Carolina S. Oliveira, João V. S. Messeder, Tatiana Cornelissen, Fernando A. O. Silveira
Question
Understanding the interplay between plant functional traits and abiotic factors in shaping observed differences in herbivory across broad environmental gradients remains a central challenge in plant community ecology. We assessed the relative contributions of environmental factors, such as soil properties and nutrient availability, and leaf functional traits in governing insect herbivory levels across a tropical grassland-savanna-forest gradient.
Location
Espinhaço Range, southeastern Brazil.
Methods
We sampled soils and leaf functional traits in 72 species from 30 families in campo rupestre grassland, cerrado, and gallery forests during the end of the rainy season. Our design provides a useful model to study herbivory along environmental gradients because it accounts for and corrects for variations in climate, latitude, and elevation. In each site, 2500 sampled leaves were collected, pressed, oven-dried at 70°C for 72 h, and scanned to obtain the percentage of leaf area removed by chewing insects.
Results
Grassland species showed the lowest SLA values, followed by the cerrado, while forest plants had the highest values. SLA correlated positively with soil fertility (PC1: high soil N, P, organic matter, and cation-exchange capacity) and negatively with PC2 (associated with lower Ca and base saturation). Consistently, forest plants showed higher insect herbivory compared to those from the cerrado and the grassland, and herbivory levels were also correlated with soil characteristics.
Conclusions
Among-habitat differences highlight the influence of soil fertility on plant functional traits and herbivory levels, indicating that plants on more fertile soils, such as in forests, are more likely to grow fast but also experience higher levels of herbivory compared to those in less fertile environments. This relationship underscores the importance of considering soil fertility in studies of plant–herbivore interactions and highlights the role of environmental gradients in shaping these dynamics.
{"title":"Soil Fertility and Leaf Traits Drive Insect Herbivory Variation Across a Tropical Grassland-Savanna-Forest Gradient","authors":"Carolina S. Oliveira, João V. S. Messeder, Tatiana Cornelissen, Fernando A. O. Silveira","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the interplay between plant functional traits and abiotic factors in shaping observed differences in herbivory across broad environmental gradients remains a central challenge in plant community ecology. We assessed the relative contributions of environmental factors, such as soil properties and nutrient availability, and leaf functional traits in governing insect herbivory levels across a tropical grassland-savanna-forest gradient.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Espinhaço Range, southeastern Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We sampled soils and leaf functional traits in 72 species from 30 families in <i>campo rupestre</i> grassland, cerrado, and gallery forests during the end of the rainy season. Our design provides a useful model to study herbivory along environmental gradients because it accounts for and corrects for variations in climate, latitude, and elevation. In each site, 2500 sampled leaves were collected, pressed, oven-dried at 70°C for 72 h, and scanned to obtain the percentage of leaf area removed by chewing insects.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Grassland species showed the lowest SLA values, followed by the cerrado, while forest plants had the highest values. SLA correlated positively with soil fertility (PC1: high soil N, P, organic matter, and cation-exchange capacity) and negatively with PC2 (associated with lower Ca and base saturation). Consistently, forest plants showed higher insect herbivory compared to those from the cerrado and the grassland, and herbivory levels were also correlated with soil characteristics.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Among-habitat differences highlight the influence of soil fertility on plant functional traits and herbivory levels, indicating that plants on more fertile soils, such as in forests, are more likely to grow fast but also experience higher levels of herbivory compared to those in less fertile environments. This relationship underscores the importance of considering soil fertility in studies of plant–herbivore interactions and highlights the role of environmental gradients in shaping these dynamics.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70074","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224105","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}
Maira Soares de Lima, Luis López-Mársico, Micaela Abrigo, Anaclara Guido
Aim
Under climate change scenarios, droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe in some regions, influencing the likelihood of successful biological invasion in ecosystems. We evaluate the effect of water stress on the invasibility of different Uruguayan grassland communities, focusing on the potential invasion of Eragrostis plana.
Location
Eastern Uruguay grasslands, Campos of Río de la Plata grasslands.
Methods
Monoliths from three grassland communities (sparsely, densely, and tall densely vegetated communities), which differ in soil characteristics and species diversity, were collected in the field. These monoliths were transported to a growth chamber, where they were subjected to a water stress experiment consisting of two treatments: with and without water stress. Water stress involved the suspension of irrigation for 20 days. Subsequently, each monolith was sown with seeds of E. plana. Community characteristics and seedling emergence were assessed. Seedling emergence and survival of E. plana were compared across water stress treatments and communities, and relationships with functional groups cover, standing dead biomass, bare soil, and species richness were analyzed.
Results
Differences in E. plana germination and survival were primarily associated with grassland community type rather than the effect of water stress. The sparsely vegetated community exhibited the highest levels of invasion, regardless of water stress, compared with densely and tall densely vegetated communities. The invasion of E. plana was negatively associated with the cover of erect grasses (its own functional group) and with species richness, both variables that decreased with water stress.
Conclusions
The germination of E. plana was mainly limited by biotic factors that varied among grassland communities, particularly the cover of erect grasses and species richness, both of which can decline under water stress. Management of E. plana should consider the heterogeneity of grassland communities in eastern Uruguay, especially the high invasibility of the sparsely vegetated community.
{"title":"Does Water Stress Affect Community Invasibility in a SubHumid Temperate Grassland?","authors":"Maira Soares de Lima, Luis López-Mársico, Micaela Abrigo, Anaclara Guido","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Under climate change scenarios, droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe in some regions, influencing the likelihood of successful biological invasion in ecosystems. We evaluate the effect of water stress on the invasibility of different Uruguayan grassland communities, focusing on the potential invasion of <i>Eragrostis plana</i>.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eastern Uruguay grasslands, <i>Campos</i> of Río de la Plata grasslands.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Monoliths from three grassland communities (sparsely, densely, and tall densely vegetated communities), which differ in soil characteristics and species diversity, were collected in the field. These monoliths were transported to a growth chamber, where they were subjected to a water stress experiment consisting of two treatments: with and without water stress. Water stress involved the suspension of irrigation for 20 days. Subsequently, each monolith was sown with seeds of <i>E. plana</i>. Community characteristics and seedling emergence were assessed. Seedling emergence and survival of <i>E. plana</i> were compared across water stress treatments and communities, and relationships with functional groups cover, standing dead biomass, bare soil, and species richness were analyzed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Differences in <i>E. plana</i> germination and survival were primarily associated with grassland community type rather than the effect of water stress. The sparsely vegetated community exhibited the highest levels of invasion, regardless of water stress, compared with densely and tall densely vegetated communities. The invasion of <i>E. plana</i> was negatively associated with the cover of erect grasses (its own functional group) and with species richness, both variables that decreased with water stress.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The germination of <i>E. plana</i> was mainly limited by biotic factors that varied among grassland communities, particularly the cover of erect grasses and species richness, both of which can decline under water stress. Management of <i>E. plana</i> should consider the heterogeneity of grassland communities in eastern Uruguay, especially the high invasibility of the sparsely vegetated community.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145146451","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}
<div> <section> <h3> Questions</h3> <p>Structurally dominant species can be especially influential in plant community assembly and ecosystem function as Species of Unusual Effect (SUEs). For example, indigenous bunchgrasses function as foundation species and ecosystem engineers in the naturally high-diversity groundcover of longleaf pine savannas. Other species structurally dominate relatively small, discrete patches across the savanna landscape, for example, the fern <i>Pteridium aquilinum</i> and the shrub <i>Ilex glabra</i>. Do patch-level species richness or composition of assemblages of groundcover plants, or of arthropods, differ between bunchgrass-dominated groundcover and groundcover dominated by <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i>?</p> </section> <section> <h3> Location</h3> <p>We conducted our study in a restored longleaf pine savanna in southeastern Louisiana.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>We compared the groundcover plant and arthropod assemblages within discrete patches structurally dominated by <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i> to adjacent areas dominated by indigenous bunchgrasses. We compared local plant species richness and composition, stem density, aboveground dry biomass, and litter dry biomass, as well as arthropod species richness and composition, abundance, and dry biomass.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>Species richness and stem density of nondominant groundcover plants were significantly lower in patches of <i>P. aquilinum</i> and <i>I. glabra</i> than within bunchgrass-dominated areas. Species composition of nondominant groundcover plants was more variable within <i>I. glabra</i> patches compared to bunchgrass areas. Arthropod species richness and abundance were also significantly lower in patches of <i>P. aquilinum</i> compared to bunchgrass areas, and species composition of arthropods differed significantly between <i>P. aquilinum</i> patches and bunchgrass areas.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>At the local scale of groundcover plant patches—along with their attendant arthropods—indigenous bunchgrasses are associated with higher species richness compared to either of the alternative foundation species <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i>. Removal experiments, community-assembly experiments, or reciprocal replacement experiments should be conducted to test the hypothesis that these species differentially influence the groundcover as, respectively, diversity-en
{"title":"Contrasting Species Richness in Patches of Alternative Foundation Species Suggests a Framework for Understanding Species of Unusual Effect","authors":"Carrie A. Barker, Kyle E. Harms","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Structurally dominant species can be especially influential in plant community assembly and ecosystem function as Species of Unusual Effect (SUEs). For example, indigenous bunchgrasses function as foundation species and ecosystem engineers in the naturally high-diversity groundcover of longleaf pine savannas. Other species structurally dominate relatively small, discrete patches across the savanna landscape, for example, the fern <i>Pteridium aquilinum</i> and the shrub <i>Ilex glabra</i>. Do patch-level species richness or composition of assemblages of groundcover plants, or of arthropods, differ between bunchgrass-dominated groundcover and groundcover dominated by <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i>?</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted our study in a restored longleaf pine savanna in southeastern Louisiana.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We compared the groundcover plant and arthropod assemblages within discrete patches structurally dominated by <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i> to adjacent areas dominated by indigenous bunchgrasses. We compared local plant species richness and composition, stem density, aboveground dry biomass, and litter dry biomass, as well as arthropod species richness and composition, abundance, and dry biomass.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Species richness and stem density of nondominant groundcover plants were significantly lower in patches of <i>P. aquilinum</i> and <i>I. glabra</i> than within bunchgrass-dominated areas. Species composition of nondominant groundcover plants was more variable within <i>I. glabra</i> patches compared to bunchgrass areas. Arthropod species richness and abundance were also significantly lower in patches of <i>P. aquilinum</i> compared to bunchgrass areas, and species composition of arthropods differed significantly between <i>P. aquilinum</i> patches and bunchgrass areas.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>At the local scale of groundcover plant patches—along with their attendant arthropods—indigenous bunchgrasses are associated with higher species richness compared to either of the alternative foundation species <i>P. aquilinum</i> or <i>I. glabra</i>. Removal experiments, community-assembly experiments, or reciprocal replacement experiments should be conducted to test the hypothesis that these species differentially influence the groundcover as, respectively, diversity-en","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70070","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145146450","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}
Invasive alien plants can severely impact ecosystem diversity and function. While the effects of individual species are often studied, interactions between multiple invasive species are less understood. This study examines how Asclepias syriaca and Solidago spp. (including Solidago gigantea and S. canadensis) influence taxonomic and functional diversity in sandy old-fields. The aims are to: (1) assess the individual and combined impacts of Asclepias and Solidago on resident plant diversity and (2) determine whether interactions between these species alter their effects on the invaded community.
Location
Gödöllő Hills, Central Hungary.
Methods
I sampled 80 plots (2 m × 2 m) on sandy old-fields with varying levels of Asclepias and Solidago cover. Plant species cover was visually estimated, and trait data were obtained from databases. Species richness, community completeness, and community-weighted means (CWM) for plant traits, along with Rao functional diversity, were analyzed. Generalized linear and mixed models were used to evaluate the effect of invasive cover on resident diversity and traits, both with and without considering the invasives' traits in community indices.
Results
While Asclepias had no significant effect, Solidago cover significantly reduced species richness and community completeness. When invasive species traits were excluded from the analysis, only the CWM and Rao's diversity of the bud bank index were significantly related to Solidago cover. Including the invasives' traits revealed that their trait values influenced community indices significantly. Asclepias and Solidago cover were negatively correlated, but did not alter each other's effects.
Conclusions
Solidago has a stronger negative impact on resident species richness than Asclepias, which appears neutral. Trait-based mechanisms underlying reduced species richness under Solidago dominance require further investigation. The lack of interaction between these invaders suggests their individual impacts dominate over potential synergies or antagonisms.
目的外来植物入侵严重影响生态系统的多样性和功能。虽然个体物种的影响经常被研究，但多种入侵物种之间的相互作用却鲜为人知。本研究探讨了叙利亚黄花苜蓿（Asclepias syriaca）和加拿大黄花苜蓿（Solidago gigantea和S. canadensis）对沙质老田植物分类和功能多样性的影响。研究的目的是：(1)评估金牛花和一枝黄花对入侵植物多样性的单独和联合影响；(2)确定这两种植物之间的相互作用是否会改变它们对入侵群落的影响。位置Gödöllő匈牙利中部山丘。方法在沙质老田取样80个样地（面积2 m × 2 m），样地覆盖不同程度的牛膝草和一枝黄花。目测植物物种盖度，从数据库中获取性状数据。分析了植物物种丰富度、群落完整性、群落加权平均值（CWM）和Rao功能多样性。采用广义线性模型和混合模型，在考虑和不考虑群落指数中入侵物种特征的情况下，评价了入侵覆盖对生物多样性和生物性状的影响。结果黄花蒿覆盖对植物群落的丰富度和完整性影响不显著，黄花蒿覆盖显著降低了植物群落的丰富度和完整性。在排除入侵物种特征的情况下，只有CWM和Rao's芽库多样性指数与黄花盖度显著相关。包括入侵物种的性状，表明其性状值对群落指数有显著影响。黄花和黄花覆被呈负相关，但不改变彼此的影响。结论一枝黄花对常住物种丰富度的负向影响强于牛蒡草，呈中性。一枝黄花优势下物种丰富度降低的性状机制有待进一步研究。这些入侵者之间缺乏相互作用，表明它们的个体影响比潜在的协同作用或对抗作用更重要。
{"title":"Beyond Single Invaders: Disentangling the Effects of Co-Invading Alien Forbs on Sandy Old-Fields","authors":"Attila Lengyel","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Invasive alien plants can severely impact ecosystem diversity and function. While the effects of individual species are often studied, interactions between multiple invasive species are less understood. This study examines how <i>Asclepias syriaca</i> and <i>Solidago</i> spp. (including <i>Solidago gigantea</i> and <i>S. canadensis</i>) influence taxonomic and functional diversity in sandy old-fields. The aims are to: (1) assess the individual and combined impacts of <i>Asclepias</i> and <i>Solidago</i> on resident plant diversity and (2) determine whether interactions between these species alter their effects on the invaded community.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Gödöllő Hills, Central Hungary.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>I sampled 80 plots (2 m × 2 m) on sandy old-fields with varying levels of <i>Asclepias</i> and <i>Solidago</i> cover. Plant species cover was visually estimated, and trait data were obtained from databases. Species richness, community completeness, and community-weighted means (CWM) for plant traits, along with Rao functional diversity, were analyzed. Generalized linear and mixed models were used to evaluate the effect of invasive cover on resident diversity and traits, both with and without considering the invasives' traits in community indices.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While <i>Asclepias</i> had no significant effect, <i>Solidago</i> cover significantly reduced species richness and community completeness. When invasive species traits were excluded from the analysis, only the CWM and Rao's diversity of the bud bank index were significantly related to <i>Solidago</i> cover. Including the invasives' traits revealed that their trait values influenced community indices significantly. <i>Asclepias</i> and <i>Solidago</i> cover were negatively correlated, but did not alter each other's effects.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Solidago</i> has a stronger negative impact on resident species richness than <i>Asclepias</i>, which appears neutral. Trait-based mechanisms underlying reduced species richness under <i>Solidago</i> dominance require further investigation. The lack of interaction between these invaders suggests their individual impacts dominate over potential synergies or antagonisms.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70068","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145197054","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}
Manuel de Paz, Matías Carruitero, Miriam E. Gobbi, Estela Raffaele
Aims
This study examined the impact of tephra fall on microsite conditions and plant–plant interaction networks, as well as the extent to which different nurse species groups with varying traits (evergreen and deciduous) influence the outcomes of microsite conditions and facilitated species composition.
Location
Four shrublands located in Nahuel Huapi National Park, in Northern Patagonia, Argentina (41°11′55.34″ S, 71°19′43.07″ W).
Methods
We selected 10 woody species as nurse species: five evergreens and five deciduous species. We recorded the microsite conditions, species composition and total cover below nurse species and in open spaces during three consecutive years: two previous to tephra fall that differed in their rainfall and one after tephra fall. We determined the facilitated species with the relative interaction intensity in plants (RII) index, constructed facilitation networks and analysed the species composition below nurses and in open spaces. We experimentally determined the tephra effect on the emergence and survival of two emblematic tree species, the native Austrocedrus chilensis and the exotic conifer Pseudotsuga menziesii.
Results
Our study detected significant changes in microsite conditions, species composition and relative abundance due to tephra fall. The characteristics of microsites were changed by tephra fall, homogenising the studied shrubland and consequently affecting the plant–plant interaction. The experimental results demonstrated that the factor influencing the emergence of the coniferous trees under investigation was the thickness of the tephra, rather than the seedling species or type of tephra.
Conclusions
Our findings provide insights into the patterns and mechanisms of facilitation networks in Patagonian shrublands. We found that networks were robust and, despite some decreases in facilitation interactions, the generalist network structure was resilient to microsite changes due to the tephra and contributed to community maintenance. Although tephra fall is a natural disturbance in the region, it is necessary to deepen the implications for the exotic pine invasion dynamics in future research.
{"title":"Effects of a Recent Volcanic Eruption on Facilitation Networks in Shrublands of Northwest Patagonia, Argentina","authors":"Manuel de Paz, Matías Carruitero, Miriam E. Gobbi, Estela Raffaele","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examined the impact of tephra fall on microsite conditions and plant–plant interaction networks, as well as the extent to which different nurse species groups with varying traits (evergreen and deciduous) influence the outcomes of microsite conditions and facilitated species composition.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Four shrublands located in Nahuel Huapi National Park, in Northern Patagonia, Argentina (41°11′55.34″ S, 71°19′43.07″ W).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We selected 10 woody species as nurse species: five evergreens and five deciduous species. We recorded the microsite conditions, species composition and total cover below nurse species and in open spaces during three consecutive years: two previous to tephra fall that differed in their rainfall and one after tephra fall. We determined the facilitated species with the relative interaction intensity in plants (RII) index, constructed facilitation networks and analysed the species composition below nurses and in open spaces. We experimentally determined the tephra effect on the emergence and survival of two emblematic tree species, the native <i>Austrocedrus chilensis</i> and the exotic conifer <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study detected significant changes in microsite conditions, species composition and relative abundance due to tephra fall. The characteristics of microsites were changed by tephra fall, homogenising the studied shrubland and consequently affecting the plant–plant interaction. The experimental results demonstrated that the factor influencing the emergence of the coniferous trees under investigation was the thickness of the tephra, rather than the seedling species or type of tephra.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings provide insights into the patterns and mechanisms of facilitation networks in Patagonian shrublands. We found that networks were robust and, despite some decreases in facilitation interactions, the generalist network structure was resilient to microsite changes due to the tephra and contributed to community maintenance. Although tephra fall is a natural disturbance in the region, it is necessary to deepen the implications for the exotic pine invasion dynamics in future research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102018","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}
Neltuma juliflora (formerly Prosopis juliflora) was introduced to Botswana's Kgalagadi District in the 1980s to combat desertification and bind sand dunes. The species has since spread to the adjacent Gantsi District, and it is currently a pervasive problem in several arid and semi-arid regions. However, studies on the ecological consequences of N. juliflora invasion in Botswana are scarce. We assessed vegetation community characteristics and soil variables in paired invaded and uninvaded plots to explore the impact of N. juliflora invasion.
Location
Savanna rangeland, Gantsi District, Botswana.
Methods
We established 10 × 10 m pairwise plots of invaded (with N. juliflora; n = 20) and uninvaded (without N. julifora; n = 20) communities, and compared them in terms of vegetation characteristics (richness, density, diversity, composition and dominant native species) and soil properties (soil carbon, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium, pH, nitrogen and cation exchange capacity) and assessed an invasion index.
Results
Invasion of N. juliflora was associated with a significantly lower total species richness (−19%), native species richness (−26%), forb species richness (−34% lower), total plant density (−22%), and native plant density (−29%), while grass species richness and density were unchanged. Diversity indices were lower in invaded plots considering all plant species, native plant species and forbs. Total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity were 36% and 40% higher in invaded plots, respectively.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that N. juliflora invasion is associated with lower native biodiversity and higher values for some soil chemical properties. As uninvaded plots had denser and taller stands of native tree species, maintaining and protecting native vegetation will likely help slow invasion. Further research is needed to understand ongoing impacts and quantify the effect of N. juliflora invasion on ecosystem carbon storage and biodiversity of non-plant taxa.
{"title":"The Woody Invasive Plant Neltuma juliflora Influences Plant Species Richness and Soil Chemistry in Botswana","authors":"Tshegofatso Chilume, Kashe Keotshepile, Cate Macinnis-Ng","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Neltuma juliflora</i> (formerly <i>Prosopis juliflora</i>) was introduced to Botswana's Kgalagadi District in the 1980s to combat desertification and bind sand dunes. The species has since spread to the adjacent Gantsi District, and it is currently a pervasive problem in several arid and semi-arid regions. However, studies on the ecological consequences of <i>N. juliflora</i> invasion in Botswana are scarce. We assessed vegetation community characteristics and soil variables in paired invaded and uninvaded plots to explore the impact of <i>N. juliflora</i> invasion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Savanna rangeland, Gantsi District, Botswana.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We established 10 × 10 m pairwise plots of invaded (with <i>N. juliflora</i>; <i>n</i> = 20) and uninvaded (without <i>N. julifora</i>; <i>n</i> = 20) communities, and compared them in terms of vegetation characteristics (richness, density, diversity, composition and dominant native species) and soil properties (soil carbon, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium, pH, nitrogen and cation exchange capacity) and assessed an invasion index.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Invasion of <i>N. juliflora</i> was associated with a significantly lower total species richness (−19%), native species richness (−26%), forb species richness (−34% lower), total plant density (−22%), and native plant density (−29%), while grass species richness and density were unchanged. Diversity indices were lower in invaded plots considering all plant species, native plant species and forbs. Total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity were 36% and 40% higher in invaded plots, respectively.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results suggest that <i>N. juliflora</i> invasion is associated with lower native biodiversity and higher values for some soil chemical properties. As uninvaded plots had denser and taller stands of native tree species, maintaining and protecting native vegetation will likely help slow invasion. Further research is needed to understand ongoing impacts and quantify the effect of <i>N. juliflora</i> invasion on ecosystem carbon storage and biodiversity of non-plant taxa.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70069","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145101522","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}
Melissa R. Gerwin, Shane A. Richards, Elizabeth M. Wandrag, Mark J. Hovenden
Aims
How high-altitude plant communities will respond to climate change is unclear as studies often investigate warming effects in isolation. We asked how a species-rich subalpine meadow community responds to the combination of warmer, drier conditions using experimental manipulations. Specifically, we quantified responses to climate manipulation using Hill diversity, Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and abundance change at community, functional group and individual species levels.
Location
Subalpine meadow, Tasmania, Australia.
Methods
In an orthogonal design, we used open-top warming chambers and rainout shelters to simulate warm, drought and heatwave conditions. Responses of the plant community were assessed through estimates of species cover taken at peak biomass using an array of 400 contiguous 25 × 25 mm cells in fixed-position quadrats.
Results
After 3 years of climatic manipulations, warmed plots were less diverse than their respective controls, whereas neither drought nor heatwave treatments influenced community diversity or composition. Community composition in warmed plots diverged substantially from controls, driven by a reduction in grass, moss and small rosette forb abundance and an increase in sedge abundance with warming, though species responses within functional groups varied. Furthermore, compositional changes caused by warming were most pronounced in drier conditions, indicating this system may be vulnerable to simultaneous changes in temperature and precipitation.
Conclusions
Experimental warming caused a marked shift in community composition of this subalpine meadow, with the greatest response to warming occurring in dry sites. Our results indicate a crucial role of local soil water availability in mediating global climate change impacts on subalpine plant communities.
{"title":"Dry Soils Increase the Impact of Experimental Warming on Plant Community Composition in an Australian Subalpine Meadow","authors":"Melissa R. Gerwin, Shane A. Richards, Elizabeth M. Wandrag, Mark J. Hovenden","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>How high-altitude plant communities will respond to climate change is unclear as studies often investigate warming effects in isolation. We asked how a species-rich subalpine meadow community responds to the combination of warmer, drier conditions using experimental manipulations. Specifically, we quantified responses to climate manipulation using Hill diversity, Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and abundance change at community, functional group and individual species levels.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Subalpine meadow, Tasmania, Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In an orthogonal design, we used open-top warming chambers and rainout shelters to simulate warm, drought and heatwave conditions. Responses of the plant community were assessed through estimates of species cover taken at peak biomass using an array of 400 contiguous 25 × 25 mm cells in fixed-position quadrats.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>After 3 years of climatic manipulations, warmed plots were less diverse than their respective controls, whereas neither drought nor heatwave treatments influenced community diversity or composition. Community composition in warmed plots diverged substantially from controls, driven by a reduction in grass, moss and small rosette forb abundance and an increase in sedge abundance with warming, though species responses within functional groups varied. Furthermore, compositional changes caused by warming were most pronounced in drier conditions, indicating this system may be vulnerable to simultaneous changes in temperature and precipitation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Experimental warming caused a marked shift in community composition of this subalpine meadow, with the greatest response to warming occurring in dry sites. Our results indicate a crucial role of local soil water availability in mediating global climate change impacts on subalpine plant communities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70065","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145062549","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}
Sergio de Tomás-Marín, Francesco de Bello, Javier Galán Díaz, Francisco J. Muñoz-Gálvez, Iván Prieto, Enrique G. de la Riva
Question
How do tree canopy cover and soil nutrients shape the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of sub-Mediterranean grasslands?
Location
Valdebezana's valley (Burgos, Northern Spain).
Methods
We measured 10 above- and belowground plant functional raits related to resource acquisition strategies and dispersal ability from four sub-Mediterranean grasslands dominated by species with different biogeographic origins (Eurosiberian vs. Mediterranean). Then, we estimated patterns in taxonomic composition and compared the levels of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity indices among communities and estimated their phylogenetic and functional assembly patterns, together with the decoupled functional diversity. Additionally, we estimated the influence of tree canopy and soil nutrients in shaping such patterns.
Results
Communities segregated according to their biogeographic origin (Eurosiberian vs. Mediterranean) along a soil resource gradient, matching the economics spectrum expectation. Taxonomic diversity differed significantly between biogeographic origins, but phylogenetic or functional diversity did not. Assembly patterns showed phylogenetic over-dispersion accompanied by functional clustering, with a significant effect of decoupling. Differences in taxonomic diversity were driven by edaphic factors, while canopy closure mainly influenced phylogenetic and functional patterns.
Conclusions
Sub-Mediterranean grasslands are highly rich in all facets of biodiversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional) and in assembly processes. In these habitats, local conditions may influence the structure and composition of herbaceous plant communities, highlighting the fragility of ecotones to environmental variations. Our results underline the need to develop proper management actions to preserve ecotone grassland communities; for instance, the creation of heterogeneous environments combining forest patches with open areas to maximize their biodiversity and functionality.
{"title":"How Do Tree Canopy and Soil Nutrients Drive Distinct Facets of Diversity and Community Assembly in Sub-Mediterranean Grasslands?","authors":"Sergio de Tomás-Marín, Francesco de Bello, Javier Galán Díaz, Francisco J. Muñoz-Gálvez, Iván Prieto, Enrique G. de la Riva","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>How do tree canopy cover and soil nutrients shape the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of sub-Mediterranean grasslands?</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Valdebezana's valley (Burgos, Northern Spain).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We measured 10 above- and belowground plant functional raits related to resource acquisition strategies and dispersal ability from four sub-Mediterranean grasslands dominated by species with different biogeographic origins (Eurosiberian vs. Mediterranean). Then, we estimated patterns in taxonomic composition and compared the levels of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity indices among communities and estimated their phylogenetic and functional assembly patterns, together with the decoupled functional diversity. Additionally, we estimated the influence of tree canopy and soil nutrients in shaping such patterns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Communities segregated according to their biogeographic origin (Eurosiberian vs. Mediterranean) along a soil resource gradient, matching the economics spectrum expectation. Taxonomic diversity differed significantly between biogeographic origins, but phylogenetic or functional diversity did not. Assembly patterns showed phylogenetic over-dispersion accompanied by functional clustering, with a significant effect of decoupling. Differences in taxonomic diversity were driven by edaphic factors, while canopy closure mainly influenced phylogenetic and functional patterns.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sub-Mediterranean grasslands are highly rich in all facets of biodiversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional) and in assembly processes. In these habitats, local conditions may influence the structure and composition of herbaceous plant communities, highlighting the fragility of ecotones to environmental variations. Our results underline the need to develop proper management actions to preserve ecotone grassland communities; for instance, the creation of heterogeneous environments combining forest patches with open areas to maximize their biodiversity and functionality.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145038193","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}
Aud H. Halbritter, Joe Atkinson, Celesté Maré, Sam J. Ahler, Emil A. S. Andersen, Pia M. Bradler, Marta Correia, Alexander Elsy, Susan E. Eshelman, Sonya R. Geange, Meghan Hayden, Dickson Mauki, Julia Eckberg, Joshua Erkelenz, Coskun Guclu, Cora Ena Löwenstein, Brian S. Maitner, Marta Baumane, Hilary Rose Dawson, Brian Enquist, Josef C. Garen, Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, Julia Chacon Labella, Kai Lepley, Sean T. Michaletz, Bernard Olivier, Courtenay A. Ray, Jonathan von Oppen, Richard J. Telford, Vigdis Vandvik
Questions
Alpine grasslands are affected by a range of global change drivers, including land-use change, climate warming and pollution. How these drivers interact and affect plant functional communities is poorly understood. We used plant functional traits to test the single and interactive effects of warming, nitrogen addition and grazing on alpine grassland communities and assessed the importance of intraspecific trait variation.
Location
Alpine and sub-alpine grasslands in western Norway.
Methods
For three years, we applied global change treatments to test the effects of warming with nitrogen addition, and warming with grazing at an alpine and sub-alpine plant community. We measured six plant functional traits related to plant size and leaf economics, including intraspecific trait variation.
Results
Our results show that warming and nitrogen addition shifted size-related traits in plant communities towards taller plants with larger leaves, and more strongly in the alpine than in the sub-alpine plant community. Warming also affected leaf economic traits, promoting faster traits in the alpine and slower traits in the sub-alpine plant community. Grazing shifted communities to faster leaves (grazing tolerant) in the sub-alpine community and slower leaves (grazing avoidance) in the alpine community. There were no interactive effects between the global change drivers. The relative contributions of species turnover and intraspecific trait variation to overall trait variation differed between origins of the two plant communities.
Conclusions
We show that these global change drivers shift alpine and sub-alpine plant communities in different directions, likely due to differences in resource availability. Our results support the need for site-specific management strategies in these systems.
{"title":"Effects of Warming, Nitrogen and Grazing on Plant Functional Traits Differ Between Alpine and Sub-Alpine Grasslands","authors":"Aud H. Halbritter, Joe Atkinson, Celesté Maré, Sam J. Ahler, Emil A. S. Andersen, Pia M. Bradler, Marta Correia, Alexander Elsy, Susan E. Eshelman, Sonya R. Geange, Meghan Hayden, Dickson Mauki, Julia Eckberg, Joshua Erkelenz, Coskun Guclu, Cora Ena Löwenstein, Brian S. Maitner, Marta Baumane, Hilary Rose Dawson, Brian Enquist, Josef C. Garen, Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, Julia Chacon Labella, Kai Lepley, Sean T. Michaletz, Bernard Olivier, Courtenay A. Ray, Jonathan von Oppen, Richard J. Telford, Vigdis Vandvik","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Alpine grasslands are affected by a range of global change drivers, including land-use change, climate warming and pollution. How these drivers interact and affect plant functional communities is poorly understood. We used plant functional traits to test the single and interactive effects of warming, nitrogen addition and grazing on alpine grassland communities and assessed the importance of intraspecific trait variation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Alpine and sub-alpine grasslands in western Norway.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>For three years, we applied global change treatments to test the effects of warming with nitrogen addition, and warming with grazing at an alpine and sub-alpine plant community. We measured six plant functional traits related to plant size and leaf economics, including intraspecific trait variation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results show that warming and nitrogen addition shifted size-related traits in plant communities towards taller plants with larger leaves, and more strongly in the alpine than in the sub-alpine plant community. Warming also affected leaf economic traits, promoting faster traits in the alpine and slower traits in the sub-alpine plant community. Grazing shifted communities to faster leaves (grazing <i>tolerant</i>) in the sub-alpine community and slower leaves (grazing <i>avoidance</i>) in the alpine community. There were no interactive effects between the global change drivers. The relative contributions of species turnover and intraspecific trait variation to overall trait variation differed between origins of the two plant communities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We show that these global change drivers shift alpine and sub-alpine plant communities in different directions, likely due to differences in resource availability. Our results support the need for site-specific management strategies in these systems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145022042","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}
Raphael S. von Büren, Michael Zehnder, Jonathan von Oppen, Christian Rossi, Sonja Wipf, Sabine Rumpf
Aim
The role of microclimate in influencing range limits and vegetation shifts, especially in topographically heterogeneous mountain ecosystems, has gained attention in recent years. However, disturbance by large animals and snow pressure complicate reliable year-round time series of microclimatic measurements near the soil surface, calling for more robust logger setups.
Location
Swiss Alps.
Methods
We presented a novel, low-cost, and effective method to monitor above- and belowground microclimate in mountain environments year-round that withstands large animals and snow pressure and is suitable for remote areas. Specifically, we customized the widely used TOMST TMS-4 data loggers and tested their functionality and reliability in a factorial field experiment as well as in a regional-scale field study in heterogeneous mountain terrain.
Results
We found that standard TMS-4 loggers were frequently destroyed by snow creep or snow pressure over winter, but customized loggers remained intact. In addition, camera-trap footage demonstrated that only customized loggers were efficiently protected against large mammals, such as wolves, foxes, red deer, and chamois. The customization of loggers had ecologically negligible effects on the recorded above- and belowground microclimate.
Conclusions
With this method, we enable combined monitoring of air, surface, and soil temperatures as well as soil moisture in alpine environments throughout the year, and thus the collection of crucial microclimatic variables for research in mountain ecosystems.
{"title":"A Novel Method for Monitoring Above- and Belowground Microclimates in Mountain Ecosystems Year-Round","authors":"Raphael S. von Büren, Michael Zehnder, Jonathan von Oppen, Christian Rossi, Sonja Wipf, Sabine Rumpf","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The role of microclimate in influencing range limits and vegetation shifts, especially in topographically heterogeneous mountain ecosystems, has gained attention in recent years. However, disturbance by large animals and snow pressure complicate reliable year-round time series of microclimatic measurements near the soil surface, calling for more robust logger setups.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Swiss Alps.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We presented a novel, low-cost, and effective method to monitor above- and belowground microclimate in mountain environments year-round that withstands large animals and snow pressure and is suitable for remote areas. Specifically, we customized the widely used TOMST TMS-4 data loggers and tested their functionality and reliability in a factorial field experiment as well as in a regional-scale field study in heterogeneous mountain terrain.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found that standard TMS-4 loggers were frequently destroyed by snow creep or snow pressure over winter, but customized loggers remained intact. In addition, camera-trap footage demonstrated that only customized loggers were efficiently protected against large mammals, such as wolves, foxes, red deer, and chamois. The customization of loggers had ecologically negligible effects on the recorded above- and belowground microclimate.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>With this method, we enable combined monitoring of air, surface, and soil temperatures as well as soil moisture in alpine environments throughout the year, and thus the collection of crucial microclimatic variables for research in mountain ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007906","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号