The complex adaptive character of spring fens as model ecosystems

Schweiger, Andreas

doi:10.21425/f59232607

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Memory effects are a major feature of ecosystem dynamics which influence present and future response trajectories (Schweiger, 2017). Memory effects become especially important when environmental changes happen fast and single organisms, populations or entire ecosystems have to adapt to these novel environmental conditions (Schweiger et al , 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transgenerational effects of elevated CO 2 : Downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal sensitivity to drought

Schweiger

Awdamet

Drenckhan

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Increasing atmospheric CO and drought are major symptoms of anthropogenic climate change with profound effects on plant growth. Transgenerational memory (i.e. influence of the parental environment on offspring phenotype and performance) has been suggested as a relevant mechanism for plants to build-up adaptative capacity for rapid environmental changes. However, this mechanism of pre-adaptation remains poorly investigated so far. We investigated intra- and transgenerational effects of elevated CO on drought response of wheat. We used seeds from a FACE (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) experiment with ambient and elevated CO to grow plants in climate chambers in which we varied CO , atmospheric water demand and soil moisture. We quantified photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal sensitivity and biomass production. We observed intragenerational upregulation of photosynthetic efficiency but transgenerational downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal sensitivity and water use efficiency as response to maternally elevated CO . Plant biomass was affected by drought and experimental CO but not by maternal CO . Our study showcases the importance of transgenerational memory effects when studying climate change response of plants and could have major implications for our understanding of global dynamics of carbon sequestration. It highlights the pressing need for multi-generational experiments accounting for transgenerational memory effects of elevated CO .

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transgenerational effects of elevated CO 2 : Downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal sensitivity to drought

Schweiger

Awdamet

Drenckhan

et al. 2022

Preprint

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show abstract

“…Ecosystems must be seen as ephemeral, open systems that are the outcome of broad‐scale dynamics in species ranges interacting with local environmental conditions and co‐occurring species (Ricklefs, ). The assembly of ecosystems is thus determined by the adaptive interaction between dynamically changing pools of local and immigrating (or introduced) species and their abiotic environment (Higgins, ; Schweiger, ). Both are cumulatively reflected in the material and information legacies, thus, the ecological memory of an ecosystem.…”

Section: The Ecological Memory–rewilding Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of ecological memory for trophic rewilding as an ecosystem restoration approach

et al. 2018

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Increasing human pressure on strongly defaunated ecosystems is characteristic of the Anthropocene and calls for proactive restoration approaches that promote self-sustaining, functioning ecosystems. However, the suitability of novel restoration concepts such as trophic rewilding is still under discussion given fragmentary empirical data and limited theory development. Here, we develop a theoretical framework that integrates the concept of 'ecological memory' into trophic rewilding. The ecological memory of an ecosystem is defined as an ecosystem's accumulated abiotic and biotic material and information legacies from past dynamics. By summarising existing knowledge about the ecological effects of megafauna extinction and rewilding across a large range of spatial and temporal scales, we identify two key drivers of ecosystem responses to trophic rewilding: (i) impact potential of (re)introduced megafauna, and (ii) ecological memory characterising the focal ecosystem. The impact potential of (re)introduced megafauna species can be estimated from species properties such as lifetime per capita engineering capacity, population density, home range size and niche overlap with resident species. The importance of ecological memory characterising the focal ecosystem depends on (i) the absolute time since megafauna loss, (ii) the speed of abiotic and biotic turnover, (iii) the strength of species interactions characterising the focal ecosystem, and (iv) the compensatory capacity of surrounding source ecosystems. These properties related to the focal and surrounding ecosystems mediate material and information legacies (its ecological memory) and modulate the net ecosystem impact of (re)introduced megafauna species. We provide practical advice about how to quantify all these properties while highlighting the strong link between ecological memory and historically contingent ecosystem trajectories. With this newly established ecological memory-rewilding framework, we hope to guide future empirical studies that investigate the ecological effects of trophic rewilding and other ecosystem-restoration approaches. The proposed integrated conceptual framework should also assist managers and decision makers to anticipate the possible trajectories of ecosystem dynamics after restoration actions and to weigh plausible alternatives. This will help practitioners to develop adaptive management strategies for trophic rewilding that could facilitate sustainable management of functioning ecosystems in an increasingly human-dominated world.

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The complex adaptive character of spring fens as model ecosystems

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

Transgenerational effects of elevated CO 2 : Downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal sensitivity to drought

Transgenerational effects of elevated CO 2 : Downregulation of photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal sensitivity to drought

The importance of ecological memory for trophic rewilding as an ecosystem restoration approach

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