Zeidler M., Šipoš J., Banaš M., Václavík T. (2025): Response of Subalpine Plant Vegetation to Snow Cover Duration Quantified by In Situ Repeat Photography. Journal of Vegetation Science, 36:e70016. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70016
The title “Response of subalpine plant vegetation to snow cover duration quantified by in situ repeat photography” includes a redundancy (“plant vegetation”).
Please, correct the title to “Response of subalpine vegetation to snow cover duration quantified by in situ repeat photography.”
We apologize for this error.
Zeidler M., Šipoš J., Banaš M., Václavík T.
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Marija Milanović, Jonathan D. Bakker, Lori Biederman, Elizabeth T. Borer, Jane A. Catford, Elsa Cleland, Nicole Hagenah, Sylvia Haider, W. Stanley Harpole, Kimberly Komatsu, Andrew S. MacDougall, Christine Römermann, Eric W. Seabloom, Sonja Knapp, Ingolf Kühn
Aims
The community composition of native and alien plant species is influenced by the environment (e.g., nutrient addition and changes in temperature or precipitation). A key objective of our study is to understand how differences in the traits of alien and native species vary across diverse environmental conditions. For example, the study examines how changes in nutrient availability affect community composition and functional traits, such as specific leaf area and plant height. Additionally, it seeks to assess the vulnerability of high-nutrient environments, such as grasslands, to alien species colonization and the potential for alien species to surpass natives in abundance. Finally, the study explores how climatic factors, including temperature and precipitation, modulate the relationship between traits and environmental conditions, shaping species success.
Location
In our study, we used data from a globally distributed experiment manipulating nutrient supplies in grasslands worldwide (NutNet).
Methods
We investigate how temporal shifts in the abundance of native and alien species are influenced by species-specific functional traits, including specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nutrient concentrations, as well as by environmental conditions such as climate and nutrient treatments, across 17 study sites. Mixed-effects models were used to assess these relationships.
Results
Alien and native species increasing in their abundance did not differ in their leaf traits. We found significantly lower specific leaf area (SLA) with an increase in mean annual temperature and lower leaf Potassium with mean annual precipitation. For trait–environment relationships, when compared to native species, successful aliens exhibited an increase in leaf Phosphorus and a decrease in leaf Potassium with an increase in mean annual precipitation. Finally, aliens' SLA decreased in plots with higher mean annual temperatures.
Conclusions
Therefore, studying the relationship between environment and functional traits may portray grasslands' dynamics better than focusing exclusively on traits of successful species, per se.
{"title":"Successful Alien Plant Species Exhibit Functional Dissimilarity From Natives Under Varied Climatic Conditions but Not Under Increased Nutrient Availability","authors":"Marija Milanović, Jonathan D. Bakker, Lori Biederman, Elizabeth T. Borer, Jane A. Catford, Elsa Cleland, Nicole Hagenah, Sylvia Haider, W. Stanley Harpole, Kimberly Komatsu, Andrew S. MacDougall, Christine Römermann, Eric W. Seabloom, Sonja Knapp, Ingolf Kühn","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The community composition of native and alien plant species is influenced by the environment (e.g., nutrient addition and changes in temperature or precipitation). A key objective of our study is to understand how differences in the traits of alien and native species vary across diverse environmental conditions. For example, the study examines how changes in nutrient availability affect community composition and functional traits, such as specific leaf area and plant height. Additionally, it seeks to assess the vulnerability of high-nutrient environments, such as grasslands, to alien species colonization and the potential for alien species to surpass natives in abundance. Finally, the study explores how climatic factors, including temperature and precipitation, modulate the relationship between traits and environmental conditions, shaping species success.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In our study, we used data from a globally distributed experiment manipulating nutrient supplies in grasslands worldwide (NutNet).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigate how temporal shifts in the abundance of native and alien species are influenced by species-specific functional traits, including specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nutrient concentrations, as well as by environmental conditions such as climate and nutrient treatments, across 17 study sites. Mixed-effects models were used to assess these relationships.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Alien and native species increasing in their abundance did not differ in their leaf traits. We found significantly lower specific leaf area (SLA) with an increase in mean annual temperature and lower leaf Potassium with mean annual precipitation. For trait–environment relationships, when compared to native species, successful aliens exhibited an increase in leaf Phosphorus and a decrease in leaf Potassium with an increase in mean annual precipitation. Finally, aliens' SLA decreased in plots with higher mean annual temperatures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Therefore, studying the relationship between environment and functional traits may portray grasslands' dynamics better than focusing exclusively on traits of successful species, per se.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luciano Ludovico Maria De Benedictis, Stefano Chelli, Roberto Canullo, Giandiego Campetella
Questions
Spatial patterns of plant traits have rarely been studied at distances below 10 cm. Is it possible to detect nonrandom functional patterns at a very fine scale in mountain secondary grasslands? An analysis in terms of trait similarity, magnitude and density correlation can highlight the importance of different biotic and abiotic processes at these scales. We expect species identity to be of secondary importance if all individuals are identified by their measured traits, resulting in consistent patterns whether it is considered or not, especially if ITV (intraspecific trait variability) and functional overlap are high.
Location
Natural reserve “Montagna di Torricchio,” a strict reserve in the Marche region, central Apennines, Italy.
Methods
Plant height, leaf area, and specific leaf area have been measured for each individual (1094 ramets) in 10 quadrats, divided into two grasslands differing in canopy cover. Functional redundancy and ITV were evaluated with overlap measures and variance partitioning. Marked point pattern statistics have been used to test for non-randomness of trait patterns either by considering all individuals at once or by excluding conspecific pairs.
Results
At distances below 8 cm, we found evidence of trait convergence, pairs smaller than expected and negative density correlation. Above 8 cm, we found trait divergence and larger than expected pairs. We suggest biotic and abiotic causes for this, linked to physical packing or similarity in soil depth, respectively. The results differed between traits and between grasslands. The results were consistent whether conspecific pairs were excluded or not. There is a high functional overlap among species, and ITV has a large contribution to variability.
Conclusions
We found nonrandom functional patterns in grasslands below 10 cm, an almost unexplored scale range in any vegetation. The approach used showed that taxonomic identity is less important than the functional setting of individuals at this scale.
{"title":"Measuring Them all: Individual-Based Functional Spatial Patterns in Mountain Grasslands","authors":"Luciano Ludovico Maria De Benedictis, Stefano Chelli, Roberto Canullo, Giandiego Campetella","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70029","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Spatial patterns of plant traits have rarely been studied at distances below 10 cm. Is it possible to detect nonrandom functional patterns at a very fine scale in mountain secondary grasslands? An analysis in terms of trait similarity, magnitude and density correlation can highlight the importance of different biotic and abiotic processes at these scales. We expect species identity to be of secondary importance if all individuals are identified by their measured traits, resulting in consistent patterns whether it is considered or not, especially if ITV (intraspecific trait variability) and functional overlap are high.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Natural reserve “Montagna di Torricchio,” a strict reserve in the Marche region, central Apennines, Italy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Plant height, leaf area, and specific leaf area have been measured for each individual (1094 ramets) in 10 quadrats, divided into two grasslands differing in canopy cover. Functional redundancy and ITV were evaluated with overlap measures and variance partitioning. Marked point pattern statistics have been used to test for non-randomness of trait patterns either by considering all individuals at once or by excluding conspecific pairs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>At distances below 8 cm, we found evidence of trait convergence, pairs smaller than expected and negative density correlation. Above 8 cm, we found trait divergence and larger than expected pairs. We suggest biotic and abiotic causes for this, linked to physical packing or similarity in soil depth, respectively. The results differed between traits and between grasslands. The results were consistent whether conspecific pairs were excluded or not. There is a high functional overlap among species, and ITV has a large contribution to variability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found nonrandom functional patterns in grasslands below 10 cm, an almost unexplored scale range in any vegetation. The approach used showed that taxonomic identity is less important than the functional setting of individuals at this scale.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70029","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Richard Michalet, Jiri Dolezal, Jonathan Lenoir, Peter le Roux, Sabine Rumpf, Sonja Wipf
<p>Climate change is considered one of the most important threats to biodiversity (IPBES <span>2019</span>; Montràs-Janer et al. <span>2024</span>). It was a topic in 22% of scientific articles focusing on biodiversity (Clarivate, Web of Science) and the focus of several special issues in ecological journals during the last 5 years (e.g. Mahli et al. <span>2020</span>; Kéfi et al. <span>2024</span>).</p><p>This Special Issue « Plant Community Responses to Climate Change » focuses on community, rather than species-specific, responses and the importance of ecological context dependencies. Most ecological studies assessing the effect of climate change on biodiversity have focused on individual species responses, such as changes in geographical distributions with consequences for biodiversity at the regional scale (e.g., Thuiller et al. <span>2005</span>; Parmesan <span>2006</span>; Lenoir et al. <span>2020</span>; Lynn et al. <span>2021</span>). Beyond the question of scale in ecology, this might be due to the traditional view in the scientific literature that species are independent of each other (Whittaker <span>1956</span>) and, thus, that we should expect species-specific (or functional group-specific) responses to climate change (Chapin and Shaver <span>1985</span>). However, differing species-specific ecological requirements and niche positions in the ecological space do not preclude species interdependencies in plant communities (Callaway <span>1997</span>). Species interdependencies and ecosystem-engineering effects by foundation species (Wilson and Agnew <span>1992</span>) may contribute to explaining lag dynamics in species responses to climate change (Bertrand et al. <span>2011</span>; Dullinger et al. <span>2012</span>; Alexander et al. <span>2018</span>; Rumpf et al. <span>2019</span>). For example, Lenoir et al. (<span>2017</span>) have stressed that the microclimatic buffering effect of canopy trees in forest ecosystems contributes to explaining why most plant species have shown limited migration towards colder latitudes or elevations. This is due to the pronounced difference in temperature and relative humidity between the near-ground surface of open habitats and the understory of mature forests from wet and warm climates (De Frenne et al. <span>2019</span>). Therefore, there is an urgent need to integrate plant–plant interactions and a community-scale perspective into climate change studies to increase the accuracy of our predictions (Sanczuk et al. <span>2024</span>) and the efficiency of mitigation strategies (e.g., assisted migration; Michalet, Carcaillet, et al. <span>2024</span>).</p><p>Ecological context dependencies at the level of individual species and communities can strongly affect biotic responses to climate change (Lenoir <span>2020</span>), a phenomenon prevalent at different spatial extents and resolutions. At the regional level, for example, changes in alpine plant community composition depend not only on the regiona
{"title":"Plant Community Responses to Climate Change: The Importance of Ecological Context Dependencies","authors":"Richard Michalet, Jiri Dolezal, Jonathan Lenoir, Peter le Roux, Sabine Rumpf, Sonja Wipf","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70028","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Climate change is considered one of the most important threats to biodiversity (IPBES <span>2019</span>; Montràs-Janer et al. <span>2024</span>). It was a topic in 22% of scientific articles focusing on biodiversity (Clarivate, Web of Science) and the focus of several special issues in ecological journals during the last 5 years (e.g. Mahli et al. <span>2020</span>; Kéfi et al. <span>2024</span>).</p><p>This Special Issue « Plant Community Responses to Climate Change » focuses on community, rather than species-specific, responses and the importance of ecological context dependencies. Most ecological studies assessing the effect of climate change on biodiversity have focused on individual species responses, such as changes in geographical distributions with consequences for biodiversity at the regional scale (e.g., Thuiller et al. <span>2005</span>; Parmesan <span>2006</span>; Lenoir et al. <span>2020</span>; Lynn et al. <span>2021</span>). Beyond the question of scale in ecology, this might be due to the traditional view in the scientific literature that species are independent of each other (Whittaker <span>1956</span>) and, thus, that we should expect species-specific (or functional group-specific) responses to climate change (Chapin and Shaver <span>1985</span>). However, differing species-specific ecological requirements and niche positions in the ecological space do not preclude species interdependencies in plant communities (Callaway <span>1997</span>). Species interdependencies and ecosystem-engineering effects by foundation species (Wilson and Agnew <span>1992</span>) may contribute to explaining lag dynamics in species responses to climate change (Bertrand et al. <span>2011</span>; Dullinger et al. <span>2012</span>; Alexander et al. <span>2018</span>; Rumpf et al. <span>2019</span>). For example, Lenoir et al. (<span>2017</span>) have stressed that the microclimatic buffering effect of canopy trees in forest ecosystems contributes to explaining why most plant species have shown limited migration towards colder latitudes or elevations. This is due to the pronounced difference in temperature and relative humidity between the near-ground surface of open habitats and the understory of mature forests from wet and warm climates (De Frenne et al. <span>2019</span>). Therefore, there is an urgent need to integrate plant–plant interactions and a community-scale perspective into climate change studies to increase the accuracy of our predictions (Sanczuk et al. <span>2024</span>) and the efficiency of mitigation strategies (e.g., assisted migration; Michalet, Carcaillet, et al. <span>2024</span>).</p><p>Ecological context dependencies at the level of individual species and communities can strongly affect biotic responses to climate change (Lenoir <span>2020</span>), a phenomenon prevalent at different spatial extents and resolutions. At the regional level, for example, changes in alpine plant community composition depend not only on the regiona","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70028","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Inés M. Alonso-Crespo, Vicky M. Temperton, Andreas Fichtner, Thomas Niemeyer, Michael Schloter, Benjamin M. Delory
Question
The order of arrival of plant species during community assembly can affect how species interact with each other. These so-called priority effects can have strong implications for the structure and functioning of plant communities. However, the extent to which the strength, direction, and persistence of priority effects are modulated by weather conditions during plant establishment (“year effects”) is not well known.
Location
Niederhaverbeck, Bispingen, Germany.
Methods
We present the first results from a field experiment initiated in 2020 in Northern Germany to test how plant functional group (PFG) order of arrival and the year of initiation of an experiment interactively affect the structure and functioning of nutrient-poor dry acidic grasslands, both above and below ground. To do this, we established the same experiment, manipulating the order of arrival of forbs, grasses, and legumes on the same site, but in different years representing different weather conditions.
Results
We found that time since establishment was a stronger driver of plant community composition than PFG order of arrival and year of initiation. PFG order of arrival effects on plant diversity evolved over time and depended on the year of initiation of an experiment. Year of initiation, not PFG order of arrival, was the strongest driver of aboveground community productivity. Although we did not find an effect of PFG order of arrival on root productivity, it had a strong impact on the vertical distribution of roots. Communities where grasses were sown first rooted more shallowly than communities in which forbs or legumes were sown first.
Conclusions
In experimental dry acidic grassland communities, community composition and productivity are shaped by time since establishment and initial weather conditions, rather than PFG order of arrival (6-week sowing interval). Importantly, our results demonstrate that manipulating PFG order of arrival is possibly an effective restoration measure to alter vertical root distribution towards more deep-rooting communities when sowing forbs or legumes first. This in turn could benefit dry grasslands on sandy soils during periods of water deficit.
{"title":"Exploring Priority and Year Effects on Plant Diversity, Productivity and Vertical Root Distribution: First Insights From a Grassland Field Experiment","authors":"Inés M. Alonso-Crespo, Vicky M. Temperton, Andreas Fichtner, Thomas Niemeyer, Michael Schloter, Benjamin M. Delory","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70026","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The order of arrival of plant species during community assembly can affect how species interact with each other. These so-called priority effects can have strong implications for the structure and functioning of plant communities. However, the extent to which the strength, direction, and persistence of priority effects are modulated by weather conditions during plant establishment (“year effects”) is not well known.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Niederhaverbeck, Bispingen, Germany.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We present the first results from a field experiment initiated in 2020 in Northern Germany to test how plant functional group (PFG) order of arrival and the year of initiation of an experiment interactively affect the structure and functioning of nutrient-poor dry acidic grasslands, both above and below ground. To do this, we established the same experiment, manipulating the order of arrival of forbs, grasses, and legumes on the same site, but in different years representing different weather conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found that time since establishment was a stronger driver of plant community composition than PFG order of arrival and year of initiation. PFG order of arrival effects on plant diversity evolved over time and depended on the year of initiation of an experiment. Year of initiation, not PFG order of arrival, was the strongest driver of aboveground community productivity. Although we did not find an effect of PFG order of arrival on root productivity, it had a strong impact on the vertical distribution of roots. Communities where grasses were sown first rooted more shallowly than communities in which forbs or legumes were sown first.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In experimental dry acidic grassland communities, community composition and productivity are shaped by time since establishment and initial weather conditions, rather than PFG order of arrival (6-week sowing interval). Importantly, our results demonstrate that manipulating PFG order of arrival is possibly an effective restoration measure to alter vertical root distribution towards more deep-rooting communities when sowing forbs or legumes first. This in turn could benefit dry grasslands on sandy soils during periods of water deficit.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70026","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julian Schrader, David Coleman, Ian Abbott, Sally Bryant, Ralf Buckley, Darren M. Crayn, Rachael V. Gallagher, Stephen Harris, Harold Heatwole, Betsy Jackes, Holger Kreft, Kevin Mills, Jamie Kirkpatrick, Peter K. Latz, John Neldner, Cornelia Sattler, Micah Visoiu, Elizabeth H. Wenk, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stuart Worboys, Ian J. Wright, Isabel Zorn, Mark Westoby
Aims
Australia's coastline is fringed by more than 8000 continental islands. These islands feature a diverse array of landforms, rock and soil types and geological origins. Some of these islands are among the least invaded, most pristine habitats in Australia and support high plant diversity. Here, we present a new Australia-wide curated dataset for plant species occurrences on islands.
Results
Combining information from 1349 species lists and floras, A-Islands includes data on > 6500 plant species from 844 islands ranging in size from 18 m2 to 4400 km2, exhibiting different degrees of isolation from the mainland, and spanning all major Australian climate zones. Of these, 251 islands have been repeatedly sampled up to 11 times, making it possible to investigate temporal compositional change. A-Islands is open access and will be continuously updated. Its simple data structure, consisting of three comma-separated files allows easy integration with other Australian and global plant-occurrence databases and can serve as a repository for island research in Australia.
Conclusions
Knowing which species occur on Australia's islands will provide opportunities for future research, including studying changes in biodiversity and species turnover within and among archipelagos, tests of classical island biogeography theory, and as a baseline for ecological monitoring and conservation.
{"title":"A-Islands: A Vascular Plant Dataset for Biodiversity Research and Species Monitoring on Australian Continental Islands","authors":"Julian Schrader, David Coleman, Ian Abbott, Sally Bryant, Ralf Buckley, Darren M. Crayn, Rachael V. Gallagher, Stephen Harris, Harold Heatwole, Betsy Jackes, Holger Kreft, Kevin Mills, Jamie Kirkpatrick, Peter K. Latz, John Neldner, Cornelia Sattler, Micah Visoiu, Elizabeth H. Wenk, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stuart Worboys, Ian J. Wright, Isabel Zorn, Mark Westoby","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Australia's coastline is fringed by more than 8000 continental islands. These islands feature a diverse array of landforms, rock and soil types and geological origins. Some of these islands are among the least invaded, most pristine habitats in Australia and support high plant diversity. Here, we present a new Australia-wide curated dataset for plant species occurrences on islands.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Combining information from 1349 species lists and floras, A-Islands includes data on > 6500 plant species from 844 islands ranging in size from 18 m<sup>2</sup> to 4400 km<sup>2</sup>, exhibiting different degrees of isolation from the mainland, and spanning all major Australian climate zones. Of these, 251 islands have been repeatedly sampled up to 11 times, making it possible to investigate temporal compositional change. A-Islands is open access and will be continuously updated. Its simple data structure, consisting of three comma-separated files allows easy integration with other Australian and global plant-occurrence databases and can serve as a repository for island research in Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Knowing which species occur on Australia's islands will provide opportunities for future research, including studying changes in biodiversity and species turnover within and among archipelagos, tests of classical island biogeography theory, and as a baseline for ecological monitoring and conservation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70019","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143689259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tobias A. W. Elliott, Peter J. Bellingham, George L. W. Perry, Bruce R. Burns
Aims
Understanding the impacts of forest tree pathogens on understorey sapling populations is critical for understanding their population-level effects and the likely successional trajectories of infected communities. We assessed the impacts of Phytophthora agathidicida, a soil-borne pathogen, on the sapling population dynamics of the disease-susceptible, locally dominant canopy tree, the conifer kauri (Agathis australis, Araucariaceae). We also examined the indirect effects of P. agathidicida on likely resistant allospecifics that span a range of shade-tolerances as saplings, to predict future successional trajectories.
Location
Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Methods
We analysed data from four kauri-dominated permanent plots in Aotearoa-New Zealand warm temperate rain forests. Two plots were early-successional and two were late-successional, one in each pair had overstorey kauri showing intense visual P. agathidicida symptoms, and the other overstorey kauri showing few symptoms. We examined the association between kauri trees and saplings using point pattern analysis and the relationship between the level of crowding around saplings and their growth and survival rates. We compared the growth and survival rates of kauri and allospecifics, categorised by shade tolerance, among the plots.
Results
Kauri forms sapling banks under conspecific trees that were less dense in late-successional forests and in those where the overstorey kauri showed symptoms of P. agathidicida infection. Despite having lower densities, kauri sapling growth rates were higher in symptomatic plots. The growth rates of light-demanding allospecifics were also higher in these plots, with minor differences in mortality and growth rates for more shade-tolerant allospecifics. P. agathidicida may promote sapling growth and survival of kauri and some allospecifics in infected plots.
Conclusions
Sapling vital rates and population sizes differed between asymptomatic and symptomatic plots, particularly in early-successional settings, where P. agathidicida may reset succession in early-successional communities back to those dominated by species that first colonised after disturbance.
{"title":"A Virulent Soil Pathogen Alters Temperate Rain Forest Understorey Sapling Population Dynamics and Successional Trajectories","authors":"Tobias A. W. Elliott, Peter J. Bellingham, George L. W. Perry, Bruce R. Burns","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the impacts of forest tree pathogens on understorey sapling populations is critical for understanding their population-level effects and the likely successional trajectories of infected communities. We assessed the impacts of <i>Phytophthora agathidicida</i>, a soil-borne pathogen, on the sapling population dynamics of the disease-susceptible, locally dominant canopy tree, the conifer kauri (<i>Agathis australis</i>, Araucariaceae). We also examined the indirect effects of <i>P. agathidicida</i> on likely resistant allospecifics that span a range of shade-tolerances as saplings, to predict future successional trajectories.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analysed data from four kauri-dominated permanent plots in Aotearoa-New Zealand warm temperate rain forests. Two plots were early-successional and two were late-successional, one in each pair had overstorey kauri showing intense visual <i>P. agathidicida</i> symptoms, and the other overstorey kauri showing few symptoms. We examined the association between kauri trees and saplings using point pattern analysis and the relationship between the level of crowding around saplings and their growth and survival rates. We compared the growth and survival rates of kauri and allospecifics, categorised by shade tolerance, among the plots.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Kauri forms sapling banks under conspecific trees that were less dense in late-successional forests and in those where the overstorey kauri showed symptoms of <i>P. agathidicida</i> infection. Despite having lower densities, kauri sapling growth rates were higher in symptomatic plots. The growth rates of light-demanding allospecifics were also higher in these plots, with minor differences in mortality and growth rates for more shade-tolerant allospecifics. <i>P. agathidicida</i> may promote sapling growth and survival of kauri and some allospecifics in infected plots.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sapling vital rates and population sizes differed between asymptomatic and symptomatic plots, particularly in early-successional settings, where <i>P. agathidicida</i> may reset succession in early-successional communities back to those dominated by species that first colonised after disturbance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143646083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliana Teixeira, Lara Souza, Aline Bombo, Soizig Le Stradic
Aim
Belowground biomass, including roots and belowground bud-bearing organs, is crucial in tropical open ecosystems, particularly during post-fire regeneration. However, we still do not understand how variation in fire regime modulates the allocation of biomass in these belowground parts. In two distinct fire regimes, we investigated aboveground and belowground biomass, as well as the distribution of biomass and the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in open tropical ecosystems.
Location
Five tropical open ecosystems in Brazil (from northern to southeast Brazil).
Methods
We assessed above- and belowground plant biomass across 100 plots (10 plots for each of the two treatment conditions i.e. frequently burnt and fire excluded, and at five sites in total). We sorted out biomass as live aboveground, belowground bud-bearing organs, coarse (> 2 mm) and fine roots (< 2 mm). Bud-bearing belowground organs were classified into morphological categories (e.g., xylopodia, woody rhizome and fleshy rhizome).
Results
Fire-excluded areas had a lower root-to-shoot ratio and lower total belowground-to-aboveground biomass allocation than areas frequently burnt. The total belowground biomass, as well as fine and coarse root biomass and belowground bud-bearing organ biomass, remained unchanged with fire exclusion. The composition of belowground bud-bearing organs changed towards organs with lateral spread, such as woody and fleshy rhizomes, when fire was excluded.
Conclusions
More than 10 years of fire exclusion did not affect the total belowground biomass but changed the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in tropical open ecosystems. Even after 12 years of fire exclusion, bud-bearing belowground organs were still present in the community, ensuring resilience to fire even if they were not burned regularly.
{"title":"How Does Fire Exclusion Affect the Belowground Biomass of Tropical Open Ecosystems?","authors":"Juliana Teixeira, Lara Souza, Aline Bombo, Soizig Le Stradic","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Belowground biomass, including roots and belowground bud-bearing organs, is crucial in tropical open ecosystems, particularly during post-fire regeneration. However, we still do not understand how variation in fire regime modulates the allocation of biomass in these belowground parts. In two distinct fire regimes, we investigated aboveground and belowground biomass, as well as the distribution of biomass and the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in open tropical ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five tropical open ecosystems in Brazil (from northern to southeast Brazil).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed above- and belowground plant biomass across 100 plots (10 plots for each of the two treatment conditions i.e. frequently burnt and fire excluded, and at five sites in total). We sorted out biomass as live aboveground, belowground bud-bearing organs, coarse (> 2 mm) and fine roots (< 2 mm). Bud-bearing belowground organs were classified into morphological categories (e.g., xylopodia, woody rhizome and fleshy rhizome).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fire-excluded areas had a lower root-to-shoot ratio and lower total belowground-to-aboveground biomass allocation than areas frequently burnt. The total belowground biomass, as well as fine and coarse root biomass and belowground bud-bearing organ biomass, remained unchanged with fire exclusion. The composition of belowground bud-bearing organs changed towards organs with lateral spread, such as woody and fleshy rhizomes, when fire was excluded.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>More than 10 years of fire exclusion did not affect the total belowground biomass but changed the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in tropical open ecosystems. Even after 12 years of fire exclusion, bud-bearing belowground organs were still present in the community, ensuring resilience to fire even if they were not burned regularly.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143638996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aino Korrensalo, Juho Kettunen, Lauri Mehtätalo, Jarno Vanhatalo, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
Aims
Climate change-induced changes in vegetation may be at first subtle and occur only locally within the ecosystem, complicating their reliable detection. We aimed to quantify short-term changes in species and trait composition in a moss-dominated ecosystem and to examine the associated uncertainty at the local and study area scales.
Location
Pristine boreal fen (Siikaneva) in Central Finland.
Methods
We applied the recently developed pre-emptive joint species distribution model (pJSDM) to quantify the change in plant species and functional trait composition over 12 years. pJSDM allows spatially continuous prediction of change and the associated uncertainty from pointwise observations to the whole ecosystem. It includes the pre-emptive competition for space within mosses that are an important component in many high-latitude ecosystems. To address the mechanisms shaping the plant community, pJSDM was extended to predict the change in trait distribution parameters.
Results
Within the studied peatland, we detected changes in species and trait composition that were small in magnitude but occurred with high probability. Some of the changes occurred only locally, others over the whole study area, and some of the local changes occurred in opposing directions. The species originally found in the drier locations increased in abundance. Also, an increase in Sphagnum capitulum size was detected, indicating adaptation to drier conditions. The cover of wet-adapted species decreased at the study area scale but displayed local increases.
Conclusions
The studied peatland showed nonuniform change in species and trait composition. The observed short-term changes are in line with earlier descriptions of multidecadal drying and ombrotrophication of peatland vegetation and suggest increasing contrasts within the vegetation. The applied approach, pJSDM paired with trait distribution parameters, showed potential in revealing ongoing subtle changes in moss-dominated vegetation.
{"title":"Detecting Subtle Change in Species and Trait Composition and Quantifying Its Uncertainty in a Boreal Peatland","authors":"Aino Korrensalo, Juho Kettunen, Lauri Mehtätalo, Jarno Vanhatalo, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Climate change-induced changes in vegetation may be at first subtle and occur only locally within the ecosystem, complicating their reliable detection. We aimed to quantify short-term changes in species and trait composition in a moss-dominated ecosystem and to examine the associated uncertainty at the local and study area scales.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pristine boreal fen (Siikaneva) in Central Finland.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We applied the recently developed pre-emptive joint species distribution model (<i>pJSDM</i>) to quantify the change in plant species and functional trait composition over 12 years. <i>pJSDM</i> allows spatially continuous prediction of change and the associated uncertainty from pointwise observations to the whole ecosystem. It includes the pre-emptive competition for space within mosses that are an important component in many high-latitude ecosystems. To address the mechanisms shaping the plant community, <i>pJSDM</i> was extended to predict the change in trait distribution parameters.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Within the studied peatland, we detected changes in species and trait composition that were small in magnitude but occurred with high probability. Some of the changes occurred only locally, others over the whole study area, and some of the local changes occurred in opposing directions. The species originally found in the drier locations increased in abundance. Also, an increase in <i>Sphagnum</i> capitulum size was detected, indicating adaptation to drier conditions. The cover of wet-adapted species decreased at the study area scale but displayed local increases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The studied peatland showed nonuniform change in species and trait composition. The observed short-term changes are in line with earlier descriptions of multidecadal drying and ombrotrophication of peatland vegetation and suggest increasing contrasts within the vegetation. The applied approach, <i>pJSDM</i> paired with trait distribution parameters, showed potential in revealing ongoing subtle changes in moss-dominated vegetation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143632906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alba Anadon-Rosell, Melanie Dombrowsky, Jürgen Kreyling, Irmgard Blindow, Sven Dahlke, Tobias Dahms, Felix Räder, Leonie Vogelsang, Tobias Scharnweber
Aims
Central and northern Europe experienced extremely dry conditions in 2018, which caused dieback events in many ecosystems, including coastal heathlands. Our aim was to determine the causes of the varying drought responses observed in Calluna vulgaris on the Baltic island of Hiddensee after this extreme drought.
Location
Island of Hiddensee, Baltic Sea, NE Germany.
Methods
We assessed heathland community damage in autumn 2018 and 2019 with drone-based remote sensing. In addition, we measured water table depths and excavated root samples of C. vulgaris. In 2019, we sampled neighboring C. vulgaris individuals showing contrasting vitality statuses (dead, weakened or healthy), measured their height and canopy width, and prepared cross-sections of the main stem at the root collar or soil surface level to count and measure their xylem rings. We also assessed climate-growth correlations in these individuals.
Results
An 8.0% of all heathland plants showed damage in 2018, while this value decreased to 6.6% in 2019. Only 18% of the plants showing damage in 2018 recovered in 2019. Plant damage was positively related to elevation. Groundwater measurements showed that water table depth dropped below C. vulgaris rooting depth during 2018 and 2019. Healthy plants were taller and had a larger crown area than neighboring weakened and dead individuals, but they did not differ in age nor in previous years' growth. C. vulgaris growth was positively correlated with June and July precipitation.
Conclusions
Our study evidences the negative impacts of extreme droughts on C. vulgaris in coastal heathlands, especially in individuals growing in elevated areas and/or relatively small-sized a, and emphasizes the need for adapting heathland management planning accordingly.
{"title":"Dieback of Calluna vulgaris in a Coastal Heathland After the 2018 Extreme Drought","authors":"Alba Anadon-Rosell, Melanie Dombrowsky, Jürgen Kreyling, Irmgard Blindow, Sven Dahlke, Tobias Dahms, Felix Räder, Leonie Vogelsang, Tobias Scharnweber","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Central and northern Europe experienced extremely dry conditions in 2018, which caused dieback events in many ecosystems, including coastal heathlands. Our aim was to determine the causes of the varying drought responses observed in <i>Calluna vulgaris</i> on the Baltic island of Hiddensee after this extreme drought.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Island of Hiddensee, Baltic Sea, NE Germany.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed heathland community damage in autumn 2018 and 2019 with drone-based remote sensing. In addition, we measured water table depths and excavated root samples of <i>C. vulgaris</i>. In 2019, we sampled neighboring <i>C. vulgaris</i> individuals showing contrasting vitality statuses (dead, weakened or healthy), measured their height and canopy width, and prepared cross-sections of the main stem at the root collar or soil surface level to count and measure their xylem rings. We also assessed climate-growth correlations in these individuals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An 8.0% of all heathland plants showed damage in 2018, while this value decreased to 6.6% in 2019. Only 18% of the plants showing damage in 2018 recovered in 2019. Plant damage was positively related to elevation. Groundwater measurements showed that water table depth dropped below <i>C. vulgaris</i> rooting depth during 2018 and 2019. Healthy plants were taller and had a larger crown area than neighboring weakened and dead individuals, but they did not differ in age nor in previous years' growth. <i>C. vulgaris</i> growth was positively correlated with June and July precipitation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study evidences the negative impacts of extreme droughts on <i>C. vulgaris</i> in coastal heathlands, especially in individuals growing in elevated areas and/or relatively small-sized a, and emphasizes the need for adapting heathland management planning accordingly.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143622701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}