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Habitat fragmentation reduces plant progeny quality: a global synthesis
Author(s) -
Aguilar Ramiro,
CristóbalPérez Edson Jacob,
BalvinoOlvera Francisco Javier,
AguilarAguilar María,
AguirreAcosta Natalia,
Ashworth Lorena,
Lobo Jorge A.,
MarténRodríguez Silvana,
Fuchs Eric J.,
SanchezMontoya Gumersindo,
Bernardello Gabriel,
Quesada Mauricio
Publication year - 2019
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.13272
Subject(s) - biology , outcrossing , habitat fragmentation , habitat , ecology , genetic erosion , inbreeding , fragmentation (computing) , inbreeding depression , habitat destruction , mating system , genetic diversity , mating , population , pollen , demography , sociology
Most of the world's land surface is currently under human use and natural habitats remain as fragmented samples of the original landscapes. Measuring the quality of plant progeny sired in these pervasive environments represents a fundamental endeavour for predicting the evolutionary potential of plant populations remaining in fragmented habitats and thus their ability to adapt to changing environments. By means of hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta‐analyses we reviewed habitat fragmentation effects on the genetic and biological characteristics of progenies across 179 plant species. Progeny sired in fragmented habitats showed overall genetic erosion in contrast with progeny sired in continuous habitats, with the exception of plants pollinated by vertebrates. Similarly, plant progeny in fragmented habitats showed reduced germination, survival and growth. Habitat fragmentation had stronger negative effects on the progeny vigour of outcrossing‐ than mixed‐mating plant species, except for vertebrate‐pollinated species. Finally, we observed that increased inbreeding coefficients due to fragmentation correlated negatively with progeny vigour. Our findings reveal a gloomy future for angiosperms remaining in fragmented habitats as fewer sired progeny of lower quality may decrease recruitment of plant populations, thereby increasing their probability of extinction.