Adaptation of submerged macrophytes to both water depth and flood intensity as revealed by their mechanical resistance

Little is known about the mechanical resistance response of submerged macrophytes to floods. An experiment was conducted to investigate the plant growth, root anchorage strength, and stem tensile properties of five submerged macrophytes under three initial water levels (1.0, 2.5, and 4.0 m) with four water level fluctuation speeds (0, 5, 15, and 25 cm d⁻¹). Our results demonstrate that the biomass, relative growth rate, root anchorage strength, and stem tensile properties of the five species decreased with increasing initial water level, suggesting that deep water can inhibit plant growth and decrease their mechanical resistance. Floods weakened the stem tensile properties and strengthened the root performances of Myriophyllum spicatum, Hydrilla verticillata, and Potamogeton malaianus in shallow water. However, floods induced opposite mechanical resistance responses from plants in deep water, indicating a possible trade-off between stem breakage and uprooting under flooding conditions. M. spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, and P. malaianus were more tolerant of deep water and flood intensity than Potamogeton maackianus and H. verticillata, as indicated by their larger biomass, plant heights, stem tensile properties, and root anchorage strength. This is the first article that mechanically explains the competitive capability and survival potential of submerged macrophytes to water depth and flood intensity.     

Drought tolerance of selected Eragrostis species correlates with leaf tensile properties

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies on grass leaf tensile properties (behaviour during mechanical stress) have focused on agricultural applications such as resistance to trampling and palatability; no investigations have directly addressed mechanical properties during water stress, and hence these are the subject of this study. METHODS: Critical (lethal) relative water contents were determined for three species of grass in the genus Eragrostis varying in their tolerance to drought. Measurements were taken for leaf tensile strength, elastic modulus, toughness and failure load under different conditions of hydration, and light microscopy and histochemical analyses were undertaken. KEY RESULTS: Leaf tensile strength of fully hydrated leaves for the drought-intolerant E. capensis, the moderately drought-tolerant E. tef and the drought-tolerant E. curvula correlated well with drought tolerance (critical relative water content). Eragrostis curvula had higher tensile strength values than E. tef, which in turn had higher values than E. capensis. Measurements on the drought-tolerant grass E. curvula when fully hydrated and when dried to below its turgor loss point showed that tensile strength, toughness and the elastic modulus all increased under conditions of turgor loss, while the failure load remained unchanged. Additional tests of 100 mm segments along the lamina of E. curvula showed that tensile strength, toughness and the elastic modulus all decreased with distance from the base of the lamina, while again the failure load was unaffected. This decrease in mechanical parameters correlated with a reduction in the size of the vascular bundles and the amount of lignification, as viewed in lamina cross-sections. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that leaf mechanical properties are affected by both water status and position along the lamina, and suggest a positive correlation between leaf internal architecture, tensile strength, cell wall chemistry and tolerance to dehydration for grasses.     

Conserved C-terminal domain of spider tubuliform spidroin 1 contributes to extensibility in synthetic fibers

Spider silk is renowned for its extraordinary mechanical properties, having a balance of high tensile strength and extensibility. To date, the majority of studies have focused on the production of dragline silks from synthetic spider silk gene products. Here we report the first mechanical analysis of synthetic egg case silk fibers spun from the Latrodectus hesperus tubuliform silk proteins, TuSp1 and ECP-2. We provide evidence that recombinant ECP-2 proteins can be spun into fibers that display mechanical properties similar to other synthetic spider silks. We also demonstrate that silks spun from recombinant thioredoxin-TuSp1 fusion proteins that contain the conserved C-terminal domain exhibit increased extensibility and toughness when compared to the identical fibers spun from fusion proteins lacking the C-terminus. Mechanical analyses reveal that the properties of synthetic tubuliform silks can be modulated by altering the postspin draw ratios of the fibers. Fibers subject to increased draw ratios showed elevated tensile strength and decreased extensibility but maintained constant toughness. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction studies indicate that postdrawn fibers containing the C-terminal domain of TuSp1 have more amorphous content when compared to fibers lacking the C-terminus. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that recombinant tubuliform spidroins that contain the conserved C-terminal domain with embedded protein tags can be effectively spun into fibers, resulting in similar tensile strength but increased extensibility relative to nontagged recombinant dragline silk proteins spun from equivalently sized proteins.     

Effect of Root Moisture Content and Diameter on Root Tensile Properties

The stabilization of slopes by vegetation has been a topical issue for many years. Root mechanical characteristics significantly influence soil reinforcement; therefore it is necessary to research into the indicators of root tensile properties. In this study, we explored the influence of root moisture content on tensile resistance and strength with different root diameters and for different tree species. Betula platyphylla, Quercus mongolica, Pinus tabulaeformis, and Larix gmelinii, the most popular tree species used for slope stabilization in the rocky mountainous areas of northern China, were used in this study. A tensile test was conducted after root samples were grouped by diameter and moisture content. The results showedthat:1) root moisture content had a significant influence on tensile properties; 2) slightly loss of root moisture content could enhance tensile strength, but too much loss of water resulted in weaker capacity for root elongation, and consequently reduced tensile strength; 3) root diameter had a strong positive correlation with tensile resistance; and4) the roots of Betula platyphylla had the best tensile properties when both diameter and moisture content being controlled. These findings improve our understanding of root tensile properties with root size and moisture, and could be useful for slope stabilization using vegetation.     

The effects of leaf size,leaf habit,and leaf form on leaf/stem relationships in plant twigs of temperate woody species

Question: Do thick‐twigged/large‐leaf species have an advantage in leaf display over their counterparts, and what are the effects of leaf habit and leaf form on the leaf‐stem relationship in plant twigs of temperature broadleaf woody species? Location: Gongga Mountain, southwest China. Methods: (1) We investigated stem cross‐sectional area and stem mass, leaf area and leaf/lamina mass of plant twigs (terminal branches of current‐year shoots) of 89 species belonging to 55 genera in 31 families. (2) Data were analyzed to determine leaf‐stem scaling relationships using both the Model type II regression method and the phylogenetically independent comparative (PIC) method. Results: (1) Significant, positive allometric relationships were found between twig cross‐sectional area and total leaf area supported by the twig, and between the cross‐sectional area and individual leaf area, suggesting that species with large leaves and thick twigs could support a disproportionately greater leaf area for a given twig cross‐sectional area. (2) However, the scaling relationships between twig stem mass and total leaf area and between stem mass and total lamina mass were approximately isometric, which indicates that the efficiency of deploying leaf area and lamina mass was independent of leaf size and twig size. The results of PIC were consistent with these correlations. (3) The evergreen species were usually smaller in total leaf area for a given twig stem investment in terms of both cross‐sectional area and stem mass, compared to deciduous species. Leaf mass per area (LMA) was negatively associated with the stem efficiency in deploying leaf area. (4) Compound leaf species could usually support a larger leaf area for a given twig stem mass and were usually larger in both leaf size and twig size than simple leaf species. Conclusions: Generally, thick‐twigged/large‐leaf species do not have an advantage over their counterparts in deploying photosynthetic compartments for a given twig stem investment. Leaf habit and leaf form types can modify leaf‐stem scaling relationships, possibly because of contrasting leaf properties. The leaf size‐twig size spectrum is related to the LMA‐leaf life span dimension of plant life history strategies.     

Phase separation and mechanical properties of an elastomeric biomaterial from spider wrapping silk and elastin block copolymers

Elastin and silk spidroins are fibrous, structural proteins with elastomeric properties of extension and recoil. While elastin is highly extensible and has excellent recovery of elastic energy, silks are particularly strong and tough. This study describes the biophysical characterization of recombinant polypeptides designed by combining spider wrapping silk and elastin‐like sequences as a strategy to rationally increase the strength of elastin‐based materials while maintaining extensibility. We demonstrate a thermo‐responsive phase separation and spontaneous colloid‐like droplet formation from silk‐elastin block copolymers, and from a 34 residue disordered region of Argiope trifasciata wrapping silk alone, and measure a comprehensive suite of tensile mechanical properties from cross‐linked materials. Silk‐elastin materials exhibited significantly increased strength, toughness, and stiffness compared to an elastin‐only material, while retaining high failure strains and low energy loss upon recoil. These data demonstrate the mechanical tunability of protein polymer biomaterials through modular, chimeric recombination, and provide structural insights into mechanical design. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 693–703, 2016.     

Contractile Force Is Enhanced in Aortas from Pendrin Null Mice Due to Stimulation of Angiotensin II-Dependent Signaling

Pendrin is a Cl⁻/HCO₃ ⁻ exchanger expressed in the apical regions of renal intercalated cells. Following pendrin gene ablation, blood pressure falls, in part, from reduced renal NaCl absorption. We asked if pendrin is expressed in vascular tissue and if the lower blood pressure observed in pendrin null mice is accompanied by reduced vascular reactivity. Thus, the contractile responses to KCl and phenylephrine (PE) were examined in isometrically mounted thoracic aortas from wild-type and pendrin null mice. Although pendrin expression was not detected in the aorta, pendrin gene ablation changed contractile protein abundance and increased the maximal contractile response to PE when normalized to cross sectional area (CSA). However, the contractile sensitivity to this agent was unchanged. The increase in contractile force/cross sectional area observed in pendrin null mice was due to reduced cross sectional area of the aorta and not from increased contractile force per vessel. The pendrin-dependent increase in maximal contractile response was endothelium- and nitric oxide-independent and did not occur from changes in Ca²⁺ sensitivity or chronic changes in catecholamine production. However, application of 100 nM angiotensin II increased force/CSA more in aortas from pendrin null than from wild type mice. Moreover, angiotensin type 1 receptor inhibitor (candesartan) treatment in vivo eliminated the pendrin-dependent changes contractile protein abundance and changes in the contractile force/cross sectional area in response to PE. In conclusion, pendrin gene ablation increases aorta contractile force per cross sectional area in response to angiotensin II and PE due to stimulation of angiotensin type 1 receptor-dependent signaling. The angiotensin type 1 receptor-dependent increase in vascular reactivity may mitigate the fall in blood pressure observed with pendrin gene ablation.     

红地球葡萄延后栽培成熟期水分运输研究

以3年生延后栽培的红地球葡萄为材料,在生育后期设置土壤水分处理控制在0.20(T_1)、0.25(T_2)和0.30 m~3·m~(-3)(T_3)左右,以果农常用的管理方法为对照(CK),在果实成熟期采用切片和田间树体茎流测定方法,研究果实水分运输结构变化和树体耗水状况。结果表明:(1)葡萄果实转色初期,果梗维管束的木质部结构完整且导管壁清晰可见;转色中期,果梗木质部部分导管壁变模糊,果刷中央维管束横切面积较转色前期变小;转色后期,果刷和果梗木质部导管壁模糊且破裂。(2)当葡萄果实可溶性固形物为7%时,果梗表皮细胞排列紧密且细胞间隙小,果刷维管束导管清晰可见;当可溶性固形物含量达到11%时,果刷中央维管束导管数量大于胚珠维管束,且分布不同;当可溶性固形物含量增加至15%时,果梗表皮细胞排列疏松,表皮细胞拉长,部分细胞发生破裂,果刷中央维管束和胚珠维管束的导管均出现解体。(3)9月11日左右,不同土壤水分处理(CK、T_1、T_2和T_3)茎液流达到最大值,峰值分别为3.51、3.95、4.37和4.59 d·L~(-1);葡萄转色中期,在低温影响下T_1的茎液流量整体显著低于T_2、T_3(P0.05),但与CK无显著差异;10月15日至10月26日无明显极端低温发生,不同处理树体茎液流量均呈下降趋势;11月下旬随着温度持续降低,树体各处理茎液流量迅速下降。研究发现,土壤含水量过高,低温发生时会造成树体茎液流量降低,增加土壤供水能够延缓葡萄可溶性固形物的积累,从而延缓葡萄成熟。     

Stem tissue mass density is linked to growth and resistance to a stem‐boring insect in Alternanthera philoxeroides

To investigate how stem anatomical structure is linked to growth and resistance to stem‐boring insects in a herbaceous species, six populations of alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) were grown in a common garden. Stem growth rate (GR) of A. philoxeroides and pupation rate as an estimate of resistance to a stem‐boring insect (Agasicles hygrophila) were quantified. Stem tissue mass density (TMD) was measured and stem anatomical traits were analysed on cross‐sectional areas (CSA). Stem TMD was positively correlated with resistance (i.e. negatively correlated with pupation rate) and negatively correlated with GR. Stem cortex CSA (%) and vascular bundle (VB) density (no./mm²) were positively related to stem TMD and negatively related to pupation rate. The GR was positively related to VB CSA (%) and negatively related to VB density. These results suggest that stem TMD, which results from a high fraction in cortex CSA and high VB density, is a key determinant of resistance to a stem‐boring specialist in A. philoxeroides. The high resistance of plants with higher stem TMD may partially impose a cost to plant growth.     

A study of the tensile force required to pull wheat roots from soil

Experiments were carried out to determine the tensile properties of mature wheat roots and the force necessary to pull roots from undisturbed soils at a range of moisture contents using an Instron materials testing rig. Roots decreased in cross sectional area from 1.5 to 0.1 mm²and in tensile strength from 7.0 to 2.3 Newtons (N) along the first 12 cm of their length. Breaking strain was constant along the root but the breaking stress increased. Increased seeding rate decreased root diameter and tensile strength but plant growth regulators and fertiliser nitrogen level did not affect the tensile properties. Roots were pulled from mesh tubes of soil (25 mm ± 75 mm) into which they had grown. The peak loads for sandy clay loam and sandy loam soils were 4.8 and 3.9 N respectively and increasing the soil moisture from 17% to 26% reduced the peak load from 5.2 N to 3.5 N. With the drier soil the inner stele pulled free leaving the outer periderm in the soil in a higher proportion of the roots indicating a stronger root/soil bond than in the wetter soil. The load us displacement relationship when pulling roots from soil resembled that for a fibre reinforced composite material. The presence of branch roots resulted in an uneven trace in which there were a number of sub-peaks as branch roots gave way. It is suggested that soil wetting could contribute to lodging of wheat by reducing the resistance of roots to slippage and breaking.     

DEPENDENCY OF THE TENSILE MODULUS ON TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONS,WATER POTENTIAL,AND CELL NUMBER OF PITH PARENCHYMA

Uniaxial tensile tests of solid and hollow cylindrical plugs of pith parenchyma from potato tubers indicate the tensile modulus of elasticity, E, can vary significantly as a function of tissue transverse area and water potential. E increases from 1.2 to 19 MPa as ψ_w changes from -1.4 to -0.4 MPa. E increases from 5 to 19 MPa as transverse area of solid tissue sample increases from 0.2 to 2.5 cm². Variations in E accompanying changes in transverse area appear to be related to cell number along the radii of plugs. Hollow cylindrical plugs for which wall thickness is maintained but total tissue area is changed show constant values of E. It is suggested that shear stresses within tissue samples influence E and are dependent upon cell number and tissue water content. Material with these properties would be a “poor choice” for constructing plant organs experiencing repeated stress and periodic dehydration. However, ground tissue may act as a buffer against localized ovaling of stem and leaf cross sections under loading.     

Adult vascular smooth muscle cells in culture express neural stem cell markers typical of resident multipotent vascular stem cells

Differentiation of resident multipotent vascular stem cells (MVSCs) or de-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) might be responsible for the SMC phenotype that plays a major role in vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis and restenosis. We examined vSMCs from three different species (rat, murine and bovine) to establish whether they exhibit neural stem cell characteristics typical of MVSCs. We determined their SMC differentiation, neural stem cell marker expression and multipotency following induction in vitro by using immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. MVSCs isolated from rat aortic explants, enzymatically dispersed rat SMCs and rat bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells served as controls. Murine carotid artery lysates and primary rat aortic vSMCs were both myosin-heavy-chain-positive but weakly expressed the neural crest stem cell marker, Sox10. Each vSMC line examined expressed SMC differentiation markers (smooth muscle α–actin, myosin heavy chain and calponin), neural crest stem cell markers (Sox10⁺, Sox17⁺) and a glia marker (S100β⁺). Serum deprivation significantly increased calponin and myosin heavy chain expression and decreased stem cell marker expression, when compared with serum-rich conditions. vSMCs did not differentiate to adipocytes or osteoblasts following adipogenic or osteogenic inductive stimulation, respectively, or respond to transforming growth factor-β1 or Notch following γ-secretase inhibition. Thus, vascular SMCs in culture express neural stem cell markers typical of MVSCs, concomitant with SMC differentiation markers, but do not retain their multipotency. The ultimate origin of these cells might have important implications for their use in investigations of vascular proliferative disease in vitro.     

Effects of gauge length and strain rate on the tensile strength of tree roots

Root tensile strength plays an important role in soil stabilization and fixation. Testing and separating the different factors that affect root tensile strength are important. In the present study, the effects of four factors, namely, gauge length, strain rate, species, and root diameter, on root tensile strength were studied. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted to acquire the root tensile strength of five tree species commonly growing in the mountains of northern China, namely, Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.), Larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.), White birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.), Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolicus Fisch.), and Elm (Ulmus pumila L.). Based on the results, Elm and White birch roots were the most resistant to tension, followed by Mongolian oak and Chinese pine roots. Larch roots were found to be the least resistant to tension. A power relationship was established between root diameter and root tensile strength. Based on linear regression analysis, gauge length was negatively correlated with root tensile strength. Tensile strength decreased with increasing gauge length. In addition, an unexpected variation of tensile strength was observed between two strain rates (10 and 400?mm?min^?1). The present study can serve as a basis for further studies on mechanical properties of root system and root reinforcement under different test circumstances, although this should be done with caution.     

Preparation of carbon quantum dots based high photostability luminescent membranes

Urethane acrylate (UA) was used to prepare carbon quantum dots (C‐dots) luminescent membranes and the resultants were examined with FT‐IR, mechanical strength, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and quantum yields (QYs). FT‐IR results showed the polyurethane acrylate (PUA) prepolymer –C = C‐vibration at 1101 cm^?1 disappeared but there was strong vibration at1687cm^?1which was contributed from the–C = O groups in cross‐linking PUA. Mechanical strength results showed that the different quantity of C‐dots loadings and UV‐curing time affect the strength. SEM observations on the cross‐sections of the membranes are uniform and have no structural defects, which prove that the C‐dots are compatible with the water‐soluble PUA resin. The C‐dot loading was increased from 0 to 1 g, the maximum tensile stress was nearly 2.67 MPa, but the tensile strain was decreased from 23.4% to 15.1% and 7.2% respectively. QYs results showed that the C‐dots in the membrane were stable after 120 h continuous irradiation. Therefore, the C‐dots photoluminescent film is the promising material for the flexible devices in the future applications.     

Spider dragline silk: correlated and mosaic evolution in high-performance biological materials

The evolution of biological materials is a critical, yet poorly understood, component in the generation of biodiversity. For example, the diversification of spiders is correlated with evolutionary changes in the way they use silk, and the material properties of these fibers, such as strength, toughness, extensibility, and stiffness, have profound effects on ecological function. Here, we examine the evolution of the material properties of dragline silk across a phylogenetically diverse sample of species in the Araneomorphae (true spiders). The silks we studied are generally stronger than other biological materials and tougher than most biological or man-made fibers, but their material properties are highly variable; for example, strength and toughness vary more than fourfold among the 21 species we investigated. Furthermore, associations between different properties are complex. Some traits, such as strength and extensibility, seem to evolve independently and show no evidence of correlation or trade-off across species, even though trade-offs between these properties are observed within species. Material properties retain different levels of phylogenetic signal, suggesting that traits such as extensibility and toughness may be subject to different types or intensities of selection in several spider lineages. The picture that emerges is complex, with a mosaic pattern of trait evolution producing a diverse set of materials across spider species. These results show that the properties of biological materials are the target of selection, and that these changes can produce evolutionarily and ecologically important diversity.     

Spider capture silk: performance implications of variation in an exceptional biomaterial

Spiders and their silk are an excellent system for connecting the properties of biological materials to organismal ecology. Orb-weaving spiders spin sticky capture threads that are moderately strong but exceptionally extensible, resulting in fibers that can absorb remarkable amounts of energy. These tough fibers are thought to be adapted for arresting flying insects. Using tensile testing, we ask whether patterns can be discerned in the evolution of silk material properties and the ecological uses of spider capture fibers. Here, we present a large comparative data set that allows examination of capture silk properties across orb-weaving spider species. We find that material properties vary greatly across species. Notably, extensibility, strength, and toughness all vary approximately sixfold across species. These material differences, along with variation in fiber size, dictate that the mechanical performance of capture threads, the energy and force required to break fibers, varies by more than an order of magnitude across species. Furthermore, some material and mechanical properties are evolutionarily correlated. For example, species that spin small diameter fibers tend to have tougher silk, suggesting compensation to maintain breaking energy. There is also a negative correlation between strength and extensibility across species, indicating a potential evolutionary trade-off. The different properties of these capture silks should lead to differences in the performance of orb webs during prey capture and help to define feeding niches in spiders.     

精恶唑禾草灵对不同品种柴胡茎秆力学特性的影响

为应用茎秆生物力学性质指标研究不同剂量除草剂对柴胡安全性的影响,以南柴胡和北柴胡茎秆为试验材料,精恶唑禾草灵为试验除草剂,分别在拔节期和开花期利用非金属材料万能试验机对茎秆基部第2节间的最大荷载、应力、应变、弹性模量、拉伸强度、剪切强度等力学指标进行测定和统计分析.结果表明:北柴胡的茎杆直径、最大荷载、抗拉强度等均高于南柴胡,最大荷载高了约13%,抗拉强度与茎杆直径呈线性相关关系(R=0.9194);南柴胡和北柴胡拔节期的茎杆拉伸强度和剪切强度均高于开花期;柴胡茎经中低剂量(0-1500ml/hm~2)的精恶唑禾草灵处理后,其抗拉强度和剪切强度无明显变化,但高剂量(3000ml/hm~2)的精恶唑禾草灵施用后显著降低了柴胡茎杆的抗拉强度和剪切强度,会直接导致柴胡抗倒伏能力降低,造成柴胡产量和品质下降.该结果可为柴胡田除草剂的安全施用及药材机械化收割技术的研发提供参考依据.     

Relationship between mechanical properties and collagen structure of closed and open wounds

Mechanical properties and collagen structure of excisional wounds left open are compared with wounds closed by clips. In both wound models, collagen fiber diameter increases with time post-wounding and is related to tensile strength. Clipped wounds show a higher ultimate tensile strength and tangent modulus compared with open wounds. In clipped wounds, newly deposited collagen appears as a biaxially oriented network as observed in normal skin. In open wounds a delay in the organization of the collagen network is observed and parallel wavy-shaped ribbons of collagen fibers are deposited. At long term, the high extensibility observed in open wounds may be due to the sliding of ribbons of collagen fibers past each other.     

Mechanical properties of peptidoglycan as determined from bacterial thread

Experiments are described in which the tensile strength, the extensibility and the initial Young's modulus of bacterial cell wall have been determined as functions of relative humidity in the range 11-98%. Data on stress relaxation and recovery are also given. Standard fibre-measuring technique has been used on 'bacterial thread', made from a cell-separation-suppressed mutant of Bacillus subtilis. The data show that peptidoglycan, the load bearing polymer in the cell wall, behaves very much like other viscoelastic polymers. Its mechanical behaviour when dry is that of a glassy polymer with tensile strength about 300 MPa and modulus about 20 GPa. When wet, it is weaker and much less stiff with tensile strength about 3 M Pa and modulus 10 M Pa. The relaxation data indicate a wide spectrum of relaxation times. The results are discussed in terms of the structure of peptidoglycan and its orientation in the bacterial cell wall. The way in which mechanical behaviour depends strongly on humidity is compared with that of other biopolymers in terms of possible hydrogen-bond density and the ordering of water molecules. The possibility of a well-defined glass transition is briefly examined.     

Water as a resource,stress and disturbance shaping tundra vegetation

Water is crucial for plant productivity and survival as a fundamental resource, but water conditions can also cause physiological stress and mechanical disturbance to vegetation. However, these different influences of water on vegetation patterns have not been evaluated simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate the importance of three water aspects (spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture and fluvial disturbance) for three ecologically and evolutionary distinct taxonomical groups (vascular plants, mosses and lichens) in Fennoscandian mountain tundra. Fine‐scale plant occurrence data for 271 species were collected from 378 × 1 m² plots sampled over broad environmental gradients (water, temperature, radiation, soil pH, cryogenic processes and the dominant allelopathic plant species). While controlling all other key environmental variables, water in its different aspects proved to be a crucial environmental driver, acting on individual species and on community characteristics. The inclusion of the water variables significantly improved our models. In this high‐latitude system, the importance of spatial variability of water exceeds the importance of temperature for the fine‐scale distribution of species from the three taxonomical groups. We found differing responses to the three water variables between and within the taxonomical groups. Water as a resource was the most important water‐related variable in species distribution models across all taxonomical groups. Both water resource and disturbance were strongly related to vascular plant species richness, whereas for moss species richness, water resources had the highest influence. For lichen species richness, water disturbance was the most influential water‐related variable. These findings demonstrate that water variables are not only independent properties of tundra hydrology, but also that water is truly a multifaceted driver of vegetation patterns at high‐latitudes.