So close, yet so different: Divergences in resource use may help stabilize coexistence of phylogenetically-related species in a megadiverse grassland

• Published in: Flora. Morphologie, Geobotanik, Oekophysiologie Vol. 238; pp. 72 - 78
• Main Authors: Castro, Silvana A.B., Silveira, Fernando A.O., Marcato, Mateus S., Lemos-Filho, José P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Brazil; Campo rupestre; Chlorophyll fluorescence; dry season; Ecophysiological response; grasslands; Hydrological niche segregation; hydrology; leaves; light intensity; Melastomataceae; microhabitats; photoinhibition; photosystem II; soil; Species coexistence; water content; Water potential; xylem water potential; Brazil; Chlorophyll fluorescence; Hydrological niche segregation; Species coexistence; Water potential; Campo rupestre; Ecophysiological response

•Functional divergence (niche partitioning) stabilizes species coexistence.•We assessed trait divergence in species from two microhabitats in campo rupestre.•Species in xeric sites had lower water potential compared to species in mesic sites.•These results support the idea of hydrological niche segr...