The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries
The geographical distribution of plants is influenced by macroclimate and dispersal limitations, which have led to lineage isolation and subsequent diversification within and across various environmental gradients. Macroclimatic variables in coastal wetlands influence plant species and lineages acro...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/9/986 |
| _version_ | 1797580531757481984 |
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| author | Dimitri Allastair Veldkornet |
| author_facet | Dimitri Allastair Veldkornet |
| author_sort | Dimitri Allastair Veldkornet |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The geographical distribution of plants is influenced by macroclimate and dispersal limitations, which have led to lineage isolation and subsequent diversification within and across various environmental gradients. Macroclimatic variables in coastal wetlands influence plant species and lineages across biogeographical boundaries. This study aimed to determine the influence of macroclimatic variables on species and phylogenetic richness in South African estuaries. Open-source chloroplast DNA barcoding sequences, species distribution and climatic data layers were used to determine the relationship between species richness, MPD, MNTD and each bioclimatic variable individually. Temperate species richness and phylogenetic diversity were positively correlated with temperature bioclimatic variables whereas subtropical and tropical species were associated with increases in precipitation. Phylogenetic niche conservatism is evident in malvids and rosids which are restricted to tropical and subtropical regions due to their physiological adaptations to tropical climates. Caryophylales was mostly associated with temperate regions. Poales and Alismatales showed wide distributions that is likely attributed to traits related to wind pollination and hydrochory, rapid, clonal, and high reproductive output, tolerance to stressful conditions, and intraspecific genetic diversity. The findings highlight the importance of considering macroclimate and phylogenetic factors in understanding the distribution and diversity of coastal wetland plants. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:52:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b7d454787274b78b6c64e0268f50e94 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:52:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b7d454787274b78b6c64e0268f50e942023-11-19T10:16:09ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-09-0115998610.3390/d15090986The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African EstuariesDimitri Allastair Veldkornet0Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South AfricaThe geographical distribution of plants is influenced by macroclimate and dispersal limitations, which have led to lineage isolation and subsequent diversification within and across various environmental gradients. Macroclimatic variables in coastal wetlands influence plant species and lineages across biogeographical boundaries. This study aimed to determine the influence of macroclimatic variables on species and phylogenetic richness in South African estuaries. Open-source chloroplast DNA barcoding sequences, species distribution and climatic data layers were used to determine the relationship between species richness, MPD, MNTD and each bioclimatic variable individually. Temperate species richness and phylogenetic diversity were positively correlated with temperature bioclimatic variables whereas subtropical and tropical species were associated with increases in precipitation. Phylogenetic niche conservatism is evident in malvids and rosids which are restricted to tropical and subtropical regions due to their physiological adaptations to tropical climates. Caryophylales was mostly associated with temperate regions. Poales and Alismatales showed wide distributions that is likely attributed to traits related to wind pollination and hydrochory, rapid, clonal, and high reproductive output, tolerance to stressful conditions, and intraspecific genetic diversity. The findings highlight the importance of considering macroclimate and phylogenetic factors in understanding the distribution and diversity of coastal wetland plants.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/9/986coastal wetlandsclimatic zonesphylogenetic niche conservatismdispersal limitationssalt marshmangrove |
| spellingShingle | Dimitri Allastair Veldkornet The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries Diversity coastal wetlands climatic zones phylogenetic niche conservatism dispersal limitations salt marsh mangrove |
| title | The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries |
| title_full | The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries |
| title_short | The Influence of Macroclimatic Drivers on the Macrophyte Phylogenetic Diversity in South African Estuaries |
| title_sort | influence of macroclimatic drivers on the macrophyte phylogenetic diversity in south african estuaries |
| topic | coastal wetlands climatic zones phylogenetic niche conservatism dispersal limitations salt marsh mangrove |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/9/986 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dimitriallastairveldkornet theinfluenceofmacroclimaticdriversonthemacrophytephylogeneticdiversityinsouthafricanestuaries AT dimitriallastairveldkornet influenceofmacroclimaticdriversonthemacrophytephylogeneticdiversityinsouthafricanestuaries |