Demographic and life-history variability across the range of a widespread herb: the role of environmental, geographical and genetic factors / Variabilidad demográfica y de historia vital en una planta de amplia distribución: el papel de los factores medioambientales, geográficos y genéticos

摘要: Widespread species have traditionally received much less attention than rare and endemic ones. However, they are crucial in macroecological patterns ecosystem structure functioning. Thus, understanding the characteristics that allow widespread organisms to extend over large areas has a high interest from both theoretical applied perspectives. One of most frequent hypotheses explain success plants is show wider ecological niches, thus life-history demographic variability. studies often very specific carried out small spatio-temporal scales, which hinders general intraspecific variation taxa. In this thesis, we span scale environmental gradient analyze magnitude possible causes natural range centre northern periphery herb Plantago coronopus. More precisely, variability population dynamics, traits, genetic diversity up 22 populations Europe North Africa. We aim explore relation such with position within species? range, since peripheral expected lower more variable performance respect central populations. Additionally, effects relevant factors individual at different spatial scales. first chapter, found higher values some vital rates, as fecundity growth, but recruitment density were populations, there no clear differences between regions temporal rates. Differences across seemed be correlated local precipitation competition. second mean rates led stochastic growth addition, was influential rate for same pattern differentiation dynamics response conditions regions. third reported among seed traits along steep stress gradient. Moreover, production opposite fruit scale, strategy maximize fitness each set conditions. Finally, fourth relationship phenotypic diversity. Phenotypic mainly shaped by variability, suggesting adaptive variation, whereas vs. position, probably close random processes experienced past. Despite our results contradicted classical predicting towards edges. fact, influence on plant calls necessity distinguishing geographical marginality studies. Overall, study highlights versatility P. coronopus scales varying conditions, complementing similar findings previous research taxon smaller Such seems key factor heterogeneous ranges.