Patterns of intraspecific trait variation along an aridity gradient suggest both drought escape and drought tolerance strategies in an invasive herb.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In water-limited landscapes, some plants build structures that enable them to survive with minimal water (drought resistance). Instead of making structures that allow survival through times of water limitation, annual plants may invoke a drought escape strategy where they complete growth and reproduction when water is available. Drought escape and resistance each require a unique combination of traits and therefore plants are likely to have a suite of trait values that are consistent with a single drought response strategy. In environments where conditions are variable, plants may additionally evolve phenotypically plastic trait responses to water availability. Invasive annual species commonly occur in arid and semi-arid environments and many will be subject to

SUBMITTER: Welles SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7988521 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature