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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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Rivest S, Lajoie G, Watts DA, Vellend M. Earlier spring reduces potential for gene flow via reduced flowering synchrony across an elevational gradient. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:538-545. [PMID: 33733494 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE One of the best-documented ecological responses to climate warming involves temporal shifts of phenological events. However, we lack an understanding of how phenological responses to climate change vary among populations of the same species. Such variability has the potential to affect flowering synchrony among populations and hence the potential for gene flow. METHODS To test whether an earlier start of the growing season affects the potential for gene flow among populations, we quantified the distributions of flowering times of two spring-flowering plants (Trillium erectum and Erythronium americanum) over 6 years along an elevational gradient. We developed a novel model-based metric of potential gene flow between pairs of populations to quantify the potential for pollen-mediated gene flow based on flowering phenology. RESULTS Earlier onset of spring led to greater separation of peak flowering dates across the elevational gradient for both species investigated, but was only associated with a reduction in potential gene flow in T. erectum, not E. americanum. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that climate change could decrease gene flow via phenological separation among populations along climatic gradients. We also provide a novel method for quantifying potential pollen-mediated gene flow using data on flowering phenology, based on a quantitative, more biologically interpretable model than other available metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Rivest
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geneviève Lajoie
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, H2X 1Y4, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - David A Watts
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark Vellend
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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Plue J, Vandepitte K, Honnay O, Cousins SAO. Does the seed bank contribute to the build-up of a genetic extinction debt in the grassland perennial Campanula rotundifolia? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2017; 120:373-385. [PMID: 28645141 PMCID: PMC5591413 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Habitat fragmentation threatens global biodiversity. Many plant species persist in habitat fragments via persistent life cycle stages such as seed banks, generating a species extinction debt. Here, seed banks are hypothesized to cause a temporal delay in the expected loss of genetic variation, which can be referred to as a genetic extinction debt, as a possible mechanism behind species extinction debts. METHODS Fragmented grassland populations of Campanula rotundifolia were examined for evidence of a genetic extinction debt, investigating if the seed bank contributed to the extinction debt build-up. The genetic make-up of 15 above- and below-ground populations was analysed in relation to historical and current levels of habitat fragmentation, both separately and combined. KEY RESULTS Genetic diversity was highest in above-ground populations, though below-ground populations contained 8 % of unique alleles that were absent above-ground. Above-ground genetic diversity and composition were related to historical patch size and connectivity, but not current patch characteristics, suggesting the presence of a genetic extinction debt in the above-ground populations. No such relationships were found for the below-ground populations. Genetic diversity measures still showed a response to historical but not present landscape characteristics when combining genetic diversity of the above- and below-ground populations. CONCLUSIONS The fragmented C. rotundifolia populations exhibited a genetic extinction debt. However, the role of the seed banks in the build-up of this extinction debt is probably small, since the limited, unique genetic diversity of the seed bank alone seems unable to counter the detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation on the population genetic structure of C. rotundifolia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Plue
- Biogeography and Geomatics, Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katrien Vandepitte
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Olivier Honnay
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Sara A O Cousins
- Biogeography and Geomatics, Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hirano M, Sakaguchi S, Takahashi K. Phenotypic differentiation of the Solidago virgaurea complex along an elevational gradient: Insights from a common garden experiment and population genetics. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6949-6962. [PMID: 28904774 PMCID: PMC5587469 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant species distributed along wide elevational or latitudinal gradients show phenotypic variation due to their heterogeneous habitats. This study investigated whether phenotypic variation in populations of the Solidago virgaurea complex along an elevational gradient is caused by genetic differentiation. A common garden experiment was based on seeds collected from nine populations of the S. virgaurea complex growing at elevations from 1,597 m to 2,779 m a.s.l. on Mt. Norikura in central Japan. Population genetic analyses with microsatellite markers were used to infer the genetic structure and levels of gene flow between populations. Leaf mass per area was lower, while leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations were greater for higher elevations at which seeds were originally collected. For reproductive traits, plants derived from higher elevations had larger flower heads on shorter stems and flowering started earlier. These elevational changes in morphology were consistent with the clines in the field, indicating that phenotypic variation along the elevational gradient would have been caused by genetic differentiation. However, population genetic analysis using 16 microsatellite loci suggested an extremely low level of genetic differentiation of neutral genes among the nine populations. Analysis of molecular variance also indicated that most genetic variation was partitioned into individuals within a population, and the genetic differentiation among the populations was not significant. This study suggests that genome regions responsible for adaptive traits may differ among the populations despite the existence of gene flow and that phenotypic variation of the S. virgaurea complex along the elevational gradient is maintained by strong selection pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Hirano
- Graduate School of Science and TechnologyShinshu UniversityMatsumotoJapan
| | - Shota Sakaguchi
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental StudiesKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of BiologyFaculty of ScienceShinshu UniversityMatsumotoJapan
- Institute of Mountain ScienceShinshu UniversityMatsumotoJapan
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Liu W, Zhao Y, You J, Qi D, Zhou Y, Chen J, Song Z. Morphological and Genetic Variation along a North-to-South Transect in Stipa purpurea, a Dominant Grass on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: Implications for Response to Climate Change. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161972. [PMID: 27580056 PMCID: PMC5006974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Estimating the potential of species to cope with rapid environmental climatic modifications is of vital importance for determining their future viability and conservation. The variation between existing populations along a climatic gradient may predict how a species will respond to future climate change. Stipa purpurea is a dominant grass species in the alpine steppe and meadow of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Ecological niche modelling was applied to S. purpurea, and its distribution was found to be most strongly correlated with the annual precipitation and the mean temperature of the warmest quarter. We established a north-to-south transect over 2000 km long on the QTP reflecting the gradients of temperature and precipitation, and then we estimated the morphological by sampling fruited tussocks and genetic divergence by using 11 microsatellite markers between 20 populations along the transect. Reproductive traits (the number of seeds and reproductive shoots), the reproductive-vegetative growth ratio and the length of roots in the S. purpurea populations varied significantly with climate variables. S. purpurea has high genetic diversity (He = 0.585), a large effective population size (Ne >1,000), and a considerable level of gene flow between populations. The S. purpurea populations have a mosaic genetic structure: some distant populations (over 1000 km apart) clustered genetically, whereas closer populations (< 100 km apart) had diverged significantly, suggesting local adaptation. Asymmetrical long-distance inter-population gene flow occurs along the sampling transect and might be mediated by seed dispersal via migratory herbivores, such as the chiru (Pantholops hodgsonii). These findings suggest that population performance variation and gene flow both facilitate the response of S. purpurea to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Liu
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianling You
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Danhui Qi
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Yin Zhou
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiakuan Chen
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiping Song
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Santos AS, Cazetta E, Dodonov P, Faria D, Gaiotto FA. Landscape-scale deforestation decreases gene flow distance of a keystone tropical palm, Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae). Ecol Evol 2016; 6:6586-6598. [PMID: 27777732 PMCID: PMC5058530 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss represents one of the main threats to tropical forests, which have reached extremely high rates of species extinction. Forest loss negatively impacts biodiversity, affecting ecological (e.g., seed dispersal) and genetic (e.g., genetic diversity and structure) processes. Therefore, understanding how deforestation influences genetic resources is strategic for conservation. Our aim was to empirically evaluate the effects of landscape‐scale forest reduction on the spatial genetic structure and gene flow of Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae), a palm tree considered a keystone resource for many vertebrate species. This study was carried out in nine forest remnants in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil, located in landscapes within a gradient of forest cover (19–83%). We collected leaves of 246 adults and 271 seedlings and performed genotyping using microsatellite markers. Our results showed that the palm populations had low spatial genetic structure, indicating that forest reduction did not influence this genetic parameter for neither seedlings nor adults. However, forest loss decreased the gene flow distance, which may negatively affect the genetic diversity of future generations by increasing the risk of local extinction of this keystone palm. For efficient strategies of genetic variability conservation and maintenance of gene flow in E. edulis, we recommend the maintenance of landscapes with intermediary to high levels of forest cover, that is, forest cover above 40%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesandro S Santos
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16 Ilhéus CEP 45662-900 Brazil
| | - Eliana Cazetta
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16 Ilhéus CEP 45662-900 Brazil
| | - Pavel Dodonov
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16 Ilhéus CEP 45662-900 Brazil
| | - Deborah Faria
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16 Ilhéus CEP 45662-900 Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Gaiotto
- Laboratório de Marcadores Moleculares Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16 Ilhéus CEP 45662-900 Brazil
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Dyer RJ. Is there such a thing as landscape genetics? Mol Ecol 2015; 24:3518-28. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodney J. Dyer
- Department of Biology & Center for Environmental Studies; Virginia Commonwealth University; 1000 West Cary Street Richmond VA 23284-2012 USA
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Frei ER, Ghazoul J, Matter P, Heggli M, Pluess AR. Plant population differentiation and climate change: responses of grassland species along an elevational gradient. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:441-455. [PMID: 24115364 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mountain ecosystems are particularly susceptible to climate change. Characterizing intraspecific variation of alpine plants along elevational gradients is crucial for estimating their vulnerability to predicted changes. Environmental conditions vary with elevation, which might influence plastic responses and affect selection pressures that lead to local adaptation. Thus, local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity among low and high elevation plant populations in response to climate, soil and other factors associated with elevational gradients might underlie different responses of these populations to climate warming. Using a transplant experiment along an elevational gradient, we investigated reproductive phenology, growth and reproduction of the nutrient-poor grassland species Ranunculus bulbosus, Trifolium montanum and Briza media. Seeds were collected from low and high elevation source populations across the Swiss Alps and grown in nine common gardens at three different elevations with two different soil depths. Despite genetic differentiation in some traits, the results revealed no indication of local adaptation to the elevation of population origin. Reproductive phenology was advanced at lower elevation in low and high elevation populations of all three species. Growth and reproduction of T. montanum and B. media were hardly affected by garden elevation and soil depth. In R. bulbosus, however, growth decreased and reproductive investment increased at higher elevation. Furthermore, soil depth influenced growth and reproduction of low elevation R. bulbosus populations. We found no evidence for local adaptation to elevation of origin and hardly any differences in the responses of low and high elevation populations. However, the consistent advanced reproductive phenology observed in all three species shows that they have the potential to plastically respond to environmental variation. We conclude that populations might not be forced to migrate to higher elevations as a consequence of climate warming, as plasticity will buffer the detrimental effects of climate change in the three investigated nutrient-poor grassland species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther R Frei
- Ecosystem Management - Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
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Hahn T, Kettle CJ, Ghazoul J, Hennig EI, Pluess AR. Landscape Composition Has Limited Impact on Local Genetic Structure in Mountain Clover, Trifolium montanum L. J Hered 2013; 104:842-52. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/est058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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