Evolution of rarity and phylogeny determine above- and belowground biomass in plant-plant interactions.

ABSTRACT: Rare species are often considered inferior competitors due to occupancy of small ranges, specific habitats, and small local populations. However, the phylogenetic relatedness and rarity level (level 1-7 and common) of interacting species in plant-plant interactions are not often considered when predicting the response of rare plants in a biotic context. We used a common garden of 25 species of Tasmanian Eucalyptus, to differentiate non-additive patterns in the biomass of rare versus common species when grown in mixtures varying in phylogenetic relatedness and rarity. We demonstrate that rare species maintain progressively positive non-additive responses in biomass when interacting with phylogenetically intermediate, less rare and common species. This trend is not reflected in common specie

SUBMITTER: Nytko AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11104619 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature