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Allelochemicals of Pinus halepensis as Drivers of Biodiversity in Mediterranean Open Mosaic Habitats During the Colonization Stage of Secondary Succession

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Abstract

The Mediterranean region is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. However, over the last 50 years or so, the cessation of traditional farming has given way to strong afforestation at the expense of open habitats. Pinus halepensis Miller, known to synthesize a wide range of secondary metabolites, is a pioneer expansionist species colonizing abandoned agricultural land that present high species richness. Here, laboratory bioassays were used to study the potential impact of P. halepensis on plant diversity through allelopathy, and the role of microorganisms in these interactions. Germination and growth of 12 target species naturally present in fallow farmlands were tested according to concentration of aqueous extracts obtained from shoots of young pines (aged about 5 years), with or without the presence of soil microorganisms (autoclaved or natural soil). Under the highest concentrations and autoclaved soil, more than 80 % of target species were germination and/or growth-inhibited, and only two species were non-sensitive. Under more natural conditions (lower extracts concentrations and natural soil with microorganisms), only 50 % of species were still inhibited, one was non-sensitive, and five were stimulated. Thus, microorganisms alter the expression of allelochemicals released into the ecosystem, which highlights their key role in chemical plant-plant interactions. The results of allelopathic experiments conducted in the lab are consistent with the community patterns observed in the field. These findings suggest that allelopathy is likely to shape vegetation composition and participate to the control of biodiversity in Mediterranean open mosaic habitats.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the CNRS [French national centre for scientific research] within the framework of the Zone Atelier “Arrière-pays Méditerranéen”. We are grateful to the staff of the Luberon Natural Regional Park. We would also like to thank Stéphane Greff (IMBE) for his contribution to the chemical analyses, Sylvie Dupouyet (IMBE) for her help with the bioassays, and A-T-T (Scientific and technical translation) for proofreading the draft manuscript.

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  1. Aix-Marseille Université Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie (IMBE UMR CNRS IRD 7263), Campus St Charles, Case 4, 13331, Marseille Cedex 03, France

    Catherine Fernandez, Mathieu Santonja, Yogan Monnier, Mathilde Chomel, Virginie Baldy & Anne Bousquet-Mélou

  2. Aix-Marseille Université Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie (IMBE UMR CNRS IRD 7263), Campus Saint-Jérôme, Case 441, 13397, Marseille Cedex 20, France

    Raphael Gros

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  1. Catherine Fernandez
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Correspondence to Catherine Fernandez.

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Catherine Fernandez and Mathieu Santonja has equal contribution to the work.

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Fernandez, C., Santonja, M., Gros, R. et al. Allelochemicals of Pinus halepensis as Drivers of Biodiversity in Mediterranean Open Mosaic Habitats During the Colonization Stage of Secondary Succession. J Chem Ecol 39, 298–311 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-013-0239-6

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