Why phylogenetic signal of traits is important in ecosystems: uniformity of a plant trait increases soil fauna, but only in a phylogenetically uniform vegetation - Archive ouverte HAL Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Oecologia Année : 2023

Why phylogenetic signal of traits is important in ecosystems: uniformity of a plant trait increases soil fauna, but only in a phylogenetically uniform vegetation

Résumé

Phylogenetically closely related plant species often share similar trait states (phylogenetic signal), but local assembly may favor dissimilar relatives and thereby decouple the diversity of a trait from the diversity of phylogenetic lineages. Associated fauna might either benefit from plant trait diversity, because it provides them complementary resources, or suffer from it due to dilution of preferred resources. We hence hypothesize that decoupling of trait and phylogenetic diversity weakens the relationship between the plant-trait diversity and the abundance and diversity of associated fauna. Studying permanent meadows, we tested for combined effects of plant phylogenetic diversity and diversity of two functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content) on major groups of soil fauna (earthworms, mites, springtails, nematodes). We found that only in phylogenetically uniform plant communities, was uniformity in the functional traits associated with (i) high abundance in springtails, and (ii) high abundance of the sub-group that feeds more directly on plant material (in springtails and mites) or those that are more prone to disturbance (in nematodes), and (iii) high diversity in all three groups tested (springtails, earthworms, nematodes). Our results suggest that soil fauna profits from the resource concentration in local plant communities that are uniform in both functional traits and phylogenetic lineages. Soil fauna would hence benefit from co-occurrence of closely related plants that have conserved the same trait values, rather than of distantly related plants that have converged in traits. This might result in faster decomposition and a positive feedback between trait conservatism and ecosystem functioning.
Fichier principal
Vignette du fichier
Molleman et al. 2023.pdf (1.58 Mo) Télécharger le fichier
Origine : Publication financée par une institution

Dates et versions

hal-04104102 , version 1 (23-05-2023)
hal-04104102 , version 2 (25-05-2023)
hal-04104102 , version 3 (02-06-2023)

Licence

Paternité

Identifiants

Citer

Freerk Molleman, Nicolas Rossignol, Jean-François Ponge, Guénola Pérès, Daniel Cluzeau, et al.. Why phylogenetic signal of traits is important in ecosystems: uniformity of a plant trait increases soil fauna, but only in a phylogenetically uniform vegetation. Oecologia, 2023, 202, pp.175-191. ⟨10.1007/s00442-023-05384-z⟩. ⟨hal-04104102v3⟩
81 Consultations
42 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More