Functional traits variation in Crocus etruscus (Iridaceae)

Determining how plant functional traits respond to environmental conditions, influencing species distribution and community diversity patterns is a central question in ecology. This topic becomes particularly crucial when managing endangered plants. Crocus etruscus Parl., a geophyte endemic to Central Italy, typically grows in various sub-Mediterranean broad-leaved forests. This species is classified as “Near Threatened” (NT) in the National and Global Red List of IUCN and is listed in Annex IVb of the Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC (Carta et al., 2010). To facilitate conservation and management efforts for C. etruscus, we examined its intraspecific variability using a functional trait-based approach associated with the CSR strategy (Grime, 2001). Our aim was to determine whether different forest communities influence its ecological strategy. In this study, we selected 13 populations of C. etruscus in different forest communities. Specifically, we analyzed leaf area, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content of each population. The CSR strategy of C. etruscus was calculated using the spreadsheet provided by Pierce et al. (2013). Most populations exhibited a "CR/CSR" type, with two populations showing a “SR/CSR” type. These findings underscore the significant influence of both stress and disturbance in these environments, irrespective of the forest community type. Currently, we are conducting vegetation sampling and soil composition analyses to investigate the relationship between plant functional strategies and the environment. Exploring trait variation at the intraspecific level holds promise for developing more targeted management strategies, especially for threatened species.