Narrow hybrid zone between two subspecies of big sagebrush (ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA: Asteraceae). IX. Elemental uptake and niche separation

摘要: The concentrations of selected elements and their biological absorption coefficients were determined for leaves from plants in native stands reciprocal transplant gardens to determine whether niche differentiation occurs among the parental taxa hybrids big sagebrush hybrid zone Utah. bounded superiority model predicts such differentiation, while ecologically neutral dynamic equilibrium complete overlap, at least vicinity zone. site-indigenous differed significantly between subspecies either taxon hybrids. Within gardens, both elemental taxa. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions observed several essential elements. Niche was evident as correspondence analyses ordinated into separate groups even when raised same garden. These findings support based suggest that have adapted respective unique habitats.