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Scheuerell RP, LeRoy CJ. Plant sex influences on riparian communities and ecosystems. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10308. [PMID: 37449021 PMCID: PMC10337289 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10308] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past several decades, we have increased our understanding of the influences of plant genetics on associated communities and ecosystem functions. These influences have been shown at both broad spatial scales and across many plant families, creating an active subdiscipline of ecology research focused on genes-to-ecosystems connections. One complex aspect of plant genetics is the distinction between males and females in dioecious plants. The genetic determinants of plant sex are poorly understood for most plants, but the influences of plant sex on morphological, physiological, and chemical plant traits are well-studied. We argue that these plant traits, controlled by plant sex, may have wide-reaching influences on both terrestrial and aquatic communities and ecosystem processes, particularly for riparian plants. Here we systematically review the influences of plant sex on plant traits, influences of plant traits on terrestrial community members, and how interactions between plant traits and terrestrial community members can influence terrestrial ecosystem functions in riparian forests. We then extend these influences into adjacent aquatic ecosystem functions and aquatic communities to explore how plant sex might influence linked terrestrial-aquatic systems as well as the physical structure of riparian systems. This review highlights data gaps in empirical studies exploring the direct influences of plant sex on communities and ecosystems but draws inference from community and ecosystem genetics. Overall, this review highlights how variation by plant sex has implications for climate change adaptations in riparian habitats, the evolution and range shifts of riparian species and the methods used for conserving and restoring riparian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- River P. Scheuerell
- Environmental Studies ProgramThe Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaWashingtonUSA
| | - Carri J. LeRoy
- Environmental Studies ProgramThe Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaWashingtonUSA
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Palmquist EC, Ogle K, Whitham TG, Allan GJ, Shafroth PB, Butterfield BJ. Provenance, genotype, and flooding influence growth and resource acquisition characteristics in a clonal, riparian shrub. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16115. [PMID: 36462152 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16115] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Riparian plants can exhibit intraspecific phenotypic variability across the landscape related to temperature and flooding gradients. Phenotypes that vary across a climate gradient are often partly genetically determined and may differ in their response to inundation. Changes to inundation patterns across a climate gradient could thus result in site-specific inundation responses. Phenotypic variability is more often studied in riparian trees, yet riparian shrubs are key elements of riparian systems and may differ from trees in phenotypic variability and environmental responses. METHODS We tested whether individuals of a clonal, riparian shrub, Pluchea sericea, collected from provenances spanning a temperature gradient differed in their phenotypes and responses to inundation and to what degree any differences were related to genotype. Plants were subjected to different inundation depths and a subset genotyped. Variables related to growth and resource acquisition were measured and analyzed using hierarchical, multivariate Bayesian linear regressions. RESULTS Individuals from different provenances differed in their phenotypes, but not in their response to inundation. Phenotypes were not related to provenance temperature but were partially governed by genotype. Growth was more strongly influenced by inundation, while resource acquisition was more strongly controlled by genotype. CONCLUSIONS Growth and resource acquisition responses in a clonal, riparian shrub are affected by changes to inundation and plant demographics in unique ways. Shrubs appear to differ from trees in their responses to environmental change. Understanding environmental effects on shrubs separately from those of trees will be a key part of evaluating impacts of environmental change on riparian ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Palmquist
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2255 N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Kiona Ogle
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Box 5693, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Thomas G Whitham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes (CAWL), Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Gerard J Allan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes (CAWL), Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Patrick B Shafroth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Bradley J Butterfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
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