Data_Ophioglossum vulgatum.xls

1. Natural selection drives the allocation of resources between growth, reproduction, and other processes in organisms, especially under limited resource availability.2. This study investigates how the fern <i>Ophioglossum vulgatum L.</i> allocates resources between photosynthetic growth and spore production under competition and simulated herbivory.3. A large-scale field experiment was conducted in meadows and peatlands in Imielenko, Poland, involving 10 transects with three squares each. Four treatments were applied: clipping of <i>O. vulgatum</i> ramets, mowing surrounding plants, no intervention (control), combined clipping and mowing.4. A total of 533 ramets were marked, and biometric parameters such as leaf blade area, sporophore size, and sporangia number were recorded and analyzed.5. Key findings:Mowing increased leaf blade area but reduced sporophore size and sporangia production in the following year.Control plots displayed the highest resource allocation to reproduction, with larger sporophores and more sporangia compared to treated plots.Clipping and mowing negatively impacted reproductive allocation, reflecting a trade-off in resource distribution.Simulated herbivory did not significantly influence growth or reproduction, suggesting resilience to herbivory.6. The results demonstrate that mowing alters resource allocation patterns, prioritizing photosynthetic growth at the expense of reproduction.7. These findings highlight the importance of management practices, such as controlled mowing, in maintaining population persistence of rare ferns like <i>O. vulgatum</i>.8. Implications for conservation:Balancing growth and reproduction through tailored management strategies can support the conservation of <i>O. vulgatum</i> in meadow-wetland ecosystems.The resilience of <i>O. vulgatum</i> to herbivory underscores its adaptive potential, but care must be taken in applying treatments that could disrupt natural resource allocation.