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Deluigi J, Bachofen C, Didion-Gency M, Gisler J, Mas E, Mekarni L, Poretti A, Schaub M, Vitasse Y, Grossiord C. Prolonged warming and drought reduce canopy-level net carbon uptake in beech and oak saplings despite photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2025; 246:2015-2028. [PMID: 40178032 DOI: 10.1111/nph.70111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2025] [Indexed: 04/05/2025]
Abstract
Tree net carbon (C) uptake may decrease under global warming, as higher temperatures constrain photosynthesis while simultaneously increasing respiration. Thermal acclimation might mitigate this negative effect, but its capacity to do so under concurrent soil drought remains uncertain. Using a 5-yr open-top chamber experiment, we determined acclimation of leaf-level photosynthesis (thermal optimum Topt and rate Aopt) and respiration (rate at 25°C R25 and thermal sensitivity Q10) to chronic +5°C warming, soil drought, and their combination in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) saplings. Process-based modeling was used to evaluate acclimation impacts on canopy-level net C uptake (Atot). Prolonged warming increased Topt by 3.03-2.66°C, but only by 1.58-0.31°C when combined with soil drought, and slightly reduced R25 and Q10. By contrast, drought reduced Topt (-1.93°C in oak), Aopt (c. 50%), and slightly reduced R25 and Q10 (in beech). Mainly because of reduced leaf area, Atot decreased by 47-84% with warming (in beech) and drought, but without additive effects when combined. Our results suggest that, despite photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation to warming and soil drought, canopy-level net C uptake will decline in a persistently hotter and drier climate, primarily due to the prevalent impact of leaf area reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janisse Deluigi
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Bachofen
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Margaux Didion-Gency
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Center CREAF, E-08193, Cerdanyola-del-Vallès, Spain
| | - Jonas Gisler
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Eugénie Mas
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), DC-20560, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Laura Mekarni
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alvaro Poretti
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Schaub
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Yann Vitasse
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Grossiord
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Ma Z, Buckley TN, Sack L. The determination of leaf size on the basis of developmental traits. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2025; 246:461-480. [PMID: 39994877 DOI: 10.1111/nph.20461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025]
Abstract
Mature leaf area (LA) is a showcase of diversity - varying enormously within and across species, and associated with the productivity and distribution of plants and ecosystems. Yet, it remains unclear how developmental processes determine variation in LA. We introduce a mathematical framework pinpointing the origin of variation in LA by quantifying six epidermal 'developmental traits': initial mean cell size and number (approximating values within the leaf primordium), and the maximum relative rates and durations of cell proliferation and expansion until leaf maturity. We analyzed a novel database of developmental trajectories of LA and epidermal anatomy, representing 12 eudicotyledonous species and 52 Arabidopsis experiments. Within and across species, mean primordium cell number and maximum relative cell proliferation rate were the strongest developmental determinants of LA. Trade-offs between developmental traits, consistent with evolutionary and metabolic scaling theory, strongly constrain LA variation. These include trade-offs between primordium cell number vs cell proliferation, primordium mean cell size vs cell expansion, and the durations vs maximum relative rates of cell proliferation and expansion. Mutant and wild-type comparisons showed these trade-offs have a genetic basis in Arabidopsis. Analyses of developmental traits underlying LA and its diversification highlight mechanisms for leaf evolution, and opportunities for breeding trait shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqing Ma
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Thomas N Buckley
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Lawren Sack
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Li Q, Chen L, Qiu Y, Li X, Nan Z, Yao S, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Zhao C. Responses of the Leaf Characteristics of Nymphoides peltata to a Water Depth Gradient in the Qionghai Lake, Western Sichuan Plateau, China. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 14:919. [PMID: 40265841 PMCID: PMC11944560 DOI: 10.3390/plants14060919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2025] [Revised: 03/02/2025] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
The correlations between leaf traits of plants with floating leaves and the responses of these traits to changes in water depth can be used to explore the ecological adaptation strategies of aquatic plants. However, few studies have investigated the covariation and correlation of leaf petiole and leaf morphological indices of aquatic plants along natural water depth gradients. Three plots were established along a water depth gradient: plot I (shallow water, with a water depth ranging from 0 to 20 cm), plot II (medium water, with a water depth ranging from 20 to 40 cm), and plot III (deep water, with a water level ranging from 40 to 60 cm). The floating plant Nymphoides peltata (S. G. Gmel.) Kuntze was studied in the Qionghai National Wetland Park, Sichuan Province, China. The results showed that N. peltata had large, thin leaves and short, thin leaf petioles in plot I; the leaf petiole and leaf traits were opposite of those in Plot III. In the three plots, leaf petiole length and leaf petiole diameter were significantly negatively correlated with leaf area, leaf circumference, leaf length, and leaf width (p < 0.05). N. peltata can maintain normal growth, survival, and reproduction in heterogeneous habitats with different water depths by altering its leaf morphological characteristics in a timely manner. This study is helpful for understanding the mechanism of phenotypic plasticity in aquatic plants with floating foliage in heterogeneous environments and provides a scientific basis for the management of aquatic plants in wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lan Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yumei Qiu
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- College of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China;
| | - Zhe Nan
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shulin Yao
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Zhenghong Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Xichang University, Xichang 615013, China; (L.C.); (Y.Q.); (Z.N.); (S.Y.); (Z.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Chengzhang Zhao
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
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Xu M, Xu Y, Liu H, Liu Q, Yang Q, Long R, Chen L, He F. Genome-wide association study revealed candidate genes associated with leaf size in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2025; 25:180. [PMID: 39930339 PMCID: PMC11812196 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-025-06170-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2025] [Indexed: 02/13/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated perennial leguminous forages globally, known for its high yield and quality. Leaf size plays a crucial role in influencing its photosynthetic capacity, forage yield, and quality. Therefore, understanding the genetic factors regulating leaf size is of great importance for breeding new alfalfa varieties with improved yield and quality. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study on four leaf size-related traits in 176 alfalfa germplasm resources to identify candidate genes associated with leaf size. RESULTS Phenotypic analysis revealed varying degrees of variation among the four traits, with coefficients of variation ranging from 3.43 to 36.84%. The broad sense heritability of these traits was found to be between 38.30% and 53.23%. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation among the four traits (P < 0.01). The GWAS identified 39 SNPs associated with leaf size, distributed across eight chromosomes, of which 9 SNPs were linked to multiple traits. Haplotype analysis further confirmed that the number of superior alleles in each material was positively correlated with leaf area. Finally, we identified five genes near these 39 significant SNPs that are associated with leaf size or development. CONCLUSION Our findings provide new molecular markers for marker-assisted selection in alfalfa breeding programs. Moreover, this study provides a solid foundation for subsequent functional verification and genetic improvement in alfalfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanchao Xu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Cangzhou Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Cangzhou, 061001, China
| | - Qingchuan Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ruicai Long
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Fei He
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Costa GB, Oliveira GJS, Souza JP. Phenotypic plasticity does not prevent impairment of aboveground biomass production due to increased light and water deficit in Dimorphandra exaltata, an endangered species. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2025; 138:51-64. [PMID: 39585585 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01598-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/26/2024]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity may allow plant species to cope with environmental variability that influences plant growth and may limit the distribution of a species. The present study investigated the morphophysiology and phenotypic plasticity responses due to light and water variability of young Dimorphandra exaltata plants, an endemic threatened tree from the Atlantic Forest. After emergence, plants were grown in two light conditions: shading (70%) and full sun. At 160 days old, we measured chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll indices, and biomass allocation. Afterward, the plants were subdivided into two water regimes: irrigation vs suspension of irrigation. At 310 days old, morphophysiological measurements and stem water potential were taken. D. exaltata plants showed higher specific leaf area (SLA, 160 days old) and chlorophyll b (310 days old) under shading. Over time, plants under shading showed a decrease in SLA. Also, there was a decrease in the leaf area ratio in both light treatments and an increase in the phenotypic plasticity index. Even showing morphological adjustments to light and water deficit, the higher biomass allocation to roots at the expense of the aboveground part could impair the growth of young plants in understory areas. The phenotypic plasticity presented by D. exaltata does not guarantee that the species can withstand severe disturbance while maintaining normal development. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of ecosystem fragmentation and water variation and their impacts on the maintenance of species in their areas of occurrence, especially endangered species such as D. exaltata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Brito Costa
- Institute of Biology and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Florestal, Florestal, 35690-000, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Júnio Santos Oliveira
- Institute of Biology and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Florestal, Florestal, 35690-000, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Souza
- Institute of Biology and Health Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Florestal, Florestal, 35690-000, Brazil
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Guo W, Gong L, Luo Y, Guo Q. Does season regulate heterochronous leaf growth? Mechanisms of petiole-lamina trade-offs in broad-leaved woody plants of the Tianshan Mountains. PLANT DIVERSITY 2024; 46:755-765. [PMID: 39811807 PMCID: PMC11726038 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
As the core of leaf functional traits, the trade-off relationship between the petiole and lamina expresses the plant's adaptability to the environment in terms of support structure and photosynthesis. We investigated the proportions of allometric growth in the relationship between the petiole and the lamina of broadleaf woody plants in temperate highland Tianshan Mountains montane forests through three dimensions (length, area, and mass), including the length of the lamina (LL) and the length of the petiole (PL), and the area of the lamina (LA) and petiole cross sectional area (PCA) versus the mass of the lamina (LM) and the mass of the petiole (PM), as well as exploring the characteristics of the variance in response to seasonal changes. We found that the functional traits in all three dimensions showed a clear convergent evolution as the seasons progressed, that is, a "seasonal effect" of increasing and then decreasing. The effect of the petiole-lamina relationship under spring was minimal in the area dimension; the effects of the three-dimensional relationships of the traits were all highest in summer, and the effect of the petiole-lamina relationship was lower in autumn. We also found that petiole traits are simultaneously and multiply affected by lamina traits, with LA and LM having additional effects on the length/mass and area dimensions, respectively. Compared to tree species, shrub species significantly require more light intensity and support capacity. Compound-leaved plants would invest more in photoluminescence, increasing leaf light capture efficiency and static load and dynamic resistance. Our results suggest that plants have rather complex trade-off mechanisms at the leaf level influencing their ability to adapt to the environment, emphasize the need for leaf-level studies on the relationships between functional traits in plants, and illustrate the importance of the season as a distinct time scale for plant trade-off mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Guo
- School of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Wulumuqi, 830017, China
| | - Lu Gong
- School of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Wulumuqi, 830017, China
| | - Yan Luo
- School of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Wulumuqi, 830017, China
| | - Qian Guo
- School of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Wulumuqi, 830017, China
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7
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Jiang Y, Chen Z, Lin H, Deng R, Liang Z, Li Y, Liang S. Trait-based community assembly and functional strategies across three subtropical karst forests, Southwestern China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1451981. [PMID: 39315372 PMCID: PMC11417004 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1451981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Background Variations in community-level plant functional traits are widely used to elucidate vegetation adaptation strategies across different environmental gradients. Moreover, studying functional variation among different forest types aids in understanding the mechanisms by which environmental factors and functional strategies shift community structure. Methods Based on five plant functional traits, including four leaf and one wood trait, for 150 woody species, we analyzed shifts in the community-weighted mean trait values across three forest types in a karst forest landscape: deciduous, mixed, and evergreen forests. We also assessed the relative contributions of stochastic processes, environmental filtering, and niche differentiation to drive community structure using a trait-based null model approach. Results We found marked changes in functional strategy, from resource acquisition on dry, fertile soil plots in deciduous forests to resource conservation on moist, infertile soil conditions in evergreen forests. The trait-based null model showed strong evidence of environmental filtering and convergent patterns in traits across three forest types, as well as low niche differentiation in most functional traits. Some evidence of overdispersion of LDMC and LT occurred to partially support the recent theory of Scheffer and Van Nes that competition could result in a clumped pattern of species along a niche axis. Discussion Our findings suggest a change in environmental gradient from deciduous to evergreen forest, together with a shift from acquisitive to conservative traits. Environmental filtering, stochastic processes, niche differentiation, and overdispersion mechanisms together drive community assembly in karst forest landscapes. These findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the changes in functional traits among karst plants and their adaptive strategies, with important implications for understanding other community assemblies in subtropical forest systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shichu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection,
Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
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8
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Shang C, Zhou Q, Nkoh JN, Liu J, Wang J, Hu Z, Hussain Q. Integrated physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses of Bruguiera gymnorhiza leaves under long-term copper stress: Stomatal size, wax crystals and composition. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116609. [PMID: 38905937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a necessary mineral nutrient for plant growth and development and is involved in several morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes; however, high concentrations of Cu can negatively impact these processes. The role of stomata in responding to various biotic and abiotic stimuli has not been studied in Bruguiera gymnorhiza, particularly in terms of their coordinated interactions at the molecular, physiological, and biochemical levels. Moreover, numerous plants employ strategies such as the presence of thick waxy cuticles on their leaf epidermis and the closing of stomata to reduce water loss. Thus, this study investigates the accumulation of Cu in B. gymnorhiza and its effect on leaf morphology and the molecular response under different Cu treatments (0, 200, and 400 mg L⁻¹, Cu0, Cu200, and Cu400, respectively) during a two years stress period. The results show that Cu stress affected accumulation and transport, increased the activities of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, concentrations of soluble sugar, proline, and H2O2, and decreased the activity of catalase and content of malondialdehyde. Also, Cu-induced stress decreased the uptake of phosphorus and nitrogen and inhibited plant photosynthesis, which consequently led to reduced plant growth. Scanning electron microscopy combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that B. gymnorhiza leaves had higher wax crystals and compositions under increased Cu stress, which forced the leaf's stomata to be closed. Also, the contents of alkanes, alcohols, primary alcohol levels (C26:0, C28:0, C30:0, and C32:0), n-Alkanes (C29 and C30), and other wax loads were significantly higher, while fatty acid (C12, C16, and C18) was lower in Cu200 and Cu400 compared to Cu0. Furthermore, the transcriptomic analyses revealed 1240 (771 up- and 469 downregulated), 1000 (723 up- and 277 down-regulated), and 1476 (808 up- and 668 downregulated) differentially expressed genes in Cu0 vs Cu200, Cu0 vs Cu400, and Cu200 vs Cu400, respectively. RNA-seq analyses showed that Cu mainly affected eight pathways, including photosynthesis, cutin, suberin, and wax biosynthesis. This study provides a reference for understanding mangrove response to heavy metal stress and developing novel management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjing Shang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, PR China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
| | - Jackson Nkoh Nkoh
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; Department of Chemistry, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Jing Liu
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Zhangli Hu
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Quaid Hussain
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Marine Algal Biotechnology, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Collaborative Innovation of Marine Algae Industry, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China; College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
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Gao W, Dai D, Luo H, Yu D, Liu C, Zhang N, Liu L, You C, Zhou S, Tu L, Liu Y, Huang C, He X, Cui X. Habitat differentiation and environmental adaptability contribute to leaf size variations globally in C 3 and C 4 grasses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173309. [PMID: 38782268 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The grass family (Poaceae) dominates ~43 % of Earth's land area and contributes 33 % of terrestrial primary productivity that is critical to naturally regulating atmosphere CO2 concentration and global climate change. Currently grasses comprise ~11,780 species and ~50 % of them (~6000 species) utilize C4 photosynthetic pathway. Generally, grass species have smaller leaves under colder and drier environments, but it is unclear whether the primary drivers of leaf size differ between C3 and C4 grasses on a global scale. Here, we analyzed 34 environmental variables, such as latitude, elevation, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and solar radiation etc., through a comparatively comprehensive database of ~3.0 million occurrence records from 1380 C3 and 978 C4 grass species (2358 species in total). Results from this study confirm that C4 grasses have occupied habitats with lower latitudes and elevations, characterized by warmer, sunnier, drier and less fertile environmental conditions. Grass leaf size correlates positively with mean annual temperature and precipitation as expected. Our results also demonstrate that the mean temperature of the wettest quarter of the year is the primary control for C3 leaf size, whereas C4 leaf size is negatively correlated with the difference between summer and winter temperatures. For C4 grasses, phylogeny exerts a significant effect on leaf size but is less important than environmental factors. Our findings highlight the importance of evolutionarily contrasting variations in leaf size between C3 and C4 grasses for shaping their geographical distribution and habitat suitability at the global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuchao Gao
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Dachuan Dai
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Huan Luo
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Dongli Yu
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Lin Liu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Chengming You
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shixing Zhou
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Lihua Tu
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Yang Liu
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Congde Huang
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Xinhua He
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Xinglei Cui
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China.
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10
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Fang X, Zhu Z, Li J, Wang X, Wei C, Zhang X, Dai Z, Liu S, Luan F. Identification of Chromosomal Regions and Candidate Genes for Round leaf Locus in Cucumis melo L. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1134. [PMID: 38674543 PMCID: PMC11054961 DOI: 10.3390/plants13081134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Leaf morphology plays a crucial role in plant classification and provides a significant model for studying plant diversity while directly impacting photosynthetic efficiency. In the case of melons, leaf shape not only influences production and classification but also represents a key genetic trait that requires further exploration. In this study, we utilized forward genetics to pinpoint a recessive locus, dubbed Cmrl (Round leaf), which is responsible for regulating melon leaf shape. Through bulked segregant analysis sequencing and extensive evaluation of a two-year F2 population, we successfully mapped the Cmrl locus to a 537.07 kb region on chromosome 8 of the melon genome. Subsequent genetic fine-mapping efforts, leveraging a larger F2 population encompassing 1322 plants and incorporating F2:3 phenotypic data, further refined the locus to an 80.27 kb interval housing five candidate genes. Promoter analysis and coding sequence cloning confirmed that one of these candidates, MELO3C019152.2 (Cmppr encoding a pentatricopeptide repeat-containing family protein, Cmppr), stands out as a strong candidate gene for the Cmrl locus. Notably, comparisons of Cmrl expressions across various stages of leaf development and different leaf regions suggest a pivotal role of Cmrl in the morphogenesis of melon leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Fang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticulture Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (X.F.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (X.W.)
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Zicheng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticulture Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (X.F.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (X.W.)
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Junyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticulture Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (X.F.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (X.W.)
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xuezheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticulture Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (X.F.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (X.W.)
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chunhua Wei
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (C.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xian Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (C.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Zuyun Dai
- Anhui Jianghuai Horticulture Technology Co., Ltd., Hefei 230031, China;
| | - Shi Liu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Feishi Luan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticulture Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (X.F.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (X.W.)
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11
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Zhang H, Lan Y, Jiang C, Cui Y, He Y, Deng J, Lin M, Ye S. Leaf Traits Explain the Growth Variation and Nitrogen Response of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis and Dalbergia odorifera in Mixed Culture. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:988. [PMID: 38611517 PMCID: PMC11013580 DOI: 10.3390/plants13070988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Mixed cultivation with legumes may alleviate the nitrogen (N) limitation of monoculture Eucalyptus. However, how leaf functional traits respond to N in mixed cultivation with legumes and how they affect tree growth are unclear. Thus, this study investigated the response of leaf functional traits of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis (E. urophylla × E. grandis) and Dalbergia odorifera (D. odorifera) to mixed culture and N application, as well as the regulatory pathways of key traits on seedling growth. In this study, a pot-controlled experiment was set up, and seedling growth indicators, leaf physiology, morphological parameters, and N content were collected and analyzed after 180 days of N application treatment. The results indicated that mixed culture improved the N absorption and photosynthetic rate of E. urophylla × E. grandis, further promoting seedling growth but inhibiting the photosynthetic process of D. odorifera, reducing its growth and biomass. Redundancy analysis and path analysis revealed that leaf nitrogen content, pigment content, and photosynthesis-related physiological indicators were the traits most directly related to seedling growth and biomass accumulation, with the net photosynthetic rate explaining 50.9% and 55.8% of the variation in growth indicators for E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera, respectively. Additionally, leaf morphological traits are related to the trade-off strategy exhibited by E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera based on N competition. This study demonstrated that physiological traits related to photosynthesis are reliable predictors of N nutrition and tree growth in mixed stands, while leaf morphological traits reflect the resource trade-off strategies of different tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Yahui Lan
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Chenyang Jiang
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Yuhong Cui
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Yaqin He
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Jiazhen Deng
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Mingye Lin
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Shaoming Ye
- College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (H.Z.); (Y.L.); (C.J.); (Y.C.); (Y.H.); (J.D.); (M.L.)
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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12
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Zhu JT, Xue W, Gao JQ, Li QW, Yu WH, Yu FH. Does genotypic diversity of Hydrocotyle vulgaris affect CO 2 and CH 4 fluxes? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1272313. [PMID: 37877084 PMCID: PMC10591177 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1272313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity plays important roles in ecosystem functions and genetic diversity is a key component of biodiversity. While effects of genetic diversity on ecosystem functions have been extensively documented, no study has tested how genetic diversity of plants influences greenhouse gas fluxes from plant-soil systems. We assembled experimental populations consisting of 1, 4 or 8 genotypes of the clonal plant Hydrocotyle vulgaris in microcosms, and measured fluxes of CO2 and CH4 from the microcosms. The fluxes of CO2 and CO2 equivalent from the microcosms with the 1-genotype populations of H. vulgaris were significantly lower than those with the 4- and 8-genotype populations, and such an effect increased significantly with increasing the growth period. The cumulative CO2 flux was significantly negatively related to the growth of the H. vulgaris populations. However, genotypic diversity did not significantly affect the flux of CH4. We conclude that genotypic diversity of plant populations can influence CO2 flux from plant-soil systems. The findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity in regulating greenhouse gas fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Tao Zhu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun-Qin Gao
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Ecological Protection in the Yellow River Basin of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Qian-Wei Li
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Han Yu
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei-Hai Yu
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
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13
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Twala TC, Fisher JT, Glennon KL. Projecting Podocarpaceae response to climate change: we are not out of the woods yet. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad034. [PMID: 37415722 PMCID: PMC10321399 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Under the changing climate, the persistence of Afrotemperate taxa may be threatened as suitable habitat availability decreases. The unique disjunct ranges of podocarps in southern Africa raise questions about the persistence of these species under climate change. Here, we identified likely environmental drivers of these distributions, characterized the current and future (2070) environmental niches, and projected distributions of four podocarp species in South Africa. Species distribution models were conducted using species locality data for Afrocarpus falcatus, Podocarpus latifolius, Pseudotropheus elongatus and Podocarpus henkelii and both historical climate data (1970-2000) and future climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathway [RCP] 4.5 and 8.5, 2061-2080) to estimate the current and future distributions. We also used this opportunity to identify the most important climatic variables that likely govern each species' distribution. Using niche overlap estimates, a similarity test, and indices of niche expansion, stability and unfilling, we explored how niches change under different climate scenarios. The distribution of the study species was governed by the maximum temperature of the warmest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, and precipitation of the wettest, driest and warmest quarters. The current distribution of A. falcatus was predicted to expand to higher elevations under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Podocarpus henkelii was predicted to lose most of its suitable habitat under RCP 4.5 and expand under RCP 8.5; however, this was the opposite for P. elongatus and P. latifolius. Interestingly, P. elongatus, which had the smallest geographic distribution, showed the most vulnerability to climate change in comparison to the other podocarps. Mapping the distribution of podocarps and understanding the differences in their current and future climate niches provide insight into potential climate drivers of podocarp persistence and the potential for adaptation of these species. Overall, these results suggest that P. elongatus and P. henkelii may expand to novel environmental niches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolene T Fisher
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, WITS 2050, South Africa
| | - Kelsey L Glennon
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, WITS 2050, South Africa
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14
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Jiang F, Cadotte MW, Jin G. Size- and environment-driven seedling survival and growth are mediated by leaf functional traits. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221400. [PMID: 36168755 PMCID: PMC9515624 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecologists usually find that plant demography (e.g. survival and growth) changes along with plant size and environmental gradients, which suggests the effects of ontogeny-related processes and abiotic filtering. However, the role of functional traits underlying the size– and environment–demography relationships is usually overlooked. By measuring individual-level leaf traits of more than 2700 seedlings in a temperate forest, we evaluated how seedling traits mediated the size– and environment–demography relationships. We found leaves were larger for taller seedlings; leaf economics traits were more conservative in taller seedlings and under high-light and low-elevation conditions. Structural equation modelling showed that a higher survival probability for taller seedlings was indirectly driven by their larger leaf area. Although taller seedlings had lower growth rates, larger and more resource-conservative leaves could promote the growth of these tall seedlings. Environmental variables did not influence seedling survival and growth directly but did influence growth indirectly by mediating trait variation. Finally, species-specific variation in traits along with size and environments was associated with the species-specific variation in seedling survival and growth. Our study suggests that not only plant ontogeny- and environment-related ecological processes, but functional traits are also important intermediary agents underlying plant size– and environment–demography relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc W Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Guangze Jin
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China.,Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China
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15
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Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Shi Y, Jiang C, Song X, Tuskan GA, Zeng W, Zhang J, Lu M. The PagKNAT2/6b-PagBOP1/2a Regulatory Module Controls Leaf Morphogenesis in Populus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105581. [PMID: 35628391 PMCID: PMC9145908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf morphogenesis requires precise regulation of gene expression to achieve organ separation and flat-leaf form. The poplar KNOTTED-like homeobox gene PagKNAT2/6b could change plant architecture, especially leaf shape, in response to drought stress. However, its regulatory mechanism in leaf development remains unclear. In this work, gene expression analyses of PagKNAT2/6b suggested that PagKNAT2/6b was highly expressed during leaf development. Moreover, the leaf shape changes along the adaxial-abaxial, medial-lateral, and proximal-distal axes caused by the mis-expression of PagKNAT2/6b demonstrated that its overexpression (PagKNAT2/6b OE) and SRDX dominant repression (PagKNAT2/6b SRDX) poplars had an impact on the leaf axial development. The crinkle leaf of PagKNAT2/6b OE was consistent with the differential expression gene PagBOP1/2a (BLADE-ON-PETIOLE), which was the critical gene for regulating leaf development. Further study showed that PagBOP1/2a was directly activated by PagKNAT2/6b through a novel cis-acting element "CTCTT". Together, the PagKNAT2/6b-PagBOP1/2a module regulates poplar leaf morphology by affecting axial development, which provides insights aimed at leaf shape modification for further improving the drought tolerance of woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Yifan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Weilin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Yangxin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Cheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Xueqin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China;
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA;
| | - Wei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengzhu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (W.Z.); (Y.S.); (C.J.); (W.Z.)
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China;
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (M.L.)
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16
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Schrader J, Shi P, Royer DL, Peppe DJ, Gallagher RV, Li Y, Wang R, Wright IJ. Leaf size estimation based on leaf length, width and shape. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:395-406. [PMID: 34157097 PMCID: PMC8414912 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Leaf size has considerable ecological relevance, making it desirable to obtain leaf size estimations for as many species worldwide as possible. Current global databases, such as TRY, contain leaf size data for ~30 000 species, which is only ~8% of known species worldwide. Yet, taxonomic descriptions exist for the large majority of the remainder. Here we propose a simple method to exploit information on leaf length, width and shape from species descriptions to robustly estimate leaf areas, thus closing this considerable knowledge gap for this important plant functional trait. METHODS Using a global dataset of all major leaf shapes measured on 3125 leaves from 780 taxa, we quantified scaling functions that estimate leaf size as a product of leaf length, width and a leaf shape-specific correction factor. We validated our method by comparing leaf size estimates with those obtained from image recognition software and compared our approach with the widely used correction factor of 2/3. KEY RESULTS Correction factors ranged from 0.39 for highly dissected, lobed leaves to 0.79 for oblate leaves. Leaf size estimation using leaf shape-specific correction factors was more accurate and precise than estimates obtained from the correction factor of 2/3. CONCLUSION Our method presents a tractable solution to accurately estimate leaf size when only information on leaf length, width and shape is available or when labour and time constraints prevent usage of image recognition software. We see promise in applying our method to data from species descriptions (including from fossils), databases, field work and on herbarium vouchers, especially when non-destructive in situ measurements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Schrader
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Peijian Shi
- Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Dana L Royer
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Daniel J Peppe
- Terrestrial Paleoclimatology Research Group, Department of Geosciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA
| | - Rachael V Gallagher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yirong Li
- Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Rong Wang
- Bamboo Research Institute, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Ian J Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
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17
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Jiang F, Cadotte MW, Jin G. Individual-level leaf trait variation and correlation across biological and spatial scales. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5344-5354. [PMID: 34026011 PMCID: PMC8131770 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Even with increasing interest in the ecological importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) for better understanding ecological processes, few studies have quantified ITV in seedlings and assessed constraints imposed by trade-offs and correlations among individual-level leaf traits. Estimating the amount and role of ITV in seedlings is important to understand tree recruitment and long-term forest dynamics. We measured ten different size, economics, and whole leaf traits (lamina and petiole) for more than 2,800 seedlings (height ≥ 10 cm and diameter at breast height < 1 cm) in 283 seedling plots and then quantified the amount of ITV and trait correlations across two biological (intraspecific and interspecific) and spatial (within and among plots) scales. Finally, we explored the effects of trait variance and sample size on the strength of trait correlations. We found about 40% (6%-63%) variation in leaf-level traits was explained by ITV across all traits. Lamina and petiole traits were correlated across biological and spatial scales, whereas leaf size traits (e.g., lamina area) were weakly correlated with economics traits (e.g., specific lamina area); lamina mass ratio was strongly related to the petiole length. Trait correlations varied among species, plots, and different scales but there was no evidence that the strength of trait relationships was stronger at broader than finer biological and spatial scales. While larger trait variance increased the strength of correlations, the sample size was the most important factor that was negatively related to the strength of trait correlations. Our results showed that a large amount of trait variation was explained by ITV, which highlighted the importance of considering ITV when using trait-based approaches in seedling ecology. In addition, sample size was an important factor that influenced the strength of trait correlations, which suggests that comparing trait correlations across studies should consider the differences in sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Center for Ecological ResearchNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Toronto ScarboroughTorontoONCanada
| | - Marc W. Cadotte
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Toronto ScarboroughTorontoONCanada
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Guangze Jin
- Center for Ecological ResearchNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management‐Ministry of EducationNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
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18
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Developmental and biophysical determinants of grass leaf size worldwide. Nature 2021; 592:242-247. [PMID: 33762735 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03370-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
One of the most notable ecological trends-described more than 2,300 years ago by Theophrastus-is the association of small leaves with dry and cold climates, which has recently been recognized for eudicotyledonous plants at a global scale1-3. For eudicotyledons, this pattern has been attributed to the fact that small leaves have a thinner boundary layer that helps to avoid extreme leaf temperatures4 and their leaf development results in vein traits that improve water transport under cold or dry climates5,6. However, the global distribution of leaf size and its adaptive basis have not been tested in the grasses, which represent a diverse lineage that is distinct in leaf morphology and that contributes 33% of terrestrial primary productivity (including the bulk of crop production)7. Here we demonstrate that grasses have shorter and narrower leaves under colder and drier climates worldwide. We show that small grass leaves have thermal advantages and vein development that contrast with those of eudicotyledons, but that also explain the abundance of small leaves in cold and dry climates. The worldwide distribution of leaf size in grasses exemplifies how biophysical and developmental processes result in convergence across major lineages in adaptation to climate globally, and highlights the importance of leaf size and venation architecture for grass performance in past, present and future ecosystems.
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