Temperature and plant-available soil phosphorus drive intraspecific variation in plant economic traits of Schima superba across an elevation gradient.

IF 3.6 2区 生物学 Q1 PLANT SCIENCES
Jinlong Li, Andrea C Westerband, Ian J Wright, Xueqin Li, Jingui Du, Quanlin Zhong, Dandan Hu, Dongliang Cheng
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and aims: The whole-plant economics spectrum (PES) describes coordination between organ-level traits that together determine resource use strategies and is relevant for understanding plant responses to environmental change. Whereas coordination between organs has previously been explored across species, it remains unclear whether patterns observed across species hold within species. In addition, the key driving forces underlying this coordination warrant clarification.

Methods: In this study we used univariate (regression analysis) and multivariate (principal components analysis, network analysis) analyses to investigate the environmental drivers of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) and consequently, trait covariation, focusing on leaf and fine root traits. We sampled 60 individuals of Schima superba, a widespread evergreen tree, across five elevations in a subtropical forest in China, measuring traits associated with resource use and capture, including photosynthesis, specific root length and root diameter.

Key results: Leaf and root traits were significantly correlated within species, forming a PES. We found that plants at low and high elevation had more resource acquisitive traits than at intermediate elevation. Notably, leaf and root traits, as well as a composite variable that contained both, varied nonlinearly with elevation. Leaf trait variation was driven primarily by temperature, whereas root trait variation and a composite variable containing leaf and root traits, was most strongly influenced by temperature and plant-available soil phosphorus.

Conclusions: Our findings show that the coordinated responses of individual traits to climate and soil properties underlie intraspecific variation in whole-plant resource use strategies across environmental gradients. These findings are contrary to recent studies that have found evidence of decoupling between above- and below-ground traits, which suggests that there is selection for coordination among traits in S. superba. Thus, our study enhances our understanding of the key drivers, as well as the ecological significance of environmentally-driven ITV.

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来源期刊
Annals of botany
Annals of botany 生物-植物科学
CiteScore
7.90
自引率
4.80%
发文量
138
审稿时长
3 months
期刊介绍: Annals of Botany is an international plant science journal publishing novel and rigorous research in all areas of plant science. It is published monthly in both electronic and printed forms with at least two extra issues each year that focus on a particular theme in plant biology. The Journal is managed by the Annals of Botany Company, a not-for-profit educational charity established to promote plant science worldwide. The Journal publishes original research papers, invited and submitted review articles, ''Research in Context'' expanding on original work, ''Botanical Briefings'' as short overviews of important topics, and ''Viewpoints'' giving opinions. All papers in each issue are summarized briefly in Content Snapshots , there are topical news items in the Plant Cuttings section and Book Reviews . A rigorous review process ensures that readers are exposed to genuine and novel advances across a wide spectrum of botanical knowledge. All papers aim to advance knowledge and make a difference to our understanding of plant science.
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