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Michel L, Renaudin M, Darnajoux R, Blasi C, Vacherand G, Le Monier P, Houle D, Bellenger JP. Evaluating the effect of moss functional traits and sampling on elemental concentrations in Pleurozium schreberi and Ptilium crista-castrensis in Eastern Canada (Québec) black spruce forest. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167900. [PMID: 37858833 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167900] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing atmospheric depositions allows evaluating the impact of air pollution on ecosystems, human health, and the economy. It also informs decision-makers about the implementation of regulations improving environmental quality. Biomonitoring uses organisms, such as mosses, as proxies to assess the presence of atmospheric contaminants (e.g., metals). This approach is cost-efficient and does not require complicated infrastructure or scientific skills, making it suitable for large-scale monitoring initiatives and citizen-based campaigns. Therefore, precise sampling protocols are needed to limit bias. Biomonitoring data remains scarce in North America, compared to e.g., Europe, and there is a need to develop large-scale and long-term biomonitoring initiatives to record current and future atmospheric depositions. As there is no standardized international sampling protocol, this study assessed the impact of parameters known to affect the elemental concentration of mosses, using samples collected along a 1000-km transect in Eastern Canada (Quebec) from 2016 to 2022. We specifically examined the effects of species, stem color, canopy opening, time of sampling, and stem length on 18 elements. Non-parametric statistical tests indicate that these factors have significant effects on some metals, but differences are generally low (<30 %), except for stem length. These results suggest that sampling protocols can be flexible in terms of species, canopy opening, time of sampling, and stem color. However, normalizing the length of the stems analyzed is required to account for differences in growth rates between sites. Moreover, since no large-scale biomonitoring campaign using mosses has been conducted in Eastern Canada, this paper also provides the first elemental baseline for moss in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Michel
- Centre Sève, Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1 QC, Canada
| | - Marie Renaudin
- Water Science and Technology Branch, Environnement et Changement Climatique Canada, Montréal H2Y 2E7, QC, Canada
| | | | - Charlotte Blasi
- Centre Sève, Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1 QC, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Vacherand
- Centre Sève, Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1 QC, Canada
| | - Pauline Le Monier
- Ifremer, CCEM Contamination Chimique des Écosystèmes Marins, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Daniel Houle
- Water Science and Technology Branch, Environnement et Changement Climatique Canada, Montréal H2Y 2E7, QC, Canada
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2
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Fernández-Martínez M, Barquín J, Bonada N, Cantonati M, Churro C, Corbera J, Delgado C, Dulsat-Masvidal M, Garcia G, Margalef O, Pascual R, Peñuelas J, Preece C, Sabater F, Seiler H, Zamora-Marín JM, Romero E. Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e16997. [PMID: 37937346 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fernández-Martínez
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Barquín
- Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - N Bonada
- Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management Research Group (FEHM), Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Cantonati
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BiGeA, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Churro
- Laboratory of Virology and Molecular Biology and Laboratory of Phytoplankton, Department of the Sea and Marine Resources, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology (BBE), CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - J Corbera
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
| | - C Delgado
- Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - M Dulsat-Masvidal
- IDAEA-CSIC, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Garcia
- BioSciCat, The Catalan Society of Sciences for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Tarragona, Spain
| | - O Margalef
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, GRC RISKNAT, UB-Geomodels, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Pascual
- BioSciCat, The Catalan Society of Sciences for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J Peñuelas
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Preece
- Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Sustainability in Biosystems Programme, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Sabater
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H Seiler
- Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - J M Zamora-Marín
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - E Romero
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Tang Y, Du E, Guo H, Wang Y, Peñuelas J, Reich PB. Rapid migration of Mongolian oak into the southern Asian boreal forest. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17002. [PMID: 37916481 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17002] [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: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The migration of trees induced by climatic warming has been observed at many alpine treelines and boreal-tundra ecotones, but the migration of temperate trees into southern boreal forest remains less well documented. We conducted a field investigation across an ecotone of temperate and boreal forests in northern Greater Khingan Mountains of northeast China. Our analysis demonstrates that Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), an important temperate tree species, has migrated rapidly into southern boreal forest in synchrony with significant climatic warming over the past century. The average rate of migration is estimated to be 12.0 ± 1.0 km decade-1 , being slightly slower than the movement of isotherms (14.7 ± 6.4 km decade-1 ). The migration rate of Mongolian oak is the highest observed among migratory temperate trees (average rate 4.0 ± 1.0 km decade-1 ) and significantly higher than the rates of tree migration at boreal-tundra ecotones (0.9 ± 0.4 km decade-1 ) and alpine treelines (0.004 ± 0.003 km decade-1 ). Compared with the coexisting dominant boreal tree species, Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), temperate Mongolian oak is observed to have significantly lower capacity for light acquisition, comparable water-use efficiency but stronger capacity to utilize nutrients especially the most limiting nutrient, nitrogen. In the context of climatic warming, and in addition to a high seed dispersal capacity and potential thermal niche differences, the advantage of nutrient utilization, reflected by foliar elementomes and stable nitrogen isotope ratios, is also likely a key mechanism for Mongolian oak to coexist with Dahurian larch and facilitate its migration toward boreal forest. These findings highlight a rapid deborealization of southern Asian boreal forest in response to climatic warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Enzai Du
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbo Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Peter B Reich
- Institute for Global Change Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Zhou M, Jin X, Jiang M, Lü X, Lou Y. Helophytes adapt to water and N-enrichment stresses by adjusting and coordinating stoichiometry characteristics in main organs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165538. [PMID: 37454833 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the adaptation strategies of plants under stressful environments from an ecological stoichiometry perspective is a critical but underexplored research topic, and multi-organ collaborative research for multi-species can provide a comprehensive understanding. In this study, helophytes were selected as the subjects, and water depth and water N-enrichment were set as the stressors. A simulation experiment including three water depths (drought stress, control and flooding stress) and four water N-enrichment levels (control, low, medium and high N-enrichment stresses) for six helophyte species was carried out. Overall, C concentrations in all plant organs remained stable under water (drought-flooding stress) and N-enrichment stress. N concentrations increased under both flooding and drought stresses, while P concentrations and the N:P ratio showed an increase and decrease under only flooding stress, respectively. N concentration and N:P ratio increased with water N-enrichment level. The interaction only promoted the accumulation of N concentrations in aboveground organs. Especially, several species also changed organ C concentrations to adapt to water stress and adjusted root N concentrations for the combined stresses of flooding or drought and high N. Leaf and stem were strongly synergistic in N element, and leaf and root were mainly synergistic in P element. Water N-enrichment determined organ element concentrations more than water depth, and species identity dictated organ C:N:P ratios. Our results reveal that the allocation and synergy of nutrients among organs are important adaptive strategies for plants in stressful environments. Meanwhile, increasing water N-enrichment can be an unignored stressor, and species identity should be paid attention as a countermeasure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment & Jilin Provincial Joint Key Laboratory of Changbai Mountain Wetland and Ecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xianglong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment & Jilin Provincial Joint Key Laboratory of Changbai Mountain Wetland and Ecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment & Jilin Provincial Joint Key Laboratory of Changbai Mountain Wetland and Ecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
| | - Xianguo Lü
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment & Jilin Provincial Joint Key Laboratory of Changbai Mountain Wetland and Ecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
| | - Yanjing Lou
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment & Jilin Provincial Joint Key Laboratory of Changbai Mountain Wetland and Ecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China.
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5
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Avila Clasen L, Permin A, Horwath AB, Metcalfe DB, Rousk K. Do Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions Affect Nitrogen Fixation Associated with Tropical Mosses? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1443. [PMID: 37050067 PMCID: PMC10097241 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071443] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Tropical cloud forests are characterized by abundant and biodiverse mosses which grow epiphytically as well as on the ground. Nitrogen (N)-fixing cyanobacteria live in association with most mosses, and contribute greatly to the N pool via biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). However, the availability of nutrients, especially N and phosphorus (P), can influence BNF rates drastically. To evaluate the effects of increased N and P availability on BNF in mosses, we conducted a laboratory experiment where we added N and P, in isolation and combined, to three mosses (Campylopus sp., Dicranum sp. and Thuidium peruvianum) collected from a cloud forest in Peru. Our results show that N addition almost completely inhibited BNF within a day, whereas P addition caused variable results across moss species. Low N2 fixation rates were observed in Campylopus sp. across the experiment. BNF in Dicranum sp. was decreased by all nutrients, while P additions seemed to promote BNF in T. peruvianum. Hence, each of the three mosses contributes distinctively to the ecosystem N pool depending on nutrient availability. Moreover, increased N input will likely significantly decrease BNF associated with mosses also in tropical cloud forests, thereby limiting N input to these ecosystems via the moss-cyanobacteria pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Avila Clasen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark (K.R.)
| | - Aya Permin
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark (K.R.)
| | - Aline B. Horwath
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Daniel B. Metcalfe
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, University of Umeå, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kathrin Rousk
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark (K.R.)
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Bai K, Zhou X, Lv S, Wei S, Deng L, Tan Y. Biogeochemical niche conservatism relates to plant species diversification and life form evolution in a subtropical montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9587. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kundong Bai
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education Guiling China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin Guangxi Normal University Guiling China
- Guangxi Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Research Station Nanning China
| | - Xuewen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education Guiling China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin Guangxi Normal University Guiling China
| | - Shihong Lv
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangxi Institute of Botany Guiling China
| | - Shiguang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education Guiling China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin Guangxi Normal University Guiling China
| | - Lili Deng
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangxi Institute of Botany Guiling China
| | - Yibo Tan
- Xing'an Guilin Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi Nanning China
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Wu S, Wang R, Zhu H, Wang Y, Du Y, Zhu S, Zhao N. Changes in root chemical diversity along an elevation gradient of Changbai Mountain, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:897838. [PMID: 36420024 PMCID: PMC9676470 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.897838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Root chemical traits play a critical role in plant resource use strategies and ecosystem nutrient cycling; however, the chemical diversity of multiple elements of fine root and community chemical assembly belowground are poorly understood. Here, we measured 13 elements (C, N, K, Ca, Mg, S, P, Al, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in the fine roots of 204 plant species along elevational transect from 540 to 2357 m of Changbai Mountain, China to explore the variation, diversity, and community assembly of root chemical traits. At the species level, the concentrations of macronutrients (N, K, Ca, Mg, S, and P) decreased, whereas the trace metals (Fe, Mn, and Zn) increased with elevation. Root chemical traits at the community level systematically shifted along elevational gradients showing a pattern similar to that at the species level, which were mainly influenced by climate and soil rather than species diversity. In general, the interactions of climate and soil were the main drivers of root chemical assembly for woody layers, whereas soil factors played significant role for root chemical assembly for herb layer. The chemical assembly of rock-derived element P was mainly driven by soil factors. Meanwhile, root chemical diversities were mainly regulated by species diversity, the interactions of climate and soil, and soil factors in the tree, shrub, and herb layers, respectively. A better understanding of plant root chemical diversity and community chemical assembly will help to reveal the role of chemical traits in ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruili Wang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Haihua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sihao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agroecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Fernández-Martínez M. From atoms to ecosystems: elementome diversity meets ecosystem functioning. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 234:35-42. [PMID: 34797938 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The elemental composition of plants (the elementome) is a reliable indicator of their functional traits and the ecological strategies that they follow, and thus represents a good predictor of how ecosystems work. Biodiversity and, especially, functional diversity are also widely recognized as important drivers of ecosystem functioning, mainly because of niche partitioning amongst different species. Here, I review evidence indicating that plant elementomes relate to their ecological niches and how plant elemental concentrations may shift in response to abiotic and biotic drivers. I propose the use of ecosystem elementome diversity as a universal metric to compare ecosystems and investigate diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Future research using this promising novel approach will bring together elementomes, diversity, and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Fernández-Martínez
- Research Group PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
- CREAF, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Catalonia, E08193, Spain
- BEECA-UB, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, E08028, Spain
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9
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Fernández-Martínez M, Corbera J, Cano-Rocabayera O, Sabater F, Preece C. Do Bryophyte Elemental Concentrations Explain Their Morphological Traits? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1581. [PMID: 34451627 PMCID: PMC8398013 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Differences in the elemental composition of plants, mainly C, N, and P, have been shown to be related to differences in their nutritional status, and their morphological and functional traits. The relationship between morphological traits and micronutrients and trace elements, however, has been much less studied. Additionally, in bryophytes, research devoted to investigating these relationships is still very scarce. Here, we analysed 80 samples from 29 aquatic and semi-aquatic (hygrophytic) moss species living in Mediterranean springs to investigate the relationship between moss nutrient concentrations and their micro- and macroscopic morphological traits and growth forms. We found that, across species, the elemental concentration of mosses was more tightly linked to macroscopic traits than to microscopic traits. Growth forms could also be successfully explained by the concentration of elements in mosses. Apart from macronutrients and their stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, and N:P), micronutrients and trace elements were also important variables predicting moss morphological traits and growth forms. Additionally, our results showed that microscopic traits were well related to macroscopic traits. Overall, our results clearly indicate that the elemental composition of mosses can be used to infer their morphological traits, and that elements other than macronutrients should be taken into account to achieve a good representation of their morphological and, potentially, functional traits when comparing the elemental composition across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Fernández-Martínez
- Research Group PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central, ICHN, 08302 Mataró, Catalonia, Spain; (J.C.); (O.C.-R.); (F.S.)
| | - Jordi Corbera
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central, ICHN, 08302 Mataró, Catalonia, Spain; (J.C.); (O.C.-R.); (F.S.)
| | - Oriol Cano-Rocabayera
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central, ICHN, 08302 Mataró, Catalonia, Spain; (J.C.); (O.C.-R.); (F.S.)
- Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Francesc Sabater
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central, ICHN, 08302 Mataró, Catalonia, Spain; (J.C.); (O.C.-R.); (F.S.)
- Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Catherine Preece
- Research Group PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central, ICHN, 08302 Mataró, Catalonia, Spain; (J.C.); (O.C.-R.); (F.S.)
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