Abstract
Pioneer species differing in their inherent ecological characteristics (e.g., N-fixing ability, photosynthetic pathway) can have a large impact on local ecosystems in the early stages of volcanic succession. However, it remains unclear as to how these pioneer species adapt to the extreme environment of volcanically devastated sites in terms of ecophysiological leaf traits. In this study, we compared the leaf traits (including morphological, physiological) of three co-occurring pioneer species, including a C4 non-N-fixing grass, a C3 N-fixing tree, and a C3 non-N-fixing herb from a newly created (18 years after eruption) volcanically devastated site in Miyake-jima, Japan. Our results showed that three pioneer species have different sets of leaf traits that are associated with their ecophysiological growth advantages, respectively. Miscanthus condensatus shows the highest light-saturated photosynthetic rate (Amax). The higher Amax were partially the result of higher water use efficiency (WUE) and photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE). The PNUE in M. condensatus appears to be high, even for a C4 grass. Alnus sieboldiana rely on its N-fixing ability, has a higher leaf N content (Narea) that compensates for its photosynthetic machinery (Rubisco), and further ensures its photosynthetic capacity. Fallopia japonica var. hachidyoensis has a higher leaf mass per area (LMA), chlorophyll content (Chl), and maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), demonstrating its higher light capturing ability. These results make it possible to predict certain ecological processes that take place in the early stages of volcanic succession resulting from ecological characteristics and from some key leaf traits of pioneer species. It also provides a theoretical basis for species selection and species combination for volcanic ecological restoration.
Highlights
Volcanic eruptions are major natural disturbances with varied and complex consequences [1]
The total C content (STC) and N content (STN) in the soil under the A. sieboldiana and F. japonica individuals were significantly higher than the total C content found under M. condensatus (Table 1)
This study was conducted at the active volcanic island, Miyake-jima, which is located in Japan (34◦ 050 N, 139◦ 550 E) and that covers an area of 55.44 km2 and has an altitude of
Summary
Volcanic eruptions are major natural disturbances with varied and complex consequences [1]. Several studies that have clarified the success pioneer species under harsh volcanic environments have focused on vegetation (growth form), life history (dormancy form), phenology, seed biology [4], biomorphology (e.g., root architecture, shoot shape), and seed viability (seed size/mass) [5,6]. From the perspective of photosynthetic-related leaf traits (including morphological, physiological), which are closely related to plant fitness and survival strategies [7] and are essential for the successful maintenance and expansion of populations, have received little attention [8,9,10,11]. The leaf traits that are associated with plant growth strategies are consistently affected by the ecological characteristics of a species, such as the photosynthetic pathway
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