Abstract
Seed germination requirements may determine the kinds of habitat in which plants can survive. We tested the hypothesis that nitrogen (N) addition can change seed germination trait-environmental filter interactions and ultimately redistribute seed germination traits in alpine meadows. We determined the role of N addition on germination trait selection in an alpine meadow after N addition by combining a 3-year N addition experiment in an alpine meadow and laboratory germination experiments. At the species level, germination percentage, germination rate (speed) and breadth of temperature niche for germination (BTN) were positively related to survival of a species in the fertilized community. In addition, community-weighted means of germination percentage, germination rate, germination response to alternating temperature and BTN increased. However, germination response to wet-cold storage (cold stratification) and functional richness of germination traits was lower in alpine meadows with high-nitrogen addition than in those with no, low and medium N addition. Thus, N addition had a significant influence on environmental filter-germination trait interactions and generated a different set of germination traits in the alpine meadow. Further, the effect of N addition on germination trait selection by environmental filters was amount-dependent. Low and medium levels of N addition had less effect on redistribution of germination traits than the high level.
Highlights
Trait-based community ecology is a new approach to understanding community assembly (Díaz et al, 2004; McGill et al, 2006)
Relative abundance of species along the fertilization gradient is shown in Appendix S2
Our research provides some evidence that seed germination traits at both the species and community levels play a role in plant survival/persistence in alpine meadows after N addition
Summary
Trait-based community ecology is a new approach to understanding community assembly (Díaz et al, 2004; McGill et al, 2006). Seed germination can potentially influence the composition of plant communities (Wu and Du, 2007; Saatkamp et al, 2019) Many factors such as light, temperature and soil moisture can affect seed dormancy-breaking and germination (Fenner and Thompson, 2005; Bewley et al, 2013; Baskin and Baskin, 2014). Environmental requirements for seed germination of a plant species are important determinants for its existence in a given community and environment (Fenner and Thompson, 2005; Larson and Funk, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
