Journal Article

Leaf functional traits and resource use strategies facilitate the spread of invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus across an elevational gradient in western Himalayas

Sharma, Padma, Siddiqui, Manzer H., Kohli, Ravinder K., Batish, Daizy R., Rathee, Sonia, Ahmad, Mustaqeem, Kaur, Shalinder, Singh, Harminder Pal, Alamri, Saud

2024

Overview

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is a highly prevalent invasive species in subtropical regions across the world. It has recently been seen to shift from low (subtropical) to high (sub-temperate) elevations. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research investigating the adaptive responses and the significance of leaf functional traits in promoting the expansion to high elevations. The current study investigated the variations and trade-offs among 14 leaf traits (structural, photosynthetic, and nutrient content) of P. hysterophorus across different elevations in the western Himalayas, India. Plots measuring 20 × 40 m were established at different elevations (700 m, 1100 m, 1400 m, and 1800 m) to collect leaf trait data for P. hysterophorus . Along the elevational gradient, significant variations were noticed in leaf morphological parameters, leaf nutrient content, and leaf photosynthetic parameters. Significant increases were observed in the specific leaf area, leaf thickness, and chlorophyll a , total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, as well as leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content with elevation. On the other hand, there were reductions in the amount of chlorophyll b , photosynthetic efficiency, leaf dry matter content, leaf mass per area, and leaf water content. The trait-trait relationships between leaf water content and dry weight and between leaf area and dry weight were stronger at higher elevations. The results show that leaf trait variability and trait-trait correlations are very important for sustaining plant fitness and growth rates in low-temperature, high-irradiance, resource-limited environments at relatively high elevations. To summarise, the findings suggest that P. hysterophorus can expand its range to higher elevations by broadening its functional niche through changes in leaf traits and resource utilisation strategies.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Agriculture / Biomass / Biomedical and Life Sciences / carotenoids / Chlorophyll / Climate change / Compositae / Control / Dry matter / Dry weight / Environmental aspects / Foliar diagnosis / Genetic aspects / Himalayan region / Identification and classification / India / Introduced species / Invasive plants / Invasive species / Irradiance / Leaf area / leaf dry matter content / Leaf functional traits / leaf thickness / Leaves / Life Sciences / light intensity / Low temperature / Methods / Moisture content / Native species / nitrogen / Nonnative species / Nutrient content / Parameters / Parthenium hysterophorus / phosphorus content / Photosynthesis / Plant Sciences / Precipitation / Radiation / Sea level / Specific leaf area / specific leaf weight / Trait‒trait relationship / Tree Biology / Vegetation / Water content / Weight