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Drivers of vegetative dormancy across herbaceous perennial plant species
Author(s) -
Shefferson Richard P.,
Kull Tiiu,
Hutchings Michael J.,
Selosse MarcAndré,
Jacquemyn Hans,
Kellett Kimberly M.,
Menges Eric S.,
Primack Richard B.,
Tuomi Juha,
Alahuhta Kirsi,
Hurskainen Sonja,
Alexander Helen M.,
Anderson Derek S.,
Brys Rein,
Brzosko Emilia,
Dostálik Slavomir,
Gregg Katharine,
Ipser Zdeněk,
Jäkäläniemi Anne,
Jersáková Jana,
Dean Kettle W.,
McCormick Melissa K.,
Mendoza Ana,
Miller Michael T.,
Moen Asbjørn,
Øien DagInge,
Püttsepp Ülle,
Roy Mélanie,
Sather Nancy,
Sletvold Nina,
Štípková Zuzana,
Tali Kadri,
Warren Robert J.,
Whigham Dennis F.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12940
Subject(s) - dormancy , biology , perennial plant , competition (biology) , ecology , seed dormancy , herbaceous plant , sprouting , germination , botany
Vegetative dormancy, that is the temporary absence of aboveground growth for ≥ 1 year, is paradoxical, because plants cannot photosynthesise or flower during dormant periods. We test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses for its widespread persistence. We show that dormancy has evolved numerous times. Most species displaying dormancy exhibit life‐history costs of sprouting, and of dormancy. Short‐lived and mycoheterotrophic species have higher proportions of dormant plants than long‐lived species and species with other nutritional modes. Foliage loss is associated with higher future dormancy levels, suggesting that carbon limitation promotes dormancy. Maximum dormancy duration is shorter under higher precipitation and at higher latitudes, the latter suggesting an important role for competition or herbivory. Study length affects estimates of some demographic parameters. Our results identify life historical and environmental drivers of dormancy. We also highlight the evolutionary importance of the little understood costs of sprouting and growth, latitudinal stress gradients and mixed nutritional modes.