INVESTIGADORES
DIAZ Sandra Myrna
artículos
Título:
Functional traits of alien plants across contrasting climatic and land-use regimes: do aliens join the locals or try harder than them?
Autor/es:
TECCO PA; DÍAZ S. ; CABIDO ,M.; URCELAY, C
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY (PRINT)
Editorial:
WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Referencias:
Año: 2010 vol. 98 p. 17 - 27
ISSN:
0022-0477
Resumen:
1. Two main views have been put forward to explain whether coexisting alien and resident plant
species should show converging or diverging functional attributes. According to the ?try-harder?
hypothesis, successful aliens should differ from resident species with traits that allow them to deal
better with the local conditions than resident species. On the other hand, the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis stresses the importance of filtering by environmental factors and predicts strong functional
trait similarities between alien and native species, especially among the dominants.
species should show converging or diverging functional attributes. According to the ?try-harder?
hypothesis, successful aliens should differ from resident species with traits that allow them to deal
better with the local conditions than resident species. On the other hand, the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis stresses the importance of filtering by environmental factors and predicts strong functional
trait similarities between alien and native species, especially among the dominants.
species should show converging or diverging functional attributes. According to the ?try-harder?
hypothesis, successful aliens should differ from resident species with traits that allow them to deal
better with the local conditions than resident species. On the other hand, the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis stresses the importance of filtering by environmental factors and predicts strong functional
trait similarities between alien and native species, especially among the dominants.
. Two main views have been put forward to explain whether coexisting alien and resident plant
species should show converging or diverging functional attributes. According to the ?try-harder?
hypothesis, successful aliens should differ from resident species with traits that allow them to deal
better with the local conditions than resident species. On the other hand, the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis stresses the importance of filtering by environmental factors and predicts strong functional
trait similarities between alien and native species, especially among the dominants.
2. On the basis of a functional trait comparison between native and alien species of central-western
Argentina across five contrasting ecosystems and four land-use regimes, we tested these hypotheses
over a broad range of habitats.Webuilt a data set with common measurement methods and biogeographical
factors but strongly varying environmental conditions, ranging from mesic to extremely
dry, and fromnearly pristine to heavily disturbed.
Argentina across five contrasting ecosystems and four land-use regimes, we tested these hypotheses
over a broad range of habitats.Webuilt a data set with common measurement methods and biogeographical
factors but strongly varying environmental conditions, ranging from mesic to extremely
dry, and fromnearly pristine to heavily disturbed.
Argentina across five contrasting ecosystems and four land-use regimes, we tested these hypotheses
over a broad range of habitats.Webuilt a data set with common measurement methods and biogeographical
factors but strongly varying environmental conditions, ranging from mesic to extremely
dry, and fromnearly pristine to heavily disturbed.
. On the basis of a functional trait comparison between native and alien species of central-western
Argentina across five contrasting ecosystems and four land-use regimes, we tested these hypotheses
over a broad range of habitats.Webuilt a data set with common measurement methods and biogeographical
factors but strongly varying environmental conditions, ranging from mesic to extremely
dry, and fromnearly pristine to heavily disturbed.
3. When considering all species together, the main trend of variation in trait syndromes was
between acquisitive (tender, large leaves, with high specific area) and conservative (tough, small
leaves, with low specific area and low nutrient content). Although both native and alien species
appeared to be well spread across the whole range of trait variation, woody alien species showed a
significantly more acquisitive set of attributes (higher specific leaf area, larger and thinner leaves,
lower wood density) than native species. No significant difference was detected between herbaceous
alien and native species. These general trends were maintained under contrasting climatic and landuse
conditions.
between acquisitive (tender, large leaves, with high specific area) and conservative (tough, small
leaves, with low specific area and low nutrient content). Although both native and alien species
appeared to be well spread across the whole range of trait variation, woody alien species showed a
significantly more acquisitive set of attributes (higher specific leaf area, larger and thinner leaves,
lower wood density) than native species. No significant difference was detected between herbaceous
alien and native species. These general trends were maintained under contrasting climatic and landuse
conditions.
between acquisitive (tender, large leaves, with high specific area) and conservative (tough, small
leaves, with low specific area and low nutrient content). Although both native and alien species
appeared to be well spread across the whole range of trait variation, woody alien species showed a
significantly more acquisitive set of attributes (higher specific leaf area, larger and thinner leaves,
lower wood density) than native species. No significant difference was detected between herbaceous
alien and native species. These general trends were maintained under contrasting climatic and landuse
conditions.
. When considering all species together, the main trend of variation in trait syndromes was
between acquisitive (tender, large leaves, with high specific area) and conservative (tough, small
leaves, with low specific area and low nutrient content). Although both native and alien species
appeared to be well spread across the whole range of trait variation, woody alien species showed a
significantly more acquisitive set of attributes (higher specific leaf area, larger and thinner leaves,
lower wood density) than native species. No significant difference was detected between herbaceous
alien and native species. These general trends were maintained under contrasting climatic and landuse
conditions.
4. Synthesis. The patterns detected for herbaceous species were in line with the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis. In contrast, those found for woody species, with woody alien species showing more
acquisitive attributes than native species in more resource-rich habitats, provide partial support for
the ?try-harder? hypothesis. Overall, our findings reinforce the idea that a universal suit of attributes
is unlikely to explain alien plant distribution. They also stress the need for caution when mixing
major life-forms in comparative plant trait analysis.
hypothesis. In contrast, those found for woody species, with woody alien species showing more
acquisitive attributes than native species in more resource-rich habitats, provide partial support for
the ?try-harder? hypothesis. Overall, our findings reinforce the idea that a universal suit of attributes
is unlikely to explain alien plant distribution. They also stress the need for caution when mixing
major life-forms in comparative plant trait analysis.
hypothesis. In contrast, those found for woody species, with woody alien species showing more
acquisitive attributes than native species in more resource-rich habitats, provide partial support for
the ?try-harder? hypothesis. Overall, our findings reinforce the idea that a universal suit of attributes
is unlikely to explain alien plant distribution. They also stress the need for caution when mixing
major life-forms in comparative plant trait analysis.
. Synthesis. The patterns detected for herbaceous species were in line with the ?join-the-locals?
hypothesis. In contrast, those found for woody species, with woody alien species showing more
acquisitive attributes than native species in more resource-rich habitats, provide partial support for
the ?try-harder? hypothesis. Overall, our findings reinforce the idea that a universal suit of attributes
is unlikely to explain alien plant distribution. They also stress the need for caution when mixing
major life-forms in comparative plant trait analysis.