Trade-off strategies between growth and defense of spring ephemeral plants in early spring.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Spring ephemeral plants represent a unique ecological category of herbaceous plants, characterized by early blooming and vivid flowers with significant ornamental value. Understanding the adaptive strategies of spring ephemerals is crucial for the introduction and cultivation of early spring plants, as well as for optimizing light energy utilization and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.

Methods

We evaluated 26 functional traits across four spring ephemerals and four spring non-ephemeral plants along an elevation gradient. By establishing a plant functional trait network, we examined the adaptation strategies of early spring plants at different elevations and compared the differences in adaptation strategies between two types of plants.

Results

Spring ep

SUBMITTER: Pan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11810948 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature