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<p>Environmental factors such as temperature, water availability, and the abundance and diversity of pollinators influence the variability in both flower and leaf traits. While studies in the European Alps show that plant size generally decreases with increasing elevation, no data is yet available for the Apennines. The aim of our study was to examine variations in leaf and flower dimensions of herbaceous and arbustive animal-pollinated plants across elevational gradients in the Apennines. Samples were collected along 22 transects across six mountain ranges—Majella, Gran Sasso, Laga, Picentini, Lattari, and Alburni. Along each transect, multiple groups of five plots were established, with plots spaced 150–200&#xa0;m apart in elevation, covering a gradient from 100 to 2,700&#xa0;m above sea level. Two traits were measured: flower size and leaf area. A total of 816 individuals from 41 species were analyzed. The results showed a consistent decrease in leaf area with increasing elevation, with a particularly marked decline above 2,000&#xa0;m. In contrast, a clear increasing trend along the elevational gradient was observed for flower size: while the interspecific pattern was less pronounced, intraspecific analysis revealed a consistent and well-defined increase in this trait. Moreover, the flower size-to-leaf area ratio also showed a significant elevation-driven increase. According to Raunkiær’s life-form classification, species with overwintering buds exposed to harsh conditions tend to exhibit reduced leaf area. These findings highlight the variation in allometric traits among high-elevation species, which may result from a combination of phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation in response to climatic conditions. In summary, our results show a gradual decrease in leaf size in the Apennines, while flower size varies along the elevation gradient; notably, species with single flowers and a broad elevational range (&gt; 1,000&#xa0;m) exhibit a progressive increase in flower size at higher elevations.</p>

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Elevation-driven variation in flower size and leaf size among 41 plant species in the apennine mountains (Italy)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月25日

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  • Giandomenico Amoroso,
  • Riccardo Motti,
  • Maurizio Zotti,
  • Mohamed Idbella,
  • Antonello Migliozzi,
  • Alessia Cozzolino,
  • Giuliano Bonanomi

摘要

Environmental factors such as temperature, water availability, and the abundance and diversity of pollinators influence the variability in both flower and leaf traits. While studies in the European Alps show that plant size generally decreases with increasing elevation, no data is yet available for the Apennines. The aim of our study was to examine variations in leaf and flower dimensions of herbaceous and arbustive animal-pollinated plants across elevational gradients in the Apennines. Samples were collected along 22 transects across six mountain ranges—Majella, Gran Sasso, Laga, Picentini, Lattari, and Alburni. Along each transect, multiple groups of five plots were established, with plots spaced 150–200 m apart in elevation, covering a gradient from 100 to 2,700 m above sea level. Two traits were measured: flower size and leaf area. A total of 816 individuals from 41 species were analyzed. The results showed a consistent decrease in leaf area with increasing elevation, with a particularly marked decline above 2,000 m. In contrast, a clear increasing trend along the elevational gradient was observed for flower size: while the interspecific pattern was less pronounced, intraspecific analysis revealed a consistent and well-defined increase in this trait. Moreover, the flower size-to-leaf area ratio also showed a significant elevation-driven increase. According to Raunkiær’s life-form classification, species with overwintering buds exposed to harsh conditions tend to exhibit reduced leaf area. These findings highlight the variation in allometric traits among high-elevation species, which may result from a combination of phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation in response to climatic conditions. In summary, our results show a gradual decrease in leaf size in the Apennines, while flower size varies along the elevation gradient; notably, species with single flowers and a broad elevational range (> 1,000 m) exhibit a progressive increase in flower size at higher elevations.