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Ecophysiological adaptations shape distributions of closely related trees along a climatic moisture gradient

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  • Duncan D. Smith

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Swinburne University of Technology
    University of Melbourne)

  • Mark A. Adams

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Amanda M. Salvi

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Christopher P. Krieg

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Cécile Ané

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Katherine A. McCulloh

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Thomas J. Givnish

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

Tradeoffs between the energetic benefits and costs of traits can shape species and trait distributions along environmental gradients. Here we test predictions based on such tradeoffs using survival, growth, and 50 photosynthetic, hydraulic, and allocational traits of ten Eucalyptus species grown in four common gardens along an 8-fold gradient in precipitation/pan evaporation (P/Ep) in Victoria, Australia. Phylogenetically structured tests show that most trait-environment relationships accord qualitatively with theory. Most traits appear adaptive across species within gardens (indicating fixed genetic differences) and within species across gardens (indicating plasticity). However, species from moister climates have lower stomatal conductance than others grown under the same conditions. Responses in stomatal conductance and five related traits appear to reflect greater mesophyll photosynthetic sensitivity of mesic species to lower leaf water potential. Our data support adaptive cross-over, with realized height growth of most species exceeding that of others in climates they dominate. Our findings show that pervasive physiological, hydraulic, and allocational adaptations shape the distributions of dominant Eucalyptus species along a subcontinental climatic moisture gradient, driven by rapid divergence in species P/Ep and associated adaptations.

Suggested Citation

  • Duncan D. Smith & Mark A. Adams & Amanda M. Salvi & Christopher P. Krieg & Cécile Ané & Katherine A. McCulloh & Thomas J. Givnish, 2023. "Ecophysiological adaptations shape distributions of closely related trees along a climatic moisture gradient," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42352-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42352-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jake M. Alexander & Jeffrey M. Diez & Jonathan M. Levine, 2015. "Novel competitors shape species’ responses to climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 525(7570), pages 515-518, September.
    2. Xiangzhong Luo & Trevor F. Keenan & Jing M. Chen & Holly Croft & I. Colin Prentice & Nicholas G. Smith & Anthony P. Walker & Han Wang & Rong Wang & Chonggang Xu & Yao Zhang, 2021. "Global variation in the fraction of leaf nitrogen allocated to photosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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