Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions
Abstract Background The button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of t...
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2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-024-00440-0 |
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| author | Ummar Iqbal Akkasha Azam Khawaja Shafique Ahmad Sahar Mumtaz Ansar Mehmood Nargis Naz Zartasha Usman Hina Abbas Muhammad Akram |
| author_facet | Ummar Iqbal Akkasha Azam Khawaja Shafique Ahmad Sahar Mumtaz Ansar Mehmood Nargis Naz Zartasha Usman Hina Abbas Muhammad Akram |
| author_sort | Ummar Iqbal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of the ecological dominance of Conocarpus erectus across various habitats, highlighting its adaptability and success throughout the country of Pakistan. We collected twelve populations from four distinct ecological regions, including artificial forest plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and wastelands, offering a comprehensive assessment of C. erectus adaptability across diverse environmental contexts. Results Forest plantation populations exhibited impressive shoot growth and moderate root lengths, with plants generally tall and well-weighted. Physiologically, they had moderate chlorophyll content and low carotenoid levels, with a balanced chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating stable photosynthetic activity. Anatomically, these populations had thicker epidermal and cortical root layers but smaller vascular bundles and phloem regions. Stem and leaf structures were generally moderate in size, with thicker midribs and cortical layers in the leaves. Agricultural field populations showed robust shoot and root systems with balanced fresh and dry biomass. They exhibited high chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, indicating strong photosynthetic capacity. Root and stem anatomy revealed larger root areas, thicker cortex, and wide vascular bundles, reflecting enhanced structural development. Leaves from these populations had moderate midrib and cortical thickness, with larger stomatal areas, promoting efficient gas exchange. Roadside populations displayed deeper roots and reduced biomass production. These populations adapted to environmental stress through leaf expansion, with high leaf numbers and areas. Physiologically, populations had high chlorophyll content, with a high chlorophyll a/b ratio. Root and stem anatomy showed compact structures with smaller vascular bundles, indicating adaptation to harsher conditions. Leaf anatomy was moderate, with smaller vascular bundles and reduced water transport capacity. Wasteland populations exhibited poor growth and high shoot biomass despite small leaves. Physiologically, these populations had the highest total soluble protein and proline contents, reflecting stress adaptation. Anatomically, root and stem structures were variable, with some populations showing reduced cortical cell areas and smaller vascular bundles, indicating limited resource transport. Leaf structures had thicker lamina, thinner epidermal layers, and lower stomatal densities, reflecting adaptation to nutrient-poor soils. Conclusion This study reveals the adaptability and thriving potential of Conocarpus erectus across varied habitats, providing key insights into its resilience and survival strategies. Understanding these adaptive traits can support habitat restoration, conservation planning, and improve species management in diverse environmental conditions, especially in response to climate change and habitat degradation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-703246f76db04b0ca8e28aeb11306283 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-3110 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | Botanical Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-703246f76db04b0ca8e28aeb113062832025-08-20T02:08:24ZengSpringerOpenBotanical Studies1999-31102024-11-0165112210.1186/s40529-024-00440-0Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditionsUmmar Iqbal0Akkasha Azam1Khawaja Shafique Ahmad2Sahar Mumtaz3Ansar Mehmood4Nargis Naz5Zartasha Usman6Hina Abbas7Muhammad Akram8Department of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurDepartment of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurDepartment of Botany, University of Poonch RawalakotDepartment of Botany, University of EducationDepartment of Botany, University of Poonch RawalakotDepartment of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurDepartment of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurDepartment of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurDepartment of Botany, The Islamia University of BahawalpurAbstract Background The button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of the ecological dominance of Conocarpus erectus across various habitats, highlighting its adaptability and success throughout the country of Pakistan. We collected twelve populations from four distinct ecological regions, including artificial forest plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and wastelands, offering a comprehensive assessment of C. erectus adaptability across diverse environmental contexts. Results Forest plantation populations exhibited impressive shoot growth and moderate root lengths, with plants generally tall and well-weighted. Physiologically, they had moderate chlorophyll content and low carotenoid levels, with a balanced chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating stable photosynthetic activity. Anatomically, these populations had thicker epidermal and cortical root layers but smaller vascular bundles and phloem regions. Stem and leaf structures were generally moderate in size, with thicker midribs and cortical layers in the leaves. Agricultural field populations showed robust shoot and root systems with balanced fresh and dry biomass. They exhibited high chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, indicating strong photosynthetic capacity. Root and stem anatomy revealed larger root areas, thicker cortex, and wide vascular bundles, reflecting enhanced structural development. Leaves from these populations had moderate midrib and cortical thickness, with larger stomatal areas, promoting efficient gas exchange. Roadside populations displayed deeper roots and reduced biomass production. These populations adapted to environmental stress through leaf expansion, with high leaf numbers and areas. Physiologically, populations had high chlorophyll content, with a high chlorophyll a/b ratio. Root and stem anatomy showed compact structures with smaller vascular bundles, indicating adaptation to harsher conditions. Leaf anatomy was moderate, with smaller vascular bundles and reduced water transport capacity. Wasteland populations exhibited poor growth and high shoot biomass despite small leaves. Physiologically, these populations had the highest total soluble protein and proline contents, reflecting stress adaptation. Anatomically, root and stem structures were variable, with some populations showing reduced cortical cell areas and smaller vascular bundles, indicating limited resource transport. Leaf structures had thicker lamina, thinner epidermal layers, and lower stomatal densities, reflecting adaptation to nutrient-poor soils. Conclusion This study reveals the adaptability and thriving potential of Conocarpus erectus across varied habitats, providing key insights into its resilience and survival strategies. Understanding these adaptive traits can support habitat restoration, conservation planning, and improve species management in diverse environmental conditions, especially in response to climate change and habitat degradation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-024-00440-0Adaptive strategiesButton MangroveOsmoregulationSucculenceXeromorphy |
| spellingShingle | Ummar Iqbal Akkasha Azam Khawaja Shafique Ahmad Sahar Mumtaz Ansar Mehmood Nargis Naz Zartasha Usman Hina Abbas Muhammad Akram Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions Botanical Studies Adaptive strategies Button Mangrove Osmoregulation Succulence Xeromorphy |
| title | Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| title_full | Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| title_short | Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| title_sort | unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove conocarpus erectus l through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions |
| topic | Adaptive strategies Button Mangrove Osmoregulation Succulence Xeromorphy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-024-00440-0 |
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