被子植物性系统的多样性、生态功能及分布规律

性系统是被子植物繁育系统的核心, 决定着植物种群的遗传特征、进化方向与速度, 在种群动态、群落结构及生态系统的构建与维持中具有重要意义。本文回顾了被子植物性系统的发展历程及研究方向, 总结了近30年基于性系统研究的前沿科学问题, 包括性系统的多样性和进化、与其他功能性状的生态关联、沿环境梯度的分布格局及变化规律、与群落物种共存机制和群落动态的关系及其对干扰的响应。尽管有关植物性系统的研究已经延伸到生态学领域的诸多方面, 有力地推动了各方面的发展, 但仍有很多值得关注和需要着重研究的方向和问题。本文对未来基于植物性系统的研究方向等提出了展望, 并指出, 在当前全球气候变化背景下, 性系统可作为重要的功能性状应用于指导生物多样性保护和生态系统管理政策的制定。

Angiosperm sexual systems-Concepts,evolution, ecology,and future directions

Aims: The angiosperm sexual system is a critical trait closely related to mutation accumulation and genetic diversity resulting from sexual reproduction, which could further significantly affect the evolution of extant angiosperm diversity and ecosystem stability. There is growing recognition that the sexual system plays an important role at various levels including population, community, and ecosystem and can also reflect the response of vegetation to environmental change.
Progresses: We reviewed key research progress over the last three decades addressing important ecological issues based on the angiosperm sexual system, including evolution of sexual system diversity, the relationship between sexual system and phylogeny, ecological correlation of dioecy in angiosperms, mechanisms of community assembly and dynamics regarding sexual systems, variation of sexual system distribution along environmental gradients, and the effect and response of functional traits to ecosystem functions and disturbance. In addition, we also provided future recommendations, including research directions, methods and applications based on functional traits in plant science.
Prospect: Sexual systems are not only a genetically determined trait but may also be an environmentally adaptive strategy to enhance plant fitness. We thus propose that sexual systems can also be used as an indicator or reference for biodiversity conservation and management of ecosystems under global climate change.