Does grazing induce intraspecific trait variation in plants from a sub-humid mountain ecosystem?

• DOI: 10.1111/aec.12361
• Publication Date: 2016-05-25T02:10:52Z
• Authors: Juan I. Whitworth...; Ana M. Cingolani; Sebastián R. Zeba...; María Poca; Diego E. Gurvich
• Keywords: Specific leaf area; Herbaceous plant

Livestock grazing represents an important human disturbance for vegetation worldwide. We analysed the intraspecific differences in mean trait values between different regimes (ungrazed and grazed) explored whether these are consistent across species a sub-humid mountain ecosystem Central Argentina. selected 14 of eight families, co-occurring both comprising herbaceous (grasses forbs) woody (shrubs trees) plants. For each regime we measured 12 traits related to plant size, carbon fixation water use. found that plants grazed had consistently smaller leaves shorter stature internodal length than same under ungrazed regime. remaining responses were species-specific. Dry matter content, leaf tensile strength minimum potential (Ψleaf) showed contrasting grazing. Specific area, wood density content almost no significant except very few species. Neither area per shoot mass nor sapwood differed significantly regimes. Our study suggested variation size-related would allow respond without modifying markedly other structural traits, plastic response might increase probability success.