Ecophysiological traits of Antarctic vascular plants: their importance in the responses to climate change

Cavieres, Lohengrin A.; Sáez, Patricia L.; Sanhueza, Carolina; Sierra-Almeida, Ángela; Rabert, Claudia; Corcuera, Luís J.; Alberdi, Miren; Bravo, León A.

doi:10.1007/s11258-016-0585-x

Cited by 59 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Likewise, DA showed higher levels of antioxidant enzymes compared with the other Antarctic species C. quitensis , suggesting an elevated energy investment to modulate the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain (Pérez‐Torres et al, ). In addition, DA showed higher tolerance to freezing temperatures and ice formation (Bravo et al, ) associated to an elevated percentage of saturated fatty acids in leaf membranes (that would ensure fluidity and their functionality), high activity of anti‐freezing proteins in the apoplast, and the abundant presence of other stress‐related proteins as dehydrins and high concentration of nonstructural carbohydrates such as fructans and sucrose (for more details, please see Cavieres et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐temperature tolerance of the Antarctic species Deschampsia antarctica: A complex metabolic response associated with nutrient remobilization

Clemente‐Moreno

Omranian

Sáez

et al. 2020

Plant Cell & Environment

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The species Deschampsia antarctica (DA) is one of the only two native vascular species that live in Antarctica. We performed ecophysiological, biochemical, and metabolomic studies to investigate the responses of DA to low temperature. In parallel, we assessed the responses in a non-Antarctic reference species (Triticum aestivum [TA]) from the same family (Poaceae). At low temperature (4 C), both species showed lower photosynthetic rates (reductions were 70% and 80% for DA and TA, respectively) and symptoms of oxidative stress but opposite responses of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidases and catalase). We employed fused least absolute shrinkage and selection operator statistical modelling to associate the species-dependent physiological and antioxidant responses to primary metabolism. Model results for DA indicated associations with M. J. Clemente-Moreno and N. Omranian contributed equally to this work.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐temperature tolerance of the Antarctic species Deschampsia antarctica: A complex metabolic response associated with nutrient remobilization

Clemente‐Moreno

Omranian

Sáez

et al. 2020

Plant Cell & Environment

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“…Alberdi et al ., ; Smith, ; Cavieres et al ., ) have found that there is a combination of morphological and physiological adaptive traits that allows these plant species to withstand the harsh Antarctic climate. For instance, both species deploy xerophytic anatomical characteristics, sufficient freezing tolerance, adequate management of excess photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and tolerance to water stress (see Cavieres et al ., and references therein). Further, both species are able to grow and maintain substantial photosynthetic rates at low temperatures (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ warming in the Antarctic: effects on growth and photosynthesis in Antarctic vascular plants

et al. 2018

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The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a rapid warming in the last decades. Although recent climatic evidence supports a new tendency towards stabilization of temperatures, the impacts on the biosphere, and specifically on Antarctic plant species, remain unclear. We evaluated the in situ warming effects on photosynthesis, including the underlying diffusive, biochemical and anatomical determinants, and the relative growth of two Antarctic vascular species, Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica, using open top chambers (OTCs) and gas exchange measurements in the field. In C. quitensis, the photosynthetic response to warming relied on specific adjustments in the anatomical determinants of the leaf CO transfer, which enhanced mesophyll conductance and photosynthetic assimilation, thereby promoting higher leaf carbon gain and plant growth. These changes were accompanied by alterations in the leaf chemical composition. By contrast, D. antarctica showed no response to warming, with a lack of significant differences between plants grown inside OTCs and plants grown in the open field. Overall, the present results are the first reporting a contrasting effect of in situ warming on photosynthesis and its underlying determinants, of the two unique Antarctic vascular plant species, which could have direct consequences on their ecological success under future climate conditions.

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“…(Caryophyllaceae), which grow naturally along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula (Komárková, Poncet, & Poncet, 1985). Although several studies have been conducted to reveal the morphological and physiological adaptations that enable D. antarctica and C. quitensis to withstand the adverse abiotic conditions of Antarctica (Alberdi, Bravo, Gutiérrez, Gidekel, & Corcuera, 2002;Cavieres et al, 2016;Smith, 2003), little is known about their regeneration ecology, particularly on processes relevant to their growth and survival.…”

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The importance of facilitative interactions on the performance of Colobanthus quitensis in an Antarctic tundra

Cavieres

Vivas

Mihoc

et al. 2018

J Vegetation Science

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Aims The sign of interactions among plants in very harsh environments is under debate. The Antarctic tundra is one of the harshest environments on Earth and only two vascular plants (Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis) have successfully established natural populations. D. antarctica mostly establishes facilitative interactions with other species (mosses), but there is no information about the inter‐specific interactions established by C. quitensis. We assessed whether C. quitensis grows frequently associated with D. antarctica, and if D. antarctica neighbours have a positive effect on the survival, growth and photochemical efficiency of C. quitensis individuals. Location King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Methods To assess the spatial association among the two Antarctic vascular plants fifty 50 m × 50 cm quadrats were sampled on each of four different substrates: moss carpet areas; dead moss carpet areas dominated by D. antarctica; a transition zone between dead moss carpets and fellfields; and fellfields characterized by very poor vegetation cover. Infrared thermal images were taken to estimate whether growth associated with D. antarctica affected the foliar temperature of C. quitensis. The importance of D. antarctica neighbours on the growth, survival and photochemical efficiency of C. quitensis was evaluated with a neighbour removal experiment. Results The number of C. quitensis individuals associated with D. antarctica was significantly higher than when growing alone in the moss carpet and the dead moss carpet, while in the transition zone there was a trend in that direction. C. quitensis individuals growing associated with D. antarctica were bigger than those growing alone in these three substrate types. In the fellfield site there were no significant differences, neither in the number nor the size of individuals when growing alone or associated with D. antarctica. Foliar temperature of C. quitensis individuals associated with D. antarctica was slightly (1.1°C) but significantly higher than in those growing alone. The growth, survival and photochemical efficiency of C. quitensis individuals with neighbours were higher than in individuals with neighbours removed. Conclusions Our results indicate that D. antarctica has a facilitative effect on the growth, survival and photochemical efficiency of C. quitensis. Thus, facilitative interactions are present and are important in one of the harshest environments on Earth, although results from the fellfield site indicate that further research is needed.

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Ecophysiological traits of Antarctic vascular plants: their importance in the responses to climate change

Cited by 59 publications

References 83 publications

Low‐temperature tolerance of the Antarctic species Deschampsia antarctica: A complex metabolic response associated with nutrient remobilization

Low‐temperature tolerance of the Antarctic species Deschampsia antarctica: A complex metabolic response associated with nutrient remobilization

In situ warming in the Antarctic: effects on growth and photosynthesis in Antarctic vascular plants

The importance of facilitative interactions on the performance of Colobanthus quitensis in an Antarctic tundra

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