Trait coordination in boreal mosses reveals a bryophyte economics spectrum

The study of plant trait spectra and their association with trade-offs in resource use strategy has greatly advanced our understanding vascular function, yet remain poorly studied bryophytes, particularly outside the Sphagnum genus. Here, we measured 25 traits related to carbon, nutrient water conservation 60 moss canopies (each dominated by one 15 species) across diverse boreal forest habitats used bi-variate correlations multi-variate analyses assess coordination spectra. We found substantial along a main principal components axis driven strategies. Along this spectrum, varied from resource-acquisitive at end (e.g. high maximum photosynthetic capacity, tissue nitrogen content, low water-holding capacity) resource-conservative other end, line economics theory. Traits carbon turnover (photosynthesis respiration rates, litter decomposability) were positively content desiccation global plants. However, architectural shoots canopy generally unrelated variation formed secondary variation, contrary what is observed for Resource-conservative open wet (i.e. mires), indicating that irradiance possibly moisture fluctuation induce mosses. Synthesis. Our work suggests relationships are well established plants can be extended bryophytes as well. Bryophyte powerful tools improve ecosystem processes moss-dominated ecosystems, such or arctic environments, where bryophyte communities exert strong control on cycling.