A Game of Life with dormancy

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2039)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The factors contributing to the persistence and stability of life are fundamental for understanding complex living systems. Organisms commonly challenged by harsh fluctuating environments that suboptimal growth reproduction, which can lead extinction. Many species contend with unfavourable noisy conditions entering a reversible state reduced metabolic activity, phenomenon known as dormancy. Here, we develop Spore Life, model investigate effects dormancy on population dynamics. It is based Conway’s Game Life (GoL), deterministic cellular automaton where simple rules govern an individual its neighbours. For individuals would otherwise die, provides refuge in form inactive state. These dormant (spores) resuscitate when local improve. includes parameter α ∈ [ 0,1 form="postfix" stretchy="false">] controls survival probability spores, interpolating between GoL ( = 0 ) 1 ), while capturing stochastic dynamics intermediate regime < ). In addition identifying emergence unique periodic configurations, find spore increases average number active buffers populations from Contrary expectations, stabilization not result large long-lived seed bank. Instead, demographic patterns only require small resuscitation events. Our approach yields novel insight into what minimally required origins behaviours associated banks they generate.

Language: Английский

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Ecological, (epi)genetic and physiological aspects of bet-hedging in angiosperms

Plant Reproduction, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 34(1), P. 21 - 36

Published: Jan. 15, 2021

Bet-hedging is a complex evolutionary strategy involving morphological, eco-physiological, (epi)genetic and population dynamics aspects. We review these aspects in flowering plants propose further research needed for this topic. an that reduces the temporal variance fitness at expense of lowered arithmetic mean fitness. It has evolved organisms subjected to variable cues from external environment, be they abiotic or biotic stresses such as irregular rainfall predation. In plants, bet-hedging exhibited by hundreds species mainly exerted reproductive organs, particular seeds but also embryos fruits. The main example angiosperms diaspore heteromorphism which same individual produces different seed/fruit morphs terms morphology, dormancy, eco-physiology and/or tolerance order 'hedge its bets' unpredictable environments. objective provide comprehensive overview ecological, genetic, epigenetic physiological involved shaping strategies, how can affect dynamics. identify several open questions about strategies plants: 1) understanding ecological trade-offs among traits; 2) producing more phylogenetic analyses understand diffusion implications strategy; 3) clarifying mechanisms related plant responses environmental cues; 4) applying multi-omics approaches study levels detail. Clarifying those will deepen our fascinating strategy.

Language: Английский

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Rapid adaptive evolution to drought in a subset of plant traits in a large‐scale climate change experiment

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 23(11), P. 1643 - 1653

Published: Aug. 27, 2020

Rapid evolution of traits and plasticity may enable adaptation to climate change, yet solid experimental evidence under natural conditions is scarce. Here, we imposed rainfall manipulations (+30%, control, -30%) for 10 years on entire plant communities in two Eastern Mediterranean sites. Additional sites along a gradient selection analyses greenhouse assessed whether potential responses were adaptive. In both sites, our annual target species Biscutella didyma consistently evolved earlier phenology higher reproductive allocation drought. Multiple arguments suggest that this response was adaptive: it aligned with theory, corresponding trait shifts the gradient, differential watering greenhouse. However, another seven candidate did not evolve, there little support plasticity. Our results provide compelling rapid adaptive change. Yet, several non-evolving indicate constraints full adaptation.

Language: Английский

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Global change impacts on arid zone ecosystems: Seedling establishment processes are threatened by temperature and water stress

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(12), P. 8071 - 8084

Published: May 11, 2021

Abstract Recruitment for many arid‐zone plant species is expected to be impacted by the projected increase in soil temperature and prolonged droughts associated with global climate change. As seed dormancy considered a strategy avoid unfavorable conditions, understanding mechanisms underpinning vulnerability these factors critical recruitment intact communities, as well restoration efforts arid ecosystems. This study determined effects of water stress on processes six grass genus Triodia R.Br. from Australian zone. Experiments controlled environments were conducted dormant less‐dormant seeds at constant temperatures 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, under well‐watered (Ψ = −0.15 MPa) water‐limited −0.35 conditions. Success three key stages—seed germination, emergence, survival—and final viability ungerminated was assessed. For all species, germinated higher proportions conditions; however, subsequent seedling emergence survival more treatment. An (35–40°C) conditions caused 95%–100% failure, regardless state. Ungerminated maintained dry soil; when exposed warm (30–40°C) loss greater across species. work demonstrates that transition established highly vulnerable microclimatic constraints represents filter we demonstrate stress‐driven mortality between seedlings, how influence other should high priority consideration management actions mitigate impacts change ecosystem resilience. The knowledge gained outcomes must actively incorporated into initiatives.

Language: Английский

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Soil microbes mediate the effects of resource variability on plant invasion

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(10)

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

A fundamental question in ecology is which species will prevail over others amid changes both environmental mean conditions and their variability. Although the widely accepted fluctuating resource hypothesis predicts that increases availability variability therein promote nonnative plant invasion, it remains unclear to what extent these effects might be mediated by soil microbes. We grew eight invasive as target plants pot-mesocosms planted with five different synthetic native communities competitors, assigned them combinations of two nutrient-fluctuation (constant vs. pulsed), nutrient-availability (low high) soil-microbe (living sterilized) treatments. found when sterilized soil, nutrient fluctuation promoted dominance under overall low availability, whereas had minimal effect high availability. In contrast, living rather than Analysis microbial community suggests this reflect strongly increased relative abundance most dominant pathogenic fungal family or genus while decreasing Our findings are first indicate besides its direct effect, could also indirectly affect invasion via communities.

Language: Английский

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Seed dormancy alleviation by warm stratification progressively widens the germination window in Mediterranean climate Rutaceae

Australian Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 71(2), P. 55 - 66

Published: March 8, 2023

Context In ecosystems where rainfall is episodic or highly seasonal, plant recruitment from a soil-stored seed bank occurs during periods of elevated soil moisture conducive to germination and seedling establishment. The release dormancy in response environmental conditions has significant consequences for the temperature window over which occurs, as such timing can vary between years. Aims We aimed understand seeds two species Rutaceae, Diplolaena dampieri Rhadinothamnus anceps, how loss influenced by warm stratification. Methods tested temperatures 5 30°C following increasing durations (1–12 4–12 weeks) stratification at 20, 25, 30°C. Key results Warm 1–8 weeks progressively alleviated D. R. proportion ~0.1 ~0.5 both species. Stratification duration was optimal 4 8 depending on not affected water stress down −0.8 Mpa. Application aerosol smoke did significantly improve germination, heat treatments had negative effect final proportion. Conclusions As alleviated, range that support increased decreased allowing confirmation type 1 2 non-deep physiological (PD), respectively. Implications Arising this conclusion, we suggest Mediterranean climates, PD dictate risk-taking risk-avoiding ecological strategies shifting thermal requirements towards characteristic early- mid-germination season. Classification may offer structured approach predict shift loss, will provide insight into year-to-year variation seasonal conditions.

Language: Английский

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Seed and seedling traits suggest ontogenetic coordination in the functional recruitment niche for dryland restoration species

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Abstract Plant recruitment is shaped by functioning across seed and seedling stages. Because morphology germination directly influence exposure to resources environment, these two stages may be linked through trait synergies trade‐offs that coordinate early ontogeny. However, the wide range of traits impacting environmental response at each ontogenetic stage are rarely explored in tandem understand potential dimensionality functional niche. We covariation among 13 stress tolerance, rate or growth, light response, temperature other functions for 49 species found semi‐arid rangelands. Using phylogenetically informed ordination cluster analysis, we asked how multiple shapes The first dimensions identified separate aligned, providing some basis coordination during recruitment. Morphological reflecting size‐related tolerance (i.e. mass) formed strongest foundation stages, sharing ties with (specific leaf area), growth (root elongation) (e.g. minimum temperature). also observed an unexpected trade‐off seeds seedlings avoid risk (through dormancy) tolerate root investment), respectively. In contrast, thresholds were not tightly analogous Their independence could expand niche depending on significance field. Synthesis . Seed characterized multiple, independent functioning, but moderate increasing as a wider breadth together. At same time, physiological appear less connected complexify spatiotemporal dynamics. Both coordinated aspects here deserve exploration broader species, environments full

Language: Английский

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Physical Dormancy Release in Medicago truncatula Seeds Is Related to Environmental Variations

Plants, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 503 - 503

Published: April 14, 2020

Seed dormancy and timing of its release is an important developmental transition determining the survival individuals, populations, species in variable environments. Medicago truncatula was used as a model to study physical seed at ecological genetics level. The effect alternating temperatures, one causes releasing dormancy, tested 178 M. accessions over three years. Several coefficients were related environmental variables. Dormancy varied greatly (4-100%) across well year experiment. We observed overall higher under more temperatures (35/15 °C) comparison with less ones (25/15 °C). Accessions from arid climates released experimental temperature alternations than originating plasticity can probably distribute germination through act bet-hedging strategy On other hand, slight increase environments among-season variation. Genome-wide association analysis identified 136 candidate genes secondary metabolite synthesis, hormone regulation, modification cell wall. activity these might mediate coat permeability and, ultimately, imbibition germination.

Language: Английский

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Hot and fast: seed ecology for restoration relevant species in the Argyle region of the east Kimberley, Australia

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(7)

Published: June 24, 2024

This study investigates the germination requirements of 12 plant species native to Argyle region east Kimberley, a biodiverse monsoonal tropical characterized by high temperatures, evaporation, and episodic seasonal rainfall. The research involved quality assessment mature seeds, followed dormancy alleviation laboratory‐based determine responses seeds range temperatures (5–40°C) in terms speed (T10), mean time, maximum proportion. Data were then modeled calculate optimal temperature support for each species. results showed that rapidly commences response wide typical wet season (November–February) though most was still (>50%) after exposure as low 15°C. Mean across all 25.8 ± 1.5°C, with minimal variation between species, exception being Dodonaea physocarpa , which preferred cooler (Topt = 14.0°C). also rapid (T10 1–3 days) at temperature. findings suggest is not limiting factor this onset intensity are significant factors determining successful germination, emergence, seedling establishment. underscores importance species‐specific understanding environmental required seed seed‐based restoration efforts informs planning direct seeding works, thus enhancing outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Microclimatic variation regulates seed germination phenology in alpine plant communities

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 6, 2024

Abstract For most terrestrial plants, regeneration depends on the ability of seeds to germinate in favourable climatic conditions. Understanding seed germination phenology is thus crucial for predicting plant responses environmental changes. However, a substantial gap persists regarding how microclimatic conditions influence seasonal ecosystems. Here, we investigate alpine plants snow‐related microclimates as tool resilience communities climate change. We conducted continuous experiment with fresh 54 co‐occurring species from temperate and Mediterranean communities. Using long‐term field data series, precisely mimicked two contrasting regimes growth chambers: (1) windy exposed edges snow‐free period winter warmer temperatures summer (‘fellfield’) (2) sheltered areas lengthy snow cover cooler (‘snowbed’). validated laboratory results sowing experiments provide complete picture phenology. The analysis traits demonstrated that both displayed similar variation. Small differences 2–3°C week, accumulated across whole year laboratory, resulted quantifiable delay snowbed regime, an average 60 45 days respectively. chambers under realistic were consistent registered experiments. also observed macroclimatic effects manifested reduced dormancy increased autumn species. Synthesis . This study combines novel experimentation tackle understudied topic habitats sharp gradients. Specifically, our findings suggest predictable phenological shift along In cover, are expected advance 52 average, potential disrupting cold‐adapted strict requirements. highlights role determine plant‐environmental relationships mid‐latitude ecosystems, strong impact establishment extinction risks local

Language: Английский

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