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Species richness drove selection of individuals within wetlands based on traits related to acquisition and utilization of light
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  • Lucas Deschamps,
  • Raphaël Proulx,
  • Nicolas Gross,
  • Christopher Watson,
  • Guillaume Rheault,
  • Vincent Maire
Lucas Deschamps
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Raphaël Proulx
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
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Nicolas Gross
Université Clermont Auvergne
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Christopher Watson
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
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Guillaume Rheault
Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres
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Vincent Maire
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
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Abstract

Aim: Selection within natural communities has mainly been studied along large abiotic gradient, while the selection of individuals within population should occur locally under the play of biotic filter. To better seize the role of the latter, we postulated that the hierarchal nature of environmental selection and the multiple dimension of species trait space needed to be accounted for. Methods: We replicated a natural species richness gradient (from 2 to 16 species) within four contrasted wetlands (bog, fen, meadow, marsh), sampling functional traits from random individuals in communities. Developing a hierarchical distributional modelling, we analyzed the variation of the mean and dispersion of functional trait space at the ecosystem, community and species levels. Key results: We found that the abiotic differences between wetlands, which shaped a plant productivity gradient, selected species in regards with their leaf nutrient conservation / acquisition strategy. Within ecosystems, plant species richness was a strong driver of trait variation among both communities and species. Among communities, it shaped the selection of individuals according to their space occupation and leaf adaptations to light conditions. Demographically, some species used intraspecific trait variation to maintain equally dense populations, while others used it to become dominant in favorable conditions. Main Conclusions: Within ecosystems, variation in biotic conditions selects individuals along functional dimensions that are independent to the ones selected across ecosystems. Because intraspecific variations of light-related traits are related to demographic responses, it offers a way to link the study of species richness and eco-evolutionary dynamics.
02 Aug 2022Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
05 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
05 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
08 Aug 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Feb 20231st Revision Received
22 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
22 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
22 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Mar 20232nd Revision Received
10 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
10 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept