Variation of vegetative and floral traits in the alpine plant Solidago minuta: evidence for local optimum along an elevational gradient

Abstract

Alpine plants growing along wide elevational gradients experience very different abiotic and biotic conditions across elevations. As a result of genetic differentiation and/or plastic response, conspecific plants growing in high elevations, as compared to low elevations, generally have shorter stems and lower number of flowers, but larger flower size. However, most often, detailed models of elevational variations were not examined. To reveal the pattern of elevational changes in a set of fitnessrelated morphological traits, tests of linear and unimodal models were performed based on measurements of 1047 Solidago minuta plants collected from 47 sites distributed along a 1000 m elevational gradient in the Tatra Mountains. Nearly all of the investigated floral traits, i.e. inflorescence and flower heads size, and number and size of individual flowers, expressed unimodal relationships with elevation having their maxima in the centre of the elevation range. This pattern suggests the existence of a local optimum with respect to sexual reproduction at the centre of the elevational range. Possible explanations of observed elevational variations are discussed in the context of pollinator selection and the 'resource-cost compromise' hypothesis. Best floral performance in the centre of the elevational range of S. minuta may also support the idea that the favourability of habitat conditions declines from the centre to the margin of the distribution, and species are expected to be more abundant, increase reproduction and perform better in the centre of the range.

The effect of elevational gradient on alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) in the Himalayas

“…In the current study, we found a significant decrease in plant height of both species of Roscoea ( R. alpina and R. purpurea ) with increased elevation. Reduction of plant height in these alpine gingers with increased elevation is consistent with several previous findings reported for tree species (Körner, 1998; Cordell et al, 1998; Kronfus & Havranek, 1999; Paulsen, Weber & Korner, 2000; Kogami et al, 2001; Li, Yang & Kräuchi, 2003; Shi et al, 2006) and herbaceous species (Takahashi & Matsuki, 2017; Kiełtyk, 2018). Similarly, a decrease of leaf length of R. alpina with the increased elevation in the current study is consistent with the previous findings (Hansen-Bristow, 1986; Schoettle, 1990; Kajimoto, 1993; Kao & Chang, 2001; Kiełtyk, 2018).…”

“…Although several previous studies have documented the effects of elevational gradient on the growth, morphology and physiology of the plants, most of the studies are focused on tree species (Cordell et al, 1998; Hultine & Marshall, 2000; Li et al, 2008). Recently a few studies have been conducted to understand how the elevational gradients affect the herbaceous plants (Gonzalo-Turpin & Hazard, 2009; Scheepens, Frei & Stöcklin, 2010; Hulshof et al, 2013; Bastida, Rey & Alcántara, 2015; Takahashi & Matsuki, 2017; Kiełtyk, 2018). These studies particularly focused on the variation of a specific trait, such as vegetative trait, reproductive trait or leaf trait.…”

Peer Review #1 of "The effect of elevational gradient on alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) in the Himalayas (v0.1)"

“…alpina with the increased elevation in the current study is consistent with the previous findings (Hansen-Bristow, 1986;Schoettle, 1990;Kajimoto, 1993;Kao & Chang, 2001;Kiełtyk, 2018).…”

“…In the current study, we found a significant decrease in plant height of both species of Roscoea (R. alpina and R. purpurea) with increased elevation. Reduction of plant height in these alpine gingers with increased elevation is consistent with several previous findings reported for tree species (Körner, 1998;Cordell et al, 1998;Kronfus & Havranek, 1999;Paulsen, Weber & Korner, 2000;Kogami et al, 2001;Li, Yang & Kräuchi, 2003;Shi et al, 2006) and herbaceous species (Takahashi & Matsuki, 2017;Kiełtyk, 2018). Similarly, a decrease of leaf length of R.…”

Snowmelt Timing Regulates Community Composition, Phenology, and Physiological Performance of Alpine Plants

“…Our current study illustrates a similar effect of snowmelt timing but also reveals spatial structuring of the community across the gradient that contributes to productivity differences. If species are able to locally shift upward in elevation ( Lenoir et al, 2008 ; Kiełtyk, 2017 ) or seek refuge in nearby microclimates (e.g., local depressions) where snowmelt changes are less pronounced ( Opedal et al, 2015 ), productivity changes will reflect both the immediate effects of earlier snowmelt and the longer term effects of community change.…”