Adaptation in heterogeneous environments

A subject of this work is adaptation in heterogeneous environments analyzed by applying two approaches, generalist-specialist and plant strategy theory, and using several populations of a single species, wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum Koch). Four environments were specifically chosen to represent a gradient of environmental productivity (annual rainfall) and unpredictability (interannual variation in rainfall). Plants originating in the four distinct environments were tested for local adaptation, and analyzed for the possible mechanisms by which the adaptation was achieved. I found that the specialist-generalist approach was not efficient in analyzing selection process at large-scale (regional-scale) heterogeneity. On the other hand, the life history traits, phenotypic plasticity and competitive ability of plants originating in the four studied environments were in partial correspondence with those predicted by Grime's C-S-R model. A new plant strategy scheme that is based on the rectangular ordination of environments and has two ordination axes: adversity (stress) and environmental unpredictability, is proposed.