What can local and geographic population limits tell us about distributions?

American Journal of Botany
Jason P Sexton, Erin E Dickman

Abstract

Understanding the evolutionary and ecological factors that determine plant distributions is of primary importance in botanical research. These factors may vary in predictable ways across different spatial scales, and thus, we can leverage scale to reveal the underlying processes limiting plant distributions. We review various research considerations across local and geographic scales, including the investigation of dispersal and habitat limitation, evolutionary factors, abiotic and biotic factors, and research logistics. We also present two case studies, slender monkeyflower (Mimulus leptaleus) and cut-leaf monkeyflower (Mimulus laciniatus), in the California Sierra Nevada. At a local spatial scale (within 50 m), no seeds were produced from plants sown at sites located just beyond known patches of M. leptaleus, but within the species' geographic range. At a much broader spatial scale (kilometers), at the highest and lowest elevations of the species' range, we found greatly reduced abundance and fecundity in plants sown outside of the geographic range limits of M. laciniatus. These cases illustrate two contrasting spatial scales, yet agree in their illustration of strong habitat limitation. We end by discussing future avenues of...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 17, 2016·American Journal of Botany·Julie R EttersonJennifer J Weber
Dec 13, 2019·American Journal of Botany·Regan L Cross, Christopher G Eckert
Mar 8, 2018·PloS One·Eduardo Chacón-MadrigalStefan Dullinger
Aug 30, 2019·Evolutionary Applications·Erin E DickmanJason P Sexton
Nov 29, 2016·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Samuel PirononJohn D Thompson
Jan 11, 2017·Annals of Botany·Kristina A Schierenbeck

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