Light interception in species with different functional groups coexisting in moorland plant communities

Questions Mosaics of evergreen and deciduous trees that are characteristic of evergreen broad‐leaved forests (EBLF) are thought to arise from habitat heterogeneity, but empirical evidence for this is limited. We test this assertion asking: (1) whether environmental heterogeneity explains the distribution of deciduous and evergreen trees; (2) which are the most important environmental variables; and (3) does their importance change with scale? Location Tiantong National Forest Park, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. Methods We used data from a 20‐ha individual‐mapped EBLF in spatial point‐pattern analyses testing the scale of aggregation within, and segregation between, the two life forms. We used a heterogeneous Poisson process model to remove the effects of environmental heterogeneity, predicting segregation would disappear if the mosaic was due to habitat heterogeneity alone. Finally, we tested the relative importance of theoretically important environmental variables using multivariate regression trees at three spatial scales (10, 20 and 50 m grid cells). Results We found evergreen and deciduous trees were aggregated at scales below 125 m and 60 m, respectively, and mutually exclusive at scales <120 m. Evidence of any spatial segregation between the life forms was removed at all scales after controlling for environmental heterogeneity. Only soil phosphorus concentrations contributed to spatial patterns at all scales, with values >0.27–0.30 g·kg−1 favouring deciduous species. Conclusions Our study is consistent with habitat heterogeneity creating the observed mosaics of evergreen and deciduous tree species, but micro‐habitat heterogeneity contributed even at scales <20 m. Soil phosphorus availability appears to be the major environmental variable maintaining these mosaic patterns at hillslope scales in EBLF.

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“…; Kamiyama et al. ), lower N‐ and water‐use efficiency (Aerts ; Sobrado ) and lower growth rates (Dhaila et al. ; Baldocchi et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat heterogeneity explains mosaics of evergreen and deciduous trees at local‐scales in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest

Fang

Shen

Yang

et al. 2016

J Vegetation Science

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“…Thereby, root traits of grasses and shrubs need to strengthen research. T. maxima and M. floridulus exhibited higher LAR than M. candidum and M. sanguineum, which was related to the increase in stem mass investment for shrubs (Hunt & Cornelissen 1997;Kamiyama et al 2010). Plant growth is strongly dependent upon LAR (Hunt & Cornelissen 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Smith et al (1993) coined the term "plant functional types", and Gitay and Noble (1997) defined it as "set of species showing similar responses to the environment and similar effects on ecosystem function". There have been some researches on plant functional groups (Wardle et al 1998;Gebauer et al 2002;Reich et al 2003;Hanley et al 2004;Chen et al 2005;Golluscio & Oesterheld 2007;Letts et al 2010;Kamiyama et al 2010). The usual groupings are defined by discrete and measurable biological trait differences (e.g., whether a plant fixes nitrogen or not, has perennial woody tissues or not, and has a given photosynthetic pathway or not) (Reich et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological adaptability of four typical plants during the early successional stage of a tropical rainforest

Mao

Zang

Shao

et al. 2013

Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all As

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PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLETaylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the "Content") contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. AbstractThe ecological adaptability of four typical plants (two grasses: Thysanolaena maxima and Miscanthus floridulus; two shrubs: Melastoma candidum and Melastoma sanguineum) in the early successional stage of a tropical rainforest in Hainan Island of China was studied. Our purpose was to test the difference of the adaptive modes and ecological functions for four different functional groups. We measured the physiological parameters and morphological indexes to define the adaptability of the plants at this stage. Results showed that T. maxima possessed stronger water use ability, whose adaptation was mainly by the morphological architecture regulation strategy (by higher leaf self-shading). M. floridulus had greater water regulation ability and its adaptation was mainly through the physiological regulation strategy (by higher net photosynthetic rate (A) and water use efficiency). However, M. candidum and M. sanguineum integrated the morphological architecture and physiological strategies (by high A and leaf self-shading). According to the ecophysiological characteristics and adaptation modes, the plants in the early successional stage of the tropical rainforest in Hainan Island can be categorized into three functional groups: (1) physiological adaptation group, (2) morphological adaptation group, and (3) physiological and morphological integrated adaptation group.

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“…Removal experiments are useful to detect effects of species competition and facilitation McLaren & Turkington 2011), because the removal of certain specific functional groups simplifies the environment, thus reinforcing existing interactions (Aarssen & Epp 1990;Kamiyama et al 2010). Such experiments show the importance of facilitation between plants ( Miranda-Jácome et al 2013;Rolo et al 2013;He et al 2012;Zonneveld et al 2012), especially between legumes and grasses (Mulder et al 2002;Scherer-Lorenzen et al 2003;Spehn et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experimentsPlant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experiments

Morais

Cianciaruso

2014

Acta Bot. Bras.

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Understanding what determines species co-occurrence and its consequences for ecosystem functioning is central to the study of plant ecology. The ecological similarity of species can explain co-occurrence patterns, species interactions, and how species affect ecosystem processes. A useful approach to answer these questions is to group similar species in functional groups and then perform removal experiments. Here, we conducted a scientometric review of articles about plant functional diversity and plant functional group removal. We identified publication patterns and impact; environmental and geographic gaps; ecological effects being tested; which groups are removed; and what the removal methods are. We analyzed articles published between 1991 and 2012 in journals indexed for the Thomson ISI Web of Science database. Although the number of articles and citations of experimental articles increased during that period, the corresponding increase for functional diversity articles was 12 times greater. This might be because field and cafeteria experiments are harder to conduct. Most studies were performed in temperate regions, where taxonomic knowledge and scientific investment is greater. Studies on herbaceous vegetation predominate, probably because short-lived species are more easily removed and manipulated than are trees. The main reason for the removal experiments was to test hypotheses related to competition, and clipping at ground level was the most common removal method. Few studies were performed in the field and in greenhouses, which could control for differential responses of natural conditions and controlled environments.

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Light interception in species with different functional groups coexisting in moorland plant communities

Cited by 28 publications

References 38 publications

Habitat heterogeneity explains mosaics of evergreen and deciduous trees at local‐scales in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest

Habitat heterogeneity explains mosaics of evergreen and deciduous trees at local‐scales in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest

The ecological adaptability of four typical plants during the early successional stage of a tropical rainforest

Plant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experimentsPlant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experiments

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