Spatio-temporal variability in ecophysiological determinants of performance: a study in perennial herbs of coastal foredunes

Abstract

Plant species of coastal dune systems have to cope with harsh environmental conditions caused by stress factors and disturbances. These conditions are highly variable in a wide range of intensities and frequencies in time and in space, mainly along shoreline-inland gradients. Plant species have acquired multiple adaptations to survive and grow, showing contrasted morphologies and life forms. Our aim was to determine the variability in plant performance, from an ecophysiological perspective. We studied the spatial, temporal and intra/inter- specific variabilities in some of the main functional and structural traits of plants. We also investigated species strategies (configuration of traits) seeking to identify processes of convergence or divergence. We observed a great variability at the different temporal ranges (annual, seasonal, monthly and minutes), spatial (small homogeneous area to several hundred of meters gradient), intra/inter- specific (5 species). In addition, we found a great divergence in the configuration of traits, observing contrasted plant strategies.