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Ronk A, Boldgiv B, Casper BB, Liancourt P. Leaf trait plasticity reveals interactive effects of temporally disjunct grazing and warming on plant communities. Oecologia 2024; 204:833-843. [PMID: 38573499 PMCID: PMC11062997 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05540-z] [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: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Changes in climate and grazing intensity influence plant-community compositions and their functional structure. Yet, little is known about their possible interactive effects when climate change mainly has consequences during the growing season and grazing occurs off growing season (dormant season grazing). We examined the contribution of trait plasticity to the immediate responses in the functional structure of plant community due to the interplay between these two temporally disjunct drivers. We conducted a field experiment in the northern Mongolian steppe, where climate was manipulated by open-top chambers (OTCs) for two growing seasons, increasing temperature and decreasing soil moisture (i.e., increased aridity), and grazing was excluded for one dormant season between these two growing seasons. We calculated the community-weighted mean (CWM) and the functional diversity (FD) of six leaf traits. Based on a variance partitioning approach, we evaluated how much of the responses in CWM and FD to OTCs and dormant season grazing occur through plasticity. The interactive effect of OTCs and the dormant season grazing were detected only after considering the role of trait plasticity. Overall, OTCs influenced the responses in CWM more than in FD, but the effects of OTCs were much less pronounced where dormant season grazing occurred. Thus, warming (together with decreased soil moisture) and the elimination of dormant season grazing could interact to impact the functional trait structure of plant communities through trait plasticity. Climate change effects should be considered in the context of altered land use, even if temporally disjunct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argo Ronk
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Bazartseren Boldgiv
- Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia
| | - Brenda B Casper
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Pierre Liancourt
- Department of Botany, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Castro Sánchez-Bermejo P, Davrinche A, Matesanz S, Harpole WS, Haider S. Within-individual leaf trait variation increases with phenotypic integration in a subtropical tree diversity experiment. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:1390-1404. [PMID: 37710419 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19250] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Covariation of plant functional traits, that is, phenotypic integration, might constrain their variability. This was observed for inter- and intraspecific variation, but there is no evidence of a relationship between phenotypic integration and the functional variation within single plants (within-individual trait variation; WTV), which could be key to understand the extent of WTV in contexts like plant-plant interactions. We studied the relationship between WTV and phenotypic integration in c. 500 trees of 21 species in planted forest patches varying in species richness in subtropical China. Using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS), we measured nine leaf morphological and chemical traits. For each tree, we assessed metrics of single and multitrait variation to assess WTV, and we used plant trait network properties based on trait correlations to quantify phenotypic integration. Against expectations, strong phenotypic integration within a tree led to greater variation across leaves. Not only this was true for single traits, but also the dispersion in a tree's multitrait hypervolume was positively associated with tree's phenotypic integration. Surprisingly, we only detected weak influence of the surrounding tree-species diversity on these relationships. Our study suggests that integrated phenotypes allow the variability of leaf phenotypes within the organism and supports that phenotypic integration prevents maladaptive variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Castro Sánchez-Bermejo
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Andréa Davrinche
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Research Centre for Ecological Change (REC), Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Silvia Matesanz
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química inorgánica, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, 28933, Spain
| | - W Stanley Harpole
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Sylvia Haider
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Institute of Ecology, Lüneburg, 21335, Germany
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3
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Effects of phylogeny, traits, and seasonality on invertebrate herbivory damage in a meadow community. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2022.103871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Palma E, Vesk PA, Catford JA. Building trait datasets: effect of methodological choice on a study of invasion. Oecologia 2022; 199:919-935. [PMID: 35976442 PMCID: PMC9464113 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05230-8] [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] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trait-based approaches are commonly used to understand ecological phenomena and processes. Trait data are typically gathered by measuring local specimens, retrieving published records, or a combination of the two. Implications of methodological choices in trait-based ecological studies—including source of data, imputation technique, and species selection criteria—are poorly understood. We ask: do different approaches for dataset-building lead to meaningful differences in trait datasets? If so, do these differences influence findings of a trait-based examination of plant invasiveness, measured as abundance and spread rate? We collected on-site (Victoria, Australia) and off-site (TRY database) height and specific leaf area records for as many species as possible out of 157 exotic herbaceous plants. For each trait, we built six datasets of species-level means using records collected on-site, off-site, on-site and off-site combined, and off-site supplemented via imputation based on phylogeny and/or trait correlations. For both traits, the six datasets were weakly correlated (ρ = 0.31–0.95 for height; ρ = 0.14–0.88 for SLA), reflecting differences in species’ trait values from the various estimations. Inconsistencies in species’ trait means across datasets did not translate into large differences in trait-invasion relationships. Although we did not find that methodological choices for building trait datasets greatly affected ecological inference about local invasion processes, we nevertheless recommend: (1) using on-site records to answer local-scale ecological questions whenever possible, and (2) transparency around methodological decisions related to selection of study species and estimation of missing trait values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estibaliz Palma
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Peter A Vesk
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jane A Catford
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Department of Geography, King's College London, 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
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Seed production of co-occurring species: Regenerative strategies, plant economic spectrum or architectural constraints? Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Czortek P, Borkowska L, Lembicz M. Long-term shifts in the functional diversity of abandoned wet meadows: Impacts of historical disturbance and successional pathways. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:15030-15046. [PMID: 34765158 PMCID: PMC8571646 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8186] [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] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the direction of changes in functional diversity involving successional pathways and historical disturbances may be a promising tool for predictions of the effectiveness of the seminatural meadows conservation, with great emphasis on formulation of more cost-effective restoration strategies. The goal of this research was to assess the differences in long-term shifts in the functional diversity of plant species in seminatural wet meadows unmanaged for the last 40 years, under the influence of different successional pathways and historical disturbances. Using ordination techniques, linear mixed-effect models, a set of plant functional traits and parameters of functional diversity, we assessed the importance of habitat filtering, competition, and niche partitioning in shaping community assembly changes over time. The most dramatic shifts in functional diversity were found in the Carex acutiformis successional pathway after topsoil removal, where colonization by successional inhibitors was the main driver causing decreases in functional dispersion and divergence. This was expressed as a decrease in the importance of habitat filtering and replacement of specialized species by competitors with heavier seeds and higher specific leaf area. Regarding the C. cespitosa and Salix cinerea pathways, the magnitudes of shifts in functional diversity were milder and differed less between the historical topsoil removal and mowing treatments, thereby maintaining a large role for niche partitioning in shaping the vegetation structure. The results of our study highlight the importance of tussock sedges and shrubs as effective buffers against the functional homogenization of meadows driven by the decreases in functional diversity of plant species, even from a long-term perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Czortek
- Białowieża Geobotanical StationFaculty of BiologyUniversity of WarsawBiałowieżaPoland
| | - Lidia Borkowska
- Faculty of Natural SciencesSiedlce University of Natural Sciences and HumanitiesSiedlcePoland
| | - Marlena Lembicz
- Faculty of BiologyDepartment of Plant TaxonomyAdam Mickiewicz University in PoznańPoznańPoland
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Májeková M, Hájek T, Albert ÁJ, Bello F, Doležal J, Götzenberger L, Janeček Š, Lepš J, Liancourt P, Mudrák O. Weak coordination between leaf drought tolerance and proxy traits in herbaceous plants. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Májeková
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
- Department of Soil Science Comenius University Bratislava Slovak Republic
| | - Tomáš Hájek
- Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Ágnes J. Albert
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Francesco Bello
- Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- CIDE‐CSIC Valencia Spain
| | - Jiří Doležal
- Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Lars Götzenberger
- Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Štěpán Janeček
- Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lepš
- Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Pierre Liancourt
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Mudrák
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
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Klimešová J, Mudrák O, Martínková J, Lisner A, Lepš J, Filartiga AL, Ottaviani G. Are belowground clonal traits good predictors of ecosystem functioning in temperate grasslands? Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Klimešová
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
- Department of Botany Faculty of Sciences Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Mudrák
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Jana Martínková
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Lisner
- Department of Botany Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lepš
- Department of Botany Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Biology Center of the Czech Academy of SciencesInstitute of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
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Jessen MT, Kaarlejärvi E, Olofsson J, Eskelinen A. Mammalian herbivory shapes intraspecific trait responses to warmer climate and nutrient enrichment. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:6742-6752. [PMID: 33020977 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Variation in intraspecific traits is one important mechanism that can allow plant species to respond to global changes. Understanding plant trait responses to environmental changes such as grazing patterns, nutrient enrichment and climate warming is, thus, essential for predicting the composition of future plant communities. We measured traits of eight common tundra species in a fully factorial field experiment with mammalian herbivore exclusion, fertilization, and passive warming, and assessed how trait responsiveness to the treatments was associated with abundance changes in those treatments. Herbivory exhibited the strongest impact on traits. Exclusion of herbivores increased vegetative plant height by 50% and specific leaf area (SLA) by 19%, and decreased foliar C:N by 11%; fertilization and warming also increased height and SLA but to a smaller extent. Herbivory also modulated intraspecific height, SLA and foliar C:N responses to fertilization and warming, and these interactions were species-specific. Furthermore, herbivory affected how trait change translated into relative abundance change: increased height under warming and fertilization was more positively related to abundance change inside fences than in grazed plots. Our findings highlight the key role of mammalian herbivory when assessing intraspecific trait change in tundra and its consequences for plant performance under global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Theresa Jessen
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elina Kaarlejärvi
- Research Centre for Ecological Change, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johan Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Anu Eskelinen
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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