Changes in Watering Frequency Stimulate Differentiated Adaptive Responses among Seedlings of Different Beech Populations

Varsamis, Georgios; Adamidis, George C.; Merou, Theodora; Takos, Ioannis; Tseniklidou, Katerina; Dimitrakopoulos, Panayiotis G.; Papageorgiou, Aristotelis C.

doi:10.3390/biology11020306

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 98 publications

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“…Leaf nitrogen content was not measured on Bromus commutatus , Phleum pratense and Trifolium campestre . Finally, leaf shape is a rarely measured trait that can however be indicative of the plant response strategy to temperature, drought, and light stress because broader leaves (smaller length/width ratio) have a larger layer of immobile air around the stomata (Nicotra et al 2011, Varsamis et al 2022). Here, an index of leaf shape was measured on each individual as leaf length/leaf width (unitless).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Delhaye,

Dimitrakopoulos,

Adamidis

2024

Preprint

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Serpentine ecosystems are characterized by multiple environmental stressors such as high levels of trace metals such as nickel (Ni), low availability of macronutrients and low water retention. These harsh environmental conditions exert a strong selective force on the vegetation, but their effect on the functional trait composition of the communities remains unknown. In 26 plots on four serpentine sites on Lesbos Island (Greece), we measured six leaf functional traits related to resource acquisition and stress resistance on the 20 most abundant plant species. We quantified the proportion of variance explained by inter- and intraspecific traits difference and tested if individual species show changes in trait values explained by soil Ni content. We investigated the selective value and the community level changes for each trait along the natural soil Ni gradient using a species multilevel model approach and functional diversity analyses. We also tested the role of the abundant serpentine endemicOdontarrhena lesbiacain driving these patterns. Intraspecific variation explained by soil Ni content is smaller than 2%, with most of the variance being explained by interspecific differences in trait values and most species do not show significant changes in trait values. At the community level, leaf thickness is the only trait driving an increase in species abundance along the gradient. Functional diversity analyses suggest a shift towards a stress tolerance syndrome (thick leaves with low SLA values) on Ni rich soils, but an increase in the diversity of these traits. However, these patterns are driven by the increasing abundance ofO. lesbiaca. When this species is excluded, there is an increase in the community mean leaf area and SLA, suggesting that the community does not respond to metallic stress with classical stress syndromes. Intraspecific variation in leaf trait responds little to soil metal toxicity. Endemic species harbour original trait values compared to species with broad distribution which should justify their conservation as a priority.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Delhaye,

Dimitrakopoulos,

Adamidis

2024

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Delhaye,

Dimitrakopoulos,

Adamidis

2024

Journal of Ecology

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Serpentine ecosystems are characterised by multiple environmental stressors: high levels of trace metals such as nickel (Ni), low availability of macronutrients and low water retention. These harsh environmental conditions exert a strong selective force on the vegetation, but their effect on community assembly processes and the functional trait composition remains unknown. In 26 plots on four serpentine sites on Lesbos Island (Greece), we measured six leaf functional traits related to resource acquisition and stress resistance on the 20 most abundant plant species. We quantified the proportion of variance explained by inter‐ and intraspecific trait differences and tested if individual species showed changes in trait values explained by soil Ni content. We investigated the adaptive value and the community level changes for each trait along the natural soil Ni gradient using a mixed model approach and functional diversity analyses. We tested the role of the abundant serpentine endemic and Ni‐hyperaccumulating species Odontarrhena lesbiaca in driving these patterns. Intraspecific variation explained by soil Ni content is smaller than 4%, and most of the variance is explained by interspecific differences in trait values. Most species do not show significant changes in trait values in response to soil Ni. At the community level, low specific leaf areas, small and thick leaves are selected on high Ni soils. Functional diversity analyses suggest a shift towards a stress tolerance syndrome (thick and small leaves with low SLA values) and an increase in functional diversity on Ni‐rich soils. However, these patterns are driven by the increasing abundance of O. lesbiaca. The endemic Ni hyperaccumulator has a stress tolerance strategy with small thick leaves and low SLA, while the community of broadly distributed species show an increase in trait values related to dominance and fast growth. Synthesis. Intraspecific variation in leaf trait responds little to soil metal toxicity. Endemic species harbour unique trait values compared to species with broad distribution which should justify their conservation as a priority.

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Changes in Watering Frequency Stimulate Differentiated Adaptive Responses among Seedlings of Different Beech Populations

Cited by 2 publications

References 98 publications

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

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