1
|
Wang Y, Lv Y, Wang G, Liu F, Ji Y, Liu Z, Zhao W, Liu W, Dun Zhu PB, Jin K. Identification of Individuals of Two Takin Subspecies Using Biological and Ecological Criteria in Eastern Himalayas of China. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2426. [PMID: 39199959 PMCID: PMC11350688 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited background data are available on the Mishmi takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) and Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) subspecies in the Eastern Himalayas of China because of the lack of systematic field investigations and research. Therefore, mature-animal ecological methods were used to evaluate these takin subspecies' phenotypic characteristics, distribution range, activity rhythm, and population size. From 2013 to 2022, 214 camera traps were installed for wild ungulate monitoring and investigation in all human-accessible areas of the Eastern Himalayas, resulting in 4837 distinguishable takin photographs. The external morphological characteristics were described and compared using visual data. Artificial image correction and related technologies were used to establish physical image models based on the differences between subspecies. MaxEnt niche and random encounter models obtained distribution ranges and population densities. Mishmi takins have a distribution area of 17,314 km2, population density of 0.1729 ± 0.0134 takins/km2, and population size of 2995 ± 232. Bhutan takins have a distribution area of 25,006 km2, population density of 0.1359 ± 0.0264 takins/km2, and population size of 3398 ± 660. Long-term monitoring data confirmed that the vertical migration within the mountain ecosystems is influenced by climate. Mishmi takins are active at 500-4500 m, whereas Bhutan takins are active at 1500-4500 m. The two subspecies were active at >3500 m from May to October yearly (rainy season). In addition, surveying combined with model simulation shows that the Yarlung Zangbo River is not an obstacle to migration. This study provides basic data that contribute to animal diversity knowledge in biodiversity hotspots of the Eastern Himalayas and detailed information and references for species identification, distribution range, and population characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China;
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
- Research Institute of Natural Protected Area, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Yonglei Lv
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Guanglong Wang
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
| | - Feng Liu
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
| | - Yingxun Ji
- Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Linzhi City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Linzhi 860010, China;
| | - Zheng Liu
- Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, Medog 860799, China;
| | - Wanglin Zhao
- Medog Earth Landscape and Earth System Comprehensive Observation and Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Medog 860799, China;
| | - Wulin Liu
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
| | - Pu Bu Dun Zhu
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China; (Y.L.); (G.W.); (F.L.); (W.L.); (P.B.D.Z.)
| | - Kun Jin
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China;
- Research Institute of Natural Protected Area, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Botta-Dukát Z. Quartile coefficient of variation is more robust than CV for traits calculated as a ratio. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4671. [PMID: 36949089 PMCID: PMC10033673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31711-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparing within-species variations of traits can be used in testing ecological theories. In these comparisons, it is useful to remove the effect of the difference in mean trait values, therefore measures of relative variation, most often the coefficient of variation (CV), are used. The studied traits are often calculated as the ratio of the size or mass of two organs: e.g. specific leaf area (SLA) is the ratio of leaf size and leaf mass. Often the inverse of these ratios is also meaningful; for example, the inverse of SLA is often referred to as LMA (leaf mass per area). Relative variation of a trait and its inverse should not considerably differ. However, it is illustrated that using the coefficient of variation may result in differences that could influence the interpretation, especially if there are outlier trait values. The alternative way for estimating CV from the standard deviation of log-transformed data assuming log-normal distribution and Kirkwood's geometric coefficient of variation free from this problem, but they proved to be sensitive to outlier values. Quartile coefficient of variation performed best in the tests: it gives the same value for a trait and its inverse and it is not sensitive to outliers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Botta-Dukát
- Centre for Ecological Research, Alkotmány 2-4., Vácrátót, H-2163, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guillén‐Escribà C, Schneider FD, Schmid B, Tedder A, Morsdorf F, Furrer R, Hueni A, Niklaus PA, Schaepman ME. Remotely sensed between-individual functional trait variation in a temperate forest. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10834-10867. [PMID: 34429885 PMCID: PMC8366889 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Trait-based ecology holds the promise to explain how plant communities work, for example, how functional diversity may support community productivity. However, so far it has been difficult to combine field-based approaches assessing traits at the level of plant individuals with limited spatial coverage and approaches using remote sensing (RS) with complete spatial coverage but assessing traits at the level of vegetation pixels rather than individuals. By delineating all individual-tree crowns within a temperate forest site and then assigning RS-derived trait measures to these trees, we combine the two approaches, allowing us to use general linear models to estimate the influence of taxonomic or environmental variation on between- and within-species variation across contiguous space.We used airborne imaging spectroscopy and laser scanning to collect individual-tree RS data from a mixed conifer-angiosperm forest on a mountain slope extending over 5.5 ha and covering large environmental gradients in elevation as well as light and soil conditions. We derived three biochemical (leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, and water content) and three architectural traits (plant area index, foliage-height diversity, and canopy height), which had previously been used to characterize plant function, from the RS data. We then quantified the contributions of taxonomic and environmental variation and their interaction to trait variation and partitioned the remaining within-species trait variation into smaller-scale spatial and residual variation. We also investigated the correlation between functional trait and phylogenetic distances at the between-species level. The forest consisted of 13 tree species of which eight occurred in sufficient abundance for quantitative analysis.On average, taxonomic variation between species accounted for more than 15% of trait variation in biochemical traits but only around 5% (still highly significant) in architectural traits. Biochemical trait distances among species also showed a stronger correlation with phylogenetic distances than did architectural trait distances. Light and soil conditions together with elevation explained slightly more variation than taxonomy across all traits, but in particular increased plant area index (light) and reduced canopy height (elevation). Except for foliage-height diversity, all traits were affected by significant interactions between taxonomic and environmental variation, the different responses of the eight species to the within-site environmental gradients potentially contributing to the coexistence of the eight abundant species.We conclude that with high-resolution RS data it is possible to delineate individual-tree crowns within a forest and thus assess functional traits derived from RS data at individual level. With this precondition fulfilled, it is then possible to apply tools commonly used in field-based trait ecology to partition trait variation among individuals into taxonomic and potentially even genetic variation, environmental variation, and interactions between the two. The method proposed here presents a promising way of assessing individual-based trait information with complete spatial coverage and thus allowing analysis of functional diversity at different scales. This information can help to better understand processes shaping community structure, productivity, and stability of forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Guillén‐Escribà
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Present address:
WeesenSwitzerland
| | - Fabian D. Schneider
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Andrew Tedder
- School of Chemistry and BiosciencesFaculty of Life SciencesUniversity of BradfordBradfordUK
| | - Felix Morsdorf
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Reinhard Furrer
- Department of MathematicsUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Computational ScienceUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Andreas Hueni
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Pascal A. Niklaus
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Michael E. Schaepman
- Remote Sensing LaboratoriesDepartment of GeographyUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hetzer J, Huth A, Taubert F. The importance of plant trait variability in grasslands: a modelling study. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
5
|
Chen X, Chen HYH. Plant mixture balances terrestrial ecosystem C:N:P stoichiometry. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4562. [PMID: 34315908 PMCID: PMC8316448 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant and soil C:N:P ratios are of critical importance to productivity, food-web dynamics, and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Plant diversity continues to decline globally; however, its influence on terrestrial C:N:P ratios remains uncertain. By conducting a global meta-analysis of 2049 paired observations in plant species mixtures and monocultures from 169 sites, we show that, on average across all observations, the C:N:P ratios of plants, soils, soil microbial biomass and enzymes did not respond to species mixture nor to the species richness in mixtures. However, the mixture effect on soil microbial biomass C:N changed from positive to negative, and those on soil enzyme C:N and C:P shifted from negative to positive with increasing functional diversity in mixtures. Importantly, species mixture increased the C:N, C:P, N:P ratios of plants and soils when background soil C:N, C:P, and N:P were low, but decreased them when the respective background ratios were high. Our results demonstrate that plant mixtures can balance terrestrial plant and soil C:N:P ratios dependent on background soil C:N:P. Our findings highlight that plant diversity conservation does not only increase plant productivity, but also optimizes ecosystem stoichiometry for the diversity and productivity of today's and future vegetation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinli Chen
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Han Y H Chen
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Turner KG, Ostevik KL, Grassa CJ, Rieseberg LH. Genomic Analyses of Phenotypic Differences Between Native and Invasive Populations of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa). Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.577635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species represent excellent opportunities to study the evolutionary potential of traits important to success in novel environments. Although some ecologically important traits have been identified in invasive species, little is typically known about the genetic mechanisms that underlie invasion success in non-model species. Here, we use a genome-wide association (GWAS) approach to identify the genetic basis of trait variation in the non-model, invasive, diffuse knapweed [Centaurea diffusa Lam. (Asteraceae)]. To assist with this analysis, we have assembled the first draft genome reference and fully annotated plastome assembly for this species, and one of the first from this large, weedy, genus, which is of major ecological and economic importance. We collected phenotype data from 372 individuals from four native and four invasive populations of C. diffusa grown in a common environment. Using these individuals, we produced reduced-representation genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries and identified 7,058 SNPs. We identify two SNPs associated with leaf width in these populations, a trait which significantly varies between native and invasive populations. In this rosette forming species, increased leaf width is a major component of increased biomass, a common trait in invasive plants correlated with increased fitness. Finally, we use annotations from Arabidopsis thaliana to identify 98 candidate genes that are near the associated SNPs and highlight several good candidates for leaf width variation.
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang B, Hautier Y, Tan X, You C, Cadotte MW, Chu C, Jiang L, Sui X, Ren T, Han X, Chen S. Species responses to changing precipitation depend on trait plasticity rather than trait means and intraspecific variation. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bingwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Ecology State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
- Zhuhai Branch of State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai Zhuhai China
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity Group Department of Biology Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Xingru Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Cuihai You
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Marc W. Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Toronto‐Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - Chengjin Chu
- Department of Ecology State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Lin Jiang
- School of Biological Sciences Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA USA
| | - Xinghua Sui
- Department of Ecology State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Tingting Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xingguo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Shiping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- College of Resources and Environment University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Welsh ME, Cronin JP, Mitchell CE. Trait-based variation in host contribution to pathogen transmission across species and resource supplies. Ecology 2020; 101:e03164. [PMID: 33460129 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Two key knowledge gaps currently limit the development of more predictive and general models of pathogen transmission: (1) the physiological basis of heterogeneity in host contribution to pathogen transmission (reservoir potential) remains poorly understood and (2) a general means of integrating the ecological dynamics of host communities has yet to emerge. If the traits responsible for differences in reservoir potential also modulate host community dynamics, these traits could be used to predict pathogen transmission as host communities change. In two greenhouse experiments, across 23 host species and two levels of resource supply, the reservoir potential of plant hosts increased significantly along the Leaf Economics Spectrum, a global axis of plant physiological trait covariation that features prominently in models of plant community ecology. This indicates that the traits of the Leaf Economics Spectrum underlie broad differences in reservoir potential across host species and resource supplies. Therefore, host traits could be used to integrate epidemiological models of pathogen transmission with ecological models of host community change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E Welsh
- Thompson Writing Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA.,Environment, Ecology and Energy Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - James Patrick Cronin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana, 70506, USA
| | - Charles E Mitchell
- Environment, Ecology and Energy Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bongers FJ, Schmid B, Durka W, Li S, Bruelheide H, Hahn CZ, Yan H, Ma K, Liu X. Genetic richness affects trait variation but not community productivity in a tree diversity experiment. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:744-756. [PMID: 32242938 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiments found that productivity generally increases with species richness, but less is known about effects of within-species genetic richness and potential interactions between the two. While functional differences between species can explain species richness effects, empirical evidence regarding functional differences between genotypes within species and potential consequences for productivity is largely lacking. We therefore measured within- and among-species variation in functional traits and growth and determined stand-level tree biomass in a large forest experiment factorially manipulating species and genetic richness in subtropical China. Within-species variation across genetic seed families, in addition to variation across species, explained a substantial amount of trait variation. Furthermore, trait responses to species and genetic richness varied significantly within and between species. Multivariate trait variation was larger among individuals from species mixtures than those from species monocultures, but similar among individuals from genetically diverse vs genetically uniform monocultures. Correspondingly, species but not genetic richness had a positive effect on stand-level tree biomass. We argue that identifying functional diversity within and among species in forest communities is necessary to separate effects of species and genetic diversity on tree growth and community productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franca J Bongers
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093, Beijing, China
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walter Durka
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093, Beijing, China
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06108, Halle, Germany
| | - Christoph Z Hahn
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120, Halle, Germany
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Haoru Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Van Sundert K, Radujković D, Cools N, De Vos B, Etzold S, Fernández-Martínez M, Janssens IA, Merilä P, Peñuelas J, Sardans J, Stendahl J, Terrer C, Vicca S. Towards comparable assessment of the soil nutrient status across scales-Review and development of nutrient metrics. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:392-409. [PMID: 31437331 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient availability influences virtually every aspect of an ecosystem, and is a critical modifier of ecosystem responses to global change. Although this crucial role of nutrient availability in regulating ecosystem structure and functioning has been widely acknowledged, nutrients are still often neglected in observational and experimental synthesis studies due to difficulties in comparing the nutrient status across sites. In the current study, we explain different nutrient-related concepts and discuss the potential of soil-, plant- and remote sensing-based metrics to compare the nutrient status across space. Based on our review and additional analyses on a dataset of European, managed temperate and boreal forests (ICP [International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests] Forests dataset), we conclude that the use of plant- and remote sensing-based metrics that rely on tissue stoichiometry is limited due to their strong dependence on species identity. The potential use of other plant-based metrics such as Ellenberg indicator values and plant-functional traits is also discussed. We conclude from our analyses and review that soil-based metrics have the highest potential for successful intersite comparison of the nutrient status. As an example, we used and adjusted a soil-based metric, previously developed for conifer forests across Sweden, against the same ICP Forests data. We suggest that this adjusted and further adaptable metric, which included the organic carbon concentration in the upper 20 cm of the soil (including the organic fermentation-humus [FH] layer), the C:N ratio and pH CaCl 2 of the FH layer, can be used as a complementary tool along with other indicators of nutrient availability, to compare the background nutrient status across temperate and boreal forests dominated by spruce, pine or beech. Future collection and provision of harmonized soil data from observational and experimental sites is crucial for further testing and adjusting the metric.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Van Sundert
- Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dajana Radujković
- Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Cools
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Bruno De Vos
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Sophia Etzold
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Marcos Fernández-Martínez
- Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ivan A Janssens
- Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Päivi Merilä
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Oulu, Finland
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CEAB-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CEAB-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Johan Stendahl
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - César Terrer
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sara Vicca
- Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plants and Ecosystems), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cassidy C, Grange LJ, Garcia C, Bolam SG, Godbold JA. Species interactions and environmental context affect intraspecific behavioural trait variation and ecosystem function. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192143. [PMID: 31992167 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional trait-based approaches are increasingly adopted to understand and project ecological responses to environmental change; however, most assume trait expression is constant between conspecifics irrespective of context. Using two species of benthic invertebrate (brittlestars Amphiura filiformis and Amphiura chiajei), we demonstrate that trait expression at individual and community levels differs with biotic and abiotic context. We use PERMANOVA to test the effect of species identity, density and local environmental history on individual (righting and burrowing) and community (particle reworking and burrow ventilation) trait expression, as well as associated effects on ecosystem functioning (sediment nutrient release). Trait expression differs with context, with repercussions for the faunal mediation of ecosystem processes; we find increased rates of righting and burial behaviour and greater particle reworking with increasing density that are reflected in nutrient generation. However, the magnitude of effects differed within and between species, arising from site-specific environmental and morphological differences. Our results indicate that traits and processes influencing change in ecosystem functioning are products of both prevailing and historic conditions that cannot be constrained within typologies. Trait-based study must incorporate context-dependent variation, including intraspecific differences from individual to ecosystem scales, to avoid jeopardizing projections of ecosystem functioning and service delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Cassidy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Laura J Grange
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Clement Garcia
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Stefan G Bolam
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Jasmin A Godbold
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
De Long JR, Jackson BG, Wilkinson A, Pritchard WJ, Oakley S, Mason KE, Stephan JG, Ostle NJ, Johnson D, Baggs EM, Bardgett RD. Relationships between plant traits, soil properties and carbon fluxes differ between monocultures and mixed communities in temperate grassland. THE JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2019; 107:1704-1719. [PMID: 31341333 PMCID: PMC6617750 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The use of plant traits to predict ecosystem functions has been gaining growing attention. Above-ground plant traits, such as leaf nitrogen (N) content and specific leaf area (SLA), have been shown to strongly relate to ecosystem productivity, respiration and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, increasing plant functional trait diversity has been suggested as a possible mechanism to increase ecosystem carbon (C) storage. However, it is uncertain whether below-ground plant traits can be predicted by above-ground traits, and if both above- and below-ground traits can be used to predict soil properties and ecosystem-level functions.Here, we used two adjacent field experiments in temperate grassland to investigate if above- and below-ground plant traits are related, and whether relationships between plant traits, soil properties and ecosystem C fluxes (i.e. ecosystem respiration and net ecosystem exchange) measured in potted monocultures could be detected in mixed field communities.We found that certain shoot traits (e.g. shoot N and C, and leaf dry matter content) were related to root traits (e.g. root N, root C:N and root dry matter content) in monocultures, but such relationships were either weak or not detected in mixed communities. Some relationships between plant traits (i.e. shoot N, root N and/or shoot C:N) and soil properties (i.e. inorganic N availability and microbial community structure) were similar in monocultures and mixed communities, but they were more strongly linked to shoot traits in monocultures and root traits in mixed communities. Structural equation modelling showed that above- and below-ground traits and soil properties improved predictions of ecosystem C fluxes in monocultures, but not in mixed communities on the basis of community-weighted mean traits. Synthesis. Our results from a single grassland habitat detected relationships in monocultures between above- and below-ground plant traits, and between plant traits, soil properties and ecosystem C fluxes. However, these relationships were generally weaker or different in mixed communities. Our results demonstrate that while plant traits can be used to predict certain soil properties and ecosystem functions in monocultures, they are less effective for predicting how changes in plant species composition influence ecosystem functions in mixed communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R. De Long
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
- Department of Terrestrial EcologyNetherlands Institute of EcologyWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Benjamin G. Jackson
- The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of EdinburghMidlothianUK
| | - Anna Wilkinson
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - William J. Pritchard
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Simon Oakley
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment CentreBailriggUK
| | - Kelly E. Mason
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment CentreBailriggUK
| | - Jörg G. Stephan
- Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | | | - David Johnson
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Elizabeth M. Baggs
- The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of EdinburghMidlothianUK
| | - Richard D. Bardgett
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tonin R, Gerdol R, Tomaselli M, Petraglia A, Carbognani M, Wellstein C. Intraspecific Functional Trait Response to Advanced Snowmelt Suggests Increase of Growth Potential but Decrease of Seed Production in Snowbed Plant Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:289. [PMID: 30923530 PMCID: PMC6426784 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In ecological theory, it is currently unclear if intraspecific trait responses to environmental variation are shared across plant species. We use one of the strongest environmental variations in alpine ecosystems, i.e., advanced snowmelt due to climate warming, to answer this question for alpine snowbed plants. Snowbeds are extreme habitats where long-lasting snow cover represents the key environmental factor affecting plant life. Intraspecific variation in plant functional traits is a key to understanding the performance and vulnerability of species in a rapidly changing environment. We sampled snowbed species after an above-average warm winter to assess their phenotypic adjustment to advanced snowmelt, based on differences in the natural snowmelt dynamics with magnitudes reflecting predicted future warming. We measured nine functional traits related to plant growth and reproduction in seven vascular species, comparing snowbeds of early and late snowmelt across four snowbed sites in the southern Alps in Italy. The early snowbeds provide a proxy for the advanced snowmelt caused by climatic warming. Seed production was reduced under advanced snowmelt in all seed-forming snowbed species. Higher specific leaf area (SLA) and lower leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were indicative of improved growth potential in most seed-forming species under advanced snowmelt. We conclude, first, that in the short term, advanced snowmelt can improve snowbed species' growth potential. However, in the long term, results from other studies hint at increasing competition in case of ongoing improvement of conditions for plant growth under continued future climate warming, representing a risk for snowbed species. Second, a lower seed production can negatively affect the seed rain. A reduction of propagule pressure can be crucial in a context of loss of the present snowbed sites and the formation of new ones at higher altitudes along with climate warming. Finally, our findings encourage using plant functional traits at the intraspecific level across species as a tool to understand the future ecological challenges of plants in changing environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tonin
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Renato Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marcello Tomaselli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Petraglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Michele Carbognani
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Camilla Wellstein
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|