Calcium intolerance of fen mosses: Physiological evidence, effects of nutrient availability and successional drivers

Vicherová, Eliška; Hájek, Michal; Hájek, Tomáš

doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2015.06.005

Cited by 59 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Instead, the new results indicate a possible ecological-biogeographical explanation based on magnesium toxicity at a low Ca:Mg ratio that may operate on some bedrocks (serpentinite, dolomite). Sphagnum warnstorfii is one of few species of Sphagnum, which frequently grows in calcium-and especially magnesium-rich fens, while the physiological tolerance of calcium and magnesium by S. subnitens and S. contortum is low (Kooijman 2012, Vicherová et al 2015. Despite this, S. subnitens is frequently found in calcium-rich fens .…”

Section: Higher Genetic Variation Recorded For Sphagnum Warnstorfii Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salmerón-Sánchez et al (2014) report that geographical isolation and arid environments in general are more important factors for genetic differentiation in Jurinea pinnata than dolomite or gypsum bedrock. The genetic structure of S. warnstorfii populations is so clearly governed by magnesium-rich bedrock because (i) in (serpentinite or dolomite) wetlands it is not limited by drought, unlike in a dryland habitat, (ii) good dispersal ability of bryophytes (Sundberg 2013, Mikulášková et al 2015 diminishes geographical effects and redistributes genotypes across entire regions where magnesium-rich substrates are present and (iii) magnesium toxicity causally affects the survival of peat mosses at least at the stage of protonemata, which are sensitive to metal ions (Kapur & Chopra 1989, Vicherová et al 2015. Magnesium is an important intracellular element that is accumulated inside cells .…”

Section: Magnesium Toxicity As An Evolutionary Trigger For Wetland Brmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Magnesium is an important intracellular element that is accumulated inside cells . Vicherová et al (2015) experimentally found that magnesium bicarbonate is more toxic and has a different effect on survival and growth of fen species of bryophytes than calcium bicarbonate, especially when supplied alone. In their study, only S. squarrosum, S. teres, S. flexuosum and S. warnstorfii survived in 2.4 mM Mg(HCO 3 ) 2 and when Mg 2+ were combined with Ca 2+ , each of the ions either ceased to be toxic or was generally less toxic.…”

Section: Magnesium Toxicity As An Evolutionary Trigger For Wetland Brmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even more useful could be the experimental cultivation of individual genotypes under different Mg:Ca ratios and the searching for specific genes and physiological traits that determine magnesium tolerance. Besides hummock formation, control over the balance of intracellular Ca/Mg uptake/efflux is a presumable factor in calcium and magnesium tolerance (Vicherová et al 2015); resolving the genetic background of this adaptation is an exacting task for the future. Recently started sequencing of the Sphagnum genome, with complementary analyses of gene expression using transcriptomics may hence shed more light on the genetic background of calcium and magnesium tolerance in peat mosses.…”

Section: Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They rarely occur on serpentinite or dolomite bedrock and, indeed, only a few populations were found on these bedrocks. In addition, S. subnitens, unlike S. warnstorfii, does not survive cultivation in magnesium hydrogencarbonate (Vicherová et al 2015). It is hypothesized that the rather broad niche of S. warnstorfii, including fens on serpentinite and dolomite, results from its specific genetic variation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microsatellite variation in three calcium-tolerant species of peat moss detected specific genotypes of Sphagnum warnstorfii on magnesium-rich bedrock

Mikulášková¹,

Veleba²,

Šmerda³

et al. 2017

Preslia

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Peat mosses are a key functional group in peatlands, driving biogeochemical cycles, habitat development and changes in species composition. They are generally intolerant of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate, but some species are adapted to mineral-rich fens. A previous study found a coincidence between genetic variation and the ability to tolerate high pH/calcium levels in Sphagnum warnstorfii. Here we compare its microsatellite variation with that of two rarer calcium-tolerant species (Sphagnum subnitens, S. contortum), using a novel data set from Eurasia. Because physiological experiments indicate that S. warnstorfii can tolerate high magnesium levels, we included also samples from dolomite and serpentinite. Genetic diversity of S. warnstorfii was higher than that of other species. The Bayesian analysis in program Structure resulted in two population groups of S. warnstorfii. One group coincided with dolomite (Italy, Austria, Estonia) and moderately magnesium-rich (but calcium-poor) rocks (serpentinite, metadolerite, cordieritebearing migmatite on the Bohemian Massif), while the second one coincided with magnesiumpoor bedrock across Eurasia. The principal coordinate analysis revealed a cline between populations from magnesium-rich and magnesium-poor bedrocks, with populations from dolomite and serpentinite forming one extreme. Populations from magnesium-poor bedrock located far from any dolomite or serpentinite formed the opposite extreme of the cline. We demonstrate for the first time that magnesium toxicity may drive bryophyte microevolution, as has repeatedly been shown for vascular plants, including ferns. K e y w o r d s: Bryophyta,

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Section: Higher Genetic Variation Recorded For Sphagnum Warnstorfii Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Magnesium Toxicity As An Evolutionary Trigger For Wetland Brmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Magnesium Toxicity As An Evolutionary Trigger For Wetland Brmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microsatellite variation in three calcium-tolerant species of peat moss detected specific genotypes of Sphagnum warnstorfii on magnesium-rich bedrock

Mikulášková¹,

Veleba²,

Šmerda³

et al. 2017

Preslia

Self Cite

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Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Singh

Hájková

Jiroušek

et al. 2022

Ecological Applications

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An undesired succession of rich fens leads to the formation of dense Sphagnum carpets that outcompete brown mosses and some vascular plants, resulting in biodiversity loss in fen habitats of high conservation importance. Small‐scale Sphagnum removal is a rarely implemented conservational measure, whose success may depend on soil alkalinity and fertility (i.e., nutrient availability). Therefore, characterizing the effects of pH and fertility levels would potentially allow for the development of better Sphagnum removal strategies. Two experiments were conducted across 24 rich fens of different alkalinity and fertility located in an area of ~32,000 km2 spanning from the Bohemian Massif to the Western Carpathians (Europe). We hypothesized that high alkalinity and low fertility support the restoration of rich fen vegetation after Sphagnum removal. Our study focused on four different Sphagnum groups. In Experiment 1, the treatment plots remained unfenced. In Experiment 2, the treatment plots were fenced off and target brown mosses were transplanted from the surroundings to overcome dispersal limitations. A repeated‐measures design was used, with vegetation composition recorded over a 5‐year period. High alkalinity rather than fertility facilitated species richness and the appearance of target brown mosses. High alkalinity generally hindered Sphagnum recovery, whereas high fertility supported the recurrence of S. teres and S. recurvum agg. Under high pH conditions, enhanced fertility further correlated with the spread of nonsphagnaceous generalist bryophytes of low conservation value. Despite sustaining a significant overall reduction, all Sphagnum taxa began to recover throughout the experiment, albeit less obviously in fens with S. warnstorfii. Sphagnum removal may reverse biodiversity loss and allow for the restoration of brown mosses in rich fens where Sphagnum cover had increased due to slight eutrophication, acidification, or a decrease in the water table. In alkaline and nutrient‐poor conditions (e.g., S. warnstorfii fens), the effect is evident and long lasting and the intervention may not be extensive. In fens dominated by S. teres or S. recurvum agg., repeated or large‐scale removal may be needed if high nutrient availability (potassium, phosphorus) or low alkalinity supports Sphagnum recolonization. Treatment plots with S. subgenus Sphagnum exhibited the least promising brown‐moss restoration prospects.

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Shading contributes to Sphagnum decline in response to warming

Norby,

Baxter,

Živković

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Experimental warming of an ombrotrophic bog in northern Minnesota has caused a rapid decline in the productivity and areal cover of Sphagnum mosses, affecting whole‐ecosystem carbon balance and biogeochemistry. Direct effects of elevated temperature and the attendant drying are most likely the primary cause of the effects on Sphagnum, but there may also be responses to the increased shading from shrubs, which increased with increasing temperature. To evaluate the independent effects of reduction in light availability and deposition of shrub litter on Sphagnum productivity, small plots with shrubs removed were laid out adjacent to the warming experiment on hummocks and hollows in three blocks and with five levels of shading. Four plots were covered with neutral density shade cloth to simulate shading from shrubs of 30%–90% reduction in light; one plot was left open. Growth of Sphagnum angustifolium/fallax and S. divinum declined linearly with increasing shade in hollows, but there was no response to shade on hummocks, where higher irradiance in the open plots may have been inhibitory. Shading caused etiolation of Sphagnum—they were thin and spindly under the deepest shade. A dense mat of shrub litter, corresponding to the amount of shrub litter produced in response to warming, did not inhibit Sphagnum growth or cause increases in potentially toxic base cations. CO2 exchange and chlorophyll‐a fluorescence of S. angustifolium/fallax from the 30% and 90% shade cloth plots were measured in the laboratory. Light response curves indicate that maximal light saturated photosynthesis was 42% greater for S. angustifolium/fallax grown under 30% shade cloth relative to plants grown under 90% shade cloth. The response of Sphagnum growth in response to increasing shade is consistent with the hypothesis that increased shade resulting from shrub expansion in response to experimental warming contributed to reduced Sphagnum growth.

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Calcium intolerance of fen mosses: Physiological evidence, effects of nutrient availability and successional drivers

Cited by 59 publications

References 77 publications

Microsatellite variation in three calcium-tolerant species of peat moss detected specific genotypes of Sphagnum warnstorfii on magnesium-rich bedrock

Microsatellite variation in three calcium-tolerant species of peat moss detected specific genotypes of Sphagnum warnstorfii on magnesium-rich bedrock

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

Shading contributes to Sphagnum decline in response to warming

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