Biology subjects

Guo, W.-Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Guo, W.-Y..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Plant secondary metabolite diversity reflects both phylogeny and ecological adaptation

A phylogenetic framework explaining plant secondary metabolite diversity is lacking, but metabolite classes could represent adaptations to habitat resource availability. We test the hypothesis that primary adaptive strategies (competitors, C; stress-tolerators, S; ruderals, R) are associated, respectively, with nitrogenous metabolites synthesized in persistent organs (alkaloids), nitrogen-lacking aromatic terpenes and phenolics, and nitrogenous compounds prevalent in reproductive tissues (cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates). A matrix was compiled of 1019 species for which secondary metabolite pathways and CSR strategies are known. Accounting for phylogenetic relatedness and native biomes, we found that most phytochemical pathways did not correlate with strategy axes, but certain key associations were evident. C-selection was positively associated with amino acid-derived phenylpropanoids (low phylogenetic relatedness; {lambda} <0.5) and pyrrolizidine alkaloids and galloyl derivatives (high {lambda}), and negatively with N-lacking linear monoterpenes (low {lambda}). Nitrogenous cyanogenic glucosides positively correlated with R-selection (low {lambda}). Terpenoids were widely distributed, but correlated positively with S- and negatively with R-selection (low {lambda}). Twenty-six correlations between phytochemicals and biomes (low {lambda}) were evident. Most secondary metabolite synthesis pathways are widespread, reflecting common roles and obligate defence, and strong phylogenetic effects are often evident. However, the character of phytochemical/adaptive strategy associations agrees with ecological theory and thus reflects adaptation.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Quaternary climate change explains global patterns of tree beta-diversity

Both historical and contemporary environmental conditions determine present biodiversity patterns, but their relative importance is not well understood. One way to disentangle their relative effects is to assess how different dimensions of beta-diversity relate to past climatic changes, i.e., taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional compositional dissimilarity, and their components generated by replacement of species, lineages and traits (turnover) and richness changes (nestedness). Here, we quantify global patterns of each of these aspects of beta-diversity among neighboring sites for angiosperm trees using the most extensive global database of tree species-distributions (43,635 species). We found that temperature change since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was the major influence on both turnover and nestedness components of beta-diversity, with a negative correlation to turnover and a positive correlation to nestedness. Moreover, phylogenetic and functional nestedness was higher than expected from taxonomic beta-diversity in regions that experienced large temperature changes since the LGM. This pattern reflects relatively greater losses of phylogenetic and functional diversity in species-poor assemblages, possibly caused by phylogenetically and functionally selective species extinction and recolonization during glacial-interglacial oscillations. Our results send a strong warning that rapid anthropogenic climate change is likely to result in a long-lasting phylogenetic and functional compositional simplification, potentially impairing forest ecosystem functioning.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Paleoclimate and current climate collectively shape the phylogenetic and functional diversity of trees worldwide

Trees are of vital importance for ecosystem functioning and services at local to global scales, yet we still lack a detailed overview of the global patterns of tree diversity and the underlying drivers, particularly the imprint of paleoclimate. Here, we present the high-resolution (110 km) worldwide mapping of tree species richness, functional and phylogenetic diversities based on [~]7 million quality-assessed occurrences for 46,752 tree species (80.5% of the estimated total number of tree species), and subsequent assessments of the influence of paleo-climate legacies on these patterns. All three tree diversity dimensions exhibited the expected latitudinal decline. Contemporary climate emerged as the strongest driver of all diversity patterns, with Pleistocene and deeper-time (>107 years) paleoclimate as important co-determinants, and, notably, with past cold and drought stress being linked to reduced current diversity. These findings demonstrate that tree diversity is affected by paleoclimate millions of years back in time and highlight the potential for tree diversity losses from future climate change.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Half of the world's tree biodiversity is unprotected and is increasingly threatened by human activities

Although trees are key to ecosystem functioning, many forests and tree species across the globe face strong threats. Preserving areas of high biodiversity is a core priority for conservation; however, different dimensions of biodiversity and varied conservation targets make it difficult to respond effectively to this challenge. Here, we (i) identify priority areas for global tree conservation using comprehensive coverage of tree diversity based on taxonomy, phylogeny, and functional traits; and (ii) compare these findings to existing protected areas and global biodiversity conservation frameworks. We find that ca. 51% of the top-priority areas for tree biodiversity are located in current protected areas. The remaining half top-priority areas are subject to moderate to high human pressures, indicating conservation actions are needed to mitigate these human impacts. Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of using tree conservation priority areas for future global conservation planning.

ecology↗