Data from: Plantago spp. as models for studying the ecology and evolution of species interactions across environmental gradients

A central challenge in ecology and evolutionary biology is to understand
how variation in abiotic and biotic factors combine to shape the
distribution, abundance, and diversity of focal species. Environmental
gradients, whether natural (e.g., latitude, elevation, ocean proximity) or
anthropogenic (e.g., land use intensity, urbanization), provide compelling
settings for addressing this challenge. However, not all organisms are
amenable to the observational and experimental approaches required for
untangling the factors that structure species along gradients. Here we
highlight herbaceous plants in the genus Plantago as models for studying
the ecology and evolution of species interactions along abiotic gradients.
Plantago lanceolata and P. major are native to Europe and Asia but
distributed globally, and are established models for studying population
ecology and interactions with herbivores, pathogens, and soil microbes.
Studying restricted range congeners in comparison to those cosmopolitan
species can provide insight into abiotic and biotic determinants of range
size and population structure. We highlight one such species, P. rugelii,
which is endemic to eastern North America. We give an overview of
literature on these focal Plantago species, and explain why they are
logical candidates for studies of species interactions across
environmental gradients. Finally, we emphasize collaborative and community
science approaches that can facilitate such research, and note the
amenability of Plantago for authentic research projects in science
education.