Demographic fate of Arabidopsis thaliana cohorts of autumn‐ and spring‐germinated plants along an altitudinal gradient

摘要: Summary 1. Understanding how plants respond and adapt to varying environmental conditions has attracted the attention of plant ecologists for decades. To study this process, altitudinal gradients are used because their inherent variation in conditions. In current scenario global warming, may also represent a valuable resource deepen our understanding about adaptive responses predicted changes conditions. 2. Nowadays, demands equal contributions from ecology genetics. We need assess effects selective pressures on phenotypic but genetic molecular basis traits. The annual Arabidopsis thaliana represents useful model system investigating variation. Here, I characterized patterns life cycle natural A. thaliana populations along an gradient unravel species copes with different conditions. 3. I periodically monitored thousands eight NE Spain over 5 years (2007–2011) estimate survival fecundity schedules autumn- spring-germinated plants. Data were net reproductive rate each type. regressed against altitude detect climatic clines variation. 4. Survival was significantly higher than that winter-germinated Plants both cohorts exhibited similar values. fourfold autumn-germinated proportion increased altitude. 5. Synthesis. can behave as winter or spring plant. Nevertheless, is clearly relevant maintain populations, particularly at high-elevation locations. It suggested germination timing one most traits focus efforts understand A. thaliana. results illustrate potential adjust cycles encountered gradient, which could mitigate warming populations.