Functional response of an invasive tall grass (Brachypodium genuense) to environmental variability in sub-Mediterranean climate

We found that in more productive conditions (deeper soil, medium/high pH values, northfacing slopes, and “conservative” land forms) populations of B. genuense showed higher SLA, plant height and cover values. This underlies a fast-growing strategy based on high resource acquisition/use rate, as well as higher competitive ability for above-ground resources (e.g. light). The opposite trend emerged for unproductive/dry conditions (southfacing slopes, shallow soils, lower pH values). Under these constraints, SLA, plant height and cover value decreased underlying a slow-growing strategy with high conservation and low acquisition rate of resource. In addition, we found that very high nitrogen amount might have a detrimental effect on B. genuense individuals decreasing the SLA values, thus requiring the plant to change the growth strategy.