Pub Date : 2022-12-05DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2160674
Emma E. Sumner, S. Venn
ABSTRACT Background Changes to precipitation patterns and warming temperatures are predicted to reduce the water available to Australian alpine plants during the growing season. Soil water deficits are likely to co-occur with frost extremes that are common throughout the year and heatwaves which are increasing in severity with ongoing climate change. Aims We aimed to determine whether co-occurring reductions in soil moisture would affect the capacity of alpine plants to tolerate temperature extremes. Methods We used small rainout shelters to impose a drought treatment in situ in the alpine zone, which chronically reduced soil moisture in plots of alpine plant species including evergreen shrubs, graminoids and perennial forbs. We determined photosynthetic freezing tolerance and heat tolerance during the growing season across 2 years, and measured plant growth, in response to the drought treatment. Results Thermal tolerance was insensitive to chronically reduced soil moisture, and graminoids exhibited overall greater freezing and heat tolerance thresholds than other life forms. The drought treatment improved shrub growth, likely due to the amelioration of wind and the slightly warmer temperatures provided by the rainout shelters. Conclusion We conclude that Australian alpine plants maintain high tolerances to both high- and low-temperature extremes during the growing season and are relatively robust to combined temperature extremes and reductions in near-surface soil moisture that are likely to occur with ongoing climate warming.
{"title":"Thermal tolerance and growth responses to in situ soil water reductions among alpine plants","authors":"Emma E. Sumner, S. Venn","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2160674","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2160674","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Changes to precipitation patterns and warming temperatures are predicted to reduce the water available to Australian alpine plants during the growing season. Soil water deficits are likely to co-occur with frost extremes that are common throughout the year and heatwaves which are increasing in severity with ongoing climate change. Aims We aimed to determine whether co-occurring reductions in soil moisture would affect the capacity of alpine plants to tolerate temperature extremes. Methods We used small rainout shelters to impose a drought treatment in situ in the alpine zone, which chronically reduced soil moisture in plots of alpine plant species including evergreen shrubs, graminoids and perennial forbs. We determined photosynthetic freezing tolerance and heat tolerance during the growing season across 2 years, and measured plant growth, in response to the drought treatment. Results Thermal tolerance was insensitive to chronically reduced soil moisture, and graminoids exhibited overall greater freezing and heat tolerance thresholds than other life forms. The drought treatment improved shrub growth, likely due to the amelioration of wind and the slightly warmer temperatures provided by the rainout shelters. Conclusion We conclude that Australian alpine plants maintain high tolerances to both high- and low-temperature extremes during the growing season and are relatively robust to combined temperature extremes and reductions in near-surface soil moisture that are likely to occur with ongoing climate warming.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"297 - 308"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43187039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-28DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2147804
Zoe A. Panchen
ABSTRACT Background The extreme environment of the Canadian High-Arctic is experiencing unprecedented climate change with temperatures rising at three times the global average. There is a compelling need to understand how the phenology of Arctic plants will respond. However, long-term High-Arctic phenology monitoring is challenging due to the region’s remoteness. Aim To predict phenological responses of Arctic plants to climate change using an elevation gradient with associated temperature gradient as a proxy for climate change. Methods Flowering and seed dispersal times of seven Arctic species were recorded along an elevation gradient on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada in 2015 and related to air temperature measured at plant height and growing day degree (GDD). Results Flowering and seed dispersal times were earliest at the warmest site. A significant relationship with temperature was observed in flowering times of five species and seed dispersal times of one species. Conspecifics experienced fewer GDD at peak flowering at the coldest site than at warmer sites. Conclusions Temperature gradient observations provide insights into phenology–temperature relationships that complement long-term monitoring and enhance our ability to understand the impacts of climate change in remote regions. However, potential species adaptation along the temperature gradient should be taken into account. This single summer of results should be viewed with caution.
{"title":"Plant reproductive phenology along an elevation gradient in the extreme environment of the Canadian High Arctic","authors":"Zoe A. Panchen","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2147804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2147804","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background The extreme environment of the Canadian High-Arctic is experiencing unprecedented climate change with temperatures rising at three times the global average. There is a compelling need to understand how the phenology of Arctic plants will respond. However, long-term High-Arctic phenology monitoring is challenging due to the region’s remoteness. Aim To predict phenological responses of Arctic plants to climate change using an elevation gradient with associated temperature gradient as a proxy for climate change. Methods Flowering and seed dispersal times of seven Arctic species were recorded along an elevation gradient on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada in 2015 and related to air temperature measured at plant height and growing day degree (GDD). Results Flowering and seed dispersal times were earliest at the warmest site. A significant relationship with temperature was observed in flowering times of five species and seed dispersal times of one species. Conspecifics experienced fewer GDD at peak flowering at the coldest site than at warmer sites. Conclusions Temperature gradient observations provide insights into phenology–temperature relationships that complement long-term monitoring and enhance our ability to understand the impacts of climate change in remote regions. However, potential species adaptation along the temperature gradient should be taken into account. This single summer of results should be viewed with caution.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"213 - 226"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41715943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-15DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2144777
B. Sindel, S. Wilson, B. Wilson, Kirsten L. Hawking, Waqas Zahid, Ali Iqbal, Laura K. Williams, O. Knox, M. J. Coleman, P. Kristiansen
ABSTRACT Background The Antarctic is an extreme environment for plants. Several invasive plant species, however, have invaded the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean islands and increasingly threaten the vulnerability of maritime and continental Antarctica, particularly with changes in climate. Aims We provide an overview of issues to consider with regard to the impact, ecology and management of non-native plants in the Antarctic, focusing on knowledge gained and recent research results from the sub-Antarctic with possible application to Antarctica. Methods We provide a brief review of literature and bring together experience and previously unpublished research with Poa annua and Stellaria media on Macquarie Island. Results While no one set of biological characteristics predicts plant invasiveness in the sub-Antarctic, all are adapted to survive extreme cold conditions and persistence is enabled through large and long-lived soil seed banks. Ecological drivers for invasion include accidental human introductions and continuing movement, along with animal and other disturbance to soil. Conclusion The invasive cold-tolerant plant species now prevalent on sub-Antarctic islands also pose a threat to Antarctica due to a warming climate and so efforts should continue to prevent further spread, while developing effective, low-impact control and eradication options to protect these high-value extreme ecosystems.
{"title":"Ecology and management of invasive plants in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions: evidence and synthesis from Macquarie Island","authors":"B. Sindel, S. Wilson, B. Wilson, Kirsten L. Hawking, Waqas Zahid, Ali Iqbal, Laura K. Williams, O. Knox, M. J. Coleman, P. Kristiansen","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2144777","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2144777","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background The Antarctic is an extreme environment for plants. Several invasive plant species, however, have invaded the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean islands and increasingly threaten the vulnerability of maritime and continental Antarctica, particularly with changes in climate. Aims We provide an overview of issues to consider with regard to the impact, ecology and management of non-native plants in the Antarctic, focusing on knowledge gained and recent research results from the sub-Antarctic with possible application to Antarctica. Methods We provide a brief review of literature and bring together experience and previously unpublished research with Poa annua and Stellaria media on Macquarie Island. Results While no one set of biological characteristics predicts plant invasiveness in the sub-Antarctic, all are adapted to survive extreme cold conditions and persistence is enabled through large and long-lived soil seed banks. Ecological drivers for invasion include accidental human introductions and continuing movement, along with animal and other disturbance to soil. Conclusion The invasive cold-tolerant plant species now prevalent on sub-Antarctic islands also pose a threat to Antarctica due to a warming climate and so efforts should continue to prevent further spread, while developing effective, low-impact control and eradication options to protect these high-value extreme ecosystems.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"183 - 198"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43556620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-09DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2145579
G. Ballesteros, I. Acuña‐Rodríguez, Andrea Barrera, P. Gundel, K. Newsham, M. Molina‐Montenegro
ABSTRACT Background Invasive plants may displace native species. This is the case for Poa annua, the only non-native plant species successfully established in Maritime Antarctica. Nonetheless, it is uncertain which factors drive the competitive success of P. annua in the harsh environmental conditions of the region. The ability of this plant species to establish novel mutualistic interactions with resident soil fungi may be crucial for its invasiveness. Such ability may be linked to the vertical transmission of fungal endophytes via seeds. Aims We undertook a study to assess the role of seed fungal endophytes as promoters of the establishment and invasion of Poa annua in Maritime Antarctica. Methods We explored the composition and diversity of fungal communities associated with different P. annua tissues (seeds, leaves and roots) and the soil. We also measured parameters including germination rate, above-ground biomass, reproductive structures, and the survival of invasive P. annua as well as of the native Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica grown from seeds with and without endophytes. Furthermore, we conducted inter- and intraspecific competition experiments among native and invasive plants, where chemically mediated plant-to-plant interference (allelopathy) and plant growth rate were measured to calculate a relative competition index. Results We found that fungal endophyte taxa associated with P. annua tissues were very different from those in the soil. Fungal endophytes in P. annua differed among seed, root and shoot tissues, which suggests low transmission among different organs. The removal of endophytes from P. annua seeds was associated with reduced seed germination, plant growth and survivorship, while the competitive ability of P. annua (assessed by accumulated biomass) relative to native species, as well as levels of allelochemicals in soils, were higher in the presence of seed fungal endophytes. Conclusion Our results suggest that fungal endophytes, maternally inherited through seeds, improve host fitness and may contribute to the invasive success of P. annua in Antarctica.
{"title":"Seed fungal endophytes promote the establishment of invasive Poa annua in maritime Antarctica","authors":"G. Ballesteros, I. Acuña‐Rodríguez, Andrea Barrera, P. Gundel, K. Newsham, M. Molina‐Montenegro","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2145579","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2145579","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Invasive plants may displace native species. This is the case for Poa annua, the only non-native plant species successfully established in Maritime Antarctica. Nonetheless, it is uncertain which factors drive the competitive success of P. annua in the harsh environmental conditions of the region. The ability of this plant species to establish novel mutualistic interactions with resident soil fungi may be crucial for its invasiveness. Such ability may be linked to the vertical transmission of fungal endophytes via seeds. Aims We undertook a study to assess the role of seed fungal endophytes as promoters of the establishment and invasion of Poa annua in Maritime Antarctica. Methods We explored the composition and diversity of fungal communities associated with different P. annua tissues (seeds, leaves and roots) and the soil. We also measured parameters including germination rate, above-ground biomass, reproductive structures, and the survival of invasive P. annua as well as of the native Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica grown from seeds with and without endophytes. Furthermore, we conducted inter- and intraspecific competition experiments among native and invasive plants, where chemically mediated plant-to-plant interference (allelopathy) and plant growth rate were measured to calculate a relative competition index. Results We found that fungal endophyte taxa associated with P. annua tissues were very different from those in the soil. Fungal endophytes in P. annua differed among seed, root and shoot tissues, which suggests low transmission among different organs. The removal of endophytes from P. annua seeds was associated with reduced seed germination, plant growth and survivorship, while the competitive ability of P. annua (assessed by accumulated biomass) relative to native species, as well as levels of allelochemicals in soils, were higher in the presence of seed fungal endophytes. Conclusion Our results suggest that fungal endophytes, maternally inherited through seeds, improve host fitness and may contribute to the invasive success of P. annua in Antarctica.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"199 - 212"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46359321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-07DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2143731
Alejandra Ayarza-Páez, Carol X. Garzon‐Lopez, E. Lasso
ABSTRACT Background Páramos are tropical alpine ecosystems where climate change is expected to cause yet unknown consequences for plant growth, ecosystem structure, ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services. Aim To quantify the relationship between environmental factors (abiotic and biotic) and the spatial distribution of three common Hypericum species in the páramo and their physiological vulnerability to drought. Methods We recorded soil water content, soil temperature, and vegetation cover in 10 plots along a moisture gradient. Additionally, we measured a series of physiological traits associated with the risk of drought-induced mortality. Results We found that H. goyanesii and H. juniperinum mainly grew in areas with high soil water content, and similar high vegetation cover. These two species had wider xylem vessels, showed anisohydric behaviour and were equally vulnerable to cavitation with low safety margins against hydraulic failure. H. mexicanum grew in places with less vegetation cover, lower soil water content, and higher soil temperatures. H. mexicanum showed a different strategy that probably allows it to thrive in these conditions; it maintains high values of water potential at noon and has narrower xylem vessels, making it less vulnerable to cavitation. Conclusion The distribution of the three Hypericum species in the páramo responds essentially to soil water content, in line with the physiological mechanisms of the species to cope with water deficit. Hypericum species from moist habitats could decline if longer drought episodes become more common in the future.
{"title":"Habitat preference and vulnerability to drought of three Hypericum species of the páramo","authors":"Alejandra Ayarza-Páez, Carol X. Garzon‐Lopez, E. Lasso","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2143731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2143731","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Páramos are tropical alpine ecosystems where climate change is expected to cause yet unknown consequences for plant growth, ecosystem structure, ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services. Aim To quantify the relationship between environmental factors (abiotic and biotic) and the spatial distribution of three common Hypericum species in the páramo and their physiological vulnerability to drought. Methods We recorded soil water content, soil temperature, and vegetation cover in 10 plots along a moisture gradient. Additionally, we measured a series of physiological traits associated with the risk of drought-induced mortality. Results We found that H. goyanesii and H. juniperinum mainly grew in areas with high soil water content, and similar high vegetation cover. These two species had wider xylem vessels, showed anisohydric behaviour and were equally vulnerable to cavitation with low safety margins against hydraulic failure. H. mexicanum grew in places with less vegetation cover, lower soil water content, and higher soil temperatures. H. mexicanum showed a different strategy that probably allows it to thrive in these conditions; it maintains high values of water potential at noon and has narrower xylem vessels, making it less vulnerable to cavitation. Conclusion The distribution of the three Hypericum species in the páramo responds essentially to soil water content, in line with the physiological mechanisms of the species to cope with water deficit. Hypericum species from moist habitats could decline if longer drought episodes become more common in the future.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"281 - 295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46084910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-30DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2130017
Alexa Vargas-Colin, J. Flores, R. Romo-Campos, David Douterlungne, L. Yáñez-Espinosa, José M. González, A. Luzuriaga
ABSTRACT Background Climate change is expected to alter future rainfall regime in arid zones, which may impact gypsophilous plant diversity components in the Chihuahuan Desert. Aims We investigated the effects of different rainfall timings and amounts on the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic components of a gypsophilous plant community. Methods We used soil monoliths extracted from the southern Chihuahuan Desert in a greenhouse experiment with three rainfall timings (typical, early, and late) and two rainfall amounts (100% and 50%) and evaluated the effects on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. Results Irrigation treatment with 50% of average rainfall reduced species richness and plant abundance and altered species composition. At 100% irrigation, specific leaf area was lower in the treatments with typical and late rainfall timing than in the treatment with early rainfall. Phylogenetic diversity was significantly lower in the late timing treatment in November. Conclusion Our study evidence that the water shortage impacted drastically on the plant community by decreased species richness and diversity. Nevertheless, late rainfall can buffer the effects of water diminution but only on taxonomic and functional diversity, with the opposite effect on the phylogenetic diversity, in the gypsophilous communities in the Chihuahuan Desert.
{"title":"Changes in rainfall amount and seasonality modulate taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in a gypsophilous plant community in the Chihuahuan Desert","authors":"Alexa Vargas-Colin, J. Flores, R. Romo-Campos, David Douterlungne, L. Yáñez-Espinosa, José M. González, A. Luzuriaga","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2130017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2130017","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Climate change is expected to alter future rainfall regime in arid zones, which may impact gypsophilous plant diversity components in the Chihuahuan Desert. Aims We investigated the effects of different rainfall timings and amounts on the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic components of a gypsophilous plant community. Methods We used soil monoliths extracted from the southern Chihuahuan Desert in a greenhouse experiment with three rainfall timings (typical, early, and late) and two rainfall amounts (100% and 50%) and evaluated the effects on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. Results Irrigation treatment with 50% of average rainfall reduced species richness and plant abundance and altered species composition. At 100% irrigation, specific leaf area was lower in the treatments with typical and late rainfall timing than in the treatment with early rainfall. Phylogenetic diversity was significantly lower in the late timing treatment in November. Conclusion Our study evidence that the water shortage impacted drastically on the plant community by decreased species richness and diversity. Nevertheless, late rainfall can buffer the effects of water diminution but only on taxonomic and functional diversity, with the opposite effect on the phylogenetic diversity, in the gypsophilous communities in the Chihuahuan Desert.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"265 - 280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42626808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-12DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2122753
Diego P. Vélez-Mora, E. Gusmán, C. Espinosa, P. Quintana‐Ascencio
ABSTRACT Background Changes in climate and the intensity of agriculture expansion can alter plant population dynamics and community composition and structure of dry shrublands. Aims We tested how temperature and moisture along an elevation gradient, grazing, and nutrient addition in soil affected demographic attributes of Croton shrubs and the composition and structure of plant species in an inter-Andean dry shrubland. Methods At three elevations, we installed grazing and exclusion plots, combined with four nutrient treatments: control, and addition of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) alone and in combination. We measured recruitment and survival of Croton seedlings, as well as survival, growth, fruiting of adult Croton and the composition and structure of neighbouring plants. Results Grazing exclusion improved adult survival of Croton at all three elevations. Grazing exclusion and addition of N and P increased adult growth of Croton at low and medium elevations. Croton seedling recruitment and survival decreased with distance to adult plants. The cover of Croton had a positive relationship with plant abundance and diversity. Conclusions Temperature, moisture, grazing and nutrient addition can alter the demography and cover of Croton, as well as the composition and structure of its neighbouring plants threatening the functioning of the inter-Andean dry shrubland.
{"title":"Changes in climate, grazing pressure and nutrient inputs affect the structural integrity and functioning of Andean shrublands","authors":"Diego P. Vélez-Mora, E. Gusmán, C. Espinosa, P. Quintana‐Ascencio","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2122753","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2122753","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Changes in climate and the intensity of agriculture expansion can alter plant population dynamics and community composition and structure of dry shrublands. Aims We tested how temperature and moisture along an elevation gradient, grazing, and nutrient addition in soil affected demographic attributes of Croton shrubs and the composition and structure of plant species in an inter-Andean dry shrubland. Methods At three elevations, we installed grazing and exclusion plots, combined with four nutrient treatments: control, and addition of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) alone and in combination. We measured recruitment and survival of Croton seedlings, as well as survival, growth, fruiting of adult Croton and the composition and structure of neighbouring plants. Results Grazing exclusion improved adult survival of Croton at all three elevations. Grazing exclusion and addition of N and P increased adult growth of Croton at low and medium elevations. Croton seedling recruitment and survival decreased with distance to adult plants. The cover of Croton had a positive relationship with plant abundance and diversity. Conclusions Temperature, moisture, grazing and nutrient addition can alter the demography and cover of Croton, as well as the composition and structure of its neighbouring plants threatening the functioning of the inter-Andean dry shrubland.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"309 - 327"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43924579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-23DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2093290
Karine Gotty, G. Kergoat, P. Jouannais, V. Invernón, S. Merlot, Y. Pillon
ABSTRACT Background Relict lineages are an important component of biodiversity, but it is unclear under what circumstances these groups persist. A potential example of such a group is the Alseuosmineae (Asterales) of Oceania. This clade contains the three small families – Alseuosmiaceae, Argophyllaceae and Phellinaceae. The clade has highest diversity in New Caledonia, where there are extensive ultramafic substrates, creating an extreme edaphic environment. Aims Using several lines of evidence we aimed to show that Alseuosmineae qualify as a relict lineage, with specialised adaptations for ultramafic substrates. Methods Molecular phylogenetic and dating analyses were carried out on representatives from all Alseuosmineae genera. Metal concentration in 33 out of 44 Alseuosmineae species was measured in herbarium specimens with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results Dating analyses indicated that Alseuosmineae began diversifying about 75–80 million years ago, and had much slower net diversification rates than other Asterales groups. One-third of the species occur on ultramafic substrates in New Caledonia. Six are categorised as nickel hyperaccumulators, and two as manganese hyperaccumulators. Conclusions Extinction was probably paramount in the history of Alseuosmineae, especially for continental species. We postulate that their adaptation to ultramafic substrates and metal accumulation may have contributed to their survival until today.
{"title":"Relict lineages with extreme ecology and physiology: metal hyperaccumulation on ultramafic substrates in New Caledonian Alseuosmineae (Asterales)","authors":"Karine Gotty, G. Kergoat, P. Jouannais, V. Invernón, S. Merlot, Y. Pillon","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2093290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2093290","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Relict lineages are an important component of biodiversity, but it is unclear under what circumstances these groups persist. A potential example of such a group is the Alseuosmineae (Asterales) of Oceania. This clade contains the three small families – Alseuosmiaceae, Argophyllaceae and Phellinaceae. The clade has highest diversity in New Caledonia, where there are extensive ultramafic substrates, creating an extreme edaphic environment. Aims Using several lines of evidence we aimed to show that Alseuosmineae qualify as a relict lineage, with specialised adaptations for ultramafic substrates. Methods Molecular phylogenetic and dating analyses were carried out on representatives from all Alseuosmineae genera. Metal concentration in 33 out of 44 Alseuosmineae species was measured in herbarium specimens with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results Dating analyses indicated that Alseuosmineae began diversifying about 75–80 million years ago, and had much slower net diversification rates than other Asterales groups. One-third of the species occur on ultramafic substrates in New Caledonia. Six are categorised as nickel hyperaccumulators, and two as manganese hyperaccumulators. Conclusions Extinction was probably paramount in the history of Alseuosmineae, especially for continental species. We postulate that their adaptation to ultramafic substrates and metal accumulation may have contributed to their survival until today.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"227 - 242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46368164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-13DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2122754
H. Ireland, G. Ruxton
ABSTRACT Background Birch species such as Betula pendula have conspicuous white bark and the evolutionary drivers for this colouration remain unresolved. Aims We evaluated our hypothesis that the white bark is a visual warning signal to deter mammals from bark-stripping. Many species of deer (Cervidae) and multiple other mammals consume bark. White birch species’ bark contains betulin and other compounds that likely make the bark unprofitable for herbivores. The white bark has features consistent with a visual signal for mammalian herbivores and could act as a visual aposematic signal of chemical defence. Methods We compared deer bark-stripping between tree species in Scottish woodlands. For Betula pendula, we compared stripping of juvenile brown bark with mature white bark. We also reviewed existing literature to find the tree-species preference for a wide-range of bark-stripping mammals. Results In Scotland, we found that white-barked birch bark was less preferred. We also found mature white birch bark was avoided compared to juvenile brown bark. Existing literature for multiple herbivores showed that white birch species’ bark was often either not preferred or avoided. Conclusion We suggest that the conspicuous white colouration of birch bark may act as an aposematic visual signal to deter bark-stripping mammals.
{"title":"White bark in birch species as a warning signal for bark-stripping mammals","authors":"H. Ireland, G. Ruxton","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2122754","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2122754","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Birch species such as Betula pendula have conspicuous white bark and the evolutionary drivers for this colouration remain unresolved. Aims We evaluated our hypothesis that the white bark is a visual warning signal to deter mammals from bark-stripping. Many species of deer (Cervidae) and multiple other mammals consume bark. White birch species’ bark contains betulin and other compounds that likely make the bark unprofitable for herbivores. The white bark has features consistent with a visual signal for mammalian herbivores and could act as a visual aposematic signal of chemical defence. Methods We compared deer bark-stripping between tree species in Scottish woodlands. For Betula pendula, we compared stripping of juvenile brown bark with mature white bark. We also reviewed existing literature to find the tree-species preference for a wide-range of bark-stripping mammals. Results In Scotland, we found that white-barked birch bark was less preferred. We also found mature white birch bark was avoided compared to juvenile brown bark. Existing literature for multiple herbivores showed that white birch species’ bark was often either not preferred or avoided. Conclusion We suggest that the conspicuous white colouration of birch bark may act as an aposematic visual signal to deter bark-stripping mammals.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"93 - 109"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44689217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-13DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2022.2137381
M. Streitberger, P. Borgmann, Marco Drung, Benedikt Wrede, T. Fartmann
ABSTRACT Background Arnica montana is a threatened plant species that highly depends on species-specific conservation action. Aims We conducted three experiments in montane heathlands to quantify the role of disturbance for population reinforcement of A. montana. Methods In the first experiment, clusters of A. montana were raked to remove biomass and promote vegetative growth. In two other experiments, we analysed what kind of disturbance intensity is necessary to promote the establishment of A. montana by seeding and planting, respectively. Different traits with respect to population structure and growth of A. montana (e.g. abundance of rosettes and flowering stems) were measured. Results Raking resulted in the removal of bryophytes and parts of the herb layer and strongly fostered vegetative reproduction of A. montana. In general, disturbance enhanced the establishment of A. montana by seeding, however, the establishment rate was low. By contrast, planting of A. montana in plots whose surface was disturbed greatly increased the populations of A. montana. Conclusion Our study highlights that populations of A. montana much depend for reproduction on the disturbance of the above-ground vegetation. We identified (i) disturbance of vegetation within existing populations for fostering vegetative reproduction and (ii) planting of A. montana in previously disturbed vegetation as the most suitable measures for reinforcing populations of this species of European conservation concern.
{"title":"Disturbance and biomass removal enhance population reinforcement of a plant species of European conservation concern","authors":"M. Streitberger, P. Borgmann, Marco Drung, Benedikt Wrede, T. Fartmann","doi":"10.1080/17550874.2022.2137381","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2022.2137381","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background Arnica montana is a threatened plant species that highly depends on species-specific conservation action. Aims We conducted three experiments in montane heathlands to quantify the role of disturbance for population reinforcement of A. montana. Methods In the first experiment, clusters of A. montana were raked to remove biomass and promote vegetative growth. In two other experiments, we analysed what kind of disturbance intensity is necessary to promote the establishment of A. montana by seeding and planting, respectively. Different traits with respect to population structure and growth of A. montana (e.g. abundance of rosettes and flowering stems) were measured. Results Raking resulted in the removal of bryophytes and parts of the herb layer and strongly fostered vegetative reproduction of A. montana. In general, disturbance enhanced the establishment of A. montana by seeding, however, the establishment rate was low. By contrast, planting of A. montana in plots whose surface was disturbed greatly increased the populations of A. montana. Conclusion Our study highlights that populations of A. montana much depend for reproduction on the disturbance of the above-ground vegetation. We identified (i) disturbance of vegetation within existing populations for fostering vegetative reproduction and (ii) planting of A. montana in previously disturbed vegetation as the most suitable measures for reinforcing populations of this species of European conservation concern.","PeriodicalId":49691,"journal":{"name":"Plant Ecology & Diversity","volume":"15 1","pages":"153 - 167"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47211614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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