The triangular seed mass–leaf area relationship holds for annual plants and is determined by habitat productivity

Santini, Bianca A.; Hodgson, J.; Thompson, Ken; Wilson, Peter; Band, S. R.; Jones, Glynis; Charles, Mike; Bogaard, Amy; Palmer, Carol; Rees, Mark

doi:10.1111/1365-2435.12870

Cited by 24 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 72 publications

(169 reference statements)

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“…; Santini et al . ), we are not aware of any previous report of unimodal relationships between resource availability and the variance in seed mass, probably because most previous studies have only tested for linear trends (Bernard‐Verdier et al . ; Sonnier et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…; Dwyer & Laughlin ; Santini et al . ). While we cannot rule out the possibility that the patterns we found were related to other, highly correlated traits, the fact that our data confirm two independent assumptions of the model (growth allometry and size‐asymmetry of light competition [DeMalach et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Santini et al . ), theoretical studies attempting to explain the observed patterns are extremely rare (Tilman ; Adler et al . ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanisms of seed mass variation along resource gradients

2018

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The enormous variation in seed mass along gradients of soil resources has fascinated plant ecologists for decades. However, so far, this research has focused on the description of such variation, rather than its underlying mechanisms. Here we experimentally test a recent model relating such variation to two fundamental properties of plant growth: allometry of biomass growth and size‐asymmetry of light competition. According to the model, mean seed mass should increase, and the variance of seed mass should show a unimodal response, to increasing soil resource availability (productivity). We test these predictions and their underlying assumptions using a combination of field observations, mesocosm experiments and greenhouse experiments focusing on Mediterranean annual plants. Our results support the predictions and assumptions of the model, and allow us to reject alternative models of seed mass variation. We conclude that growth‐allometry and size‐asymmetric light competition are key drivers of seed‐mass variation along soil resource gradients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Mechanisms of seed mass variation along resource gradients

2018

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“…, Santini et al. ) and requires much further theoretical and empirical research. In addition, as in every simulation model, conclusions are based on the parameter space used.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed mass diversity along resource gradients: the role of allometric growth rate and size‐asymmetric competition

DeMalach

Kadmon

2018

Ecology

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The large variation in seed mass among species inspired a vast array of theoretical and empirical research attempting to explain this variation. So far, seed mass variation was investigated by two classes of studies. One class focuses on species varying in seed mass within communities, while the second focuses on variation between communities, most often with respect to resource gradients. Here, we develop a model capable of simultaneously explaining variation in seed mass within and between communities. The model describes resource competition (for both soil and light resources) in annual communities and incorporates two fundamental aspects: light asymmetry (higher light acquisition per unit biomass for larger individuals) and growth allometry (negative dependency of relative growth rate on plant biomass). Results show that both factors are critical in determining patterns of seed mass variation. In general, growth allometry increases the reproductive success of small-seeded species while light asymmetry increases the reproductive success of large-seeded species. Increasing availability of soil resources increases light competition, thereby increasing the reproductive success of large-seeded species and ultimately the community (weighted) mean seed mass. An unexpected prediction of the model is that maximum variation in community seed mass (a measure of functional diversity) occurs under intermediate levels of soil resources. Extensions of the model incorporating size-dependent seed survival and disturbance also show patterns consistent with empirical observations. These overall results suggest that the mechanisms captured by the model are important in determining patterns of species and functional diversity.

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“…Ackerly, ; Baraloto et al, ; de la Riva et al, ; Jager et al, ; Li & Bao, ), while fewer studies have done so across non‐woody species (e.g. Cheng et al, ; Craine, Froehle, Tilman, Wedin, & Chapin, ; Craine & Lee, ; Santini et al, ). To our knowledge, only Diaz et al () have specifically contrasted the difference in coordination among different traits across tissue types among woody and non‐woody species, finding no difference in trait interdependence between growth forms, but some differences in the strength of specific trait correlations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Robustness of trait connections across environmental gradients and growth forms

Flores‐Moreno

Fazayeli

Banerjee

et al. 2019

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim Plant trait databases often contain traits that are correlated, but for whom direct (undirected statistical dependency) and indirect (mediated by other traits) connections may be confounded. The confounding of correlation and connection hinders our understanding of plant strategies, and how these vary among growth forms and climate zones. We identified the direct and indirect connections across plant traits relevant to competition, resource acquisition and reproductive strategies using a global database and explored whether connections within and between traits from different tissue types vary across climates and growth forms. Location Global. Major taxa studied Plants. Time period Present. Methods We used probabilistic graphical models and a database of 10 plant traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, mass‐ and area‐based leaf nitrogen and phosphorous content, leaf life span, plant height, stem specific density and seed mass) with 16,281 records to describe direct and indirect connections across woody and non‐woody plants across tropical, temperate, arid, cold and polar regions. Results Trait networks based on direct connections are sparser than those based on correlations. Land plants had high connectivity across traits within and between tissue types; leaf life span and stem specific density shared direct connections with all other traits. For both growth forms, two groups of traits form modules of more highly connected traits; one related to resource acquisition, the other to plant architecture and reproduction. Woody species had higher trait network modularity in polar compared to temperate and tropical climates, while non‐woody species did not show significant differences in modularity across climate regions. Main conclusions Plant traits are highly connected both within and across tissue types, yet traits segregate into persistent modules of traits. Variation in the modularity of trait networks suggests that trait connectivity is shaped by prevailing environmental conditions and demonstrates that plants of different growth forms use alternative strategies to cope with local conditions.

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The triangular seed mass–leaf area relationship holds for annual plants and is determined by habitat productivity

Cited by 24 publications

References 72 publications

Mechanisms of seed mass variation along resource gradients

Mechanisms of seed mass variation along resource gradients

Seed mass diversity along resource gradients: the role of allometric growth rate and size‐asymmetric competition

Robustness of trait connections across environmental gradients and growth forms

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