Can bryophyte groups increase functional resolution in tundra ecosystems?
Permanent link
https://hdl.handle.net/10037/23989Date
2021-08-30Type
Journal articleTidsskriftartikkel
Peer reviewed
Author
Lett, Signe; Jónsdóttir, Ingibjörg Svala; Becker-Scarpitta, Antoine; Christiansen, Casper T.; During, Heinjo; Ekelund, Flemming; Henry, Greg H.R.; Lang, Simone; Michelsen, Anders; Rousk, Kathrin; Alatalo, Juha; Betway, Katlyn Rose; Busca, Sara; Callaghan, Terry; Carbognani, Michele; Cooper, Elisabeth J.; Cornelissen, J. Hans C.; Dorrepaal, Ellen; Egelkraut, Dagmar Dorothea; Elumeeva, Tatiana G.; Haugum, Siri Vatsø; Hollister, Robert D.; Jägerbrand, Annika K.; Keuper, Frida; Klanderud, Kari; Lévesque, Esther; Liu, Xin; May, Jeremy L.; Michel, Pascale; Mörsdorf, Martin; Petraglia, Alessandro; Rixen, Christian; Robroek, Bjorn J.M.; Rzepczynska, Agnieszka M.; Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A.; Tolvanen, Anne; Vandvik, Vigdis; Volkov, Igor; Volkova, Irina; van Zuijlen, KristelAbstract
The relative contribution of bryophytes to plant diversity, primary productivity, and ecosystem functioning increases towards colder climates. Bryophytes respond to environmental changes at the species level, but because bryophyte species are relatively difficult to identify, they are often lumped into one functional group. Consequently, bryophyte function remains poorly resolved. Here, we explore how higher resolution of bryophyte functional diversity can be encouraged and implemented in tundra ecological studies.We briefly review previous bryophyte functional classifications and the roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems and their susceptibility to environmental change. Based on shoot morphology and colony organization, we then propose twelve easily distinguishable bryophyte functional groups. To illustrate how bryophyte functional groups can help elucidate variation in bryophyte effects and responses, we compiled existing data on water holding capacity, a key bryophyte trait. Although plant functional groups, can mask potentially high inter- and intraspecific variability, we found better separation of bryophyte functional group means compared to previous grouping systems regarding water holding capacity. This suggests that our bryophyte functional groups truly represent variation in the functional roles of bryophytes in tundra ecosystems. Lastly, we provide recommendations to improve monitoring of bryophyte community changes in tundra study sites.
Publisher
Canadian Science PublishingCitation
Lett S, Jónsdóttir IS, Becker-Scarpitta, Christiansen CT, During H, Ekelund F, Henry GH, Lang S, Michelsen A, Rousk, Alatalo J, Betway, Busca, Callaghan T, Carbognani M, Cooper E.J., Cornelissen JHC, Dorrepaal E, Egelkraut DD, Elumeeva TG, Haugum SV, Hollister RD, Jägerbrand, Keuper F, Klanderud K, Lévesque E, Liu X, May JL, Michel P, Mörsdorf, Petraglia A, Rixen C, Robroek, Rzepczynska, Soudzilovskaia NA, Tolvanen A, Vandvik V, Volkov, Volkova, van Zuijlen K. Can bryophyte groups increase functional resolution in tundra ecosystems?. Arctic Science. 2021:1-52Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Copyright 2021 The Author(s)