Evolution in plant populations as a driver of ecological changes in arthropod communities

Heritable variation in traits can have wide-ranging impacts on species interactions, but the effects that ongoing evolution has on the temporal ecological dynamics of communities are not well understood. Here, we identify three conditions that, if experimentally satisfied, support the hypothesis that evolution by natural selection can drive ecological changes in communities. These conditions are: (i) a focal population exhibits genetic variation in a trait(s), (ii) there is measurable directional selection on the trait(s), and (iii) the trait(s) under selection affects variation in a community variable(s). When these conditions are met, we expect evolution by natural selection to cause ecological changes in the community. We tested these conditions in a field experiment examining the interactions between a native plant (Oenothera biennis) and its associated arthropod community (more than 90 spp.). Oenothera biennis exhibited genetic variation in several plant traits and there was directional selection on plant biomass, life-history strategy (annual versus biennial reproduction) and herbivore resistance. Genetically based variation in biomass and life-history strategy consistently affected the abundance of common arthropod species, total arthropod abundance and arthropod species richness. Using two modelling approaches, we show that evolution by natural selection in large O. biennis populations is predicted to cause changes in the abundance of individual arthropod species, increases in the total abundance of arthropods and a decline in the number of arthropod species. In small O. biennis populations, genetic drift is predicted to swamp out the effects of selection, making the evolution of plant populations unpredictable. In short, evolution by natural selection can play an important role in affecting the dynamics of communities, but these effects depend on several ecological factors. The framework presented here is general and can be applied to other systems to examine the community-level effects of ongoing evolution.     

Linking plant genes to insect communities: Identifying the genetic bases of plant traits and community composition

Community genetics aims to understand the effects of intraspecific genetic variation on community composition and diversity, thereby connecting community ecology with evolutionary biology. Thus far, research has shown that plant genetics can underlie variation in the composition of associated communities (e.g., insects, lichen and endophytes), and those communities can therefore be considered as extended phenotypes. This work, however, has been conducted primarily at the plant genotype level and has not identified the key underlying genes. To address this gap, we used genome‐wide association mapping with a population of 445 aspen (Populus tremuloides) genets to identify the genes governing variation in plant traits (defence chemistry, bud phenology, leaf morphology, growth) and insect community composition. We found 49 significant SNP associations in 13 Populus genes that are correlated with chemical defence compounds and insect community traits. Most notably, we identified an early nodulin‐like protein that was associated with insect community diversity and the abundance of interacting foundation species (ants and aphids). These findings support the concept that particular plant traits are the mechanistic link between plant genes and the composition of associated insect communities. In putting the “genes” into “genes to ecosystems ecology”, this work enhances understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms that underlie plant–insect associations and the consequences thereof for the structure of ecological communities.     

Community heritability measures the evolutionary consequences of indirect genetic effects on community structure

The evolutionary analysis of community organization is considered a major frontier in biology. Nevertheless, current explanations for community structure exclude the effects of genes and selection at levels above the individual. Here, we demonstrate a genetic basis for community structure, arising from the fitness consequences of genetic interactions among species (i.e., interspecific indirect genetic effects or IIGEs). Using simulated and natural communities of arthropods inhabiting North American cottonwoods (Populus), we show that when species comprising ecological communities are summarized using a multivariate statistical method, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), the resulting univariate scores can be analyzed using standard techniques for estimating the heritability of quantitative traits. Our estimates of the broad-sense heritability of arthropod communities on known genotypes of cottonwood trees in common gardens explained 56-63% of the total variation in community phenotype. To justify and help interpret our empirical approach, we modeled synthetic communities in which the number, intensity, and fitness consequences of the genetic interactions among species comprising the community were explicitly known. Results from the model suggest that our empirical estimates of broad-sense community heritability arise from heritable variation in a host tree trait and the fitness consequences of IGEs that extend from tree trait to arthropods. When arthropod traits are heritable, interspecific IGEs cause species interactions to change, and community evolution occurs. Our results have implications for establishing the genetic foundations of communities and ecosystems.     

Mechanisms driving plant functional trait variation in a tropical forest

Plant functional trait variation in tropical forests results from taxonomic differences in phylogeny and associated genetic differences, as well as, phenotypic plastic responses to the environment. Accounting for the underlying mechanisms driving plant functional trait variation is important for understanding the potential rate of change of ecosystems since trait acclimation via phenotypic plasticity is very fast compared to shifts in community composition and genetic adaptation. We here applied a statistical technique to decompose the relative roles of phenotypic plasticity, genetic adaptation, and phylogenetic constraints. We examined typically obtained plant functional traits, such as wood density, plant height, specific leaf area, leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf dry mass content, leaf nitrogen content, and leaf phosphorus content. We assumed that genetic differences in plant functional traits between species and genotypes increase with environmental heterogeneity and geographic distance, whereas trait variation due to plastic acclimation to the local environment is independent of spatial distance between sampling sites. Results suggest that most of the observed trait variation could not be explained by the measured environmental variables, thus indicating a limited potential to predict individual plant traits from commonly assessed parameters. However, we found a difference in the response of plant functional traits, such that leaf traits varied in response to canopy‐light regime and nutrient availability, whereas wood traits were related to topoedaphic factors and water availability. Our analysis furthermore revealed differences in the functional response of coexisting neotropical tree species, which suggests that endemic species with conservative ecological strategies might be especially prone to competitive exclusion under projected climate change.     

A genetic similarity rule determines arthropod community structure

We define a genetic similarity rule that predicts how genetic variation in a dominant plant affects the structure of an arthropod community. This rule applies to hybridizing cottonwood species where plant genetic variation determines plant-animal interactions and structures a dependent community of leaf-modifying arthropods. Because the associated arthropod community is expected to respond to important plant traits, we also tested whether plant chemical composition is one potential intermediate link between plant genes and arthropod community composition. Two lines of evidence support our genetic similarity rule. First, in a common garden experiment we found that trees with similar genetic compositions had similar chemical compositions and similar arthropod compositions. Second, in a wild population, we found a similar relationship between genetic similarity in cottonwoods and the dependent arthropod community. Field data demonstrate that the relationship between genes and arthropods was also significant when the hybrids were analysed alone, i.e. the pattern is not dependent upon the inclusion of both parental species. Because plant-animal interactions and natural hybridization are common to diverse plant taxa, we suggest that a genetic similarity rule is potentially applicable, and may be extended, to other systems and ecological processes. For example, plants with similar genetic compositions may exhibit similar litter decomposition rates. A corollary to this genetic similarity rule predicts that in systems with low plant genetic variability, the environment will be a stronger factor structuring the dependent community. Our findings argue that the genetic composition of a dominant plant can structure higher order ecological processes, thus placing community and ecosystem ecology within a genetic and evolutionary framework. A genetic similarity rule also has important conservation implications because the loss of genetic diversity in one species, especially dominant or keystone species that define many communities, may cascade to negatively affect the rest of the dependent community.     

Growing up aspen: ontogeny and trade-offs shape growth,defence and reproduction in a foundation species

Background and AimsIntraspecific variation in foundation species of forest ecosystems can shape community and ecosystem properties, particularly when that variation has a genetic basis. Traits mediating interactions with other species are predicted by simple allocation models to follow ontogenetic patterns that are rarely studied in trees. The aim of this research was to identify the roles of genotype, ontogeny and genotypic trade-offs shaping growth, defence and reproduction in aspen.MethodsWe established a common garden replicating >500 aspen genets in Wisconsin, USA. Trees were measured through the juvenile period into the onset of reproduction, for growth, defence chemistry (phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins), nitrogen, extrafloral nectaries, leaf morphology (specific leaf area), flower production and foliar herbivory and disease. We also assayed the TOZ19 sex marker and heterozygosity at ten microsatellite loci.Key ResultsWe found high levels of genotypic variation for all traits, and high heritabilities for both the traits and their ontogenetic trajectories. Ontogeny strongly shaped intraspecific variation, and trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction supported some predictions while contradicting others. Both direct resistance (chemical defence) and indirect defence (extrafloral nectaries) declined during the juvenile stage, prior to the onset of reproduction. Reproduction was higher in trees that were larger, male and had higher individual heterozygosity. Growth was diminished by genotypic allocation to both direct and indirect defence as well as to reproduction, but we found no evidence of trade-offs between defence and reproduction.ConclusionsKey traits affecting the ecological communities of aspen have high levels of genotypic variation and heritability, strong patterns of ontogeny and clear trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction. The architecture of aspen’s community genetics – its ontogeny, trade-offs and especially its great variability – is shaped by both its broad range and the diverse community of associates, and in turn further fosters that diversity.     

Tolerance to deer herbivory and resistance to insect herbivores in the common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)

The evolution of plant defence in response to herbivory will depend on the fitness effects of damage, availability of genetic variation and potential ecological and genetic constraints on defence. Here, we examine the potential for evolution of tolerance to deer herbivory in Oenothera biennis while simultaneously considering resistance to natural insect herbivores. We examined (i) the effects of deer damage on fitness, (ii) the presence of genetic variation in tolerance and resistance, (iii) selection on tolerance, (iv) genetic correlations with resistance that could constrain evolution of tolerance and (v) plant traits that might predict defence. In a field experiment, we simulated deer damage occurring early and late in the season, recorded arthropod abundances, flowering phenology and measured growth rate and lifetime reproduction. Our study showed that deer herbivory has a negative effect on fitness, with effects being more pronounced for late‐season damage. Selection acted to increase tolerance to deer damage, yet there was low and nonsignificant genetic variation in this trait. In contrast, there was substantial genetic variation in resistance to insect herbivores. Resistance was genetically uncorrelated with tolerance, whereas positive genetic correlations in resistance to insect herbivores suggest there exists diffuse selection on resistance traits. In addition, growth rate and flowering time did not predict variation in tolerance, but flowering phenology was genetically correlated with resistance. Our results suggest that deer damage has the potential to exert selection because browsing reduces plant fitness, but limited standing genetic variation in tolerance is expected to constrain adaptive evolution in O. biennis.     

Does genomic variation in a foundation species predict arthropod community structure in a riparian forest?

Understanding how genetic variation within a foundation species determines the structure of associated communities and ecosystem processes has been an emerging frontier in ecology. Previous studies in common gardens identified close links between intraspecific variation and multispecies community structure, and these findings are now being evaluated directly in the complex natural ecosystem. In this study, we examined to what extent genomic variation in a foundation tree species explains the structure of associated arthropod communities in the field, comparing with spatial, temporal and environmental factors. In a continuous mixed forest, arthropods were surveyed on 85 mature alders (Alnus hirsuta) in 2 years. Moreover, we estimated Nei's genetic distance among the alders based on 1,077 single nucleotide polymorphisms obtained from restricted‐site‐associated DNA sequencing of the alders’ genome. In both years, we detected significant correlations between genetic distance and dissimilarity of arthropod communities. A generalized dissimilarity modelling indicated that the genetic distance of alder populations was the most important predictor to explain the variance of arthropod communities. Among arthropod functional groups, carnivores were consistently correlated with genetic distance of the foundation species in both years. Furthermore, the extent of year‐to‐year changes in arthropod communities was more similar between more genetically closed alder populations. This study demonstrates that the genetic similarity rule would be primarily prominent in community assembly of plant‐associated arthropods under temporally and spatially variable environments in the field.     

Extrafloral nectaries in aspen (Populus tremuloides): heritable genetic variation and herbivore-induced expression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A wide variety of plants produce extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) that are visited by predatory arthropods. But very few studies have investigated the relationship between plant genetic variation and EFNs. The presence of foliar EFNs is highly variable among different aspen (Populus tremuloides) genotypes and the EFNs are visited by parasitic wasps and predatory flies. The aim here was to determine the heritability of EFNs among aspen genotypes and age classes, possible trade-offs between direct and indirect defences, EFN induction following herbivory, and the relationship between EFNs and predatory insects. METHODS: EFN density was quantified among aspen genotypes in Wisconsin on trees of different ages and broad-sense heritability from common garden trees was calculated. EFNs were also quantified in natural aspen stands in Utah. From the common garden trees foliar defensive chemical levels were quantified to evaluate their relationship with EFN density. A defoliation experiment was performed to determine if EFNs can be induced in response to herbivory. Finally, predatory arthropod abundance among aspen trees was quantified to determine the relationship between arthropod abundance and EFNs. KEY RESULTS: Broad-sense heritability for expression (0.74-0.82) and induction (0.85) of EFNs was high. One-year-old trees had 20% greater EFN density than 4-year-old trees and more than 50% greater EFN density than > or =10-year-old trees. No trade-offs were found between foliar chemical concentrations and EFN density. Predatory fly abundance varied among aspen genotypes, but predatory arthropod abundance and average EFN density were not related. CONCLUSIONS: Aspen extrafloral nectaries are strongly genetically determined and have the potential to respond rapidly to evolutionary forces. The pattern of EFN expression among different age classes of trees appears to follow predictions of optimal defence theory. The relationship between EFNs and predators likely varies in relation to multiple temporal and environmental factors.     

退化草地物种种内和种间功能性状变异对放牧的响应

研究草地植物功能性状变异对放牧干扰的响应机制,有助于解析草地生态系统群落构建和功能多样性维持机制及植物对环境的适应及权衡策略。以科尔沁沙地退化草地为对象,研究围封和放牧草地物种多种功能性状(植株高度、根系长度、叶面积、根面积、叶片干物质含量、地上干物质含量、根系干物质含量、比叶面积、比根长和根冠比)变异特征及其对放牧干扰的响应机制。结果表明: 退化草地物种种间性状变异明显高于种内变异,种间性状变异对总体变异的贡献率占比高达70.2%～95.1%,而种内变异仅为4.9%～29.8%,但群落构建中物种的种内变异仍不可忽视。放牧草地物种种间性状变异低于围封草地,且放牧草地种内变异增加而种间变异减小。放牧导致不耐牧的优良禾本科牧草叶面积和叶片干物质含量下降而比根长增加,但耐牧的杂类草则通过增加叶面积和叶片干物质含量并降低比根长来提高在群落中的优势地位。退化草地对放牧响应较为敏感的功能性状有叶面积、叶片干物质含量、比根长和比叶面积。植物叶片性状和根系性状自身及彼此间均呈显著正相关,但放牧会增强根系性状的协同效应而减弱叶片性状的协同效应。说明放牧会驱动植物个体和种群功能性状权衡策略发生改变,进而起到调控植物群落结构和功能的作用。     

Plant genotypic diversity and environmental stress interact to negatively affect arthropod community diversity

Many studies have found positive relationships between plant diversity and arthropod communities, but the interactive effects of plant genetic diversity and environmental stress on arthropods are not well documented. In this study, we investigated the consequences of plant genotypic diversity, watering treatment, and its interaction for the ground-dwelling arthropod community in an experimental common garden of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). We found that varying plant genotypic diversity and watering treatment altered multivariate arthropod community composition and structure. Arthropod biodiversity and richness showed a distinct response to the plant diversity × watering treatment interaction, declining sharply in water-limited genotypic mixtures. Abundance of arthropod functional groups did not show any response to diversity or the plant diversity × watering treatment interaction, but varied in their response to watering treatment, with predator and detritivore abundance increasing and parasitoid abundance decreasing in well-watered blocks. Our results conflict with most previous studies, and suggest that environmental stress can substantially change the nature of the plant-arthropod diversity relationship. Additionally, we suggest that the plant-arthropod diversity relationship is dependent on the type of plant and arthropod species sampled, and that the association between tree diversity and ground-dwelling arthropods may be much different than more commonly studied grassland species and herbivorous arthropods.     

桂林岩溶石山青冈群落植物功能性状的尺度变化与关联

研究植物功能性状在不同尺度的变异和关联,对于揭示植物对环境的适应策略和群落构建规律具有重要意义。以岩溶石山青冈群落为研究对象,测量了研究区内20个样方74种木本植物的叶面积、比叶面积和木材密度3个功能性状值,利用性状梯度分析法分析了3个性状在群落内部(α组分)及群落间(β组分)的变异格局及相关性。结果表明:(1)群落内3个植物功能性状的α值范围均大于β值范围,即物种相对于共生物种性状值的变化大于沿着群落平均性状梯度的变化。(2)植物功能性状比叶面积的种内差异引起的变化小于群落水平。(3)叶面积与比叶面积、比叶面积与木材密度、叶面积与木材密度的β组分相关性均最强,而α组分间无相关性或相关性较弱,即叶面积与比叶面积、比叶面积与木材密度、叶面积与木材密度两两性状间的相关性在群落间的依赖程度比群落内共生物种的依赖性要强,暗示物种在群落内和群落间采取不同的生态策略来适应环境。     

吉林蛟河针阔混交林功能性状分布格局及其对地形因素的响应

森林群落的构建过程及其内在机制是生态学研究的热点问题。植物功能性状是指能够代表植物的生活史策略,反映植物对环境变化响应的一系列植物属性。通过植物功能性状的分布格局及其对环境因素的响应有助于推测群落的构建过程及其内在作用机制。以吉林蛟河21.12hm²温带针阔混交林样地为研究对象,采集并测量了样地内34种木本植物的6种不同的功能性状。以20m×20m的样方为研究单元,通过计算平均成对性状距离指数（mean pairwise trait distance;PW）和平均最近邻体性状距离指数（mean nearest neighbor trait distance;NN）来探讨群落中单个性状和综合性状的分布格局。同时结合地形因子采用回归分析探讨功能性状的分布格局对局域生境变化的响应。基于PW的结果显示：单个性状中除叶面积外,其余性状的分布格局均为聚集分布多于离散分布;基于NN的结果显示：除叶面积和最大树高外,其余性状的分布格局为聚集分布多于离散分布。此外,由6种单个性状组成的综合性状的分布格局同样为聚集分布多于离散分布。基于回归分析的结果显示：森林群落中功能性状的分布格局受到海拔、坡度和坡向等因素的显著影响,而凹凸度的影响则不显著。研究结果表明包括环境过滤和生物相互作用的非随机过程能够影响温带针阔混交林的群落构建过程,中性过程对该区域群落构建过程的影响不显著。     

黄土高原典型小流域草地群落功能性状对土壤水分的响应

植物功能性状可以响应生境的变化并决定生态系统的功能,探究植物功能性状间的关系及其随土壤有效水分梯度的变化规律,对认识不同水分条件下植被在群落水平碳水代谢关系和维持水分平衡的生理生态学机制具有重要意义。以甘肃定西典型半干旱黄土小流域草地群落为研究对象,采用排序分析和回归拟合方法,分析了30个代表性草地样地中7个植物功能性状加权均值对土壤有效水分的响应以及响应性状间的相关关系。结果显示:(1)7个性状中,除叶宽与土壤有效水分无明显相关外,叶长、株高、叶面积、比叶面积、叶厚和叶干物质含量均与土壤有效水分显著性相关,可识别为草地在群落水平对土壤水分的响应性状。(2)草地群落通过降低株高,减小叶长、叶面积和比叶面积,增加叶厚和叶干物质含量以适应土壤有效水分减少;其中叶干物质含量的解释度最大,是土壤水分的最优响应性状。(3)除叶厚与叶长无显著相关外,其余功能性状均存在显著相关,说明草地群落的功能性状在土壤水分梯度上已基本形成了一个相互权衡或协同变化的功能性状组合。     

黔中喀斯特山区植物功能性状的变异与关联

认识植物功能性状随演替进展的变化规律和不同性状之间的关系, 有助于从功能生态学的角度来理解群落演替。该文调查了位于贵州省中部的普定县喀斯特山区26个样方的物种组成, 这些样方分别处于灌丛、落叶阔叶林、落叶常绿混交林3个演替阶段; 测量了分布于该区域的82种木本植物的3个功能性状值(叶面积、比叶面积、最大高度); 根据物种在样方中的多度加权计算得到26个样方的性状平均值, 在此基础上分析了随演替进展植物功能性状在群落水平上的变异格局和不同性状之间的相关性; 采用性状梯度分析法分析了各阶段优势物种的功能性状在群落间(β组分)和群落内(α组分)的变异格局及相关性。结果表明: 1)沿灌丛→落叶阔叶林→落叶常绿混交林这一演替顺序, 群落平均叶面积和平均高度逐渐增加, 而群落平均比叶面积则逐渐变小; 2)就群落平均性状值而言, 叶面积与最大高度呈较强的正相关关系, 最大高度与比叶面积、叶面积与比叶面积均呈较强的负相关关系; 3)物种功能性状的α组分之间没有显著的相关关系, 而β组分之间相关性显著。这说明: 随演替的进展, 群落优势物种对环境的适应策略由高速生长转向提高资源利用效率, 而同一群落内共存的物种采取不同的性状组合来适应共同的群落环境。     

格氏栲天然林林窗植物群落功能性状的变异

林窗是森林更新演替的重要环节, 揭示林窗环境下功能性状变异来源及其相对贡献, 有助于阐明植物对林窗环境的响应。该研究以中亚热带格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)天然林为对象, 设置9个不同大小的林窗样地, 运用方差分解探讨林窗、物种和个体对叶性状变异的相对贡献, 采用线性回归分析不同大小林窗下群落性状变化及种间和种内性状变异的重要性。研究发现: (1)格氏栲天然林林窗植物比叶面积、叶干物质含量、叶厚和叶绿素含量由种间性状变异主导, 叶氮含量由种内性状变异主导, 叶磷含量受林窗大小影响最大。(2)群落叶磷含量与林窗大小具有显著正相关关系, 土壤温度和水解氮含量对群落叶磷含量具有显著正效应, 土壤有效磷含量具有显著负效应。(3)沿林冠开放度的群落叶磷含量变化主要由种内性状变异引起, 优势种扮演着重要角色。结果表明, 格氏栲天然林林窗环境下植物功能性状仍以种间性状变异为主(平均41%), 但沿林窗环境梯度的群落性状变化主要源自种内性状变异, 通过植物表型可塑性响应环境改变, 优势种作用明显。     

A global meta‐analysis of the relative extent of intraspecific trait variation in plant communities

Recent studies have shown that accounting for intraspecific trait variation (ITV) may better address major questions in community ecology. However, a general picture of the relative extent of ITV compared to interspecific trait variation in plant communities is still missing. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of the relative extent of ITV within and among plant communities worldwide, using a data set encompassing 629 communities (plots) and 36 functional traits. Overall, ITV accounted for 25% of the total trait variation within communities and 32% of the total trait variation among communities on average. The relative extent of ITV tended to be greater for whole‐plant (e.g. plant height) vs. organ‐level traits and for leaf chemical (e.g. leaf N and P concentration) vs. leaf morphological (e.g. leaf area and thickness) traits. The relative amount of ITV decreased with increasing species richness and spatial extent, but did not vary with plant growth form or climate. These results highlight global patterns in the relative importance of ITV in plant communities, providing practical guidelines for when researchers should include ITV in trait‐based community and ecosystem studies.     

Legume species differ in the responses of their functional traits to plant diversity

Plants can respond to environmental impacts by variation in functional traits, thereby increasing their performance relative to neighbors. We hypothesized that trait adjustment should also occur in response to influences of the biotic environment, in particular different plant diversity of the community. We used 12 legume species as a model and assessed their variation in morphological, physiological, life-history and performance traits in experimental grasslands of different plant species (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60) and functional group (1–4) numbers. Mean trait values and their variation in response to plant diversity varied among legume species and from trait to trait. The tall-growing Onobrychis viciifolia showed little trait variation in response to increasing plant diversity, whereas the species with shorter statures responded in apparently adaptive ways. The formation of longer shoots with elongated internodes, increased biomass allocation to supporting tissue at the cost of leaf mass, reduced branching, higher specific leaf areas and lower foliar δ¹³C values indicated increasing efforts for light acquisition in more diverse communities. Although leaf nitrogen concentrations and shoot biomass:nitrogen ratios were not affected by increasing plant diversity, foliar δ¹⁵N values of most legumes decreased and the application of the ¹⁵N natural abundance method suggested that they became more reliant on symbiotic N₂ fixation. Some species formed fewer inflorescences and delayed flowering with increasing community diversity. The observed variation in functional traits generally indicated strategies of legumes to optimize light and nutrient capturing, but they were largely species-dependent and only partly attributable to increasing canopy height and community biomass with increasing plant diversity. Thus, the analysis of individual plant species and their adjustment to growth conditions in communities of increasing plant diversity is essential to get a deeper insight into the mechanisms behind biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships.     

鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林植物功能性状变异与不同垂直层次个体生长的关联

建立植物功能性状与群落动态之间的关联是功能生态学的核心问题之一。本文基于鼎湖山1.44 ha塔吊样地的两次调查数据, 通过采集样地内所有4,142株个体的6种植物功能性状, 对比分析了个体水平植物功能性状和物种水平功能性状均值对不同垂直层次(灌木层、亚冠层和林冠层)个体生长的影响差异。首先, 分析了不同垂直层次下各植物功能性状的变化趋势; 其次, 计算了不同垂直层次下各植物功能性状的种内和种间变异水平; 最后, 运用结构方程模型探讨了植物功能性状、光竞争以及地下竞争对不同垂直层次树木生长的影响。结果表明: (1)不同垂直层次下的植物功能性状表现出明显的分异, 由灌木层至林冠层, 叶面积、比叶面积和能量供求关系指数显著降低, 而叶片厚度和叶片干物质含量显著升高; (2)不同垂直层次下植物功能性状的种间变异均大于种内变异, 且林冠层的种内功能性状变异均大于灌木层和亚冠层; (3)基于个体水平植物功能性状的结构方程模型较物种水平功能性状均值对生长具有更高的解释程度, 且个体水平植物功能性状的引入更有利于提高对灌木层个体生长的预测能力; (4)光竞争和地下竞争主要通过影响功能性状间接影响植物生长。由灌木层至林冠层, 同种间的相互作用逐渐减弱, 异种间的相互作用逐渐增强。综上, 将个体水平植物功能性状纳入分析有助于更好地理解群落的结构和动态。     

Putting the genes into community genetics

As part of the long‐term fusion of evolutionary biology and ecology (Ford, 1964), the field of community genetics has made tremendous progress in describing the impacts of plant genetic variation on community and ecosystem processes. In the “genes‐to‐ecosystems” framework (Whitham et al., 2003), genetically based traits of plant species have ecological consequences, but previous studies have not identified specific plant genes responsible for community phenotypes. The study by Barker et al. (2019) in this issue of Molecular Ecology uses an impressive common garden experiment of trembling aspen (Figure 1) to test for the genetic basis of tree traits that shape the insect community composition. Using a Genome‐Wide Association Study (GWAS), they found that genomic regions associated with phytochemical traits best explain variation in herbivore community composition, and identified specific genes associated with different types of leaf‐modifying herbivores and ants. This is one of the first studies to identify candidate genes underlying the heritable plant traits that explain patterns of insect biodiversity.