Both selection and plasticity drive niche differentiation in experimental grasslands

Meilhac, J., Deschamps, L., Maire, V., Flajoulot, S. et Litrico, I. (2020). Both selection and plasticity drive niche differentiation in experimental grasslands. Nature Plants, 6 (1). pp. 28-33. ISSN 2055-026X 2055-0278 DOI 10.1038/s41477-019-0569-7

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Abstract

The way species avoid each other in a community by using resources differently across space and time is one of the main drivers of species coexistence in nature1,2. This mechanism, known as niche differentiation, has been widely examined theoretically but still lacks thorough experimental validation in plants. To shape niche differences over time, species within communities can reduce the overlap between their niches or find unexploited environmental space3. Selection and phenotypic plasticity have been advanced as two candidate processes driving niche differentiation4,5, but their respective role remains to be quantified6. Here, we tracked changes in plant height, as a candidate trait for light capture7, in 5-year multispecies sown grasslands. We found increasing among-species height differences over time. Phenotypic plasticity promotes this change, which explains the rapid setting of differentiation in our system. Through the inspection of changes in genetic structure, we also highlighted the contribution of selection. Altogether, we experimentally demonstrated the occurrence of species niche differentiation within artificial grassland communities over a short time scale through the joined action of both plasticity and selection.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Adaptation Biodiversity Classification Genetic selection Genetics Grassland Plant Plant physiology Adaptation, Biological Adaptation, Physiological Plant Physiological Phenomena Plants Selection, Genetic
Date de dépôt:	30 sept. 2024 15:09
Dernière modification:	30 sept. 2024 15:09
Version du document déposé:	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/11492

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