Population size affected by environmental variability impacts genetics, traits, and plant performance in Trifolium montanum L.

ABSTRACT: Population size, genetic diversity, and performance have fundamental importance for ecology, evolution, and nature conservation of plant species. Despite well-studied relationships among environmental, genetic, and intraspecific trait variation (ITV), the influence of population size on these aspects is less understood. To assess the sources of population size variation, but also its impact on genetic, functional trait, and performance aspects, we conducted detailed population size estimations, assessed 23 abiotic and biotic environmental habitat factors, performed population genetic analyses using nine microsatellite markers, and recorded nine functional traits based on 260 Trifolium montanum individuals from 13 semi-dry grassland locations of Central Europe. Modern statistical ana

SUBMITTER: Karbstein K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10406824 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature