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Global gradients in intraspecific variation in vegetative and floral traits are partially associated with climate and species richness
Author(s) -
Kuppler Jonas,
Albert Cécile H.,
Ames Gregory M.,
Armbruster William Scott,
Boenisch Gerhard,
Boucher Florian C.,
Campbell Diane R.,
Carneiro Liedson T.,
ChacónMadrigal Eduardo,
Enquist Brian J.,
Fonseca Carlos R.,
Gómez José M.,
Guisan Antoine,
Higuchi Pedro,
Karger Dirk N.,
Kattge Jens,
Kleyer Michael,
Kraft Nathan J. B.,
LarueKontić AnneAmélie C.,
Lázaro Amparo,
Lechleitner Martin,
Loughnan Deirdre,
Minden Vanessa,
Niinemets Ülo,
Overbeck Gerhard E.,
Parachnowitsch Amy L.,
Perfectti Francisco,
Pillar Valério D.,
Schellenberger Costa David,
Sletvold Nina,
Stang Martina,
AlvesdosSantos Isabel,
Streit Helena,
Wright Justin,
Zych Marcin,
Junker Robert R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
global ecology and biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.164
H-Index - 152
eISSN - 1466-8238
pISSN - 1466-822X
DOI - 10.1111/geb.13077
Subject(s) - species richness , abiotic component , intraspecific competition , biology , trait , ecology , herbaceous plant , competition (biology) , computer science , programming language
Aim Intraspecific trait variation (ITV) within natural plant communities can be large, influencing local ecological processes and dynamics. Here, we shed light on how ITV in vegetative and floral traits responds to large‐scale abiotic and biotic gradients (i.e., climate and species richness). Specifically, we tested whether associations of ITV with temperature, precipitation and species richness were consistent with any of four hypotheses relating to stress tolerance and competition. Furthermore, we estimated the degree of correlation between ITV in vegetative and floral traits and how they vary along the gradients. Location Global. Time period 1975–2016. Major taxa studied Herbaceous and woody plants. Methods We compiled a dataset of 18,401 measurements of the absolute extent of ITV (measured as the coefficient of variation) in nine vegetative and seven floral traits from 2,822 herbaceous and woody species at 2,372 locations. Results Large‐scale associations between ITV and climate were trait specific and more prominent for vegetative traits, especially leaf morphology, than for floral traits. The ITV showed pronounced associations with climate, with lower ITV values in colder areas and higher values in drier areas. The associations of ITV with species richness were inconsistent across traits. Species‐specific associations across gradients were often idiosyncratic, and covariation in ITV was weaker between vegetative and floral traits than within the two trait groups. Main conclusions Our results show that, depending on the traits considered, ITV either increased or decreased with climate stress and species richness, suggesting that both factors can constrain or enhance ITV, which might foster plant‐population persistence in stressful conditions. Given the species‐specific responses and covariation in ITV, associations can be hard to predict for traits and species not yet studied. We conclude that consideration of ITV can improve our understanding of how plants cope with stressful conditions and environmental change across spatial and biological scales.