Different plant trait scaling in dry versus wet Central European meadows

Abstract

Question Trait scaling relationships involve multiple trade‐offs and allometric constraints between the traits of co‐existing species. Alternative trait relationships, particularly between plant size and other traits, are expected in response to combinations of different biotic and abiotic filters. To what extent does the expected convergence in plant attributes to water shortage and disturbance produce different trait scaling relationships in dry vs wet meadows under various disturbance regimes? Locations One test meadow in South Bohemia and one in South Moravia (i.e. wet vs dry Central Europe meadows), Czech Republic. Methods Selected species were sampled in mown and abandoned plots within each site. Several plant traits were measured to provide information on plant strategies related to growth, resource acquisition and carbon–water economy. Results Trait differentiation among co‐existing species was strong in both meadows, and generally stronger than differentiation caused by mowing and site effects. Different trait scaling relationships with plant height were observed across the meadows, particularly showing a more independent trait differentiation linked to water–carbon economy at the dry site. Mowing tended to reinforce the effect of water limitation on traits and on trait scaling. In contrast, mowing cessation tended to resemble the effect of humid conditions on trait relationships. Conclusions The results advocate incorporating trait scaling relationships between species into vegetation models and community assembly assessments, therefore accounting for processes of plant co‐existence along combined spectra of light, water and disturbance regimes. These gradients affect alternative life‐history strategies and possibly sustain different species co‐existence patterns based on different trait scaling. The results particularly advocate a convergence in traits and trait scaling relationships in response to the combination of disturbance and water limitation.

Management alters interspecific leaf trait relationships and trait‐based species rankings in permanent meadows

“…At the species level, increases (Jaramillo & Detling ; de Bello et al. ) and decreases in foliar N concentration (Pontes et al. ) have been reported in response to clipping, while SLA was found to be unaffected (Thorne & Frank ).…”

“…If co‐existing species are sufficiently different in their response of SLA and foliar N to management intensification, the alterations should have the potential to change not only trait‐based species rankings, but also the strength of expected between‐trait relationships (de Bello et al. ). If trait interrelationships were found not to be consistent across different sites and communities, this was mostly attributed to variation in sample size; however, Wright et al.…”

“…Biomass removal by mowing or grazing is another key management factor in grasslands that has the potential to alter plant functional traits. At the species level, increases (Jaramillo & Detling 1988;de Bello et al 2012) and decreases in foliar N concentration (Pontes et al 2007) have been reported in response to clipping, while SLA was found to be unaffected (Thorne & Frank 2009). At the community level, intensive mowing regimes have been shown to increase the population means of SLA (Louault et al 2005) and foliar N concentration (e.g.…”

Variation in plant functional traits is best explained by the species identity: Stability of trait‐based species ranking across meadow management regimes

“…These traits have been demonstrated to be important indicators of plant strategies, since they reflect a fundamental trade‐off in plant functioning between rapid biomass production (high SLA, high LNC, low LDMC, low StDMC and low LCC) and the efficient conservation of nutrients (low SLA, low LNC, high LDMC, high StDMC and high LCC; Garnier et al, ; Pérez‐Harguindeguy et al, ). The δ 13 C isotope has been shown to reflect the water availability to plants (de Bello et al, ; Farquhar, Ehleringer, & Hubick, ), whereas the δ 15 N isotope has been shown to reflect the N availability to plants (Robinson, ).…”

“…Land use factors like mowing and fertilization determine the disturbance regime and soil fertility (Kotas et al, 2017), which are the key conditions for plant growth and thus for ITV. For instance, fertilization increases the specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and decreases leaf dry matter content (LDMC), while mowing decreases the height of plant individuals in consecutive years (de Bello et al, 2012;Pakeman, 2013;Pontes, Soussana, Louault, Andueza, & Carrére, 2007;Rose, Rubarth, Hertel, & Leuschner, 2013). These effects can be the result of either direct response of plants or they can also be driven by altered plant to plant interactions in response to land use induced changes in species composition (Díaz et al, 2007;Kotas et al, 2017;Le Bagousse-Pinguet et al, 2015;Lepš, 1999Lepš, , 2014.…”