Competitive Stress Research Articles

Effects of acetochlor on the interaction between Scenedesmus and Microcystis: Integrated perspectives on toxicity, biotransformation, and competition strategies

To reveal the disruption caused by herbicides and the mechanisms of algal interactions on interspecific competitive strategies at a metabolic and population level, this study established short-term (7 d) and long-term (21 d) Scenedesmus–Microcystis competition coculture systems and investigated the toxicity of acetochlor (ACT) on algae competition. Scenedesmus obliquus (EC50 6.586μg/L) is three orders of magnitude more sensitive to ACT than Microcystis aeruginosa (EC50 19,539μg/L), placing it at a competitive disadvantage in environments with ACT pollution. Short-term coculture tests (ACT concentrations from 0 to 12.5μg/L) showed that ACT suppresses S. obliquus growth and competition, while M. aeruginosa initially showed compensatory growth, which was negated by ACT. Metabolomics revealed that interspecies competition and ACT affect fatty acid synthesis and nitrogen assimilation metabolism of both microalgae, suggesting species differences in the mode of action (MOA) of ACT toxicity and resource competition strategies, respectively. ACT weakens the ability of M. aeruginosa to compete for nitrogen and synthesize microcystin under competitive stress. ACT biotransformation can be conducted across species. In an algal culture system with equal initial biomass, the 7 d ACT degradation rate increased by 24.9% and 123.8% with coculture of the two algae compared with monocultures of S. obliquus and M. aeruginosa, respectively. In long-term experiments, the degradation rate increased by 19.0% and 8.9% in cocultures compared with the monocultures. Lotka–Volterra models showed that competitive inhabitation was alleviated, implying that the competition interspecies relationship is beneficial for the coexistence of both algal populations under ACT stress.

Winter leaf phenology differences facilitate selective control of an invasive plant species by herbicide

Herbicide control of invasive plant species is generally efficient. However, there is a likelihood of the excessive application of non-selective herbicides that kill co-occurring native species and cause environmental toxicity. We present a case study on the control of the invasive exotic Solidago canadensis with photosynthetically active leaves in winter by applying glyphosate. This approach improves herbicide control efficiency, while preventing harm to most co-occurring native plants. We quantified the winter leaf phenology and photosynthetic capacity of S. canadensis and two commonly co-occurring native species. We tested the effects of glyphosate and competition on S. canadensis and native Imperata cylindrica with contrasting winter leaf phenology in both pot and field experiments. Finally, we surveyed the life forms and winter leaf phenology of most co-occurring plant species in eastern China to determine whether most co-occurring species and S. canadensis differ in winter leaf phenology. Old leaves withered much later and new leaves developed much earlier in S. canadensis than in the two co-occurring species. Both the old and new leaves of S. canadensis had high photosynthetic capacity in winter. In summer, glyphosate suppressed the growth of S. canadensis by 20.1–59.5% and growth of I. cylindrica to a greater extent (by 57.6–91.7%), whereas winter application of glyphosate at a certain concentration suppressed the growth of S. canadensis by 91.4–95.6% (the efficiency was higher than summer application), but had no impact on I. cylindrica. Glyphosate application in winter alleviated competition stress from S. canadensis on I. cylindrica. We conclude that winter glyphosate application can increase the selectivity and efficiency of chemical control of invasive S. canadensis, which may shift the competition balance towards native species and favour native vegetation recovery in sites invaded by S. canadensis. The principles of this approach can be applied to any scenario where invasive species and co-occurring species have distinct phenological niche separation.

Characterizing the competitive stress of individual trees using point clouds

The competitive stress of individual trees can be quantified by considering their positions and dimensions such as diameter at breast height (dbh) and height with respect to their neighbor trees. However, measurements of these attributes in the field limit the number of trees and stands that can be assessed with given resources. In recent years, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data have become prominent in characterizing three-dimensional forest structures. These data could also provide efficient and reliable tools to assess the competitive stress of trees within a stand. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the capability of TLS and low-altitude ALS in characterizing the competitive stress affecting individual trees in boreal forests. We compared: a) an object-based approach that quantified competition through the identification and characterization of competing neighbor trees from the TLS and ALS point clouds, and b) a point cloud-based approach where the presence of point cloud structures representing competitive vegetation around a target tree was considered. Accordingly, three object-based competition indices (CIs) utilizing dbh (CIdbh), height (CIH), and maximum crown diameter (CIMCD) as weights were calculated using the Hegyi equation. For the point cloud-based approach, the canopy density index (CDI), and the competitive pressure index (CPI) were derived using an upside-down search cone set at 60 % relative tree height, while the CICylinder was calculated by counting the number of voxels occupied by the competitive vegetation inside a fixed-radius cylinder. These laser scanning-based CIs were assessed against in situ-based CIs where dbh and height were used as weights in the Hegyi equation. The results showed that the object-based CIs were more correlated (r = 0.33–0.48, p-value < 0.001) with the in situ-based CIs in comparison with the point cloud-based CIs (r = −0.22–0.37). The object-based CIs showed a high correlation (r = 0.65–0.71, p-value < 0.001) when compared between TLS and ALS, while a greater variation was observed for the point cloud-based CIs (r = 0.29–0.53, p-value < 0.001). Tree detection rate and the number of neighboring trees in the field affected how well the CIs derived from the TLS and ALS data were in line with the in situ-based CIs, especially when the competitive stress was assessed using the object-based CIs. In conclusion, the object-based CIs derived using TLS and ALS provided consistent characterization of competition in managed boreal forests compared to the in situ-based CIs. While TLS is ideal for small-scale assessments, low-altitude ALS offers a rather similar capacity for assessing competition but with broader coverage. In complex forest structures, reliable tree detection is essential to avoid underestimating the competitive stress of trees.

Influence of crop development and fruit retention on the timing of crop maturity in Ultra-narrow row cotton

Ultra-narrow row (UNR) cotton, a production system with rows spaced less than 40 cm apart, has been proposed as a system for earlier maturity without substantial yield loss. However, trials in the U.S.A. and Australia have found maturity benefits difficult to achieve consistently. Studies undertaken in high input cotton systems that compared UNR to conventionally (1 m) spaced cotton found yield differences but failed to demonstrate differences in crop maturity. This paper examines crop development and fruiting dynamics of the two systems in more detail to understand why there were no differences in maturity. Results showed that lack of difference in maturity between the row spacings was not influenced by differences in the time to reach crop development stages nor by lower fruit retention of early bolls in the UNR plants. Node production and fruiting site production on a per plant basis were significantly slower in the UNR plants from early in the growing season. Slower node and fruiting site production delayed maturity in the UNR plants as they set fewer fruit within the same period of time compared to plants grown in conventional spaced rows. The number of fruiting sites produced per plant was highly dependent on the amount of dry matter per plant. Fruiting site production was reduced in the UNR crop because each plant produced less total dry matter, and hence plant development was slower. To further help understand the reasons for outcomes generated in these studies, and how UNR could possibly mature earlier without impacting yield, a conceptual modelling framework was developed to integrate seasonal patterns in fruiting site production, retention, and boll growth. A key component of this framework is translating from a per plant basis to an area basis. The analysis showed that for individual UNR plants to mature earlier and maintain yield on an area basis, early node production and fruiting site production must proceed at a similar rate to conventionally spaced crops. In this scenario 90 % of final yield would be present 14 days earlier in the UNR crop compared to conventionally spaced crops. To realise any benefits of potential earlier maturity further research is needed to explore genetic or management interventions that might avoid the early competitive stress response that slows node development in UNR.

Psychological Impact of Competitive Stress on Female Athletes: A Review

Psychological Impact of Competitive Stress on Female Athletes: A Review

Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Score and Stress Level of Shooting Athletes

This study aimed to explore the impact of a 12-week emWave pro-based heart rate variability biofeedback training followed by a 2-week follow-up on shooters' performance, stress levels, and heart rate variability (HRV). Thirty-six shooters aged 18-24 (18 experimental, 18 control) participated. The experimental group underwent 12 weeks of biofeedback and shooting training, while the control group only received shooting training. Results showed significant improvements in performance, stress levels, and HRV parameters in the experimental group, reflecting enhanced parasympathetic activity. Biofeedback reduced training and competition stress, improving overall performance and stability during matches, emphasizing its effectiveness in shooter training.

Competitive federalism, individual autonomy, and citizen sovereignty

AbstractThe paper examines the theory of competitive federalism, focusing specifically on Hayek's and Buchanan's significant contributions to this theory. Looking at the rivalry between sub‐units in federal systems and drawing an analogy between market competition and intergovernmental competition, the theory of competitive federalism stresses the critical role viable exit options play as operating force in both arenas. The principal claim argued for in this paper is that by exclusively focusing on exit in its territorial dimension, the theory of competitive federalism obfuscates the fact that “exit” can mean two critically different things in federal systems. It can mean exiting from the territory over which a government exercises its assigned authority, and it can mean exiting from a polity in the sense of giving up one's membership status in the respective community. The paper discusses the nature, the significance, and the implications of the difference between these two kinds of exit.

Monitoring training load and perceived recovery indicators during the preseason and in-season phases in professional female basketball players.

During the basketball season, it is essential to carefully plan training and recovery activities to optimize players' performance. This study monitored training load and perceived recovery indicators in professional female basketball players across the preseason and in-season phases. Seventeen professional female basketball players (age: 19.6±3.1 years; height: 180.2±5.9 cm; playing position: 8 backcourt, 9 frontcourt) were monitored for eleven consecutive weeks. Each morning, players reported their perceived recovery using a 10-point Total Quality of Recovery (TQR) Scale. After each training session or game, players reported their perceived exertion using the CR-10 Scale, which was multiplied by the duration of the training or game to obtain the session load. Weekly load, monotony, strain, TQR<inf>AM</inf> (morning recovery) and TQR<inf>fw</inf> (recovery at the start of the following week) were calculated. Linear mixed models were performed to assess the effects of season phase (preseason; in-season), playing position (backcourt; frontcourt) and group (senior; under) on load and recovery variables. Weekly load, monotony and strain were higher in the preseason than the in-season phase (all P<0.001, ES: moderate-large). Strain was higher in senior players compared to under (P=0.045, ES: small). Regarding recovery variables, no effects were found for TQR<inf>AM</inf>, while TQR<inf>fw</inf> was higher in the preseason than in-season (P<0.001, ES: moderate) phase. Professional female basketball players experience lower internal loads but poorer perceived recovery during the in-season phase. Practitioners should carefully consider the stress of competition and the cumulative fatigue from high preseason loads during the transition from the preseason to the regular season.

Analyzing the Performance and Resilience of Neeraj Chopra Through the Lens of Theory of Threat and Challenge States in Athletes Authors

The present study aimed to analyze Neeraj Chopra’s performance and resilience with the help of the theory of threat and challenge states in athletes (TCTSA). Multiple quantitative and qualitative data sources, such as media bites, newspaper articles, interviews from various print and digital media, and online sites, were employed in the current study. The data collection time frame was limited to 2018 to 2021. Furthermore, the concept of resilience has been discovered and encouraged by utilizing the Theory of Challenge and Threat States in Athletes (TCTSA). In this article, we have taken the case of Neeraj Chopra and suggested that the hardship and adversities he has faced in the past can be ascribed to his resilience. His story helps us understand how important it is to expose athletes to adversities for their psychological development. This also implies that coaches should expose their trainees to stressful situations for mental growth and to build their confidence. Exposure to adversities and competition stress will help them to increase resilience. Developing a positive attitude towards adversity is also essential, as it will improve athletes’ perception of competition situations.

Ecological trade-offs drive phenotypic and genetic differentiation of Arabidopsis thaliana in Europe

Plant diversity is shaped by trade-offs between traits related to competitive ability, propagule dispersal, and stress resistance. However, we still lack a clear understanding of how these trade-offs influence species distribution and population dynamics. In Arabidopsis thaliana, recent genetic analyses revealed a group of cosmopolitan genotypes that successfully recolonized Europe from its center after the last glaciation, excluding older (relict) lineages from the distribution except for their north and south margins. Here, we tested the hypothesis that cosmopolitans expanded due to higher colonization ability, while relicts persisted at the margins due to higher tolerance to competition and/or stress. We compared the phenotypic and genetic differentiation between 71 European genotypes originating from the center, and the south and north margins. We showed that a trade-off between plant fecundity and seed mass shapes the differentiation of A. thaliana in Europe, suggesting that the success of the cosmopolitan groups could be explained by their high dispersal ability. However, at both north and south margins, we found evidence of selection for alleles conferring low dispersal but highly competitive and stress-resistance abilities. This study sheds light on the role of ecological trade-offs as evolutionary drivers of the distribution and dynamics of plant populations.

Motivations to Enhance One’s Facial Hair: Affiliation, Rivalry, and Stress

Facial hair is a sexually dimorphic trait with potential evolutionary and sociocultural functions. Bearded men are perceived as dominant, aggressive, and masculine, but also as having better parenting skills. Men may intentionally manage the amount and shape of their facial hair as a part of their self-promotion strategy; however, facial hair management entails costs in terms of time, effort, and money. We explored psychological factors associated with facial hair enhancement motivation among men. A total of 414 men (aged 18–40 years) reported the current amount of their facial hair along with their facial hair enhancement motivations, gender role stress, intrasexual competitiveness, and fundamental social motives. Willingness to care for facial hair was associated with the amount of facial hair men claimed to have and correlated with the fundamental social motives of affiliation and social status, intrasexual competition, and gender role stress. Therefore, facial hair enhancement may be regarded as a self-presentation strategy aimed at acquiring a beneficial position in social networks.

Evaluation of Oral and Dental Health Results and Competition Stress Levels of Adolescent Athletes in Different Winter Sports Branches.

The aim of the present study was to examine the findings of the intraoral examinations of the 12-16 years old novice (control) and elite athletes across the winter sports branches, which were alpine discipline skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, ski jumping, and ice hockey. Besides, the study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-group relationships by comparing the athletes salivary stress biomarker levels at precompetition, during-match, and post-competition stages. Ninety-one athletes (71 elite, 20 novice) participated in our study. Oral health status of the athletes were evaluated. In addition, cortisol levels in the saliva samples obtained at pre-competition (rested before the competition), during-match (just before the start), and post-competition (competition ending moment) stages were measured. The data were analyzed statistically with a significance level of 0.05. Ice hockey athletes were the most affected by untreated dental caries (27.3%). No signs of dental trauma caused by sports activities were found in the winter sports branches. Basic erosive wear examination scores of the ice hockey athletes were similar to the ski jumping athletes and lower than other groups (P=.034). The mean cortisol values between sports branches were listed as: biathlon <snowboarding > alpine skiing < ice hockey < ski jumping (P < .001). Test results of the winter sports athletes' saliva samples revealed that their salivary stress levels might vary in accordance with the sports branches, and there was a negative relationship between the levels of salivary stress biomarkers in competitions and oral health. In winter sports activities, measures for improving oral health should be disseminated.

High-elevation-induced decrease in soil pH weakens ecosystem multifunctionality by influencing soil microbiomes

Plant environmental stress response has become a global research hotspot, yet there is a lack of clear understanding regarding the mechanisms that maintain microbial diversity and their ecosystem services under environmental stress. In our research, we examined the effects of moderate elevation on the rhizosphere soil characteristics, microbial community composition, and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) within agricultural systems. Our findings revealed a notable negative correlation between EMF and elevation, indicating a decline in multifunctionality at higher elevations. Additionally, our analysis across bacterial and protistan communities showed a general decrease in microbial richness with increasing elevation. Using random forest models, pH was identified as the key environmental stressor influencing microbial communities. Furthermore, we found that microbial community diversity is negatively correlated with stability by mediating complexity. Interestingly, while pH was found to affect the complexity within bacterial networks, it did not significantly impact the ecosystem stability along the elevation gradients. Using a Binary-State Speciation and Extinction (BiSSE) model to explore the evolutionary dynamics, we found that Generalists had higher speciation rates and lower extinction rates compared to specialists, resulting in a skewed distribution towards higher net diversification for generalists under increasing environmental stress. Moreover, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis highlighted a negative correlation between environmental stress and community diversity, but showed a positive correlation between environmental stress and degree of cooperation & competition. These interactions under environmental stress indirectly increased community stability and decreased multifunctionality. Our comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the intricate relationship among environmental factors, microbial communities, and ecosystem functions, especially in the context of varying elevation gradients. These findings contribute significantly to our understanding of how environmental stressors affect microbial diversity and ecosystem services, providing a foundation for future ecological research and management strategies in similar contexts.

The Influence of Judgment Perceptions on Competition Stress toward College Taekwondo Breaking Demonstration Athlete: The Moderating Effect of Organizational Justice

The Influence of Judgment Perceptions on Competition Stress toward College Taekwondo Breaking Demonstration Athlete: The Moderating Effect of Organizational Justice

Morpho-physiological adaptations to weed competition impair green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) ability to overcome moderate salt stress.

The two stresses of weed competition and salt salinity lead to crop yield losses and decline in the productivity of agricultural land. These constraints threaten the future of food production because weeds are more salt stress tolerant than most crops. Climate change will lead to an increase of soil salinity worldwide, and possibly exacerbate the competition between weeds and crops. This aspect has been scarcely investigated in the context of weed-crop competition. Therefore, we conducted a field experiment on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris ) to investigate the combined impact of weed competition and salt stress on key morpho-physiological traits, and crop yield. We demonstrated that soil salinity shifted weed composition toward salt tolerant weed species (Portulaca oleracea and Cynodon dactylon ), while it reduced the presence of lower tolerance species. Weed competition activated adaptation responses in green bean such as reduced leaf mass per area and biomass allocation to the stem, unchanged stomatal density and instantaneous water use efficiency, which diverge from those that are typically observed as a consequence of salt stress. The morpho-physiological modifications caused by weeds is attributed to the alterations of light intensity and/or quality, further confirming the pivotal role of the light in crop response to weeds. We concluded that higher yield loss caused by combined salt stress and weed competition is due to impaired morpho-physiological responses, which highlights the negative interaction between salt stress and weed competition. This phenomenon will likely be more frequent in the future, and potentially reduce the efficacy of current weed control methods.

Prevalence of Poor Sleep Quality and its Association with Lifestyle Habits, Competition-Based Activities, and Psychological Distress in Japanese Student-Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives The present study clarified the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its relation to lifestyle habits, competitive-based activities, and psychological distress among Japanese student-athletes in the initial pandemic period (2020) and 1 year later (2021). Methods In the present study, student-athletes were defined as individuals belonging to university athletic clubs. The data of two cross-sectional surveys (2020: n = 961 and 2021: n = 711) were collected from student-athletes in 6 universities in Japan. First, the prevalence of poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index score > 5) was investigated. Relationships between poor sleep quality and lifestyle habits, competition-based activities, and psychological distress were then explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 33.6% in 2020 and 36.6% in 2021. Poor sleep quality in 2020 was related to late bedtime, taking supplements before bed, part-time job (no late night), stressors of expectations and pressure from others, and psychological distress, whereas that in 2021 was related to early wake-up time, skipping breakfast, taking caffeinated drinks before bed, use of smartphone/cellphone after lights out, stressors of motivation loss, and psychological distress. Conclusions In both 2020 and 2021, one-third of student-athletes had poor sleep quality and psychological distress was its common risk factor. Lifestyle habits and competition stressors associated with poor sleep quality were pandemic-specific in 2020, but similar to the prepandemic period in 2021.

Seeking Stability in China's "Involuted Generation"

In recent years, the word “involution” (Nei Juan) has become a popular word in Chinese society to refer to the great competitive pressure young people in China now face in their life such as passing the college entrance examination and searching for a job. They are called the “involuted generation.” To study the involution phenomenon, I conducted eleven semi-structured interviews with students, parents, and teachers in Zhejiang Province in China. This study also explores the causes and effects of the phenomenon of involution by combining online research and a literature review. I argue that the pursuit of stability produces the present involution while the college entrance examination and differences in family background create different degrees of involution which intensifies the stress of competition. The effects of involution include anxiety and tension for both students and parents brought on by competition, the devaluation of academic qualifications in the job market, and the gap young people experience between their interests and careers.

Differential eco-physiological performance to declining groundwater depth in Central Asian C3 and C4 shrubs in the Gurbantunggut Desert.

Resources in water-limited ecosystems are highly variable and unpredictable, and the maintenance of functional diversity among coexisting species is a crucial ecological strategy through which plants mitigate environmental stress. The comparison of differential eco-physiological responses among co-occurring plants in harsh environments could help provide deep insights into the coexistence mechanisms of competing species. Two coexisting desert shrubs with different photosynthetic pathways (Haloxylon ammodendron and Tamarix ramosissima) were selected in the Gurbantunggut Desert located in northwest China. This study detected variations in the water sources, photosynthetic parameters, stem water status, and non-structural carbohydrates of the two shrubs at three sites with different groundwater table depths during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016 to identify distinct eco-physiological performances in coexisting plants with different functional types under fluctuating water conditions. The water sources of H. ammodendron shifted from soil water to groundwater, while T. ramosissima extracted water mainly from deep soil layers at both sites. Significant reductions in carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance in H. ammodendron with deeper groundwater table depth were detected during most drought periods, but no significant decreases in transpiration rate were detected with declining groundwater table depth. For T. ramosissima, all of these gas exchange parameters decreased with the progression of summer drought, and their relative reduction rates were larger compared with those of H. ammodendron. The stem water status of H. ammodendron deteriorated, and the relative reduction rates of water potential increased with deeper groundwater, whereas those of T. ramosissima did not differ with greater groundwater depth. These findings indicated that prolonged drought would intensify the impact of declining groundwater depth on the eco-physiology of both shrubs, but the extent to which the shrubs would respond differed. The two shrubs were segregated along the water-carbon balance continuum: the C3 shrub T. ramosissima maximized its carbon fixation at an enormous cost of water, while greater carbon fixation was achieved with far greater water economy for H. ammodendron. These results demonstrated that the two shrubs prioritized carbon gain and water loss differently when faced with limited water sources. These mechanisms might mitigate competitive stress and enable their coexistence.

Starting in your mental pole position: hypnosis helps elite downhill Mountainbike athletes to reach their optimal racing mindset.

Downhill Mountain Biking is an extreme sport requiring high mental strength to perform on the best level in a competition with only one run to win the race. The substantial challenge here is to control automatic processes like competitive anxiety and stress. Hypnosis can address these automatic processes. We developed and evaluated a hypnosis audio-intervention to activate the optimal racing mindset. In our study, 19 elite Downhill Mountainbike athletes registered at two consecutive races of the IXS Downhill Cup. After the first race, athletes listened to the hypnosis audio-intervention. In this intervention, we instructed the athletes how to activate their optimal mental state before the second race. At both races, we measured competitive anxiety, stress, self-confidence, state resilience, and flow with validated questionnaires and assessed resting heart rate variability as physiological measure of resilience. Race-related somatic anxiety and subjective stress decreased significantly while self-confidence increased significantly from first to second race after athletes listened to the hypnosis. Heart rate variability was significantly increased at the second race indicating elevated vagal activity. When comparing race results of our participants to a control group of other elite athletes competing in the races but not listening to the hypnosis, we found that our study participants generally performed better in both races. The study shows that our hypnosis intervention was effective in reducing competitive anxiety and stress while increasing perceived resilience and self-confidence: After a self-administered hypnosis session, athletes were able to improve automatic processes responsible for putting them in their mental pole position.

Environmental filtering is the primary driver of community assembly in forest–grassland mosaics: A case study based on CSR strategies

AbstractAimsEcological strategies can provide information about plant community assembly and its main drivers. Our aim was to reveal the dominant strategies of the vegetation types of forest–grassland mosaics and to deduce the assembly processes responsible for their species composition.LocationHungary.MethodsWe investigated eight vegetation types of Hungarian forest–steppes. The trade‐off between three key traits related to leaf size and economics was used to calculate Grime's competitive–stress tolerance–ruderal (CSR) value for each species, based on which the mean value for each vegetation type was determined. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination was used to reveal the compositional differences among the vegetation types under study. To analyze how ecological strategies correlate with the compositional gradient, we used linear regression between plot ordination scores (the first DCA scores) and each strategy (C, S, and R). Linear mixed‐effect models were used to evaluate the differences between the vegetation types regarding each strategy (C, S, and R).ResultsEach vegetation type was dominated by the stress‐tolerator strategy, indicating the prominent role of environmental filtering in community assembly. However, ecological strategies differed significantly among the communities. The importance of the stress‐tolerator strategy decreased toward the less harsh end of the gradient (i.e., from grasslands to forests), while the competitor strategy showed a reverse pattern. The ruderal strategy was weakly correlated with the gradient, although its proportion increased toward the harsh end of the gradient.ConclusionsWith ongoing climate change, an increasing importance of environmental filtering is expected in the assembly of the vegetation types in the studied forest–grassland mosaics. We suggest that CSR strategies offer a useful tool for studying plant‐community assembly rules along environmental gradients.