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Aims <p>In harsh environments such as Alpine screes, the substrate represents one of the main selective constraints for plants. The substrate’s influence on species distributions has been well characterised using major lithological classes. However, our understanding of the local heterogeneity of substrates and the consequent impact on plants, particularly in mountainous environments, remains limited. By analysing multiple facets of the local substrates, we tried to identify if ecological barriers separate scree specialist species.</p> Methods <p>We sampled substrates in contact with the rhizosphere of plants from a species complex within the genus <i>Noccaea</i>, in 53 sites distributed across the Alps. We analysed the composition and properties of the substrates, in addition with climatic and topographic variables. We compared multiple aspects of substrate between pairs of species and discuss the potential impact of edaphic diversity in terms of plant physiology.</p> Results <p>The analyses demonstrated that the edaphic diversity forms a continuum rather than distinct classes, and shelter a very large diversity of conditions, particularly within carbonated rocks. We found that Alpine endemic <i>Noccaea</i> species grow in substrates that significantly differ in chemical properties and concentrations in toxic elements, while the topography and climate occupied by different species remain comparatively similar.</p> Conclusion <p>This study demonstrates that the local diversity of edaphic conditions in alpine screes has been underestimated. The fine-scale differences in the concentration of nutrient or toxic elements appear to be a key factor in the distribution and adaptation of plants, and possibly a reason for the high degree of endemism observed in scree habitats within the Alps.</p>

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Edaphic diversity as a hidden driver of speciation in Alpine Scree plants

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月22日

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  • Camille Voisin,
  • Camille Vacher,
  • Cindy Arnoldi,
  • Julien Renaud,
  • Jérôme Poulenard,
  • Philippe Choler,
  • Florian C. Boucher

摘要

Aims

In harsh environments such as Alpine screes, the substrate represents one of the main selective constraints for plants. The substrate’s influence on species distributions has been well characterised using major lithological classes. However, our understanding of the local heterogeneity of substrates and the consequent impact on plants, particularly in mountainous environments, remains limited. By analysing multiple facets of the local substrates, we tried to identify if ecological barriers separate scree specialist species.

Methods

We sampled substrates in contact with the rhizosphere of plants from a species complex within the genus Noccaea, in 53 sites distributed across the Alps. We analysed the composition and properties of the substrates, in addition with climatic and topographic variables. We compared multiple aspects of substrate between pairs of species and discuss the potential impact of edaphic diversity in terms of plant physiology.

Results

The analyses demonstrated that the edaphic diversity forms a continuum rather than distinct classes, and shelter a very large diversity of conditions, particularly within carbonated rocks. We found that Alpine endemic Noccaea species grow in substrates that significantly differ in chemical properties and concentrations in toxic elements, while the topography and climate occupied by different species remain comparatively similar.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the local diversity of edaphic conditions in alpine screes has been underestimated. The fine-scale differences in the concentration of nutrient or toxic elements appear to be a key factor in the distribution and adaptation of plants, and possibly a reason for the high degree of endemism observed in scree habitats within the Alps.