Leaf Functional Traits in Relation to Species Composition in an Arctic–Alpine Tundra Grassland
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Date
2023-02-22
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Citation of Original Publication
Hunt, Lena, Zuzana Lhotáková, Eva Neuwirthová, Karel Klem, Michal Oravec, Lucie Kupková, Lucie Červená, Howard E. Epstein, Petya Campbell, and Jana Albrechtová. 2023. "Leaf Functional Traits in Relation to Species Composition in an Arctic–Alpine Tundra Grassland" Plants 12, no. 5: 1001. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051001
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Abstract
The relict arctic–alpine tundra provides a natural laboratory to study the potential impacts
of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance on tundra vegetation. The Nardus stricta-dominated
relict tundra grasslands in the Krkonoše Mountains have experienced shifting species dynamics
over the past few decades. Changes in species cover of the four competing grasses—Nardus stricta,
Calamagrostis villosa, Molinia caerulea, and Deschampsia cespitosa—were successfully detected using
orthophotos. Leaf functional traits (anatomy/morphology, element accumulation, leaf pigments, and
phenolic compound profiles), were examined in combination with in situ chlorophyll fluorescence in
order to shed light on their respective spatial expansions and retreats. Our results suggest a diverse
phenolic profile in combination with early leaf expansion and pigment accumulation has aided the
expansion of C. villosa, while microhabitats may drive the expansion and decline of D. cespitosa in
different areas of the grassland. N. stricta—the dominant species—is retreating, while M. caerulea did
not demonstrate significant changes in territory between 2012 and 2018. We propose that the seasonal
dynamics of pigment accumulation and canopy formation are important factors when assessing
potential “spreader” species and recommend that phenology be taken into account when monitoring
grass species using remote sensing.