 °C). KEY RESULTS PF macroalgal communities were consistently more taxon rich; 11 taxa were unique to PF habitats, with only one restricted to EF. Likewise, functional richness and dispersion were greater on PF-surfaces (dominated by algae with traits linked to rapid resource capture and utilization, but low desiccation tolerance), although differences in both taxon and functional richness were probably driven by the fact that less diverse EF-surfaces were dominated by desiccation-tolerant fucoids. CONCLUSIONS Although we cannot disentangle the influence of temperature variation on algal ecophysiology from the indirect effects of aspect on species interactions (niche pre-emption, competition, grazing, etc.), our study system provides an excellent model for understanding how environmental variation at local scales affects community composition and functioning. By virtue of enhanced taxonomic diversity, PF-aspects supported higher functional diversity and, consequently, greater effective functional redundancy. These differences may imbue PF-aspects with resilience against environmental perturbation, but if predicted increases in global temperatures are realized, some PF-sites may shift to a depauperate, desiccation-tolerant seaweed community with a concomitant loss of functional diversity and redundancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Amstutz
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Louise B Firth
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Andy Foggo
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - John I Spicer
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mick E Hanley
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
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13
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Douce P, Simon L, Colas F, Mermillod-Blondin F, Renault D, Sulmon C, Eymar-Dauphin P, Dubreucque R, Bittebiere AK. Warming drives feedback between plant phenotypes and ecosystem functioning in sub-Antarctic ponds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:169504. [PMID: 38145689 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Ample evidence indicates that warming affects individuals in plant communities, ultimately threatening biodiversity. Individual plants in communities are also exposed to plant-plant interaction that may affect their performance. However, trait responses to these two constraints have usually been studied separately, while they may influence processes at the ecosystem level. In turn, these ecological modifications may impact the phenotypes of plants through nutrient availability and uptake. We developed an experimental approach based on the macrophyte communities in the ponds of the sub-Antarctic Iles Kerguelen. Individuals of the species Limosella australis were grown under different temperature × plant-plant interaction treatments to assess their trait responses and create litters with different characteristics. The litters were then decomposed in the presence of individual plants at different temperatures to examine effects on ecosystem functioning and potential feedback affecting plant trait values. Leaf resource-acquisition- and -conservation-related traits were altered in the context of temperature × plant-plant interaction. At 13 °C, SLA and leaf C:N were higher under interspecific and intraspecific interactions than without interaction, whereas at 23 °C, these traits increased under intraspecific interaction only. These effects only slightly improved the individual performance, suggesting that plant-plant interaction is an additional selective pressure on individuals in the context of climate warming. The decay rate of litter increased with the Leaf Carbon Content at 13 °C and 18 °C, but decreased at 23 °C. The highest decay rate was recorded at 18 °C. Besides, we observed evidence of positive feedback of the decay rate alone, and in interaction with the temperature, respectively on the leaf C:N and Leaf Dry Matter Content, suggesting that variations in ecological processes affect plant phenotypes. Our findings demonstrate that warming can directly and indirectly affect the evolutionary and ecological processes occurring in aquatic ecosystems through plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Douce
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Laurent Simon
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Fanny Colas
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Florian Mermillod-Blondin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - David Renault
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)], UMR 6553, F 35000 Rennes, France; Institut Universitaire de France, 1 Rue Descartes, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France.
| | - Cécile Sulmon
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)], UMR 6553, F 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Pauline Eymar-Dauphin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Roman Dubreucque
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Anne-Kristel Bittebiere
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
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14
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Morales M, Munné-Bosch S. Hormonal response to recurrent seasonal stress in coastal and mountain scabiouses growing in their natural habitat: linking ABA and jasmonates with photoprotection. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14265. [PMID: 38556740 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Plant species distribution across ecosystems is influenced by multiple environmental factors, and recurrent seasonal stress events can act as natural selection agents for specific plant traits and limit species distribution. For that, studies aiming at understanding how environmental constraints affect adaptive mechanisms of taxonomically closely related species are of great interest. We chose two Scabiosa species inhabiting contrasting environments: the coastal scabious S. atropurpurea, typically coping with hot-dry summers in a Mediterranean climate, and the mountain scabious S. columbaria facing cold winters in an oceanic climate. A set of functional traits was examined to assess plant performance in these congeneric species from contrasting natural habitats. Both S. atropurpurea and S. columbaria appeared to be perfectly adapted to their environment in terms of adjustments in stomatal closure, CO2 assimilation rate and water use efficiency over the seasons. However, an unexpected dry period during winter followed by the typical Mediterranean hot-dry summer forced S. atropurpurea plants to deploy a set of photoprotective responses during summer. Aside from reductions in leaf water content and Fv/Fm, photoprotective molecules (carotenoids, α-tocopherol and anthocyanins) per unit of chlorophyll increased, mostly as a consequence of a severe chlorophyll loss. The profiling of stress-related hormones (ABA, salicylic acid and jasmonates) revealed associations between ABA and the bioactive jasmonoyl-isoleucine with the underlying photoprotective response to recurrent seasonal stress in S. atropurpurea. We conclude that jasmonates may be used together with ABA as a functional trait that may, at least in part, help understand plant responses to recurrent seasonal stress in the current frame of global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Morales
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca en Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Munné-Bosch
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca en Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Puglielli G, Bricca A, Chelli S, Petruzzellis F, Acosta ATR, Bacaro G, Beccari E, Bernardo L, Bonari G, Bolpagni R, Boscutti F, Calvia G, Campetella G, Cancellieri L, Canullo R, Carbognani M, Carboni M, Carranza ML, Castellani MB, Ciccarelli D, Coppi A, Cutini M, Dalla Vecchia A, Dalle Fratte M, de Francesco MC, De Frenne P, De Sanctis M, de Simone L, Di Cecco V, Fanelli G, Farris E, Ferrara A, Fenu G, Filibeck G, Gasperini C, Gargano D, Kindermann E, La Bella G, Lastrucci L, Lazzaro L, Maccherini S, Marignani M, Mugnai M, Naselli-Flores L, Passalacqua NG, Pavanetto N, Petraglia A, Rota F, Santoianni LA, Schettino A, Selvi F, Stanisci A, Trotta G, Vangansbeke P, Varricchione M, Vuerich M, Wellstein C, Tordoni E. Intraspecific variability of leaf form and function across habitat types. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14396. [PMID: 38456670 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Trait-based ecology has already revealed main independent axes of trait variation defining trait spaces that summarize plant adaptive strategies, but often ignoring intraspecific trait variability (ITV). By using empirical ITV-level data for two independent dimensions of leaf form and function and 167 species across five habitat types (coastal dunes, forests, grasslands, heathlands, wetlands) in the Italian peninsula, we found that ITV: (i) rotated the axes of trait variation that define the trait space; (ii) increased the variance explained by these axes and (iii) affected the functional structure of the target trait space. However, the magnitude of these effects was rather small and depended on the trait and habitat type. Our results reinforce the idea that ITV is context-dependent, calling for careful extrapolations of ITV patterns across traits and spatial scales. Importantly, our study provides a framework that can be used to start integrating ITV into trait space analyses.
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Grants
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Rotonda, Italy) in the frame of the project "Un laboratorio naturale permanente nel Parco Nazionale del Pollino"
- National Biodiversity Future Center NBFC, CUP J33C22001190001
- European Union - NextGenerationEU within the framework of National Biodiversity Future Center (Spoke 4, Activity 4)
- NBFC to the University of Florence, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033
- NBFC to University of Roma Tre/Department of Science, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033. Grant of Excellence Departments 2018- 2022, MIUR Italy
- NBFC to University of Molise/Department of Bioscience and Territory, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033, MIUR Italy
- PID2021-122214NA-I00 MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER "ESF Investing in your future"
- Grant of Excellence Departments 2018- 2022, MIUR Italy
- G.Bo. and SM acknowledge the support of NBFC to University of Siena, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, 'Dalla ricerca all', Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Puglielli
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alessandro Bricca
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Stefano Chelli
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eleonora Beccari
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liliana Bernardo
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Bonari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rossano Bolpagni
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giacomo Calvia
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giandiego Campetella
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Cancellieri
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Roberto Canullo
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Marta Carboni
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Carranza
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Coppi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Alice Dalla Vecchia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Michele Dalle Fratte
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Maria Carla de Francesco
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Pieter De Frenne
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Melle, Belgium
| | - Michele De Sanctis
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valter Di Cecco
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Giuliano Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuele Farris
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Arianna Ferrara
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Goffredo Filibeck
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristina Gasperini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Gargano
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Elisabeth Kindermann
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Greta La Bella
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Maccherini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michela Marignani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michele Mugnai
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luigi Naselli-Flores
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Pavanetto
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alessandro Petraglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Rota
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Federico Selvi
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Stanisci
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Giacomo Trotta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Pieter Vangansbeke
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Melle, Belgium
| | - Marco Varricchione
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Marco Vuerich
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Camilla Wellstein
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Enrico Tordoni
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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16
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Shi H, Shi Q, Zhou X, Cui C, Li X, Zhang Z, Zhu C. Influence of surface water and groundwater on functional traits and trade-off strategies of oasis communities at the end of the Keriya River, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1340137. [PMID: 38434438 PMCID: PMC10905963 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1340137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Plant functional traits reflect the capacity of plants to adapt to their environment and the underlying optimization mechanisms. However, few studies have investigated trade-off strategies for functional traits in desert-wetland ecosystems, the mechanisms by which surface water disturbance and groundwater depth drive functional trait variation at the community scale, and the roles of intraspecific and interspecific variation. Therefore, this study analyzed specific differences in community-weighted mean traits among habitat types and obtained the relative contribution of intraspecific and interspecific variation by decomposing community-weighted mean traits, focusing on the Daliyabuyi Oasis in the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert. We also explored the mechanisms by which surface water and groundwater influence different sources of variability specifically. The results showed that plant height, relative chlorophyll content, leaf thickness, leaf nitrogen content, and nitrogen-phosphorus ratio were the key traits reflecting habitat differences. As the groundwater depth becomes shallower and surface water disturbance intensifies, plant communities tend to have higher leaf nitrogen content, nitrogen-phosphorus ratio, and relative chlorophyll content and lower height. Surface water, groundwater, soil water content, and total soil nitrogen can influence interspecific and intraspecific variation in these traits through direct and indirect effects. As arid to wet habitats change, plant trade-off strategies for resources will shift from conservative to acquisitive. The study concluded that community functional traits are mainly contributed by interspecific variation, but consideration of intraspecific variation and the covariation effects that exist between it and interspecific variation can help to further enhance the understanding of the response of community traits in desert-wetland ecosystems to environmental change. Surface water disturbance has a non-negligible contribution to this adaptation process and plays a higher role than groundwater depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Shi
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qingdong Shi
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhou
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chuandeng Cui
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Zipeng Zhang
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chuanmei Zhu
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
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17
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Krintza N, Dener E, Seifan M. Stress Induces Trait Variability across Multiple Spatial Scales in the Arid Annual Plant Anastatica hierochuntica. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:256. [PMID: 38256809 PMCID: PMC10820187 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Variations in plant characteristics in response to habitat heterogeneity can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms governing plant responses to environmental conditions. In this study, we investigated the role of environmental factors associated with arid conditions in shaping the phenotypic responses of an arid annual plant, Anastatica hierochuntica, across several populations found along an aridity gradient and across multiple spatial scales. Utilizing both field surveys and a net house experiment, we assessed the effects of environmental factors on trait variability within and between populations. The results indicated a significant convergence in plant height due to site aridity, reflecting growth potential based on abiotic resources. Convergence was also observed in the plant's electrolyte leakage with aridity and in plant height concerning soil salinity at specific sites. Phenotypic plasticity was pivotal in maintaining trait variability, with plant height plasticity increasing with soil salinity, SLA plasticity decreasing with aridity, and leaf number plasticity rising with aridity. In conclusion, our findings underscore the adaptive significance of phenotypic variability, especially plasticity, in arid conditions. Notably, trait variability and plasticity did not consistently diminish in stressful settings, emphasizing the adaptive value of flexible responses in such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Krintza
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel;
| | - Efrat Dener
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environment and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel;
| | - Merav Seifan
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environment and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel;
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18
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Islam T, Hamid M, Nawchoo IA, Khuroo AA. Leaf functional traits vary among growth forms and vegetation zones in the Himalaya. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167274. [PMID: 37741392 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Compression of life zones along elevational gradients in mountains supports diverse vegetation types, and therefore offers ideal setting to study plant functional traits. Functional traits, the features that enable plants to live in varied environmental conditions, help in understanding ecological interactions, evolutionary adaptations, and predicting plant response to global change drivers. To date, little is known how the trait diversity varies across different growth forms and vegetation zones in mountains. Here, we aimed to investigate interspecific leaf trait variability among different growth forms and vegetation zones along a wide elevation gradient (2000-4200 m) in Kashmir Himalaya. We measured leaf functional traits (specific leaf area-SLA, leaf thickness - LT, leaf dry matter content -LDMC) of 76 plant species corresponding to three growth forms (trees, shrubs and herbs) and three vegetation zones (Himalayan dry temperate forests, subalpine forests and alpine grasslands). Our results revealed high trait variability across the regional species pool studied. We found significant variation in leaf functional traits among the different growth forms, with higher values of LT and LDMC recorded for woody species than herbaceous ones. Among different vegetation zones, the SLA was found to be significantly higher at lower to middle elevations, while the other leaf traits (LT and LDMC) showed an opposite trend. Across all the vegetative zones, we also found a negative correlation between SLA and the other leaf traits, and the latter showed a positive trait-trait correlation. Overall, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of trait-trait, trait-growth form and trait-vegetation zone relationships. Our findings suggest that the variation in leaf functional traits among different growth forms seems to be a trade-off mechanism between resource acquisition and leaf construction, and also help in identifying species' adaptive functional traits that are critical for plant survival in the face of ongoing climate change in the Himalaya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tajamul Islam
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Plant Reproductive Biology, Genetic Diversity and Phytochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Maroof Hamid
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Irshad A Nawchoo
- Plant Reproductive Biology, Genetic Diversity and Phytochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
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19
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MacNeill BN, Ortiz-Brunel JP, Rodríguez A, Ruiz-Sánchez E, Navarro-Moreno J, Hofford NP, McKain MR. Floral Diversity and Pollination Syndromes in Agave subgenus Manfreda. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1376-1390. [PMID: 37673672 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Agave is an ecological keystone of American deserts and both culturally and economically important in Mexico. Agave is a large genus of about 250 species. The radiation of Agave is marked by an initial adaptation to desert environments and then a secondary diversification of species associated with pollinator groups, such as hummingbirds and nocturnal moths. Phylogenetic analyses place Agave subgenus Manfreda, or the "herbaceous agaves," in a monophyletic clade that likely evolved in part as an adaptation to novel pollination vectors. Here, we present a morphological and observational study assessing the evolution of floral form in response to pollinator specialization within this understudied group. We found significant visitation by hummingbirds and nocturnal moths to several species within the Agave subgenus Manfreda. These observations also align with our morphological analyses of floral organs and support the evolution of distinct pollination syndromes. We found that not all floral morphology is consistent within a pollination syndrome, suggesting hidden diversity in the evolution of floral phenotypes in Agave. We also characterize the morphological variation between herbarium and live specimens, demonstrating that special consideration needs to be made when combining these types of data. This work identifies the potential for studying the functional evolution of diverse floral forms within Agave and demonstrates the need to further explore ecological and evolutionary relationships to understand pollinator influence on diversification in the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan N MacNeill
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | | | - Aarón Rodríguez
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jal. 45200 , Mexico
| | - Eduardo Ruiz-Sánchez
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jal. 45200 , Mexico
| | - Jesús Navarro-Moreno
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jal. 45200 , Mexico
| | - Nathaniel P Hofford
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Michael R McKain
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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Islam T, Hamid M, Khuroo AA, Nawchoo IA. Functional trait diversity and aboveground biomass of herbaceous vegetation in temperate forests of Kashmir Himalaya. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:60. [PMID: 38110625 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12215-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Studying functional trait diversity can provide crucial clues about the adaptive survival strategies of regional plant species pool. Despite large-scale trait datasets available worldwide, the plant trait data from many biodiversity hotpot regions, like the Himalaya is still scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the plant functional traits and aboveground biomass of understory herbaceous vegetation in temperate forests of Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuary of Kashmir Himalaya. We also investigate how these functional traits correlate and what is the magnitude of trait-biomass relationship across the herbaceous species pool. For this, we conducted field sampling and measured leaf functional traits and aboveground biomass of 38 plant species in the study region during peak growing season (July-August) in the year 2021. The results revealed a significant interspecific trait variability among the species studied. We observed a high variability in leaf size and type spectra of the species, with nanophyll and simple leaf lamina, respectively, the most common types among the species studied. The correlation analysis revealed that plant height was positively correlated with aboveground biomass. The variation partitioning analysis revealed that the plant height explained the maximum fraction of variation in aboveground biomass, while least by specific leaf area. Overall, the findings from the present study provide useful insights in understanding trait-trait relationship and trait-environment interaction at the regional scale and can also help in recognizing adaptive functional traits of plant species that determine plant survival under the changing climate in this Himalayan region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tajamul Islam
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
- Plant Reproductive Biology, Genetic Diversity and Phytochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
| | - Maroof Hamid
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Irshad A Nawchoo
- Plant Reproductive Biology, Genetic Diversity and Phytochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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21
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Zhang C, Huang N, Zhang F, Wu T, He X, Wang J, Li Y. Intraspecific variations of leaf hydraulic, economic, and anatomical traits in Cinnamomum camphora along an urban-rural gradient. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166741. [PMID: 37659523 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization brings numerous benefits to residents, but it also introduces complex, variable, and heterogeneous habitat conditions to urban plants, resulting in an arid and hot urban environment that decreases tree growth and the ecological service capacity of trees. In this study, we evaluated leaf hydraulic, economic, and anatomical traits and their covariations of Cinnamomum camphora along an urban-rural gradient in Hefei, Eastern China. We found that Cinnamomum camphora in urban adopted a conservative hydraulic strategy with low leaf turgor loss point (Tlp), leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf), and leaf water potential resulting in 50 % loss of hydraulic conductance (P50), as well as a quick investment-return economic strategy with low unit leaf dry matter content (LMA) and high leaf nitrogen content (Leaf N). P50, Kleaf and LMA were significantly positively correlated with the urban-rural gradient (PC1urban-rural gradient), while Leaf N exhibited a negative correlation with it. The results showed a trade-off between intraspecific safety and efficiency in leaf hydraulic traits along the urban-rural gradient and an intraspecific coordinated variation in leaf hydraulic and economic traits. In addition, based on the analysis of a trait coordination network, it was revealed that leaf mesophyll and stomata were key structures for trait adjustment and coordination. Furthermore, our findings offer a significant theoretical underpinning for the effective management of landscape trees and the strategic planning of urban tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Nuo Huang
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Fengyu Zhang
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ting Wu
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia; Global Centre for Land-based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia
| | - Xianjin He
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, IPSL, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette 91191, France
| | - Jianan Wang
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China; Anhui Hefei Urban Ecosystem Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yiyong Li
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China; Anhui Hefei Urban Ecosystem Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Changjiang West Road 130, Shushan District, Hefei 230036, China.
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22
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Avalos G, Cambronero M, Alvarez-Vergnani C. Divergence in functional traits in seven species of neotropical palms of different forest strata. Oecologia 2023; 203:323-333. [PMID: 37875736 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Functional traits are morphological and physiological characteristics that determine growth, reproduction, and survival strategies. The leaf economics spectrum proposes two opposing life history strategies: species with an "acquisitive" strategy grow fast and exploit high-resource environments, while species with a "conservative" strategy emphasize survival and slow growth under low resource conditions. We analyzed intra and interspecific variation in nine functional traits related to biomass allocation and tissue quality in seven Neotropical palm species from understory and canopy strata. We expected that the level of resources of a stratum that a species typically exploits would determine the dominance of either the exploitative or conservative strategy, as well as degree of divergence in functional traits between species. If this is correct, then canopy species will show an acquisitive strategy emphasizing traits targeting a larger size, whereas understory species will show a conservative strategy with traits promoting efficient biomass allocation and survival in the shade. Two principal components (57.22% of the variation) separated palm species into: (a) canopy species whose traits were congruent with the acquisitive strategy and emphasized large size (i.e., diameter, height, carbon content, and leaf area), and (b) understory species whose traits were associated with efficient biomass allocation (i.e., dry mass fraction -DMF- and tissue density). As we unravel the variation in functional traits in palms, which make up a substantial proportion of the tropical flora, we gain a deeper understanding of how plants adapt to environmental gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Avalos
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
- The School for Field Studies, Center for Ecological Resilience Studies, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 534G, Beverly, MA, 01915, USA.
| | - Milena Cambronero
- The School for Field Studies, Center for Ecological Resilience Studies, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 534G, Beverly, MA, 01915, USA
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23
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Lau JA, Funk JL. How ecological and evolutionary theory expanded the 'ideal weed' concept. Oecologia 2023; 203:251-266. [PMID: 37340279 PMCID: PMC10684629 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Since Baker's attempt to characterize the 'ideal weed' over 50 years ago, ecologists have sought to identify features of species that predict invasiveness. Several of Baker's 'ideal weed' traits are well studied, and we now understand that many traits can facilitate different components of the invasion process, such as dispersal traits promoting transport or selfing enabling establishment. However, the effects of traits on invasion are context dependent. The traits promoting invasion in one community or at one invasion stage may inhibit invasion of other communities or success at other invasion stages, and the benefits of any given trait may depend on the other traits possessed by the species. Furthermore, variation in traits among populations or species is the result of evolution. Accordingly, evolution both prior to and after invasion may determine invasion outcomes. Here, we review how our understanding of the ecology and evolution of traits in invasive plants has developed since Baker's original efforts, resulting from empirical studies and the emergence of new frameworks and ideas such as community assembly theory, functional ecology, and rapid adaptation. Looking forward, we consider how trait-based approaches might inform our understanding of less-explored aspects of invasion biology ranging from invasive species responses to climate change to coevolution of invaded communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Lau
- Department of Biology and the Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jennifer L Funk
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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24
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Sobral M. Plant subindividual functional diversity and carbon cycling. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:1357-1359. [PMID: 37775453 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Plant subindividual trait variation is a neglected level of functional diversity that contributes to the variation of phenotypes and ecological communities. Disregarding the role of subindividual functional diversity (SFD) in nature may lead to incorrect understanding of spatial and temporal scales of relationships between trait diversity, ecosystem function, and carbon cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Sobral
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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25
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Poyatos C, Sacristán-Bajo S, Tabarés P, Prieto-Benítez S, Teso MLR, Torres E, Morente-López J, Lara-Romero C, Iriondo JM, Fernández AG. Differential patterns of within- and between-population genetically based trait variation in Lupinus angustifolius. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 132:541-552. [PMID: 37647862 PMCID: PMC10667004 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Within-population genetic and phenotypic variation play a key role in the development of adaptive responses to environmental change. Between-population variation is also an essential element in assessing the evolutionary potential of species in response to changes in environmental conditions. In this context, common garden experiments are a useful tool to separate the genetic and environmental components of phenotypic variation. We aimed to assess within- and between-population phenotypic variation of Lupinus angustifolius L. in terms of its evolutionary potential to adapt to ongoing climate change. METHODS We evaluated populations' phenotypic variation of foliar, phenological and reproductive traits with a common garden experiment. Patterns of functional trait variation were assessed with (1) mixed model analyses and coefficients of variation (CVs) with confidence intervals, (2) principal component analyses (PCAs) and (3) correlations between pairs of traits. Analyses were performed at the population level (four populations) and at the latitude level (grouping pairs of populations located in two latitudinal ranges). KEY RESULTS Phenotypic variation had a significant genetic component associated with a latitudinal pattern. (1) Mixed models found lower specific leaf area, advanced flowering phenology and lower seed production of heavier seeds in southern populations, whereas CV analyses showed lower within-latitude variation especially in phenological and reproductive traits in southern populations. (2) PCAs showed a clearer differentiation of phenotypic variation between latitudes than between populations. (3) Correlation analyses showed a greater number of significant correlations between traits in southern populations (25 vs. 13). CONCLUSIONS Between-population phenotypic variation was determined by contrasting temperature and drought at different latitude and elevation. Southern populations had differential trait values compatible with adaptations to high temperatures and drought. Moreover, they had lower within-population variation and a greater number of trait correlations probably as a result of these limiting conditions, making them more vulnerable to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Poyatos
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Sacristán-Bajo
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Tabarés
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Luisa Rubio Teso
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro 2-4, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Morente-López
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Ecología y Evolución en Islas, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carlos Lara-Romero
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Iriondo
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo García- Fernández
- Grupo de Ecología Evolutiva (ECOEVO), Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos-ESCET, Tulipán s/n. 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
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26
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Gossner MM, Perret-Gentil A, Britt E, Queloz V, Glauser G, Ladd T, Roe AD, Cleary M, Liziniewicz M, Nielsen LR, Ghosh SK, Bonello P, Eisenring M. A glimmer of hope - ash genotypes with increased resistance to ash dieback pathogen show cross-resistance to emerald ash borer. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:1219-1232. [PMID: 37345294 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Plants rely on cross-resistance traits to defend against multiple, phylogenetically distinct enemies. These traits are often the result of long co-evolutionary histories. Biological invasions can force naïve plants to cope with novel, coincident pests, and pathogens. For example, European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is substantially threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, a wood-boring beetle, and the ash dieback (ADB) pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Yet, plant cross-resistance traits against novel enemies are poorly explored and it is unknown whether naïve ash trees can defend against novel enemy complexes via cross-resistance mechanisms. To gain mechanistic insights, we quantified EAB performance on grafted replicates of ash genotypes varying in ADB resistance and characterized ash phloem chemistry with targeted and untargeted metabolomics. Emerald ash borer performed better on ADB-susceptible than on ADB-resistant genotypes. Moreover, changes in EAB performance aligned with differences in phloem chemical profiles between ADB-susceptible and ADB-resistant genotypes. We show that intraspecific variation in phloem chemistry in European ash can confer increased cross-resistance to invasive antagonists from different taxonomic kingdoms. Our study suggests that promotion of ADB-resistant ash genotypes may simultaneously help to control the ADB disease and reduce EAB-caused ash losses, which may be critical for the long-term stability of this keystone tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Gossner
- Forest Health & Biotic Interactions, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anouchka Perret-Gentil
- Forest Health & Biotic Interactions, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Britt
- Forest Health & Biotic Interactions, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Queloz
- Forest Health & Biotic Interactions, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Tim Ladd
- Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, ON P6A 2E5, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda D Roe
- Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, ON P6A 2E5, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Cleary
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-234 22, Alnarp, Sweden
| | | | - Lene R Nielsen
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Soumya K Ghosh
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210, OH, USA
| | - Pierluigi Bonello
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210, OH, USA
| | - Michael Eisenring
- Forest Health & Biotic Interactions, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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27
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Turtureanu PD, Pușcaș M, Podar D, Balázs ZR, Hurdu BI, Novikov A, Renaud J, Saillard A, Bec S, Șuteu D, Băcilă I, Choler P. Extent of intraspecific trait variability in ecologically central and marginal populations of a dominant alpine plant across European mountains. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 132:335-347. [PMID: 37478315 PMCID: PMC10583199 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studying trait variability and restricted gene flow between populations of species can reveal species dynamics. Peripheral populations commonly exhibit lower genetic diversity and trait variability due to isolation and ecological marginality, unlike central populations experiencing gene flow and optimal conditions. This study focused on Carex curvula, the dominant species in alpine acidic meadows of European mountain regions. The species is sparser in dry areas such as the Pyrenees and Balkans, compared to the Central-Eastern Alps and Carpathians. We hypothesized that distinct population groups could be identified based on their mean functional trait values and their correlation with the environment; we predicted that ecologically marginal populations would have stronger trait correlations, lower within-population trait variability (intraspecific trait variability, ITV) and lower genetic diversity than populations of optimal habitats. METHODS Sampling was conducted in 34 populations that spanned the entire distribution range of C. curvula. We used hierarchical clustering to identify emergent functional groups of populations, defined by combinations of multiple traits associated with nutrient economy and drought tolerance (e.g. specific leaf area, anatomy). We contrasted the geographical distribution of these groups in relation to environment and genetic structure. We compared pairwise trait relationships, within-population trait variation (ITV) and neutral genetic diversity between groups. KEY RESULTS Our study identified emergent functional groups of populations. Those in the southernmost ranges, specifically the Pyrenees and Balkan region, showed drought-tolerant trait syndromes and correlated with indicators of limited water availability. While we noted a decline in population genetic diversity, we did not observe any significant changes in ITV in ecologically marginal (peripheral) populations. CONCLUSIONS Our research exemplifies the relationship between ecological marginality and geographical peripherality, which in this case study is linked to genetic depauperation but not to reduced ITV. Understanding these relationships is crucial for understanding the biogeographical factors shaping trait variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dan Turtureanu
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Pușcaș
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zoltán Robert Balázs
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Iuliu Hurdu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andriy Novikov
- Department of Biosystematics and Evolution, State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine, 18 Teatralna Street, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Julien Renaud
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Amélie Saillard
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphane Bec
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Dana Șuteu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Băcilă
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Philippe Choler
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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Vasey GL, Urza AK, Chambers JC, Pringle EG, Weisberg PJ. Clinal variations in seedling traits and responses to water availability correspond to seed-source environmental gradients in a foundational dryland tree species. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 132:203-216. [PMID: 36905361 PMCID: PMC10583205 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In dryland ecosystems, conifer species are threatened by more frequent and severe droughts, which can push species beyond their physiological limits. Adequate seedling establishment will be critical for future resilience to global change. We used a common garden glasshouse experiment to determine how seedling functional trait expression and plasticity varied among seed sources in response to a gradient of water availability, focusing on a foundational dryland tree species of the western USA, Pinus monophylla. We hypothesized that the expression of growth-related seedling traits would show patterns consistent with local adaptation, given clinal variation among seed source environments. METHODS We collected P. monophylla seeds from 23 sites distributed across rangewide gradients of aridity and seasonal moisture availability. A total of 3320 seedlings were propagated with four watering treatments representing progressively decreasing water availability. Above- and below-ground growth-related traits of first-year seedlings were measured. Trait values and trait plasticity, here representing the degree of variation among watering treatments, were modelled as a function of watering treatment and environmental conditions at the seed source locations (i.e. water availability, precipitation seasonality). KEY RESULTS We found that, under all treatments, seedlings from more arid climates had larger above- and below-ground biomass compared to seedlings from sites experiencing lower growing-season water limitation, even after accounting for differences in seed size. Additionally, trait plasticity in response to watering treatments was greatest for seedlings from summer-wet sites that experience periodic monsoonal rain events. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that P. monophylla seedlings respond to drought through plasticity in multiple traits, but variation in trait responses suggests that different populations are likely to respond uniquely to changes in local climate. Such trait diversity will probably influence the potential for future seedling recruitment in woodlands that are projected to experience extensive drought-related tree mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia L Vasey
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Mail Stop 186, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Alexandra K Urza
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 920 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512, USA
| | - Jeanne C Chambers
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 920 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Pringle
- Department of Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Mail Stop 0314, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Peter J Weisberg
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Mail Stop 186, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Lawrence-Paul EH, Poethig RS, Lasky JR. Vegetative phase change causes age-dependent changes in phenotypic plasticity. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:613-625. [PMID: 37571856 PMCID: PMC10551844 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to optimize traits for their environment. As organisms age, they experience diverse environments that benefit from varying degrees of phenotypic plasticity. Developmental transitions can control these age-dependent changes in plasticity, and as such, the timing of these transitions can determine when plasticity changes in an organism. Here, we investigate how the transition from juvenile-to adult-vegetative development known as vegetative phase change (VPC) contributes to age-dependent changes in phenotypic plasticity and how the timing of this transition responds to environment using both natural accessions and mutant lines in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that the adult phase of vegetative development has greater plasticity in leaf morphology than the juvenile phase and confirmed that this difference in plasticity is caused by VPC using mutant lines. Furthermore, we found that the timing of VPC, and therefore the time when increased plasticity is acquired, varies significantly across genotypes and environments. The consistent age-dependent changes in plasticity caused by VPC suggest that VPC may be adaptive. This genetic and environmental variation in the timing of VPC indicates the potential for population-level adaptive evolution of VPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica H. Lawrence-Paul
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biology, University Park, PA 16802
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - R. Scott Poethig
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jesse R. Lasky
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biology, University Park, PA 16802
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30
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Lake TA, Briscoe Runquist RD, Flagel LE, Moeller DA. Chronosequence of invasion reveals minimal losses of population genomic diversity, niche expansion, and trait divergence in the polyploid, leafy spurge. Evol Appl 2023; 16:1680-1696. [PMID: 38020872 PMCID: PMC10660801 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid evolution may play an important role in the range expansion of invasive species and modify forecasts of invasion, which are the backbone of land management strategies. However, losses of genetic variation associated with colonization bottlenecks may constrain trait and niche divergence at leading range edges, thereby impacting management decisions that anticipate future range expansion. The spatial and temporal scales over which adaptation contributes to invasion dynamics remain unresolved. We leveraged detailed records of the ~130-year invasion history of the invasive polyploid plant, leafy spurge (Euphorbia virgata), across ~500 km in Minnesota, U.S.A. We examined the consequences of range expansion for population genomic diversity, niche breadth, and the evolution of germination behavior. Using genotyping-by-sequencing, we found some population structure in the range core, where introduction occurred, but panmixia among all other populations. Range expansion was accompanied by only modest losses in sequence diversity, with small, isolated populations at the leading edge harboring similar levels of diversity to those in the range core. The climatic niche expanded during most of the range expansion, and the niche of the range core was largely non-overlapping with the invasion front. Ecological niche models indicated that mean temperature of the warmest quarter was the strongest determinant of habitat suitability and that populations at the leading edge had the lowest habitat suitability. Guided by these findings, we tested for rapid evolution in germination behavior over the time course of range expansion using a common garden experiment and temperature manipulations. Germination behavior diverged from the early to late phases of the invasion, with populations from later phases having higher dormancy at lower temperatures. Our results suggest that trait evolution may have contributed to niche expansion during invasion and that distribution models, which inform future management planning, may underestimate invasion potential without accounting for evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Lake
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Lex E. Flagel
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
- GencoveLong Island CityNew YorkUSA
| | - David A. Moeller
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
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31
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Kassout J, Hmimsa Y, Fatehi SE, Kadaoui K, Houssni M, Chakkour S, Sahli A, El Chami MA, Ariza-Mateos D, Palacios-Rodríguez G, Navarro-Cerrillo RM, Ater M. Aridity Gradients Shape Intraspecific Variability of Morphological Traits in Native Ceratonia siliqua L. of Morocco. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3447. [PMID: 37836187 PMCID: PMC10575131 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a significant fruit tree in the Mediterranean region with cultural, biological, and ecological importance. Despite its importance, intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in carob trees has been largely overlooked in previous studies. Understanding ITV and its relationship with environmental conditions is crucial for conservation and breeding programs. In this study, we investigated the variability of carob pod and seed-related traits across different ecological scales in 25 studied populations in Morocco. Significant differences in morphological traits were observed between carob populations at various ecological levels, and pod-related traits exhibited greater variability than seed traits. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between carob morphological traits and environmental conditions, with altitude and aridity index playing an influential role. The aridity gradient was strongly related to changes in pod size, seed number, and size, as well as seed yield. Our findings highlight an important ITV reaching 45% at the intra-population level, 36.5% at the inter-geographic level, and 30% at the inter-population level. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the ecology and adaptation of carob trees, emphasizing the importance of considering intraspecific variability when studying this remarkable species. This knowledge is critical for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and human activities on the long-term survival and ecological functioning of carob populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalal Kassout
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Marrakech, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, P.O. Box 415, Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| | - Younes Hmimsa
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- TEDAEEP Team Research, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Larache (FPL), University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, P.O. Box 745, Larache 92000, Morocco
| | - Salama El Fatehi
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- TEDAEEP Team Research, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Larache (FPL), University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, P.O. Box 745, Larache 92000, Morocco
| | - Khalil Kadaoui
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Mhammad Houssni
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Soufian Chakkour
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Abdelouahab Sahli
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohamad Ali El Chami
- Forestry Engineering Department, ERSAF Research Group RNM-360, University of Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (M.A.E.C.); (D.A.-M.); (G.P.-R.); (R.M.N.-C.)
| | - David Ariza-Mateos
- Forestry Engineering Department, ERSAF Research Group RNM-360, University of Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (M.A.E.C.); (D.A.-M.); (G.P.-R.); (R.M.N.-C.)
| | - Guillermo Palacios-Rodríguez
- Forestry Engineering Department, ERSAF Research Group RNM-360, University of Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (M.A.E.C.); (D.A.-M.); (G.P.-R.); (R.M.N.-C.)
| | - Rafael M. Navarro-Cerrillo
- Forestry Engineering Department, ERSAF Research Group RNM-360, University of Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (M.A.E.C.); (D.A.-M.); (G.P.-R.); (R.M.N.-C.)
| | - Mohamed Ater
- Laboratory of Applied Botany, Bio-Agrodiversity Team, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abdelmalek Essaâdi, Tétouan 93030, Morocco; (Y.H.); (S.E.F.); (K.K.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
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Gómez JM, González-Megías A, Armas C, Narbona E, Navarro L, Perfectti F. The role of phenotypic plasticity in shaping ecological networks. Ecol Lett 2023; 26 Suppl 1:S47-S61. [PMID: 37840020 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Plasticity-mediated changes in interaction dynamics and structure may scale up and affect the ecological network in which the plastic species are embedded. Despite their potential relevance for understanding the effects of plasticity on ecological communities, these effects have seldom been analysed. We argue here that, by boosting the magnitude of intra-individual phenotypic variation, plasticity may have three possible direct effects on the interactions that the plastic species maintains with other species in the community: may expand the interaction niche, may cause a shift from one interaction niche to another or may even cause the colonization of a new niche. The combined action of these three factors can scale to the community level and eventually expresses itself as a modification in the topology and functionality of the entire ecological network. We propose that this causal pathway can be more widespread than previously thought and may explain how interaction niches evolve quickly in response to rapid changes in environmental conditions. The implication of this idea is not solely eco-evolutionary but may also help to understand how ecological interactions rewire and evolve in response to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Gómez
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Almería, Spain
- Research Unit Modeling Nature, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Adela González-Megías
- Research Unit Modeling Nature, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Armas
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Almería, Spain
| | - Eduardo Narbona
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ciencias del Suelo, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Francisco Perfectti
- Research Unit Modeling Nature, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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33
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Gelambi M, Whitehead SR. Multiscale variability in nutrients and secondary metabolites in a bat-dispersed neotropical fruit. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10453. [PMID: 37664504 PMCID: PMC10474796 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ripe fleshy fruits contain not only nutrients but also a diverse array of secondary metabolites. Nutrients serve as a reward for mutualists, whereas defensive metabolites protect the fruit against pests and predators. The composition of these chemical traits is highly variable, both across different plants and even within repeating structures on the same individual plant. This intraspecific and intraindividual variation has important fitness consequences for both plants and animals, yet patterns of variation and covariation in nutrients and secondary metabolites are not well understood, especially at smaller scales. Here, we investigate the multiscale variation and covariation between nutrients and defensive metabolites in Piper sancti-felicis ripe fruits. Means and measures of variation of sugars, proteins, phenolics, and alkenylphenols vary greatly among plants, and at least 50% of the trait variation occurs at the intraindividual level. Also, we found that proteins, but not sugars, were correlated with phenolics and alkenylphenols at multiple scales, suggesting trait variation in protein content may be more constrained than sugars. Our findings emphasize the importance of examining patterns across scales and provide the groundwork to better understand how complex patterns of variation and covariation in nutrients and defensive metabolites shape ecological interactions surrounding fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gelambi
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
- La Selva Biological StationOrganization for Tropical StudiesPuerto Viejo de SarapiquíHeredia ProvinceCosta Rica
| | - Susan R. Whitehead
- Department of Biological SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVirginiaUSA
- La Selva Biological StationOrganization for Tropical StudiesPuerto Viejo de SarapiquíHeredia ProvinceCosta Rica
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34
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Seifan M. On trait variability in harsh habitats. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16206. [PMID: 37431821 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Merav Seifan
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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35
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Karbstein K, Römermann C, Hellwig F, Prinz K. Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10376. [PMID: 37560178 PMCID: PMC10406824 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Population size, genetic diversity, and performance have fundamental importance for ecology, evolution, and nature conservation of plant species. Despite well-studied relationships among environmental, genetic, and intraspecific trait variation (ITV), the influence of population size on these aspects is less understood. To assess the sources of population size variation, but also its impact on genetic, functional trait, and performance aspects, we conducted detailed population size estimations, assessed 23 abiotic and biotic environmental habitat factors, performed population genetic analyses using nine microsatellite markers, and recorded nine functional traits based on 260 Trifolium montanum individuals from 13 semi-dry grassland locations of Central Europe. Modern statistical analyses based on a multivariate framework (path analysis) with preselected linear regression models revealed that the variation of abiotic factors (in contrast to factors per se) almost completely, significantly explained fluctuations in population size (R 2 = .93). In general, abiotic habitat variation (heterogeneity) was not affected by habitat area. Population size significantly explained genetic diversity (N A: R 2 = .42, H o: R 2 = .67, H e: R 2 = .43, and I: R 2 = .59), inbreeding (F IS: R 2 = .35), and differentiation (G ST: R 2 = .20). We also found that iFDCV (ITV) was significantly explained by abiotic habitat heterogeneity, and to a lesser extent by genetic diversity H e (R 2 = .81). Nevertheless, habitat heterogeneity did not statistically affect genetic diversity. This may be due to the use of selectively neutral microsatellite markers, and possibly by insufficient abiotic selective pressures on habitats examined. Small T. montanum populations in nonoptimal habitats were characterized by reduced genetic and functional trait diversity, and elevated genetic inbreeding and differentiation. This indicates reduced adaptability to current and future environmental changes. The long-term survival of small populations with reduced genetic diversity and beginning inbreeding will be highly dependent on habitat protection and adequate land-use actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Karbstein
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
- Department of Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants (with Herbarium)Albrecht‐von‐Haller Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Department of Biogeochemical IntegrationMax Planck Institute for BiogeochemistryJenaGermany
| | - Christine Römermann
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Frank Hellwig
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
| | - Kathleen Prinz
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
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36
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John GP, Garnica-Díaz CJ. Embracing the complexity of leaf shape: a commentary on 'Anatomical determinants of gas exchange and hydraulics vary with leaf shape in soybean'. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 131:i-iii. [PMID: 37283295 PMCID: PMC10332391 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article comments on:Bishal G. Tamang, Yanqun Zhang, Michelle A. Zambrano and Elizabeth A. Ainsworth Anatomical determinants of gas exchange and hydraulics vary with leaf shape in soybean, Annals of Botany, Volume 131, Issue 6, 9 May 2023, Pages 909–920, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac118
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace P John
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram Hall, PO Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
| | - Claudia J Garnica-Díaz
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram Hall, PO Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
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37
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Mazal L, Fajardo A, Till-Bottraud I, Corenblit D, Fumanal B. Kin selection, kin recognition and kin discrimination in plants revisited: A claim for considering environmental and genetic variability. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:2007-2016. [PMID: 36916702 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Mazal
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Alex Fajardo
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I3), Vicerrectoría Académica, Universidad de Talca, Campus Lircay, Talca, Chile
| | | | - Dov Corenblit
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Boris Fumanal
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR 547 PIAF, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Da R, Fan C, Zhang C, Zhao X, von Gadow K. Are absorptive root traits good predictors of ecosystem functioning? A test in a natural temperate forest. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 239:75-86. [PMID: 36978285 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Trait-based approaches provide a useful framework to predict ecosystem functions under intensifying global change. However, our current understanding of trait-functioning relationships mainly relies on aboveground traits. Belowground traits (e.g. absorptive root traits) are rarely studied although these traits are related to important plant functions. We analyzed four pairs of analogous leaf and absorptive root traits of woody plants in a temperate forest and examined how these traits are coordinated at the community-level, and to what extent the trait covariation depends on local-scale environmental conditions. We then quantified the contributions of leaf and absorptive root traits and the environmental conditions in determining two important forest ecosystem functions, aboveground carbon storage, and woody biomass productivity. The results showed that both morphological trait pairs and chemical trait pairs exhibited positive correlations at the community level. Absorptive root traits show a strong response to environmental conditions compared to leaf traits. We also found that absorptive root traits were better predictors of the two forest ecosystem functions than leaf traits and environmental conditions. Our study confirms the important role of belowground traits in modulating ecosystem functions and deepens our understanding of belowground responses to changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihan Da
- Research Center of Forest Management Engineering of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunyu Fan
- Research Center of Forest Management Engineering of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Research Center of Forest Management Engineering of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiuhai Zhao
- Research Center of Forest Management Engineering of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Klaus von Gadow
- Faculty of Forestry and Forest Ecology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 5, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Forest and Wood Science, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
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Cheplick GP. Spatiotemporal variation of chasmogamy and cleistogamy in a native perennial grass: fecundity, reproductive allocation and allometry. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad020. [PMID: 37197713 PMCID: PMC10184453 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
It is difficult to assess the relative variability or stability of chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) reproduction in perennial herbs with mixed mating because long-term data in natural populations are unavailable. Here, the aim was to quantify and compare spatial (between-habitat) and temporal (among-year) variation in CH and CL reproduction over 5 years in two subpopulations of the native perennial grass Danthonia compressa. This species produces CH spikelets on terminal panicles in early summer, while axillary CL spikelets, including a basal cleistogene, mature into the autumn. Flowering tillers were collected from a sunny woodland edge and an adjacent shady interior habitat for 5 consecutive years (2017-21). Seed set, fecundity, seed mass and biomass allocation were recorded for the two floral types along with tiller vegetative mass. Bivariate line fitting was used for allometric analysis of CH and CL fecundity. Seed set, fecundity, mass per seed and allocation to seeds differed between floral types and showed significant variation between habitats and among years. Seed set and fecundity in CH panicles were greater than that of axillary CL panicles in most years. Tiller mass positively affected axillary CL seed production and mass of the basal cleistogene. Fecundity and allocation among years were more variable for CH compared to CL reproduction. High seed set and fecundity of CH spikelets suggest that pollination does not limit reproduction via chasmogamy. Late maturation of axillary CL spikelets provides additional fecundity, especially in larger plants along sunny woodland edges. The heavy cleistogene at the tiller base could be important to population persistence, analogous to the axillary bud bank of other perennial grasses that are not cleistogamous. The spatiotemporal stability of CL reproduction underscores the ecological significance of cleistogamy to reproductive fitness.
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Przybylska MS, Violle C, Vile D, Scheepens JF, Lacombe B, Le Roux X, Perrier L, Sales-Mabily L, Laumond M, Vinyeta M, Moulin P, Beurier G, Rouan L, Cornet D, Vasseur F. AraDiv: a dataset of functional traits and leaf hyperspectral reflectance of Arabidopsis thaliana. Sci Data 2023; 10:314. [PMID: 37225767 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02189-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Data from functional trait databases have been increasingly used to address questions related to plant diversity and trait-environment relationships. However, such databases provide intraspecific data that combine individual records obtained from distinct populations at different sites and, hence, environmental conditions. This prevents distinguishing sources of variation (e.g., genetic-based variation vs. phenotypic plasticity), a necessary condition to test for adaptive processes and other determinants of plant phenotypic diversity. Consequently, individual traits measured under common growing conditions and encompassing within-species variation across the occupied geographic range have the potential to leverage trait databases with valuable data for functional and evolutionary ecology. Here, we recorded 16 functional traits and leaf hyperspectral reflectance (NIRS) data for 721 widely distributed Arabidopsis thaliana natural accessions grown in a common garden experiment. These data records, together with meteorological variables obtained during the experiment, were assembled to create the AraDiv dataset. AraDiv is a comprehensive dataset of A. thaliana's intraspecific variability that can be explored to address questions at the interface of genetics and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stefania Przybylska
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
- LEPSE, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, Institut Agro Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Cyrille Violle
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Denis Vile
- LEPSE, Univ Montpellier, INRAE, Institut Agro Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - J F Scheepens
- Plant Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benoit Lacombe
- IPSIM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Le Roux
- Microbial Ecology Centre, UMR 1418 INRAE, UMR 5557 CNRS, INRAE, CNRS, University Lyon 1, University of Lyon, VetAgroSup, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lisa Perrier
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Mariona Vinyeta
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Moulin
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Gregory Beurier
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP Institut, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- UMR AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Lauriane Rouan
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP Institut, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- UMR AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, F-34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Denis Cornet
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP Institut, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- UMR AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, F-34398, Montpellier, France
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41
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Schmitt S, Boisseaux M. Higher local intra- than interspecific variability in water- and carbon-related leaf traits among Neotropical tree species. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 131:801-811. [PMID: 36897823 PMCID: PMC10184448 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intraspecific variability in leaf water-related traits remains little explored despite its potential importance in the context of increasing drought frequency and severity. Studies comparing intra- and interspecific variability of leaf traits often rely on inappropriate sampling designs that result in non-robust estimates, mainly owing to an excess of the species/individual ratio in community ecology or, on the contrary, to an excess of the individual/species ratio in population ecology. METHODS We carried out virtual testing of three strategies to compare intra- and interspecific trait variability. Guided by the results of our simulations, we carried out field sampling. We measured nine traits related to leaf water and carbon acquisition in 100 individuals from ten Neotropical tree species. We also assessed trait variation among leaves within individuals and among measurements within leaves to control for sources of intraspecific trait variability. KEY RESULTS The most robust sampling, based on the same number of species and individuals per species, revealed higher intraspecific variability than previously recognized, higher for carbon-related traits (47-92 and 4-33 % of relative and absolute variation, respectively) than for water-related traits (47-60 and 14-44 % of relative and absolute variation, respectively), which remained non-negligible. Nevertheless, part of the intraspecific trait variability was explained by variation of leaves within individuals (12-100 % of relative variation) or measurement variations within leaf (0-19 % of relative variation) and not only by individual ontogenetic stages and environmental conditions. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that robust sampling, based on the same number of species and individuals per species, is needed to explore global or local variation in leaf water- and carbon-related traits within and among tree species, because our study revealed higher intraspecific variation than previously recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Schmitt
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de la Guyane), Campus Agronomique, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana
| | - Marion Boisseaux
- Université de la Guyane, UMR EcoFoG (Agroparistech, Cirad, CNRS, INRAE, Université des Antilles), Campus Agronomique, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana
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42
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Fazan L, Certini D, Pasta S, Remoundou I, Ghosn D, Garfì G, Kozlowski G. Trait variability in diaspores and fruits of Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae) across its distribution range. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2023.103896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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43
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Crisfield VE, Ficken CD, Allen BE, Jog SK, Bried JT. The potential of trait data to increase the availability of bioindicators: A case study using plant conservatism values. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023:e2866. [PMID: 37102427 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Biological indicators are commonly used to evaluate ecosystem condition. However, their use is often constrained by the availability of information with which to assign species-specific indicator values, which reflect species' responses to the environmental conditions being evaluated by the indicator. As these responses are driven by underlying traits, and trait data for numerous species are available in publicly accessible databases, one possible approach to approximating missing bioindicator values is through traits. We used the Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) framework and its component indicator of disturbance sensitivity, species-specific ecological conservatism scores (C-scores), as a study system to test the potential of this approach. We tested the consistency of relationships between trait values and expert-assigned C-scores and the trait-based predictability of C-scores across five regions. Furthermore, as a proof-of-concept exercise, we used a multi-trait model to try to reconstruct C-scores, and compared the model predictions to expert-assigned scores. Out of 20 traits tested, there was evidence of regional consistency for germination rate, growth rate, propagation type, dispersal unit, and leaf nitrogen. However, the individual traits showed low predictability (R2 = 0.1-0.2) for C-scores, and a multi-trait model produced substantial classification errors; in many cases, >50% of species were misclassified. The mismatches may largely be explained by the inability to generalize regionally varying C-scores from geographically neutral/naive trait data stored in databases, and the synthetic nature of C-scores. Based on these results, we recommend possible next steps for expanding the availability of species-based bioindication frameworks such as the FQA. These steps include increasing the availability of geographic and environmental data in trait databases, incorporating data about intraspecific trait variability into these databases, conducting hypothesis-driven investigations into trait-indicator relationships, and having regional experts review our results to determine if there are patterns in the species that were correctly or incorrectly classified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varina E Crisfield
- Department of Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cari D Ficken
- Department of Geology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Brandon E Allen
- Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Suneeti K Jog
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Jason T Bried
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
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Assaeed AM, Dar BA, Al-Doss AA, Al-Rowaily SL, Malik JA, Abd-ElGawad AM. Phenotypic Plasticity Strategy of Aeluropus lagopoides Grass in Response to Heterogenous Saline Habitats. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040553. [PMID: 37106753 PMCID: PMC10135548 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the response variation of morphological parameters and biomass allocation of plants in heterogeneous saline environments is helpful in evaluating the internal correlation between plant phenotypic plasticity mechanism and biomass allocation. The plasticity of plants alters the interaction among individuals and their environment and consequently affects the population dynamics and aspects of community and ecosystem functioning. The current study aimed to assess the plasticity of Aeluropus lagopoides traits with variation in saline habitats. Understanding the habitat stress tolerance strategy of A. lagopoides is of great significance since it is one of the highly palatable forage grass in the summer period. Five different saline flat regions (coastal and inland) within Saudi Arabia were targeted, and the soil, as well as the morphological and physiological traits of A. lagopoides, were assessed. Comprehensive correlation analyses were performed to correlate the traits with soil, region, or among each other. The soil analysis revealed significant variation among the five studied regions for all measured parameters, as well as among the soil layers showing the highest values in the upper layer and decreased with the depth. Significant differences were determined for all tested parameters of the morphological and reproductive traits as well as for the biomass allocation of A. lagopoides, except for the leaf thickness. In the highly saline region, Qaseem, A. lagopoides showed stunted aerial growth, high root/shoot ratio, improved root development, and high biomass allocation. In contrast, the populations growing in the low saline region (Jizan) showed the opposite trend. Under the more stressful condition, like in Qaseem and Salwa, A. lagopoides produce low spikes in biomass and seeds per plant, compared to the lowest saline habitats, such as Jouf. There was no significant difference in physiological parameters except stomatal conductance (gs), which is highest in the Jizan region. In conclusion, the population of A. lagopoides is tolerant of harsh environments through phenotypic plasticity. This could be a candidate species to rehabilitate the saline habitats, considering saline agriculture and saline soil remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz M Assaeed
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basharat A Dar
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Al-Doss
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud L Al-Rowaily
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jahangir A Malik
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Abd-ElGawad
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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45
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Sobral M. Induction of subindividual variation: a commentary on 'Intra-individual variation in Galium odoratum is affected by experimental drought and shading'. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 131:i-ii. [PMID: 36806383 PMCID: PMC10072083 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mar Sobral
- CRETUS – EcoPast (GI-1553), Departmento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Wickman J, Koffel T, Klausmeier CA. A Theoretical Framework for Trait-Based Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics: Population Structure, Intraspecific Variation, and Community Assembly. Am Nat 2023; 201:501-522. [PMID: 36958005 DOI: 10.1086/723406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHow is trait diversity in a community apportioned between and within coevolving species? Disruptive selection may result in either a few species with large intraspecific trait variation (ITV) or many species with different mean traits but little ITV. Similar questions arise in spatially structured communities: heterogeneous environments could result in either a few species that exhibit local adaptation or many species with different mean traits but little local adaptation. To date, theory has been well-equipped to either include ITV or to dynamically determine the number of coexisting species, but not both. Here, we devise a theoretical framework that combines these facets and apply it to the above questions of how trait variation is apportioned within and between species in unstructured and structured populations, using two simple models of Lotka-Volterra competition. For unstructured communities, we find that as the breadth of the resource spectrum increases, ITV goes from being unimportant to crucial for characterizing the community. For spatially structured communities on two patches, we find no local adaptation, symmetric local adaptation, or asymmetric local adaptation, depending on how much the patches differ. Our framework provides a general approach to incorporate ITV in models of eco-evolutionary community assembly.
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47
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Halliday FW, Czyżewski S, Laine AL. Intraspecific trait variation and changing life-history strategies explain host community disease risk along a temperature gradient. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220019. [PMID: 36744568 PMCID: PMC9900715 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting how climate change will affect disease risk is complicated by the fact that changing environmental conditions can affect disease through direct and indirect effects. Species with fast-paced life-history strategies often amplify disease, and changing climate can modify life-history composition of communities thereby altering disease risk. However, individuals within a species can also respond to changing conditions with intraspecific trait variation. To test the effect of temperature, as well as inter- and intraspecifc trait variation on community disease risk, we measured foliar disease and specific leaf area (SLA; a proxy for life-history strategy) on more than 2500 host (plant) individuals in 199 communities across a 1101 m elevational gradient in southeastern Switzerland. There was no direct effect of increasing temperature on disease. Instead, increasing temperature favoured species with higher SLA, fast-paced life-history strategies. This effect was balanced by intraspecific variation in SLA: on average, host individuals expressed lower SLA with increasing temperature, and this effect was stronger among species adapted to warmer temperatures and lower latitudes. These results demonstrate how impacts of changing temperature on disease may depend on how temperature combines and interacts with host community structure while indicating that evolutionary constraints can determine how these effects are manifested under global change. This article is part of the theme issue 'Infectious disease ecology and evolution in a changing world'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fletcher W. Halliday
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Szymon Czyżewski
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Liisa Laine
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland,Research Centre for Ecological Change, Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
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48
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Zhu T, Jiang W, Shen H, Yuan J, Chen J, Gong Z, Wang L, Zhang M, Rao Q. Characteristics of plant trait network and its influencing factors in impounded lakes and channel rivers of South-to-North Water Transfer Project, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1127209. [PMID: 36968420 PMCID: PMC10036390 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1127209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Trait-based approaches have been widely used to evaluate the effects of variable environments on submerged macrophytes communities. However, little research focused on the response of submerged macrophytes to variable environmental factors in impounded lakes and channel rivers of water transfer project, especially from a whole plant trait network (PTN) perspective. Here, we conducted a field survey designed to clarify the characteristic of PTN topology among impounded lakes and channel rivers of the East Route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project (ERSNWTP) and to unravel the effects of determining factors on the PTN topology structure. Overall, our results showed that leaf-related traits and organ mass allocation traits were the hub traits of PTNs in impounded lakes and channel rivers of the ERSNWTP, which traits with high variability were more likely to be the hub traits. Moreover, PTNs showed different structures among impounded lakes and channel rivers, and PTNs topologies were related to the mean functional variation coefficients of lakes and channel rivers. Specially, higher mean functional variation coefficients represented tight PTN, and lower mean functional variation coefficients indicated loose PTN. The PTN structure was significantly affected by water total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. Edge density increased, while average path length decreased with increasing total phosphorus. Edge density and average clustering coefficient showed significant decreases with increasing dissolved oxygen, while average path length and modularity exhibited significant increases with increasing dissolved oxygen. This study explores the changing patterns and determinants of trait networks along environmental gradients to improve our understanding of ecological rules regulating trait correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshun Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
- Institute of Aquatic Environment, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences and Planning, Nanchang, China
| | - Wanxiang Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Henglun Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Juanjuan Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Zheng Gong
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Institute of Aquatic Environment, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences and Planning, Nanchang, China
| | - Qingyang Rao
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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Girard-Tercieux C, Maréchaux I, Clark AT, Clark JS, Courbaud B, Fortunel C, Guillemot J, Künstler G, le Maire G, Pélissier R, Rüger N, Vieilledent G. Rethinking the nature of intraspecific variability and its consequences on species coexistence. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9860. [PMID: 36911314 PMCID: PMC9992775 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific variability (IV) has been proposed to explain species coexistence in diverse communities. Assuming, sometimes implicitly, that conspecific individuals can perform differently in the same environment and that IV increases niche overlap, previous studies have found contrasting results regarding the effect of IV on species coexistence. We aim at showing that the large IV observed in data does not mean that conspecific individuals are necessarily different in their response to the environment and that the role of high-dimensional environmental variation in determining IV has largely remained unexplored in forest plant communities. We first used a simulation experiment where an individual attribute is derived from a high-dimensional model, representing "perfect knowledge" of individual response to the environment, to illustrate how large observed IV can result from "imperfect knowledge" of the environment. Second, using growth data from clonal Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, we estimated a major contribution of the environment in determining individual growth. Third, using tree growth data from long-term tropical forest inventories in French Guiana, Panama and India, we showed that tree growth in tropical forests is structured spatially and that despite a large observed IV at the population level, conspecific individuals perform more similarly locally than compared with heterospecific individuals. As the number of environmental dimensions that are well quantified at fine scale is generally lower than the actual number of dimensions influencing individual attributes, a great part of observed IV might be represented as random variation across individuals when in fact it is environmentally driven. This mis-representation has important consequences for inference about community dynamics. We emphasize that observed IV does not necessarily impact species coexistence per se but can reveal species response to high-dimensional environment, which is consistent with niche theory and the observation of the many differences between species in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam T Clark
- Institute of Biology Karl-Franzens University of Graz Graz Austria
| | - James S Clark
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham North Carolina USA.,Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, LESSEM St-Martin-d'Hères France
| | - Benoît Courbaud
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, LESSEM St-Martin-d'Hères France
| | - Claire Fortunel
- AMAP, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD Montpellier France
| | - Joannès Guillemot
- Eco&Sols, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Institut Agro Montpellier France
| | | | - Guerric le Maire
- Eco&Sols, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Institut Agro Montpellier France
| | - Raphaël Pélissier
- AMAP, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD Montpellier France.,Department of Ecology French Institute of Pondicherry Puducherry India
| | - Nadja Rüger
- Department of Economics University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa Panama
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50
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Long-term, large-scale experiment reveals the effects of seed limitation, climate, and anthropogenic disturbance on restoration of plant communities in a biodiversity hotspot. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2201943119. [PMID: 36745782 PMCID: PMC9963678 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201943119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological restoration is essential for maintaining biodiversity in the face of dynamic, global changes in climate, human land use, and disturbance regimes. Effective restoration requires understanding bottlenecks in plant community recovery that exist today, while recognizing that these bottlenecks may relate to complex histories of environmental change. Such understanding has been a challenge because few long-term, well-replicated experiments exist to decipher the demographic processes influencing recovery for numerous species against the backdrop of multiyear variation in climate and management. We address this challenge through a long-term and geographically expansive experiment in longleaf pine savannas, an imperiled ecosystem and biodiversity hotspot in the southeastern United States. Using 48 sites at three locations spanning 480 km, the 8-y experiment manipulated initial seed arrival for 24 herbaceous plant species and presence of competitors to evaluate the impacts of climate variability and management actions (e.g., prescribed burning) on plant establishment and persistence. Adding seeds increased plant establishment of many species. Cool and wet climatic conditions, low tree density, and reduced litter depth also promoted establishment. Once established, most species persisted for the duration of the 8-y experiment. Plant traits were most predictive when tightly coupled to the process of establishment. Our results illustrate how seed additions can restore plant diversity and how interannual climatic variation affects the dynamics of plant communities across a large region. The significant effects of temperature and precipitation inform how future climate may affect restoration and conservation via large-scale changes in the fundamental processes of establishment and persistence.
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