Premium
Functional trait values, not trait plasticity, drive the invasiveness of Rosa sp. in response to light availability
Author(s) -
Murphy Jennifer E.,
Burns Jean H.,
FougèreDanezan Marie,
Drenovsky Rebecca E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.1600235
Subject(s) - biology , trait , phenotypic plasticity , plasticity , specific leaf area , ecology , invasive species , evolutionary biology , botany , photosynthesis , programming language , thermodynamics , physics , computer science
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Functional trait plasticity in resource capture traits has been suggested as an underlying mechanism promoting invasive species establishment and spread. Earlier studies on this mechanism treat invasiveness as a discrete characteristic (i.e., invasive vs. noninvasive) and do not consider the potential impacts of evolutionary history. In the present study, we used a continuous measure of invasiveness and a phylogenetic framework to quantify the relationship between functional trait expression, plasticity, and invasiveness in Rosa . METHODS: In a manipulative greenhouse experiment, we evaluated how light availability affects functional traits and their plasticity in Rosa sp. and the out‐group species, Potentilla recta , which vary in their invasiveness. KEY RESULTS: Across functional traits, we found no significant relationship between plasticity and invasiveness. However, more invasive roses demonstrated an ability to produce a more branched plant architecture, promoting optimal light capture. Invasiveness also was linked with lower photosynthetic and stomatal conductance rates, leading to increased water‐use efficiency (WUE) in more invasive roses. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that functional trait values, rather than plasticity, promote invasive rose success, counter to earlier predictions about the role of plasticity in invasiveness. Furthermore, our study indicates that invasive roses demonstrate key functional traits, such as increased WUE, to promote their success in the high‐light, edge habitats they commonly invade.