Elevation drives intraspecific metabolomic differentiation in natural and experimental populations

By Pili FERNANDEZ-CONRADI—As part of my postdoctoral research with the team at the University of Neuchâtel, we investigated how elevation shapes the internal chemistry of plants, focusing on the specialized metabolites they produce. We’re learning that to fully understand how plants function, we need to look beyond physical traits and include their metabolome. In this study, we combined observational and experimental approaches using the widespread grass Festuca rubra to investigate how elevation influences metabolite diversity, endemism, and composition. Both natural and experimental populations showed distinct metabolic profiles linked to elevation. Natural alpine populations had lower phytochemical diversity and endemism compared to those at lower elevations. In contrast, experimental populations peaked in diversity and endemism at mid-elevation. Elevation also shifted the composition of metabolite groups in experimental populations. These findings highlight the significant role of elevation in shaping plant metabolomes. As climate change alters abiotic and biotic conditions, it may profoundly impact plant chemistry and, consequently, ecosystem dynamics.

See the published peer-reviewed paper (behind paywall)