Plant genotype influences aquatic‐terrestrial ecosystem linkages through timing and composition of insect emergence

Compson, Zacchaeus G.; Hungate, Bruce A.; Whitham, Thomas G.; Meneses, Nashelly; Busby, Posy E.; Wojtowicz, Todd; Ford, Audrey; Adams, Kenneth J.; Marks, Jane C.

doi:10.1002/ecs2.1331

Cited by 16 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 134 publications

(271 reference statements)

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“…These genetic effects, which begin in terrestrial ecosystems, cascade through aquatic ecosystems and back to terrestrial ecosystems, as plant genotype influences aquatic insect emergence (Compson et al. ), which can affect the abundance and biomass of riparian predators that depend on this reciprocal subsidy (Baxter et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation

Compson

Hungate

Whitham

et al. 2018

Ecology

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Leaf litter provides an important nutrient subsidy to headwater streams, but little is known about how tree genetics influence energy pathways from litter to higher trophic levels. Despite the charge to quantify carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pathways from decomposing litter, the relationship between litter decomposition and aquatic consumers remains unresolved. We measured litter preference (attachments to litter), C and N assimilation rates, and growth rates of a shredding caddisfly (Hesperophylax magnus, Limnephilidae) in response to leaf litter of different chemical and physical phenotypes using Populus cross types (P. fremontii, P. angustifolia, and F hybrids) and genotypes within P. angustifolia. We combined laboratory mesocosm studies using litter from a common garden with a field study using doubly labeled litter ( C and N) grown in a greenhouse and incubated in Oak Creek, Arizona, USA. We found that, in the lab, shredders initially chose relatively labile (low lignin and condensed tannin concentrations, rapidly decomposing) cross type litter, but preference changed within 4 d to relatively recalcitrant (high lignin and condensed tannin concentrations, slowly decomposing) litter types. Additionally, in the lab, shredder growth rates were higher on relatively recalcitrant compared to labile cross type litter. Over the course of a three-week field experiment, shredders also assimilated more C and N from relatively recalcitrant compared to labile cross type litter. Finally, among P. angustifolia genotypes, N assimilation by shredders was positively related to litter lignin and C:N, but negatively related to condensed tannins and decomposition rate. C assimilation was likewise positively related to litter C:N, and also to litter %N. C assimilation was not associated with condensed tannins or lignin. Collectively, these findings suggest that relatively recalcitrant litter of Populus cross types provides more nutritional benefit, in terms of N fluxes and growth, than labile litter, but among P. angustifolia genotypes the specific trait of litter recalcitrance (lignin or tannins) determines effects on C or N assimilation. As shredders provide nutrients and energy to higher trophic levels, the influence of these genetically based plant decomposition pathways on shredder preference and performance may affect community and food web structure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Jackrel and Wootton , Compson et al. ). Similarly, in lentic ecosystems, genetic differences in litter traits of Populus trichocarpa affect decomposition rate, phytoplankton concentrations, nutrient dynamics, and the relative strength of top‐down effects (Crutsinger et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation

Compson

Hungate

Whitham

et al. 2018

Ecology

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“…Narrowleaf cottonwood ( Populus angustifolia ) is a foundation tree species that occurs along riparian corridors throughout mountainous regions of western North America from northeastern Sonora, México, to southern Alberta, Canada (Little, ). Riparian corridors encompass stream channels and adjacent alluvial habitats, and terrestrial–aquatic feedback loops drive both cottonwood persistence and overall riparian ecosystem integrity (Compson et al., ; Helfield & Naiman, ). Riparian corridors influence pollen dispersal by channelling wind flow, while both wind and water contribute to seed dispersal.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

et al. 2017

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Gene flow is an evolutionary process that supports genetic connectivity and contributes to the capacity of species to adapt to environmental change. Yet, for most species, little is known about the specific environmental factors that influence genetic connectivity, or their effects on genetic diversity and differentiation. We used a landscape genetic approach to understand how geography and climate influence genetic connectivity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia), and their relationships with specieswide patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. Using multivariate restricted optimization in a reciprocal causal modelling framework, we quantified the relative contributions of riparian network connectivity, terrestrial upland resistance and climate gradients on genetic connectivity. We found that (i) all riparian corridors, regardless of river order, equally facilitated connectivity, while terrestrial uplands provided 2.5× more resistance to gene flow than riparian corridors. (ii) Cumulative differences in precipitation seasonality and precipitation of the warmest quarter were the primary climatic factors driving genetic differentiation; furthermore, maximum climate resistance was 45× greater than riparian resistance. (iii) Genetic diversity was positively correlated with connectivity (R = 0.3744, p = .0019), illustrating the utility of resistance models for identifying landscape conditions that can support a species' ability to adapt to environmental change. From these results, we present a map highlighting key genetic connectivity corridors across P. angustifolia's range that if disrupted could have long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences. Our findings provide recommendations for conservation and restoration management of threatened riparian ecosystems throughout the western USA and the high biodiversity they support.

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“…; Compson et al . , ) or differences between individuals from locally adapted populations (Post et al . ; Bassar et al .…”

Section: Consequences – How Contemporary Evolution Contributes To Conmentioning

confidence: 99%

From low to high gear: there has been a paradigm shift in our understanding of evolution

2018

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Experimental studies of evolution performed in nature and the associated demonstration of rapid evolution, observable on a time scale of months to years, were an acclaimed novelty in the 1980–1990s. Contemporary evolution is now considered ordinary and is an integrated feature of many areas of research. This shift from extraordinary to ordinary reflects a change in the perception of evolution. It was formerly thought of as a historical process, perceived through the footprints left in the fossil record or living organisms. It is now seen as a contemporary process that acts in real time. Here we review how this shift occurred and its consequences for fields as diverse as wildlife management, conservation biology, and ecosystems ecology. Incorporating contemporary evolution in these fields has caused old questions to be recast, changed the answers, caused new and previously inconceivable questions to be addressed, and inspired the development of new subdisciplines. We argue further that the potential of contemporary evolution has yet to be fulfilled. Incorporating evolutionary dynamics in any research program can provide a better assessment of how and why organisms and communities came to be as they are than is attainable without an explicit treatment of these dynamics.

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Plant genotype influences aquatic‐terrestrial ecosystem linkages through timing and composition of insect emergence

Cited by 16 publications

References 134 publications

Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation

Linking tree genetics and stream consumers: isotopic tracers elucidate controls on carbon and nitrogen assimilation

Conserving threatened riparian ecosystems in the American West: Precipitation gradients and river networks drive genetic connectivity and diversity in a foundation riparian tree (Populus angustifolia)

From low to high gear: there has been a paradigm shift in our understanding of evolution

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