Functional macrophyte trait variation as a response to the source of inorganic carbon acquisition

Abstract

Background This study aims to compare variation in a range of aquatic macrophyte species leaf traits into three carbon acquisition groups: HCO3−, free CO2 and atmospheric CO2. Methods The leaf functional traits were measured for 30 species from 30 softwater lakes. Macrophyte species were classified into (1) free CO2, (2) atmospheric CO2 and (3) bicarbonate HCO3− groups. In each lake we collected water samples and measured eight environmental variables: depth, Secchi depth, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), pH of water, conductivity, calcium concentration, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. In this study we applied the RLQ analysis to investigate the relationships between species functional traits (Q) and their relationship with environmental variables (R) constrained by species abundance (L). Results The results showed that: (1) Aquatic macrophytes exhibited high leaf trait variations as a response to different inorganic carbon acquisition; (2) Traits of leaves refer to the acquisition of carbon for photosynthesis and serve to maximise this process; (3) In the wide softwater habitat, macrophyte species exhibited an extreme range of leaf economic spectrum (leaf area, leaf dry weight and specific leaf area) and wide range of shape trait expressed as circularity; (4) Macrophyte leaf traits are the result of adaptation to carbon acquisition in ambient environment.

The Possible Use of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Signal and Spectral Analysis to Identify Habitat Condition of Aquatic Plants

“…The δ 13 CORG and δ 15 NORG values of aquatic vegetation, especially submerged macrophytes, are characterized by very high variability dependent on the environmental conditions in which they thrive [5,[13][14][15][16]43]. However, for certain species, habitat differences are not always clearly reflected in their isotopic values [14].…”

“…and Sm. produces different types of leaves in fast-flowing rivers, shallow eutrophic lakes, or shallow, softwater lakes [5]. Similarly, Myriophyllum alterniflorum DC., found in a relatively wide range of lake fertility conditions, displays high plasticity in morphological features, as demonstrated by its growth on various substrates [6].…”

How does trait variance partitioning help us to understand plant community assembly? The example of pond communities in the Kerguelen Islands

“…Two decades ago, functional approaches emerged that allowed us to rebuild community ecology and establish general principles regarding assembly mechanisms (Calow, 1987; McGill et al., 2006). Since then, studies based on functional traits (morphological, physiological, and phenological characteristics that directly or indirectly impact individual performance through growth, reproduction, or survival) have been conducted in terrestrial (e.g., Garnier et al., 2001; Violle et al., 2007; Albert et al., 2010a), and aquatic plant communities (Yang et al., 2004; Fu et al., 2013, 2014; Luo et al., 2016; Su et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2019; Chmara et al., 2021; Ma et al., 2022a, 2022b). Functional approaches have revealed that marked trait variation occurs in the field at inter‐ and intraspecific levels in response to a range of biological processes operating at different spatial and temporal scales, ultimately leading to species coexistence (Messier et al., 2010; Albert et al., 2010a; Taudiere & Violle, 2016).…”

Recycling and deposition of inorganic carbon from calcium carbonate encrustations of charophytes

“…The abundance of charophytes is vital for nutrient cycling in lake ecosystems (Kufel and Kufel 2002; Vermaat et al 2020; Sand‐Jensen et al 2021). Another feature of charophytes is their ability to use bicarbonates as a source of carbon for photosynthesis (Van den Berg et al 2002; Sand‐Jensen et al 2018, 2021; Chmara et al 2021). This property may give charophytes a competitive advantage over non‐bicarbonate users when the availability of carbon dioxide is limited due to the slow diffusion of CO 2 in dense plant stands or in alkaline waters of pH exceeding 8.…”