TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kurze, Susanne
A1  - Bareither, Nils
A1  - Metz, Johannes
T1  - Phenology, roots and reproductive allocation, but not the LHS scheme, shape ecotypes along an aridity gradient
JF  - Perspectives in plant ecology, evolution and systematics
N2  - This study tested systematically at two spatial scales for key traits shaping within-species ecotypic differentiation under increasing aridity. It assessed different plant strategy theories and considered potential implications for climate change. We studied the widespread Mediterranean grass Brachypodium hybridum. At large scale, we tested 14 populations along a steep natural aridity gradient (114-954 mm annual rainfall). At small scale, we tested the microclimatic contrast between plants originating from corresponding north (more mesic) and south (more arid) exposed hillslopes. Fifteen traits were measured in the greenhouse, including the popular traits of the LeafHeight- Seed scheme (SLA, plant height, seed mass), several traits on phenology, architecture, growth, fitness, and rarely measured root traits. Clear trait shifts indicated ecotypic differentiation along the large-scale gradient. Earlier phenology, higher reproductive allocation and reduced root investment characterized arid ecotypes. Surprisingly, no trait of the Leaf-Height-Seed scheme shifted with aridity and root responses were opposite to the theory of optimal resource partitioning. Trait differences between north and south exposures were small, often inconsistent between sites, and poorly matched the trends across the large-scale gradient. South exposures thus appeared unlikely to harbour distinct ecotypes better adapted to aridity. Our findings highlight ecotypes as a crucial way how species span environmental gradients, yet underpinning their restriction at small spatial scales. In combination, this possibly renders populations more vulnerable to climate change. We draw attention to specific, partly unexpected traits and pose the question whether the LeafHeight- Seed scheme has limited applicability for intraspecific investigations in drylands.
KW  - Brachypodium hybridum
KW  - Local adaptation
KW  - Rainfall gradient
KW  - Seed mass
KW  - SLA
KW  - Slope exposure
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2017.09.004
SN  - 1433-8319
VL  - 29
SP  - 20
EP  - 29
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Jena
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lauterbach, D.
A1  - Roemermann, C.
A1  - Jeltsch, Florian
A1  - Ristow, Michael
T1  - Factors driving plant rarity in dry grasslands on different spatial
 scales: a functional trait approach
JF  - BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
N2  - In European dry grasslands land-use changes affect plant species performance and frequency. Potential driving forces are eutrophication and habitat fragmentation. The importance of these factors is presumably scale dependent. We used a functional trait approach to detect processes that influence species frequency and endangerment on different spatial scales. We tested for associations between functional traits and (1) frequency and (2) degree of endangerment on local, regional and national scales. We focussed on five selected traits that describe the life-history of plant species and that are related to competition, dispersal ability and habitat specificity. Trait data on plant height, SLA, plant coverage, peak of flowering and diaspore mass were measured for 28 perennials from common to rare and endangered to non-endangered on 59 dry grassland sites in north-eastern Germany. Multiple regression models revealed that species frequency is positively and species endangerment negatively related to plant height, plant coverage and SLA on more than one spatial scale. On the local scale, diaspore mass has a negative effect on species frequency. More frequent and less endangered species show a later peak of flowering on nationwide and regional scales. We concluded that competition traits are more important on larger scales, whereas dispersal traits are more important for species frequency on the smaller scale. On national and regional scales, eutrophication and habitat loss may be the main drivers of species threat, whereas on the local scale fragmentation plays a crucial role for the performance of dry grassland species.
KW  - Species frequency
KW  - Species endangerment
KW  - Fragmentation
KW  - Eutrophication
KW  - SLA
Y1  - 2013
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0455-y
SN  - 0960-3115
VL  - 22
IS  - 10
SP  - 2337
EP  - 2352
PB  - SPRINGER
CY  - DORDRECHT
ER  -