Nutrients control reproductive traits of hygrophytic bryophytes

Nutrient economy and plant nutrient concentrations have been suggested as important selective pressures of reproductive traits in vascular plants. However, evidence supporting that the reproduction of bryophytes and their reproductive traits have also been conditioned by nutrient availability is lacking. We here analysed the nutrient (N, P, K, and Fe) concentration of 35 aquatic and semi-aquatic bryophytes and the chemistry of the spring water in which they lived to determine whether bryophyte nutrient concentrations were correlated with the frequency of sexual reproduction, main reproductive mode (sexual vs. asexual), dioicy, and spore diameter, while controlling for climate and nutrient concentrations in the spring water. Water nutrient concentrations, except for K, had a small but positive influence on bryophyte nutrient concentrations. P-rich and K-poor species produced sporophytes more often and were more likely to reproduce sexually and be monoicous. Spore diameter was smaller in P- and Fe-rich mosses but larger in N-rich mosses living in humid climates. P-rich species thus produced more and smaller spores and were able to propagate more extensively. Overall, our results suggest that nutrient economy, especially P economy, has played an important role in shaping the reproductive traits of bryophytes.

Jaar van publicatie:2021

Trefwoorden:A1 Journal article

Toegankelijkheid:Open