bioRxiv Science⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.11.06.621913

Too hot for the weeds? Exploring the impact of climate change in herbaceous Convolvulaceae in Cerrado and Mata Atlantica biomes (SE Brazil)

Barbosa, J. C. J.·Alves, F. V. S.·Moreira, A. L. C.·Loeuille, B.·Chatrou, L. W.·Simao-Bianchini, R.·Simoes, A. R. G.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

AimWe investigated the potential resilience to climatic change of nine species of weeds in Convolvulaceae, using predictive spatial modeling across two contrasting biomes in Southeastern Brazil: Cerrado (=Savanna) and Mata Atlantica (=Atlantic Forest). We inferred future changes in distribution area, the climatic variables that will be most impactful, and the potential occurrence of future climatic refuges. LocationSoutheastern Brazil (Sao Paulo, Brazil). MethodsA total of 195, taxonomically vetted, distribution records were compiled for nine species of Convolvulaceae. Potential distribution areas were modelled in RStudio 1.3.1056 with R 3.6.3 using modleR; environmental layers used were the 19 bioclimatic variables with 30 seconds resolution. After a correlation analysis, four bioclimatic variables were selected for distribution modelling: Temperature Seasonality (BIO4), Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter (BIO8), Precipitation of Wettest Month (BIO13) and Precipitation of Driest Quarter (BIO17). The species distribution modelling was performed using the Maxent algorithm for the present time (1960-1990) and for future projections (2050 and 2070), under two different scenarios of projections, moderate and pessimistic.. The final distribution models were generated through the selection of primary models with a minimum level of TSS (True Skills Statistics) equal to 0.7. ResultsThe analysed species demonstrated different levels of response to climatic change: Distimake aegyptius, D. dissectus, and Evolvulus pteurocaulon exhibited a gain in the climatic suitability range, regardless of the future scenarios. Other species, such as E. glomeratus, Ipomoea bonariensis, and I. alba showed a decline in climatic suitability range, more accentuated in the pessimistic scenario. Three species showed a positive response in a moderate future scenario, but a decline in the most extreme projection. Areas that may act, in the future, as climatic refuges for the displaced species are also highlighted, in view of being prioritised for conservation. Main ConclusionThis study reveals that climate change will have varied impacts on herbaceous species of Convolvulaceae occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado and Mata Atlantica biomes. Some species are likely to benefit from climate change, showing an increase in climatic suitability in both moderate and pessimistic future scenarios. Other species, however, are expected to experience a decline in suitable climatic conditions, in particular under the most pessimistic climatic scenario, and are more likely to be threatened in the future, due to the constriction of suitable habitats. The analysis also highlights that certain regions may serve as important climatic refuges for these species in the future. These findings emphasize the necessity for targeted conservation plans to protect the biodiversity of the Cerrado and Mata Atlantica phytogeographic domains and weed management strategies - not only in the present but also in future climatic conditions.

Explore related subjects

ecologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Barbosa, J. C. J., Alves, F. V. S., Moreira, A. L. C., Loeuille, B., Chatrou, L. W., Simao-Bianchini, R., Simoes, A. R. G.. 2024-11-08. Too hot for the weeds? Exploring the impact of climate change in herbaceous Convolvulaceae in Cerrado and Mata Atlantica biomes (SE Brazil). https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.06.621913

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

A leaf-carbon economy model to explain the adaptive value of low vs. high leaf mass per area as a function of habitat productivity

Plant traits interact with environmental conditions to determine plant fitness. In particular, plant species with low leaf mass per area (LMA) are more common in high fertility soils and forest gaps, while plant species with high LMA are more common in low fertility soils and in shaded forest understories. It is not yet known why the adaptive value of LMA changes as a function of environmental productivity. We present a model for plant growth as a function of LMA and productivity. Our model relies on an empirically derived relationship between LMA and leaf lifespan. We are able to explain why species with lower LMA are successful in high productivity environments including environments with high availability of either light or soil nutrients, by showing that the LMA which maximizes growth rate decreases with increasing rate of carbon assimilation. We show that low LMA species are better at taking advantage of the 'high interest' environment of high productivity habitats by reinvesting assimilated carbon in new leaves and earning compound interest, while high LMA species grow more efficiently in the 'low interest' environment of low productivity habitats. This tradeoff sheds light on the adaptive value of LMA as it relates to environmental productivity.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

Species differentiate water uptake depths within a narrow vertical zone in temperate grasslands

Whether and under which conditions coexisting species in temperate grasslands differentiate their water uptake within the shallow soil layer they share is central to understanding hydrological niche differentiation in these ecosystems. In this field study, we quantified water uptake depth of 28 coexisting herbaceous species across 74 temperate grassland plots in three regions of Germany using oxygen stable isotopes and soil water content measured at multiple depths. Species consistently differed in water uptake depth across all regions, consistent with hydrological niche differentiation. This differentiation was largely confined to the upper 30 cm of soil and became stronger as overall soil moisture declined, with plants accessing water at greater depths in drier plots. In contrast, the vertical distribution of soil moisture was unrelated to either uptake depth or species differentiation. Despite pronounced species level variation, broad herbaceous functional classifications, including grasses versus forbs and fibrous versus taprooted species, showed substantial overlap in water uptake depth. Together, our results show that hydrological niche differentiation in temperate grasslands is expressed through fine scale differences among species within a shared shallow soil domain, becomes more pronounced under drier conditions, and is poorly captured by broad herbaceous functional classifications.

ecology↗
bioRxiv2026

Fungal-bacterial interactions enhance bacterial but constrain fungal resistance and recovery to extreme heat across soil moisture levels

Soil fungi and bacteria are key drivers of nutrient cycling and plant productivity in terrestrial ecosystems, yet their responses to climate extremes are rarely studied as interacting partners rather than in isolation. Moreover, it remains largely unknown how fungal-bacterial interactions regulate fungal and bacterial stability under climate extremes, particularly resistance (immediate responses to climate extremes) and recovery (responses after climate extremes cease). Here, we conducted a soil microcosm experiment with a bacterial species (Pseudomonas putida KT2440) paired with one of four Trichoderma species (T. hamatum, T. atroviride, T. koningiopsis, and T. harzianum). These fungal-bacterial pairs were then exposed to a 5-day heat event (40 {degrees}C/32 {degrees}C, day/night) followed by a 14-day recovery period (25 {degrees}C/17 {degrees}C, day/night), at two soil moisture levels (30% and 5% gravimetric water content). Our results show that fungal-bacterial interactions asymmetrically affect fungal and bacterial responses to extreme heat. Trichoderma species facilitated the resistance and recovery of P. putida density (CFUs) to extreme heat, whereas P. putida constrained the resistance and recovery of fungal biomass (ergosterol) to extreme heat, regardless of soil moisture conditions. Moreover, faster-growing Trichoderma species were associated with greater facilitation of bacterial resistance and recovery. Bacterial density also covaried positively with fungal biomass during heat stress under both soil moisture conditions, suggesting that net fungal facilitation enhances bacterial persistence under extreme heat. Together, our findings reveal that fungal-bacterial interactions can stabilize one microbial partner while increasing the vulnerability of the other, highlighting the contrasting consequences of biotic interactions under climate extremes.

ecology↗