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Functional traits and phenotypic plasticity modulate species coexistence across contrasting climatic conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos

    (LINC Global)

  • Luis Matías

    (Universidad de Jaén
    Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Lorena Gómez-Aparicio

    (LINC Global)

  • Óscar Godoy

    (Universidad de Cádiz)

Abstract

Functional traits are expected to modulate plant competitive dynamics. However, how traits and their plasticity in response to contrasting environments connect with the mechanisms determining species coexistence remains poorly understood. Here, we couple field experiments under two contrasting climatic conditions to a plant population model describing competitive dynamics between 10 annual plant species in order to evaluate how 19 functional traits, covering physiological, morphological and reproductive characteristics, are associated with species’ niche and fitness differences. We find a rich diversity of univariate and multidimensional associations, which highlight the primary role of traits related to water- and light-use-efficiency for modulating the determinants of competitive outcomes. Importantly, such traits and their plasticity promote species coexistence across climatic conditions by enhancing stabilizing niche differences and by generating competitive trade-offs between species. Our study represents a significant advance showing how leading dimensions of plant function connect to the mechanisms determining the maintenance of biodiversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ignacio M. Pérez-Ramos & Luis Matías & Lorena Gómez-Aparicio & Óscar Godoy, 2019. "Functional traits and phenotypic plasticity modulate species coexistence across contrasting climatic conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10453-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10453-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Shengman Lyu & Jake M. Alexander, 2022. "Competition contributes to both warm and cool range edges," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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