Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in the functional trait composition and diversity of meadow communities induced by Rhinanthus minor L.

  • Published:
Folia Geobotanica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rhinanthus minor L. is a root hemiparasite with known effects on community productivity and species composition. It is unclear, though, how these effects operate on functional trait composition and functional diversity. To fill this gap we established an experiment in a meadow community with a natural Rhinanthus population, where Rhinanthus presence (removal vs no removal) was manipulated under fertilized and unfertilized conditions. We assessed the biomass of individual species at the scale where plant individuals interact, in 20 cm × 20 cm plots. The community trait composition was characterized by community weighted means (CWM) and Rao’s quadratic entropy (as an index of functional diversity). Given the expected differences in the response to Rhinanthus parasitism, these parameters were computed for the whole community, for grasses (Poaceae family) and for forbs (non-leguminous dicots) separately. Generally, the species favoured by Rhinanthus were those with low competitive ability (with a low height, a low capacity for clonal growth, a taproot during the whole lifecycle, were monocyclic and had low leaf dry matter content). Rhinanthus increased functional diversity for clonality, which indicated a better coexistence of species with various capacities for clonal growth. CWM and functional diversity of grasses were not affected. Among the forbs, Rhinanthus mainly suppressed the tall, clonal species without a taproot (those which are functionally similar to grasses). Fertilization also affected CWM and functional diversity, but without significant interaction with Rhinanthus. We conclude that functional traits highlight the processes by which Rhinanthus affects vegetation structure and species coexistence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ameloot E, Verheyen K, Hermy M (2005) Meta-analysis of standing crop reduction by Rhinanthus spp. and its effect on vegetation structure. Folia Geobot 40:289–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botta-Dukát Z (2005) Rao’s quadratic entropy as a measure of functional diversity based on multiple traits. J Veg Sci 16:533–540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock JM, Pywell RF (2005) Rhinanthus: a tool for restoring diverse grassland? Folia Geobot 40:273–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen JHC, Pérez-Harguindeguy N, Díaz S, Grime JP, Marzano B, .Cabido M, Vendramini F, Cerabolini B (1999) Leaf structure and defence control litter decomposition rate across species and life forms in regional floras on two continents. New Phytol 143:191–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelissen JHC, Lavorel S, Garnier E, Díaz S, Buchmann N, Gurvich DE, Reich PB, ter Steege H, Morgan HD, van der Heijden MGA, Pausas JG, Poorter H (2003) A handbook of protocols for standardised and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Austral J Bot 51:335–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies DM, Graves JD, Elias CO, Williams PJ (1997) The impact of Rhinanthus spp. on sward productivity and composition: Implications for the restoration of species-rich grasslands. Biol Conservation 82:87–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Hullu E (1985) The influence of sward density on the population dynamics of Rhinanthus angustifolius in a grassland succession. Acta Bot Neerl 34:23–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demey A, Staelens J, Baeten L, Boeckx P, Hermy M, Kattge J, Verheyen K (2013) Nutrient input from hemiparasitic litter favors plant species with a fast-growth strategy. Pl & Soil 371:53–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demey A, Rütting T, Huygens D, Staelens J, Hermy M, Verheyen K, Boeckxc P (2014) Hemiparasitic litter additions alter gross nitrogen turnover in temperate semi-natural grassland soils. Soil Biol Biochem 68:419–428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demey A, De Frenne P, Baeten L, Verstraeten G, Hermy M, Boeckx P, Verheyen K (2015) The effects of hemiparasitic plant removal on community structure and seedling establishment in semi-natural grasslands. J Veg Sci 26:409–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2013) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Vienna, Austria. Available at: http://www.R-project.org

    Google Scholar 

  • Fibich P, Lepš J, Berec L (2010) Modelling the population dynamics of root hemiparasitic plants along a productivity gradient. Folia Geobot 45:425–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fortunel C, Garnier E, Joffre R, Kazakou E, Quested H, Grigulis K, Lavorel S, Ansquer P, Castro H, Cruz P, Doležal J, Eriksson O, Freitas H, Golodets C, Jouany C, Kigel J, Kleyer M, Lehsten V, Lepš J, Meier T, Pakeman R, Papadimitriou M, Papanastasis VP, Quetier F, Robson M, Sternberg M, Theau JP, Thebault A, Zarovali M (2009) Leaf traits capture the effects of land use changes and climate on litter decomposability of grasslands across Europe. Ecology 90:598–611

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson CC, Watkinson AR (1989) The host range and selectivity of a parasitic plant: Rhinanthus minor L. Oecologia 78:401–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hejcman M, Schellberg J, Pavlů V (2011) Competitive ability of Rhinanthus minor L. in relation to productivity in the Rengen Grassland Experiment. Pl Soil Environm 57:45–51

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson VA, Cousins SAO, Eriksson O (2011) Remnant populations and plant functional traits in abandoned semi-natural grasslands. Folia Geobot 46:165–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi J, Matties D, Schmid B (2000) Root hemiparasites and plant diversity in experimental grassland communities. J Ecol 88:634–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazakou E, Violle C, Roumet C, Navas ML, Vile D, Kattge J, Garnier E (2014) Are trait-based species rankings consistent across data sets and spatial scales? J Veg Sci 25:235–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleyer M, Bekker RM, Knevel IC, Bakker JP, Thompson K, Sonnenschein M, Poschlod P, van Groenendael JM, Klimeš L, Klimešová J, Klotz S, Rusch GM, Hermy M, Adriaens D, Boedeltje G, Bossuyt B, Dannemann A, Endels P, Gotzenberger L, Hodgson JG, Jackel AK, Kuhn I, Kunzmann D, Ozinga WA, Romermann C, Stadler M, Schlegelmilch J, Steendam HJ, Tackenberg O, Wilmann B, Cornelissen JHC, Eriksson O, Garnier E, Peco B (2008) The LEDA Traitbase: a database of life-history traits of the Northwest European flora. J Ecol 96:1266–1274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kleyer M, Dray S, de Bello F, Lepš J, Pakeman R, Strauss B, Thuiller W, Lavorel S (2012) Assessing species and community functional responses to environmental gradients: which multivariate methods? J Veg Sci 23:805–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klimešová J, de Bello F (2009) CLO-PLA: the database of clonal and bud bank traits of Central European flora. J Veg Sci 20:511–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klimešová J, Klimeš L (2013) CLO-PLA3 – database of clonal growth of plants from Central Europe. Available at: http://clopla.butbn.cas.cz [Edition 3.3 December 2013]

  • Klimešová J, Latzel V, de Bello F, van Groenendael JM (2008). Plant functional traits in studies of vegetation changes in response to grazing and mowing: towards a use of more specific traits. Preslia 80:245–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubát K, Hrouda L, Chrtek J jun, Kaplan Z, Kirschner J, Štěpánek J (2002) Klíč ke květeně České republiky (Key to the Flora of the Czech Republic). Academia, Praha

  • Lepš, J., & Těšitel, J. (2015). Root hemiparasites in productive communities should attack competitive host, and harm them to make regeneration gaps. J Veg Sci 26:407–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínková J, Šmilauer P, Mihulka S (2002) Phenological pattern of grassland species: relation to the ecological and morphological traits. Flora 197:290–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthies D (1995) Parasitic and competitive interactions between the hemiparasites Rhinanthus serotinus and Odontites rubra and their host Medicago sativa. J Ecol 83:245–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mudrák O, Lepš J (2010) Interactions of the hemiparasitic species Rhinanthus minor L. with its host plant community at two nutrient levels. Folia Geobot 45:407–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavoine S, Vallet J, Dufour AB, Gachet S, Daniel H (2009) On the challenge of treating various types of variables: application for improving the measurement of functional diversity. Oikos 118:391–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phoenix GK, Press MC (2005) Linking physiological traits to impacts on community structure and function: the role of root hemiparasitic Orobanchaceae (ex Scrophulariaceae). J Ecol 93:67–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinheiro J, Bates D, DebRoy S, Sarkar D (2012) nlme: Linear and nonlinear mixed effects models. R package version 3.1–104. Available at: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/nlme

    Google Scholar 

  • Pywell RF, Bullock JM, Walker KJ, Coulson SJ, Gregory SJ, Stewenson MJ (2004) Facilitating grassland diversification using the hemiparasitic plant Rhinanthus minor. J Appl Ecol 41:880–887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quested H, Eriksson O, Fortunel C, Garnier E (2007) Plant traits relate to whole-community litter quality and decomposition following land use change. Funct Ecol 21:1016–1026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowntree JK, Cameron DD, Preziosi RF (2011) Genetic variation changes the interactions between the parasitic plant-ecosystem engineer Rhinanthus and its hosts. Phil Trans, Ser B 366:1380–1388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowntree JK, Barham DF, Stewart AJA, Hartley SE (2014) The effect of multiple host species on a keystone parasitic plant and its aphid herbivores. Funct Ecol 28:829–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rümer S, Cameron DD, Wacker R, Hartung W, Jiang F (2007) An anatomical study of the haustoria of Rhinanthus minor attached to roots of different hosts. Flora 202:194–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryser P (2006) The mysterious root length. Pl & Soil 286:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Šmilauer P, Lepš P (2014) Multivariate analysis of ecological data using CANOCO 5, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • ter Braak CJF, Šmilauer P (2012) Reference manual and user’s guide to Canoco for Windows: Software for Cannonical Community Ordination. Microcomputer Power, Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • Těšitel J, Hejcman M, Lepš J, Cameron DD (2013) How does elevated grassland productivity influence populations of root hemiparasites? Commentary on Borowicz and Armstrong (Oecologia 2012). Oecologia 172:933–936

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Těšitel J, Těšitelová T, Fisher JP, Lepš J, Cameron DD (2014) Integrating ecology and physiology of root-hemiparasitic interaction: interactive effects of abiotic resources shape the interplay between parasitism and autotrophy. New Phytol 205:350–360

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Stoel CD, van der Putten WH, Duyts H (2002) Development of a negative plant–soil feedback in the expansion zone of the clonal grass Ammophila arenaria following root formation and nematode colonization. J Ecol 90:978–988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Groenendael JM, Klimeš L, Klimešová J, Hendriks RJJ (1996) Comparative ecology of clonal plants. Philos Trans, Ser B 351:1331–1339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westbury DB (2004) Rhinanthus minor L. J Ecol 92:906–927

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westoby M (1998) A leaf-height-seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme. Pl & Soil 199:213–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westoby M, Leishman M, Lord J (1996) Comparative ecology of seed size and dispersal. Philos Trans, Ser B 351:1309–1317

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This scientific article has been written during implementation of the project: ‘Integration of the experimental and population biology using new methods of interdisciplinary issues – the way to excellence with young scientists’, Reg.No.: CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0048, which is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the state budget of the Czech Republic through the Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness (OPEC). This study was also supported by long-term research development project No. RVO 67985939. We are grateful to Dr. Brian G. McMillan for linguistic improvements and to two unknown reviewers for helpful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Functional Ecology, Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic

    Ondřej Mudrák, Francesco de Bello & Jiří Doležal

  2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Francesco de Bello, Jiří Doležal & Jan Lepš

  3. Institute of Entomology, Biology Center, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Jan Lepš

Authors
  1. Ondřej Mudrák
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco de Bello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiří Doležal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jan Lepš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ondřej Mudrák.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(PDF 352 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mudrák, O., de Bello, F., Doležal, J. et al. Changes in the functional trait composition and diversity of meadow communities induced by Rhinanthus minor L.. Folia Geobot 51, 1–11 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-016-9238-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-016-9238-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation