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Journal of Vegetation Science
Opulus Press Uppsala
Journal of Vegetation Science

Opulus Press Uppsala

1100-9233

Journal of Vegetation Science/Journal Journal of Vegetation ScienceSCIISTP
正式出版
收录年代

    Species differ in their responses to wind: the underexplored link between species fine-scale occurrences and variation in wind stress

    Momberg, MiaHedding, David WilliamLuoto, Miskale Roux, Peter Christiaan...
    11页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Species distribution models have traditionally relied heavily on temperature and precipitation, often ignoring other potentially important variables. However, recent advances have shown other climatic variables, including snow cover and solar radiation, may strongly improve predictions of species occurrence. Wind has long been known to have mechanical and physiological impacts on plants, but has not yet received adequate attention as a driver of species distributions. Location Marion Island, sub-Antarctic. Methods Using data from 1,440 plots in a chronically windy system, we test if wind stress (a combination of wind exposure and wind speed) improves species distribution models of vascular plant species, examining predictions for both species occurrence and cover. Results Wind stress was a significant predictor of the occurrence of 12 of the 16 species, even after accounting for seven other ecophysiologically important abiotic variables. Species showed differential responses to wind, but wind stress was among the four most important drivers for the majority of species when modelling occurrence patterns (10 of 16) and variation in cover (12 of 16). Further, wind stress was more important than all temperature and precipitation variables in predicting the occurrence of six species (and three species' cover). Conclusions Wind conditions were most influential for species that are characteristic of open, wet environments and for pteridophyte species, likely due to high wind speeds and exposure increasing the potential for moisture loss. This research highlights the value of incorporating wind metrics into species distribution models, particularly under changing wind patterns.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Factors determining bryophyte species richness and community composition on insular siliceous erratic boulders in calcareous landscapes

    Hepenstrick, DanielBergamini, ArielWebster, ClareGinzler, Christian...
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要：Aim Pleistocene erratic boulders are rocks that were relocated by glaciers during the Ice Ages. When their geology differs from the geology of the landscape that surrounds them, erratic boulders form habitat islands for regionally rare, edaphically specialised, rock-dwelling cryptogams (bryophytes, ferns and lichens). Such boulders constitute terrestrial model systems for exploring island biogeographic predictions and the effect of environmental variables on species diversity and community composition, which we studied in order to provide basic knowledge of the ecology, with relevance for the conservation, of these unusual island systems. Location Siliceous erratic boulders in the calcareous Swiss Plateau and Jura Mountains. Methods For 160 erratic boulders we recorded all bryophyte species and a diverse set of environmental variables. For all species and for specialist species (acidophile rock-dwellers) separately, we analysed species-area relationships and nestedness, and explored relationships between environmental variables, species diversity and community composition. Results We found 138 bryophyte species, 19 of which were specialists of erratic boulders. A steeper species-area curve for boulder specialists than for total species richness underlined the island properties of boulders for specialist species. Large boulders were more likely to harbour numerous boulder specialists and communities on small boulders were nested within the communities present on large boulders. However, at the landscape level small boulders contributed more specialist species than a few large boulders of the same surface area. Erratic boulders near settlements were less likely to harbour boulder specialists. Boulders in open land harboured different and more specialist species than boulders in forests. Conclusions Large undisturbed erratic boulders in open land harbour rare bryophyte communities with a large number of specialist species. Conservation should thus prioritise this type of boulders. Furthermore, conserving large boulders is logistically easier, and they may function as flagships for small boulders that also contribute to the biodiversity within landscapes.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    The effect of prolonged drought legacies on plant-soil feedbacks

    Hassan, KamrulCarrillo, YolimaNielsen, Uffe N.
    13页
    查看更多>>摘要：Question Climate change has been shown to cause shifts in plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) that may affect plant community dynamics, but the effect of prolonged drought is uncertain. We asked whether prolonged drought legacies cause shifts in PSFs due to changes in plant-soil biotic interactions. Location Richmond, New South Wales, Australia. Methods We collected soils from a five-year field-based rainfall manipulation experiment simulating ambient rainfall and drought (50% reduction) in a mesic temperate grassland. PSFs of twelve plant species representing four functional groups (C3 and C4 grasses, forbs, and legumes) were assessed when grown alone and in mixed cultures (one species from each of the four functional groups) under laboratory conditions following a standard PSF protocol in soils with ambient rainfall and drought legacies. All soils were sterilised and then re-inoculated to create the respective treatments including a non-inoculated control for biota-mediated PSFs. Results PSFs varied considerably among species and functional types in both legacy treatments. Overall, C3 grasses displayed less negative and C4 grasses less positive PSFs in soils with a legacy of prolonged drought compared with soils with ambient rainfall legacies, while PSFs for forbs and legumes were not significantly different from zero in either rainfall treatment. However, PSFs differed between species within functional groups. For example, Plantago showed positive PSFs in soils with ambient rainfall legacies but negative PSFs in soils with drought legacies while the opposite was observed for Medicago. PSFs of the mixed communities showed a trend to shift from positive to neutral in soils with drought legacies, with significant differences in PSFs observed when comparing home vs sterile soils, suggesting that drought may destabilise plant communities. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that prolonged drought legacies can modify plant community dynamics due to species-specific changes in PSFs that persist after droughts are alleviated.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Long-term high densities of African elephants clear the understorey and promote a new stable savanna woodland community

    Wigley, Benjamin J.Charles-Dominique, TristanBourgarel, MathieuSebele, Lovelater...
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Species defined as ecosystem engineers (e.g. elephant) are able to strongly shape their habitat. In African savannas, elephants have often been shown to reduce woody-plant abundance and diversity. However, recent studies highlight more complex elephant-induced effects on vegetation. Here, we assessed if long-term high elephant densities (>2 km(-2)) in a large open landscape resulted in the depletion of savanna woodland woody communities or if it led to a new alternative equilibrium. Location Woodland savanna of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Elephant densities at the study site have remained high for the past two decades (>2 km(-)(2)). Methods We measured long-term (>15 years) elephant utilisation of woody-plant communities and their effects on vegetation structure, species composition and functional traits (e.g. N leaf concentration, specific leaf area) in 12 vegetation plots. Results We observed opportunistic foraging behaviour by elephants with only a slight temporal shift in species composition, mainly explained by changes in rare species. Further, we did not observe any modification in mean functional trait values, overall height, and stem diameters of the woody-plant communities. However, we found differential changes in woody-plant abundance according to the height layer (decrease in the number of tall plants [>200 cm] and increase in the number of short plants [<50 cm]) and a strong reduction in crown diameter for plants in the 50-200 cm height class. Conclusion Our study strongly suggests that long-term high elephant densities have led to a stable state in savanna woodland vegetation in terms of plant community composition and their functional traits. However, high elephant densities did affect vegetation structure, which would have several important indirect effects on this ecosystem (e.g. predator-prey interactions). We hope that this study stimulates more work on the long-term effects of ecosystem engineers in large and open ecosystems.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Increased reproductive trait diversity, evolutionary history and distinctiveness during the succession of tropical forest

    Varassin, Isabela GalardaRomanowski, Luciele LeonhardtZanata, Thais BastosMarques, Marcia C. M....
    14页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Do old-growth forests retain more evolutionary history and more reproductive trait diversity along the successional gradient? How similar are the phylogenetic branches and reproductive attributes at each phase? In which succession stages are distinct lineages of trees and shrubs present? Do distinct lineages have distinct traits? Is there a turnover of species, lineages and traits of trees and shrubs along the successional gradient? Location Atlantic Forest, Reserva Natural Guaricica (25 degrees 19 ' S, 45 degrees 42 ' W) and Reserva Natural das aguas (25 degrees 21 ' S, 48 degrees 46 ' W), Antonina, Parana, southern Brazil. Methods We assessed the variation of alpha and beta taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversities of tree and shrub communities along a successional gradient (phase 1, stand initiation phase, from 0 to 9 years old; phase 2, stem exclusion phase, 10-25 years old; and phase 3, understorey re-initiation phase, 25-200 years old). We also evaluated the occurrence of distinct lineages and traits related to seed dispersal and pollination. Results In addition to the expected change in species composition, lineages and trait states and values were replaced along the chronosequence, with stronger variation for trees. Old-growth forests harbor distinct lineages and traits and a greater amount of evolutionary history and functional diversity of reproductive traits. We also found that distinct lineages were those that performed distinct functions. Conclusions Our study showed that as the succession proceeds, turnover of lineages and traits occurred, with the understorey re-initiation stage harboring the largest taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity. In addition, understories of the re-initiation stage are important for the occurrence of distinct lineages, such as magnoliids, and of distinct traits, such as large fruits and seeds, which highlights the importance of conservation of old-growth forests, and its preservation can prevent the loss of distinct evolutionary histories and functions.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Early positive biodiversity effects on total biomass in experimental tree seedling assemblages with and without water limitation

    Bastias, Cristina C.Carvalho, BarbaraMatesanz, Silviade la Cruz-Amo, Lydia...
    13页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions While positive effects of tree diversity on tree community biomass have often been reported in mature stands, the debate on whether diversity effects may be detectable at the seedling level persists, with opposing outcomes found so far. We still lack a comprehensive evaluation of the biodiversity effects (so-called 'complementarity' and 'selection' effects), as well as the phenotypic drivers at play, underlying early-community biomass. Even less is known about whether such biodiversity effects may change under water-limited conditions. Location Seeds from four tree species coexisting in a Mediterranean forest (Spain). Methods We built experimental tree seedling assemblages with three diversity levels - monocultures, two-species and four-species mixtures - and under two soil moisture conditions. We quantified the extent to which species richness, species identity, community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional dissimilarity (FD) influence complementarity and selection effects. We computed CWM and FD for seven functional traits related to water and light acquisition; and we calculated the complementarity and selection effects from above- and below-ground biomass measures at the community level. Results Our results showed that complementarity drove the greater biomass in more diverse assemblages at the seedling stage. This pattern was largely favored by a particular species, Quercus faginea, with distinct phenotypic traits (great height, lateral ramification and root biomass with high dry matter content), which induced a positive effect of CWM on community biomass. Moreover, our study showed that the water deficit limited the production of above-ground biomass without interacting with the community's species richness. Conclusion Our study provides evidence that positive biodiversity effects on community biomass occur early, at the seedling stage, and it highlights the essential role that certain tree species play from their initial development stages by favoring spatial resource partitioning. Our work motivates future studies to apply integrated approaches in assessing both the community-wide and species-specific effects to understand the biodiversity-biomass relationship.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Salt marsh vegetation and secured woody debris facilitate the recolonization of Avicennia germinans

    Pranchai, AorJenke, MichaelVogt, JulianeBerger, Uta...
    11页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Does the presence of salt marsh vegetation affect the long-term regeneration of the pioneer mangrove species Avicennia germinans in a degraded dwarf forest? Does immobilized coarse woody debris (CWD) affect regeneration similarly? Do larger trees suppress or facilitate intraspecific saplings? Location Dwarf mangrove forest in the high intertidal zone on the Braganca peninsula in northern Brazil. Methods The spatial patterns of A. germinans, the herbaceous halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum, and CWD were mapped in three sample plots (each 400 m(2)) during two consecutive vegetation surveys, conducted in 2011 and 2014. Inhomogeneous Poisson and Thomas point process models were used to assess the distribution of A. germinans life-history stages (seedlings, saplings, and adult dwarf trees), conditioned on the presence of S. portulacastrum and CWD. In addition, intraspecific interactions between trees and regeneration were assessed based on crown projection mapping. Bivariate point pattern analyses were used to assess the dependence of advance regeneration on dwarf A. germinans trees and S. portulacastrum. Results Avicennia germinans saplings and trees were positively associated with S. portulacastrum and CWD, whereas seedlings were located around tree crowns. The density of fruit-bearing trees was positively associated with sapling density, indicating that regeneration relied on locally dispersed propagules. Conclusions Herbaceous vegetation and CWD have an important ecological function in degraded mangroves by retaining tidally dispersed propagules. Here, we show that herbaceous vegetation does not suppress the growth of seedlings but facilitates mangrove recolonization. Due to limited tidal dispersal, regeneration relies on local propagule supply. In addition to hydrological restoration, the observed vegetation patterns suggest that, in the absence of propagule-retaining vegetation, restoration of high-intertidal mangroves can be facilitated by establishing nuclei of planted trees and installing secured logs.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Occurrence of Australian woody species is driven by soil moisture and available phosphorus across a climatic gradient

    Ding, JingyiTravers, Samantha KayEldridge, David John
    12页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Woody species are crucial biotic components in many of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems because they support multiple ecosystem functions. The occurrence of woody species (i.e. their likelihood of being present at a single position) is driven by both climate and soil properties. However, empirical evidence is lacking on how multiple environmental factors regulate woody species occurrence across various climate regimes, limiting our ability to predict woody species distribution under different climate change scenarios. Location Woody plant species in eastern Australia; 1,500 km gradient. Methods We surveyed 6,353 mature (height >4 m) woody plants from 62 woody species at 150 sites along a 1,500 km climatic (i.e. aridity) gradient in eastern Australia, and used a generalized linear mixed model to explore the impact of summer rainfall, available soil phosphorus in the surface layer (0-10 cm), subsurface (100-200 cm) soil moisture and clay content, and interactions between aridity and the three soil variables on woody species occurrence (presence/absence). Results The overall occurrence of Australian woody species declined as the concentration of available soil phosphorus in the surface layer increased, with the impacts varying with increasing aridity. Subsurface soil moisture had strong positive effects on woody species occurrence in mesic areas, but the effect was attenuated with increasing aridity. Subsurface soil clay regulated the distribution of woody species, with finer soils promoting the likelihood of species occurrence in the dry subhumid zone, whereas coarser soils supported more woody species in the arid zone. Conclusions Our study provides empirical evidence that the distribution of Australian woody species is regulated by large-scale shifts in soil moisture and available soil phosphorus, and local-scale heterogeneity in soil texture. Our results suggest that forecasted climate change may restrict the distribution of woody species preferring particular soils, but expand the range of woody species that occur on dry or infertile soils.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Components of plant species diversity along environmental gradients at various spatial scales in wetland environments of southern Africa

    Sieben, Erwin J. J.Subbiah, AshleyJob, NancyChatanga, Peter...
    13页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions Effective conservation planning of wetlands requires an understanding of the drivers of wetland diversity at different spatial scales. This study addresses the question: which environmental variables are most responsible for the turnover of wetland plant diversity at various spatial scales (beta and gamma diversity)? Additionally, how does alpha diversity, which expresses the diversity on a local level, compare between different wetland habitats? Location South Africa and Lesotho. Methods Variation in wetland vegetation along environmental gradients was studied using an existing data set consisting of 1,113 vegetation plots. Plant species composition was analyzed at three spatial scales using gradient analysis. Scale 1 represents a broad geographic scale, Scale 2 represents variation within a single catchment and Scale 3 represents variation within a single wetland. Shannon's Diversity and Evenness as proxies of alpha diversity were determined for five categories of wetland habitats. Results The most important factors at the geographic scale were latitude, base level of the catchment, temperature, climate and underlying parent material. At the catchment scale, altitude, hydrogeomorphic type and topographic location were the most influential factors, while soil texture, sodium content, organic carbon content, wetness and electric conductivity played a major role at the wetland scale. At the national level, the most important spatial scale was the geographic scale, the second was the catchment and the third was the wetland scale. Although there was a wide range of variation in Shannon's Diversity Index between the different wetland habitats, the differences were significant for all categories. Conclusions The results show that factors that play a major role in influencing plant diversity in wetlands are scale-dependent. This indicates the importance of considering all three spatial scales in the conservation planning of wetlands in southern Africa, especially given the many different threats that wetlands face, including climate change.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley

    Environment and plant traits explain shrub biomass allocation and species composition across ecoregions in North China

    Chai, YongfuZhong, JiayiZhao, JialeGuo, Jiangchao...
    11页
    查看更多>>摘要：Questions: Interspecific differences in plant biomass allocation reflect plant nutrient use strategy, determining species fitness under different environmental conditions. However, plant biomass allocation may be affected by both habitat and plant traits. We asked how environmental conditions and plant traits jointly affect shrub biomass allocation. Specifically, how they further play roles in understanding community species composition as ecoregion changes. Location: Shaanxi province, North China. Methods: Plant biomass, plant traits and community composition were surveyed for 48 shrub sites distributed in five ecoregions. Species-specific allocation parameters (allometric constants and scaling exponents) and plant traits were weighted with species abundance to calculate the community biomass allocation and community traits. Linear mixed models were used to assess relative contributions of plant traits and environmental factors in explaining biomass allocation pattern. Their roles in explaining species composition were analyzed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Results: We reported that shrub biomass allocation parameters of stems vs leaves and roots vs shoots varied significantly among ecoregions. Plant traits explained more variation in stem vs leaf biomass allocation than soil and climate factors, while climate factors played important roles in variation of root vs shoot biomass allocation. Combined with plant traits and environmental conditions, biomass allocation showed a synergistic role in explaining community species composition. Conclusions: Environment and plant traits explain different aspects of shrub biomass allocation, and species-specific biomass allocation strategy have the potential to predict community species composition and distribution across ecoregions. Our study sheds light on the biomass allocations significance in understanding species turnover and community distribution.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Wiley