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Zhu Y, Yang X, Teng Y, Wang Z, Zhang Z. Physical seed damage, not rodent's saliva, accelerates seed germination of trees in a subtropical forest. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11500. [PMID: 39026954 PMCID: PMC11254781 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11500] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Many tree species adopt fast seed germination to escape the predation risk by rodents. Physical seed damage and the saliva of rodents on partially consumed seeds may act as cues for seeds to accelerate germination process. However, the impacts of these factors on seed germination rate and speed remain unclear. In this study, we investigated such impacts on the germination rate and speed (reversal of germination time) of four tree species (Quercus variabilis, Q. serrata, Q. acutissima, Q. glauca) after partial consumption by four rodent species (Leopoldamys edwards, Niviventer fulvescens, N. confucianus, Apodemus draco), through a series of experiments. We also examined how seed traits may affect the seed damage degree by rodents by analyzing the relationship between the germination rate and time of rodent-damaged seed and the traits. We found that, artificially- and rodent-damaged seeds exhibited a significantly higher seed germination rate and speed, compared to intact seeds. Also, the rodent saliva on seeds showed no significant effect on seed germination rate and speed. Furthermore, we observed significant positive correlations between several seed traits (including the seed mass, coat thickness, and protein content) and the seed germination rate and speed. These correlations are likely due to their beneficial traits countering seed damage by rodents. Overall, our results highlight the significant role of physical seed damage by rodents (rather than their saliva) in facilitating seed germination of tree species, and potential mutualism between rodents and trees. Additionally, our results may have some implications in forest restoration, such that intentionally sowing or dispersing slightly damaged seeds by humans or drones may increase the likelihood of successful seed regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and RodentsInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and RodentsInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuwei Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and RodentsInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- College of Life ScienceJiangxi Normal UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and RodentsInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic InteractionsUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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2
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Song B, Chen J, Lev-Yadun S, Niu Y, Gao Y, Ma R, Armbruster WS, Sun H. Multifunctionality of angiosperm floral bracts: a review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1100-1120. [PMID: 38291834 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13060] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Floral bracts (bracteoles, cataphylls) are leaf-like organs that subtend flowers or inflorescences but are of non-floral origin; they occur in a wide diversity of species, representing multiple independent origins, and exhibit great variation in form and function. Although much attention has been paid to bracts over the past 150 years, our understanding of their adaptive significance remains remarkably incomplete. This is because most studies of bract function and evolution focus on only one or a few selective factors. It is widely recognised that bracts experience selection mediated by pollinators, particularly for enhancing pollinator attraction through strong visual, olfactory, or echo-acoustic contrast with the background and through signalling the presence of pollinator rewards, either honestly (providing rewards for pollinators), or deceptively (attraction without reward or even trapping pollinators). However, studies in recent decades have demonstrated that bract evolution is also affected by agents other than pollinators. Bracts can protect flowers, fruits, or seeds from herbivores by displaying warning signals, camouflaging conspicuous reproductive organs, or by providing physical barriers or toxic chemicals. Reviews of published studies show that bracts can also promote seed dispersal and ameliorate the effects of abiotic stressors, such as low temperature, strong ultraviolet radiation, heavy rain, drought, and/or mechanical abrasion, on reproductive organs or for the plants' pollinators. In addition, green bracts and greening of colourful bracts after pollination promote photosynthetic activity, providing substantial carbon (photosynthates) for fruit or seed development, especially late in a plant's life cycle or season, when leaves have started to senesce. A further layer of complexity derives from the fact that the agents of selection driving the evolution of bracts vary between species and even between different developmental stages within a species, and selection by one agent can be reinforced or opposed by other agents. In summary, our survey of the literature reveals that bracts are multifunctional and subject to multiple agents of selection. To understand fully the functional and evolutionary significance of bracts, it is necessary to consider multiple selection agents throughout the life of the plant, using integrative approaches to data collection and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Song
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Jiaqi Chen
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Huannan Road, East of University Town, Chenggong New Area, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Simcha Lev-Yadun
- Department of Biology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa at Oranim, Kiryat Tiv'on, 36006, Israel
| | - Yang Niu
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yongqian Gao
- Yunnan Forestry Technological College, 1 Jindian, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Rong Ma
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - W Scott Armbruster
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, PO Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Hang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, China
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3
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Jayasuriya KMGG, Phartyal SS. Dormancy, germination, and associated seed ecological traits of 25 Fabaceae species from northern India. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024; 26:41-50. [PMID: 37921398 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13589] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Fabaceae produce seeds with water-impermeable seed coats, i.e., physical dormancy (PY). We hypothesized that the proportion of PY seeds will increase with the dryness of the habitat, and some key seed ecological traits will be strongly associated with different levels of PY. Fresh seed of 25 Fabaceae species collected in northern India were used for imbibition and germination experiments to determine the proportion of seeds with PY and of nondormant (ND) seeds compared to their Sri Lankan congeners. Seed coat:seed mass ratio (SCR), 1000 seed weight, seed shape index (SSI), embryo type and median germination time of ND seeds were determined. Four imbibition and germination patterns were identified among seeds of the studied species. Seeds collected from Indian populations had a higher proportion of PY seeds than those of Sri Lankan populations. We identified a type of embryo called 'spatulate axile' that had not been identified before among the studied species. Species with ND seeds had a lower SCR and a higher SSI than those with PY. Our hypothesis was confirmed since populations from drier habitats in India produce a higher proportion of PY seeds than those from Sri Lanka. A low SCR ensures minimal resistance to germinating seeds, while seeds with a high SSI have a lower tendency to incorporate into the soil seed bank. Thus, these seed traits aid the fast germination of ND seeds, often dispersed just before the rainy season.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M G G Jayasuriya
- India Science and Research Fellow, School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, India
- Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - S S Phartyal
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, India
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4
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Chen SC, Hu XW, Baskin CC, Baskin JM. A long-term experiment reveals no trade-off between seed persistence and seedling emergence. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:623-631. [PMID: 37715492 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19270] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Information on seed persistence and seedling emergence from the soil seed bank is critical for understanding species coexistence and predicting community dynamics. However, quantifying seed persistence in the soil is challenging; thus, its association with other life-history traits is poorly known on a broad scale. Using germination phenology for 349 species in a 42-yr experiment, we quantified the persistence-emergence correlations and their associations with intrinsic regeneration traits using Bayesian phylogenetic multilevel models. We showed no trade-off between seed persistence and seedling emergence. Physically dormant seeds were more persistent but exhibited lower emergence than nondormant seeds. Monocarpic species had both higher persistence and emergence than polycarpic species. Seed mass posed a marginal proxy for persistence, while emergence almost doubled from the smallest to the largest seeds. This study challenges the traditional assumption and is the first demonstration of noncorrelation between persistence and emergence, probably owing to the complexity of regenerative strategies. Species with short persistence and low emergence would be the most vulnerable for in situ conservation. Our analyses of this unique, long-term dataset provide a strong incentive for further experimental studies and a rich data resource for future syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Xiao-Wen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Carol C Baskin
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-0225, USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0321, USA
| | - Jerry M Baskin
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-0225, USA
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Chen YS, Muellner-Riehl AN, Yang Y, Liu J, Dimitrov D, Luo A, Luo Y, Sun H, Wang ZH. Dispersal modes affect Rhamnaceae diversification rates in a differentiated manner. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231926. [PMID: 37989241 PMCID: PMC10688438 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1926] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of dispersal modes has been proposed to promote the diversification of angiosperms. However, little is known about the relative impact of different dispersal modes on plant diversification. We test the association between dispersal modes and diversification rates using Rhamnaceae, the cosmopolitan buckthorn family, as a model. We found that species with diplochory have the highest diversification rates followed by those with myrmecochory and ballistic dispersal, while lineages dispersed by vertebrates and wind have relatively low diversification rates. The difference in diversification rates may be closely linked to the difference in dispersal distance and ecological interactions implied by each dispersal mode. Species which disperse over larger geographical distances may have much higher speciation rates due to the increased chance of establishing isolated populations due to geological barriers or habitat fragmentation. However, long-distance dispersal may also increase the chance of extinction. By contrast, species with short-distance dispersal modes may have low speciation rates. Complex interactions with the surrounding environment may, however, impact diversification rates positively by increasing plant survival and reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Sheng Chen
- Institute of Ecology and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl
- Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium (LZ), Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, 04013 Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04013 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yi Yang
- Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330045, People's Republic of China
- Research Center of Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330045, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Dimitar Dimitrov
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Bergen 7800, 5020, Norway
| | - Ao Luo
- Institute of Ecology and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Luo
- Institute of Ecology and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Heng Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Xu YW, Sun L, Ma R, Gao YQ, Sun H, Song B. Does pollinator dependence decrease along elevational gradients? PLANT DIVERSITY 2023; 45:446-455. [PMID: 37601546 PMCID: PMC10435910 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Plants have long been thought to be less dependent on pollinators for seed production at higher elevations due to adverse pollination environments. However, recent research has yet to consistently support the generality of this expectation. In this study, we asked whether pollinator dependence decreases along an elevational gradient and how it varies with various reproductive traits. To answer these questions, we quantified pollinator-plant associations and various reproductive traits for 112 flowering plants spanning a large elevational gradient (990-4260 m a.s.l.) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We found that flowering plants in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region are highly dependent on pollinators for seed production (76.2% of seed production was contributed by animal pollinators and 44.6% of plants would produce no seed without pollinator visitation). Contrary to our expectation, there was no significant elevational gradient in pollinator dependence index. Although the pollinator dependence index was not significantly correlated with pollen limitation, flower size, floral longevity, or reward type, it was correlated with compatibility status and flowering time. These findings indicate that pollinator dependence does not decrease along an elevational gradient in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our study also highlights the severe vulnerability of flowering plant seed production to pollinator declines under global change in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, particularly for early-flowering or self-incompatible plants growing at higher elevations (e.g., subnival belt).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Wen Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Lu Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Rong Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yong-Qian Gao
- Yunnan Forestry Technological College, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Hang Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Bo Song
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia/Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
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7
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Filipe JC, Ahrens CC, Byrne M, Hardy G, Rymer PD. Germination temperature sensitivity differs between co-occurring tree species and climate origins resulting in contrasting vulnerability to global warming. PLANT-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2023; 4:146-162. [PMID: 37362420 PMCID: PMC10290426 DOI: 10.1002/pei3.10108] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is shifting temperatures from historical patterns, globally impacting forest composition and resilience. Seed germination is temperature-sensitive, making the persistence of populations and colonization of available habitats vulnerable to warming. This study assessed germination response to temperature in foundation trees in south-western Australia's Mediterranean-type climate forests (Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) and Corymbia calophylla (marri)) to estimate the thermal niche and vulnerability among populations. Seeds from the species' entire distribution were collected from 12 co-occurring populations. Germination thermal niche was investigated using a thermal gradient plate (5-40°C). Five constant temperatures between 9 and 33°C were used to test how the germination niche (1) differs between species, (2) varies among populations, and (3) relates to the climate of origin. Germination response differed among species; jarrah had a lower optimal temperature and thermal limit than marri (T o 15.3°C, 21.2°C; ED50 23.4°C, 31°C, respectively). The thermal limit for germination differed among populations within both species, yet only marri showed evidence for adaptation to thermal origins. While marri has the capacity for germination at higher thermal temperatures, jarrah is more vulnerable to global warming exceeding safety margins. This discrepancy is predicted to alter species distributions and forest composition in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C. Filipe
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsBiodiversity and Conservation SciencePerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityHarry Butler InstituteMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Collin C. Ahrens
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityRichmondNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Research Centre for Ecosystem ResilienceRoyal Botanic Gardens and Domain TrustSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Cesar AustraliaBrunswickVictoriaAustralia
| | - Margaret Byrne
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsBiodiversity and Conservation SciencePerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Giles Hardy
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityHarry Butler InstituteMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Paul D. Rymer
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityRichmondNew South WalesAustralia
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Visscher AM, Vandelook F, Fernández-Pascual E, Pérez-Martínez LV, Ulian T, Diazgranados M, Mattana E. Low availability of functional seed trait data from the tropics could negatively affect global macroecological studies, predictive models and plant conservation. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 130:773-784. [PMID: 36349952 PMCID: PMC9758304 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant seeds have many traits that influence ecological functions, ex situ conservation, restoration success and their sustainable use. Several seed traits are known to vary significantly between tropical and temperate regions. Here we present three additional traits for which existing data indicate differences between geographical zones. We discuss evidence for geographical bias in availability of data for these traits, as well as the negative consequences of this bias. SCOPE We reviewed the literature on seed desiccation sensitivity studies that compare predictive models to experimental data and show how a lack of data on populations and species from tropical regions could reduce the predictive power of global models. In addition, we compiled existing data on relative embryo size and post-dispersal embryo growth and found that relative embryo size was significantly larger, and embryo growth limited, in tropical species. The available data showed strong biases towards non-tropical species and certain families, indicating that these biases need to be corrected to perform truly global analyses. Furthermore, we argue that the low number of seed germination studies on tropical high-mountain species makes it difficult to compare across geographical regions and predict the effects of climate change in these highly specialized tropical ecosystems. In particular, we show that seed traits of geographically restricted páramo species have been studied less than those of more widely distributed species, with most publications unavailable in English or in the peer-reviewed literature. CONCLUSIONS The low availability of functional seed trait data from populations and species in the tropics can have negative consequences for macroecological studies, predictive models and their application to plant conservation. We propose that global analyses of seed traits with evidence for geographical variation prioritize generation of new data from tropical regions as well as multi-lingual searches of both the grey- and peer-reviewed literature in order to fill geographical and taxonomic gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laura Victoria Pérez-Martínez
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia
| | - Tiziana Ulian
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Mauricio Diazgranados
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Efisio Mattana
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
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9
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Ulrich W, Kusumoto B, Shiono T, Fuji A, Kubota Y. Latitudinal gradients of reproductive traits in Japanese woody plants. Ecol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Ulrich
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń Poland
| | | | - Takayuki Shiono
- Faculty of Science University of the Ryukyus Nishihara Japan
| | - Akinori Fuji
- Faculty of Science University of the Ryukyus Nishihara Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kubota
- Faculty of Science University of the Ryukyus Nishihara Japan
- Marine and Terrestrial Field Ecology, Tropical Biosphere Research Center University of the Ryukyus Nishihara Japan
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10
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Li S, Zhang S, Baskin CC, Zhang Z, Xiao S, Bu H, Liu Y, Zhang T, Chen S, Liu Q, Liu K. Effect of grazing and nitrogen addition on the occurrence of species with different seed masses in alpine meadows on the Tibet Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156531. [PMID: 35688232 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156531] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seed mass (SM) is a core functional trait of plant species. Thus, information of the effect of grazing and nitrogen addition on the occurrence of species with different SMs can help us understand the influence of grazing and fertilization on survival of species and community assembly. In alpine meadows with different grazing and nitrogen addition treatments on the eastern Tibet Plateau, we measured SM and plant height (H) of the most common plants and conducted a series of quadrat surveys. Overall, grazing promoted survival of small-seeded species, while fertilization suppressed their survival. At the community level, moderate grazing reduced the average community weighted mean (CWM) of SM and increased the coefficient of variation (CV) of SM. However, there was no significant difference between the functional diversity (FDrao, calculated as Rao's index) of SM in grazed and nongrazed meadows. Nitrogen addition significantly increased the CWM of SM, had a marginally significant effect on FDrao of SM, but had no significant effect on CV of SM. The impact of gazing and fertilization on occurrence of species with different SMs can be explained by their effect on vegetation height. From the perspective of SM selection, our study helps clarify the mechanism of species diversity loss due to fertilization, and that of species diversity increase by moderate grazing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Shiting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Carol C Baskin
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Zhilong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Gansu Normal College For Nationalities, Hezuo, PR China
| | - Sa Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Haiyan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Si Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Kun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China.
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11
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Song B, Sun L, Barrett SCH, Moles AT, Luo YH, Armbruster WS, Gao YQ, Zhang S, Zhang ZQ, Sun H. Global analysis of floral longevity reveals latitudinal gradients and biotic and abiotic correlates. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:2054-2065. [PMID: 35611604 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The length of time a flower remains open and functional - floral longevity - governs important reproductive processes influencing pollination and mating and varies considerably among angiosperm species. However, little is known about large-scale biogeographic patterns and the correlates of floral longevity. Using published data on floral longevity from 818 angiosperm species in 134 families and 472 locations world-wide, we present the first global quantification of the latitudinal pattern of floral longevity and the relationships between floral longevity and a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Floral longevity exhibited a significant phylogenetic signal and was longer at higher latitudes in both northern and southern hemispheres, even after accounting for elevation. This latitudinal variation was associated with several biotic and abiotic variables. The mean temperature of the flowering season had the highest predictive power for floral longevity, followed by pollen number per flower. Surprisingly, compatibility status, flower size, pollination mode, and growth form had no significant effects on flower longevity. Our results suggest that physiological processes associated with floral maintenance play a key role in explaining latitudinal variation in floral longevity across global ecosystems, with potential implications for floral longevity under global climate change and species distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Song
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan International Joint Laboratory for Biodiversity of Central Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Spencer C H Barrett
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Angela T Moles
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ya-Huang Luo
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - W Scott Armbruster
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Yong-Qian Gao
- Yunnan Forestry Technological College, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, China
| | - Hang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
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12
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Du Y, Zhao Y, Dong S, Chen G, Wang X, Ma K. The Diversity Distribution and Climatic Niche of Samara Species in China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:895720. [PMID: 35783943 PMCID: PMC9249021 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.895720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studying the distribution of samara species is of ecological and economic significance. This information helps us with understanding species dispersal mechanisms, evaluating the risk of invasive species, and the management of ecological forests. However, limited research has explored, on a large scale, the geographic distribution of samara species and their influential abiotic factors. Here, we use the distribution data of 835 vascular samara species and growth form data to explore their geographic patterns in China and the environmental determinants. We divided China into 984 grid cells and examined the relationship between the proportion of samara species and climate variables using both ordinary and spatial linear regressions for each grid cell. Total samara species richness is higher in southern China in low altitude regions and the proportion of woody samara species is significantly higher than that of herbaceous samara species. The proportion of woody samara species is higher in the northeast regions where precipitation is sufficient, winters are dry and mild, and temperature seasonality and land surface relief degree values are high. Annual precipitation and temperature seasonality are the most important climatic drivers for the distribution of woody samara species. In contrast, herbaceous samara species prefer to distribute to the areas where climate is warm and dry but have higher temperature seasonality. Temperature related variables (mean annual temperature, mean diurnal range, and temperature seasonality) are the most important drivers for the distribution of herbaceous samara species. Samara species can better adapt to climatic regions with large temperature fluctuations and dry winters. The present distribution patterns of samara species are formed by the combined adaptation of fruit traits and growth form to climate. This work contributes to predictions of the global distribution of samara species under future climate change scenarios and conservation and management for the samara species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Du
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Guoke Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants (Ministry of Education), College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Fricke EC, Ordonez A, Rogers HS, Svenning JC. The effects of defaunation on plants' capacity to track climate change. Science 2022; 375:210-214. [PMID: 35025640 DOI: 10.1126/science.abk3510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Half of all plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds. Seed dispersal interactions lost through defaunation and gained during novel community assembly influence whether plants can adapt to climate change through migration. We develop trait-based models to predict pairwise interactions and dispersal function for fleshy-fruited plants globally. Using interactions with introduced species as an observable proxy for interactions in future novel seed dispersal networks, we find strong potential to forecast their assembly and functioning. We conservatively estimate that mammal and bird defaunation has already reduced the capacity of plants to track climate change by 60% globally. This strong reduction in the ability of plants to adapt to climate change through range shifts shows a synergy between defaunation and climate change that undermines vegetation resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Fricke
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, University of Maryland, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA.,Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Alejandro Ordonez
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Haldre S Rogers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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14
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Mariano V, Christianini A. Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on seed germination under field conditions: A meta-analysis. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2021.103791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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15
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Zebaze D, Fayolle A, Daïnou K, Libalah M, Droissart V, Sonké B, Doucet J. Land use has little influence on the soil seed bank in a central African moist forest. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Donatien Zebaze
- Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory Higher Teacher's Training College University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
- Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Forest is Life University of Liège Gembloux Belgium
| | - Adeline Fayolle
- Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Forest is Life University of Liège Gembloux Belgium
| | - Kasso Daïnou
- Nature+ asbl / TERRA Forest is Life Gembloux Belgium
| | - Moses Libalah
- Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory Higher Teacher's Training College University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
- Department of Plant Biology University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
| | - Vincent Droissart
- Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory Higher Teacher's Training College University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
- AMAP lab Univ Montpellier, IRDCNRSINRAECIRAD Montpellier France
| | - Bonaventure Sonké
- Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory Higher Teacher's Training College University of Yaoundé I Yaoundé Cameroon
| | - Jean‐Louis Doucet
- Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Forest is Life University of Liège Gembloux Belgium
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16
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Rech AR, Ollerton J, Dalsgaard B, Ré Jorge L, Sandel B, Svenning J, Baronio GJ, Sazima M. Population‐level plant pollination mode is influenced by Quaternary climate and pollinators. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- André Rodrigo Rech
- Programas de Pós‐graduação em Ciência Florestal e em Biologia Animal Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Diamantina Brasil
| | - Jeff Ollerton
- Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology University of Northampton Northampton UK
| | - Bo Dalsgaard
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate GLOBE Institute University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Ø Denmark
| | - Leonardo Ré Jorge
- Department of Ecology Institute of Entomology Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Brody Sandel
- Department of Biology Santa Clara University Santa Clara CA USA
| | - Jens‐Christian Svenning
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE) Department of Biology Aarhus University Aarhus C Denmark
- Departamento Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity Department of Biology Aarhus University Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Gudryan J. Baronio
- Programas de Pós‐graduação em Ciência Florestal e em Biologia Animal Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Diamantina Brasil
| | - Marlies Sazima
- Laboratório de Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas Campinas Brasil
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17
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Wright SJ, Heurich M, Buchmann CM, Böcker R, Schurr FM. The importance of individual movement and feeding behaviour for long-distance seed dispersal by red deer: a data-driven model. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2020; 8:44. [PMID: 33133610 PMCID: PMC7594291 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-020-00227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-distance seed dispersal (LDD) has strong impacts on the spatiotemporal dynamics of plants. Large animals are important LDD vectors because they regularly transport seeds of many plant species over long distances. While there is now ample evidence that behaviour varies considerably between individual animals, it is not clear to what extent inter-individual variation in behaviour alters seed dispersal by animals. METHODS We study how inter-individual variation in the movement and feeding behaviour of one of Europe's largest herbivores (the red deer, Cervus elaphus) affects internal seed dispersal (endozoochory) of multiple plant species. We combine movement data of 21 individual deer with measurements of seed loads in the dung of the same individuals and with data on gut passage time. These data serve to parameterize a model of passive dispersal that predicts LDD in three orientations (horizontal as well as upward and downward in elevation).With this model we investigate to what extent per-seed probabilities of LDD and seed load vary between individuals and throughout the vegetation period (May-December). Subsequently, we test whether per-seed LDD probability and seed load are positively (or negatively) correlated so that more mobile animals disperse more (or less) seeds. Finally, we examine whether non-random associations between per-seed LDD probability and seed load affect the LDD of individual plant species. RESULTS The studied deer dispersed viable seeds of at least 62 plant species. Deer individuals varied significantly in per-seed LDD probability and seed loads. However, more mobile animals did not disperse more or less seeds than less mobile ones. Plant species also did not differ significantly in the relationship between per-seed LDD probability and seed load. Yet plant species differed in how their seed load was distributed across deer individuals and in time, and this caused their LDD potential to differ more than twofold. For several plant species, we detected non-random associations between per-seed LDD probability and seed load that generally increased LDD potential. CONCLUSIONS Inter-individual variation in movement and feeding behaviour means that certain deer are substantially more effective LDD vectors than others. This inter-individual variation reduces the reliability of LDD and increases the sensitivity of LDD to the decline of deer populations. Variation in the dispersal services of individual animals should thus be taken into account in models in order to improve LDD projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Wright
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
- Frankfurt Zoological Society, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marco Heurich
- Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Carsten M. Buchmann
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Reinhard Böcker
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Frank M. Schurr
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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18
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Chen SC, Poschlod P, Antonelli A, Liu U, Dickie JB. Trade-off between seed dispersal in space and time. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1635-1642. [PMID: 32881372 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Seed movement and delayed germination have long been thought to represent alternative risk-spreading strategies, but current evidence covers limited scales and yields mixed results. Here we present the first global-scale test of a negative correlation between dispersal and dormancy. The result demonstrates a strong and consistent pattern that species with dormant seeds have reduced spatial dispersal, also in the context of life-history traits such as seed mass and plant lifespan. Long-lived species are more likely to have large, non-dormant seeds that are dispersed far. Our findings provide robust support for the theoretical prediction of a dispersal trade-off between space and time, implying that a joint consideration of risk-spreading strategies is imperative in studying plant life-history evolution. The bet-hedging patterns in the dispersal-dormancy correlation and the associated reproductive traits have implications for biodiversity conservation, via prediction of which plant groups would be most impacted in the changing era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Chong Chen
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wellcome Trust Millennium Building, Wakehurst, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Peter Poschlod
- Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, Regensburg, 93040, Germany
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre and Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Sweden.,Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Udayangani Liu
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wellcome Trust Millennium Building, Wakehurst, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - John B Dickie
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wellcome Trust Millennium Building, Wakehurst, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
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19
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An Ant-Plant Mesocosm Experiment Reveals Dispersal Patterns of Myrmecochorous Plants. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f10121149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
For Central European herbs, ants are one common dispersal vector acting at relatively small spatial scales. Though extensively studied concerning the different benefits to plants, specific dispersal patterns mediated by ants have been reportedly very sparsely and without any validation. Thus, we studied the seed dispersal pattern of a set of myrmecochorous plant species in a novel mesocosm experiment. We examined the seed dispersal distances of four forest herbs (Hollow Root–Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte, Alpine Squill–Scilla bifolia L., and Common Dog-violet–Viola riviniana Rchb. and the annual Ivy-leaved Speedwell–Veronica hederifolia L.) by the red ant Myrmica ruginodis Nylander in 8.25 m² large plots under natural conditions with and without ants. In the presence of Myrmica ants, the bulb geophytes C. cava and S. bifolia showed a significantly higher fraction of dispersed seedlings and a maximum dispersal distance of 322 cm. Estimated by nearest neighbor analyses, distances between single C. cava seedlings were significantly higher in ant plots than in exclosures without ants. The annual species Veronica hederifolia showed a few dispersed seedlings in ant plots only, while the diplochorous hemicryptophyte Viola riviniana germinated in a widely scattered manner with distances up to 241 cm due to ballochorous dispersal in both ant and exclosure plots, but with a maximum of 324 cm only by means of ants. Our results indicate the escape from the mother plant and dispersal for distance as an important benefit for myrmecochorous species, potentially accompanied by benefits through reduced competition.
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20
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Chen S, Pahlevani AH, Malíková L, Riina R, Thomson FJ, Giladi I. Trade‐off or coordination? Correlations between ballochorous and myrmecochorous phases of diplochory. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Si‐Chong Chen
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Wakehurst Place UK
- 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 Midreshet Ben‐Gurion Israel
| | - Amir H. Pahlevani
- Department of Botany, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization Tehran Iran
| | - Lenka Malíková
- 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 Midreshet Ben‐Gurion Israel
- Department of Biological Disciplines, Faculty of Agriculture University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Itamar Giladi
- 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 Midreshet Ben‐Gurion Israel
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