Herbaceous climbers in herbaceous systems are shade‐tolerant and magnesium‐demanding

Abstract

Questions Climbers do not invest in self‐supporting architecture, allowing them to grow quickly and search for light and nutrients in canopy gaps. The climbing strategy requires both disturbance and external support; however, in herbaceous systems, disturbances often homogeneously remove external support. As a result, there should be a negative relationship between light availability and the presence of external support. Here, we asked if the distribution of herbaceous climbers is positively or negatively associated with disturbance, light availability and plant‐available nutrients. Further, we tested if climbers differ in traits compared to co‐occurring herbs. Location Czech Republic. Methods We used observations from a phytosociological database, species‐rich grasslands and arable fields. First, we examined the presence of climbers in response to disturbance variables (frequency, severity and regime) and canopy cover (external support and light availability). Second, we examined the distribution of climbers along gradients of plant‐available nutrients in species‐rich grasslands. Finally, we compared seven functional traits between 31 climbers and 1,138 co‐occurring herbs growing in 18 Central European herbaceous habitats. Results We found no relationship between any disturbance variables and the occurrence of climbers; indeed, climbers tended to occur more frequently in sites with denser canopies. In species‐rich grasslands, the presence of climbers was positively related to plant‐available magnesium. Climbers tended to be taller, with greater seed mass and specific leaf area (SLA) than co‐occurring species. Conclusions Herbaceous climbers grow in plots with low light availability but plenty of external support and require magnesium for the formation of flexible stems. Compared to co‐occurring herbs, climbers allocate resources saved from their lack of self‐support to both shade‐avoidance (canopy height) and shade‐tolerance traits (seed mass, SLA). Compared to lianas, the distribution of herbaceous climbers is not affected by disturbance but is dependent on the availability of external support and magnesium.

Spatial Modeling of Forage Crops for Tiger Prey Species in the Area Surrounding Highway 304 in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex

“…The higher shade avoidance, shade tolerance, and specific leaf area of forbs, as well as with their more frequent occurrence under denser canopies, all suggest that the herbaceous climbing-plant strategy is suitable for low-light conditions. Forbs appear to invest in greater shade avoidance and shade tolerance, and they tend to have a slightly higher specific leaf area than co-occurring plants (Bitomský et al, 2019).…”

The Relationships of Habitat Conditions, Height Level, and Geographical Position with Fruit and Seed Traits in Populations of Invasive Vine Echinocystis lobata (Cucurbitaceae) in Central and Eastern Europe

“…In comparison with woody lianas, the distribution of herbaceous climbers is not affected by disturbance, but is dependent on the availability of external support. Herbaceous climbers grow in places with low light availability, but plenty of external support, and require magnesium for the formation of flexible stems [6]. Unlike trees, climbing plants invest little in thickening their stems and branches, using a large proportion of their resources to produce additional leaves as well as for reproduction [3].…”

Disentangling effects of disturbance severity and frequency: Does bioindication really work?

“…(2016) proposed a set of indicator values that describe the niche of each Central‐European plant species along the gradients of the disturbance frequency and severity. Disturbance indicator values (hereinafter referred to as DIVs) have been used as plant attributes in studies on plant life strategies (Bitomský et al., 2019; Herben et al., 2018; Klimešová et al., 2017). However, similar tools have been successfully applied to not only plant ecology but also in community ecology.…”

“…Disturbance indicator values (hereinafter referred to as DIVs) have been used as plant attributes in studies on plant life strategies (Bitomský et al, 2019;Herben et al, 2018;Klimešová et al, 2017). However, similar tools have been successfully applied to not only plant ecology but also in community ecology.…”