Intraspecific trait variation across multiple scales: the leaf economics spectrum in coffee

Trait-based approaches present a promising avenue for improving our understanding of species coexistence and community assembly, while intraspecific trait variation (ITV) across different spatial scales is important in trait-based community assembly mechanisms, especially in extreme environments. In this study, we focused on the functional diversity and community assembly patterns of a desert community across different spatial scales and investigated whether ITV plays a significant role in community assembly processes in arid habitats. A 50 m × 50 m plot with different small quadrats was established in a typical desert community at the transition zone between the Tengger Desert and Loess Plateau in China. A total of 14 traits were selected to assess the trait-based functional diversity and assembly processes in the community. We found that functional diversity showed different patterns when considering ITV and related to different types of traits (chemical traits or morphological traits) and some soil factors (pH and nitrate nitrogen). Plant communities in this study showed stochastic distribution patterns and similar functional diversity patterns based on functional trait approaches, regardless of spatial scales. Also, the effect of ITV on community assembly did not show more effect with increasing scales. These results indicated that ITV diluted deterministic processes in community assembly across scales in arid habitats.

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The Economics Spectrum Drives Root Trait Strategies in Mediterranean Vegetation

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.773118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Enrique G. de la Riva ◽

José Ignacio Querejeta ◽

Rafael Villar ◽

Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos ◽

Teodoro Marañón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Vegetation ◽

Root Trait ◽

Main Trend ◽

Trait Variation ◽

Trade Off ◽

Leaf Economics Spectrum ◽

Root Area ◽

Selected Traits ◽

Specific Root Area ◽

Leaf Economics

Extensive research efforts are devoted to understand fine root trait variation and to confirm the existence of a belowground root economics spectrum (RES) from acquisitive to conservative root strategies that is analogous to the leaf economics spectrum (LES). The economics spectrum implies a trade-off between maximizing resource acquisition and productivity or maximizing resource conservation and longevity; however, this theoretical framework still remains controversial for roots. We compiled a database of 320 Mediterranean woody and herbaceous species to critically assess if the classic economics spectrum theory can be broadly extended to roots. Fine roots displayed a wide diversity of forms and properties in Mediterranean vegetation, resulting in a multidimensional trait space. The main trend of variation in this multidimensional root space is analogous to the main axis of LES, while the second trend of variation is partially determined by an anatomical trade-off between tissue density and diameter. Specific root area (SRA) is the main trait explaining species distribution along the RES, regardless of the selected traits. We advocate for the need to unify and standardize the criteria and approaches used within the economics framework between leaves and roots, for the sake of theoretical consistency.

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