Title: Functional and ecophysiological traits of Halimione portulacoides and Sarcocornia perennis ecotypes in Mediterranean salt marshes under different tidal exposures

Abstract

Abstract The present paper aims to discuss the functional and ecophysiological traits of two abundant succulent halophytes in Mediterranean salt marsh systems, considering two ecotypes differing on their tidal exposure. In Halimione portulacoides the higher root/shoot (R/S) biomass ratio verified in low inundation frequency (LF) marshes, as compared with that in high inundation frequency (HF), indicates an optimal partitioning strategy, inducing differential allocation patterns along with varying environmental factors. Conversely, Sarcocornia perennis appear to have an isometric allocation strategy, based on intrinsic biomass allocation mechanisms independent from the surrounding environmental conditions. Similarly, the photosynthetic traits appear to reflect the intrinsic ecology of the species. Sarcocornia perennis habitat adaptation to HF conditions is clearly revealed by its high photosynthetic efficiency under HF conditions. On the other hand, the cosmopolitan H. portulacoides shows no differences between ecotypes, in which concerns this trait, mostly due to the high carotenoid content of the HF ecotype, which allows this specie to counteract the stress generated during submersion. Additionally, anti‐oxidant enzymatic activities revealed that S. perennis presents a high degree of stress tolerance under HF conditions, while H. portulacoides is highly adapted to LF conditions. These functional (biomass‐related) and physiological traits determine the optimal habitats formore » H. portulacoides and S. perennis . While H. portulacoides optimal biomass partitioning, along with its efficient anti‐oxidant defence system, makes this species fitter to LF conditions, S. perennis isometric allocation strategy, along with a higher photosynthetic efficiency under frequent flooding conditions, provides this species the mechanisms to efficiently colonize the intertidal habitat.« less

Authors:

Duarte, Bernardo  ^[1];

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Silva, Helena ^[2]; Dias, João Miguel ^[3]; Sleimi, Noomene ^[4]; Marques, João Carlos ^[5]; Caçador, Isabel ^[1]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. MARE‐Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon Campo Grande Lisbon 1749‐016 Portugal
2. Biology Department and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) University of Aveiro Campus de Santiago Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
3. Physics Department and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) University of Aveiro Campus de Santiago Aveiro 3810‐193 Portugal
4. UR: MaNE, Faculté des sciences de Bizerte Université de Carthage Jarzouna Bizerte 7021 Tunisia
5. MARE‐Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, c/o Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology University of Coimbra Coimbra 3000 Portugal

Publication Date:

Tue Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2018

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1493480

Resource Type:

Publisher's Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Ecological Research

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Ecological Research Journal Volume: 33 Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 0912-3814

Publisher:

Wiley-Blackwell

Country of Publication:

Japan

Language:

English