Phylogenetic and functional diversities offer complementary information to disentangle species assembly processes in experimental gypsophilous annual plant assemblages

Résumé fourni par la source

Phylogenetic and functional diversities are crucial for understanding community assembly. While the effects of environmental variables on these diversities are well-documented, the causal relationships between phylogenetic and functional diversities and assembly mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate this, we conducted a common garden trial, creating a gradient of initial phylogenetic diversity in experimental annual plant assemblages across eleven combinations of four species each. Each experimental assemblage was also described in functional terms for three key traits (seed mass, specific leaf area, and maximum plant height) and a multi-trait response. We implemented two irrigation treatments: average rainfall and one-third of the average (drought). We measured the proportion of fruiting plants and seed set per fruit in each experimental assemblage. Our findings highlight the significance of assembly level properties effects on reproductive success and life cycle completion. Overall, initial phylogenetic and functional diversities offer complementary insights into species assembly processes, with niche complementarity and competitive asymmetry being critical drivers.

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