e-journal

The reciprocal relationship between competition and intraspecific trait variation

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1. Trait differences among plants are expected to influence the outcome of competition; competition
should be strongest between similar species (or individuals) under limiting similarity, and between
dissimilar species within competitive hierarchies. These hypotheses are often used to infer competitive
dynamics from trait patterns within communities. However, plant traits are frequently plastic in
response to competition. This variation is poorly accounted for in trait-based studies of competition
and community assembly.

2. To explore the relationship between trait responses and competitive outcomes, we grew 15 species
alone, in monoculture and in mixture. We measured traits relating to leaf and root tissue morphology
as well as biomass allocation and related competition-induced changes in these traits to
intra- and interspecific competition using multi-model inference. Additionally, we tested how traits
from different competitive environments influenced potential community assembly inferences.

3. The competitive environment had large effects on species’ traits, although many effects were species
specific. Differences among species in how competition affected trait expression were linked to
both intra- and interspecific competition, frequently affecting competitive hierarchies. Intraspecific
competition was lower for species that limited competition-induced increases in root allocation and
had less variability in this trait overall. Interspecific competition was lower for species with larger
leaves and lower specific leaf area than their neighbours. Switching to more stress-tolerant strategies
by increasing root diameter and leaf tissue density also reduced competition. However, dissimilarity
in root tissue density also minimized competition, consistent with limiting similarity affecting competitive
outcomes. Moreover, changes in these traits were linked to changes in functional diversity,
suggesting that competition affects functional diversity by affecting trait expression.

4. Synthesis. Both trait hierarchies and trait dissimilarity affect the outcome of competition by acting
on different traits, although competition-induced changes in trait expression can alter competitive
outcomes. Moreover, the magnitude of these trait changes suggests that the source environment
where plant traits are collected can affect the inferences drawn from trait patterns within communities.
Combined, our results suggest that considering the effect of competition on trait expression is
critical to understanding the relationship between traits and community assembly.

Key-words: biomass allocation, biotic interactions, community assembly, competitive hierarchies,
functional diversity, plant–plant interactions, specific leaf area, specific root length, trait clustering,
trait divergence

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Ketersediaan

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Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

Journal of Ecology

No. Panggil

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Penerbit

London : British Ecological Society., 2016

Deskripsi Fisik

Journal of Ecology 2016, 104, 1410–1420

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

doi: 10.1111/1365-27

Klasifikasi

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Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

2016, 104

Subjek

EKOLOGI

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

agus

Versi lain/terkait

Lampiran Berkas

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