Hocedez J., Gotty K., Hequet Vanessa, Chay S., Léopold A., Dray S., Pillon Yohan. (2024). Community ionomics reveals a diversity of mineral nutrition in a species-rich shrubland on infertile soil. Journal of Vegetation Science, 35 (5), p. e13301 [12 p.]. ISSN 1100-9233.
Titre du document
Community ionomics reveals a diversity of mineral nutrition in a species-rich shrubland on infertile soil
Hocedez J., Gotty K., Hequet Vanessa, Chay S., Léopold A., Dray S., Pillon Yohan
Source
Journal of Vegetation Science, 2024,
35 (5), p. e13301 [12 p.] ISSN 1100-9233
QuestionsHigh species richness is observed in certain shrublands on infertile substrates. Mineral nutrients are likely to be the primary limiting resources in these ecosystems, and below-ground plant interactions may be crucial to understanding their diversity. Using ionomics, we investigated whether there were nutritional variations between plant species that coexist in a shrubland located in an edaphically extreme environment. Location New Caledonia. MethodsWe set up a 20 m x 20 m plot in a diverse shrubland ("maquis") on ultramafic (infertile) substrate, in which we sampled all 475 plants taller than 1 m and characterized their ionome (22 elements).ResultsIn our study, 37 species were identified in the plot, representing all major forms of mycorrhizal symbioses, as well as nitrogen-fixing plants, cluster rooted and parasitic plants. Notably, both nickel hyperaccumulating and manganese hyperaccumulating species were present. Hypervolume approaches were used to assess ionome overlap among the nine most abundant species, with the results revealing limited overlap. Moreover, it was observed that the rarest species in the plot also had the most functionally distinct features. Conclusions Different nutritional strategies were present in the plot, as demonstrated by the variety of root symbioses and leaf ionomes. Our findings indicate coexistence of multiple species within this infertile shrubland may be achieved by species partitioning into different highly specialized biogeochemical niches. The high species richness of certain shrublands on infertile substrates remains poorly understood. We designed a plot on ultramafic substrate in New Caledonia where we characterized the ionome (22 elements) of all 475 plants. We found a diversity of root symbioses (mycorrhiza) represented. Hypervolume and functional rarity analyses revealed differences in elemental spaces, including metal hyperaccumulation. Our results suggest that partitioning into different biogeochemical niches may account for the coexistence of multiple species.
Plan de classement
Sciences du monde végétal [076]
;
Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
;
Biotechnologies [084]
