Intraspecific trait variation patterns along a precipitation gradient in Mongolian rangelands

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Birgit Lang
  • Anna Geiger
  • Munkhzuul Oyunbileg
  • Julian Ahlborn
  • Henrik von Wehrden
  • Karsten Wesche
  • Batlai Oyuntsetseg
  • Christine Römermann

Moisture availability is the main limiting factor of plant growth and biomass production in arid and semi-arid grasslands. The question whether plant responses to changing precipitation are species-specific, or change over entire plant communities is still controversial. Our study focussed on intraspecific changes in the plant traits canopy height, plant width, specific leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, performance index, and individual biomass of three congeneric species pairs with changing precipitation in Mongolian rangelands, covering a gradient from the desert to the forest steppes. Using this trait data set, we focussed on three questions: (i) Is the replacement of congeneric species along an environmental gradient also reflected in their trait values? (ii) Can intraspecific trait variation patterns be derived from patterns in species abundances, i.e., are trait values optimal where species are most abundant? (iii) Is the within-population trait variability lowest in populations growing under very dry conditions, i.e., under highest environmental stress, caused by stronger filtering? We tested the responses of the six traits to changing precipitation according to species’ identity and abundance. We found unimodal relationships between most of the species’ traits and precipitation, and strong associations between species abundances and trait values, but not for all investigated species. Trait variability did not significantly differ between populations from different positions along the precipitation gradient. Our results highlight that species show multiple or even opposite trait responses along the precipitation gradient. It thus remains challenging to predict how plant distributions will shift under changing environmental conditions based on their trait composition.

Original languageEnglish
JournalFlora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants
Volume254
Pages (from-to)135-146
Number of pages12
ISSN0367-2530
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.05.2019

    Research areas

  • Artemisia, Caragana, Chlorophyll fluorescence, Intraspecific trait variability, Specific leaf area, Stipa
  • Ecosystems Research

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Document assignment in multi-site search engines
  2. Enhancing EFL classroom instruction via the FeedBook: effects on language development and communicative language use.
  3. A Two-Stage Augmented Extended Kalman Filter as an Observer for Sensorless Valve Control in Camless Internal Combustion Engines
  4. Nonlinear PD fault-tolerant control for dynamic positioning of ships with actuator constraints
  5. Value Structure and Dimensions
  6. Predicting the Individual Mood Level based on Diary Data
  7. Robust Control of Excavation Mobile Robot with Dynamic Triangulation Vision
  8. TARGET SETTING FOR OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS - STUDY CASE -
  9. Measuring cognitive load with subjective rating scales during problem solving
  10. The temporal pattern of creativity and implementation in teams
  11. Governing Objects from a Distance
  12. Strengthening the transformative impulse while mainstreaming real-world labs: Lessons learned from three years of BaWü-Labs
  13. Noninteracting optimal and adaptive torque control using an online parameter estimation with help of polynomials in EKF for a PMSM
  14. Metaphors and Paradigms of the Language Animal—or—The Advantage of seeing “Time Is a Resource” as a Paradigm
  15. Challenges for biodiversity monitoring using citizen science in transitioning social-ecological systems
  16. Does thinking-aloud affect learning, visual information processing and cognitive load when learning with seductive details as expected from self-regulation perspective?
  17. Global Finite-Time Stabilization of Planar Linear Systems With Actuator Saturation
  18. The Creation of the Concept through the Interaction of Philosophy with Science and Art
  19. Cost effectiveness of guided Internet-based interventions for depression in comparison with control conditions
  20. Using corpus-linguistic methods to track longitudinal development
  21. Learning shortest paths in word graphs
  22. An intersection test for the cointegrating rank in dependent panel data
  23. Distributable Modular Software Framework for Manufacturing Systems
  24. Sensor Fusion for Power Line Sensitive Monitoring and Load State Estimation
  25. A Geometric Approach by Using Switching and Flatness Based Control in Electromechanical Actuators for Linear Motion