Species‐specific acclimatization capacity of key traits explains global vertical distribution of seagrass species

Aim The global vertical depth distribution of seagrass species remains poorly understood. Locally, the abundance and seagrasses is determined by light penetration, but at levels each has very distinct maximum distributional ranges, indicating that plant-associated traits must also influence their specific ranges. Seagrass-specific attributes, such as plant size or architecture, growth reproductive strategy physiological and/or morphological acclimatization potential, have been suggested to be responsible for this variety distributions. We investigate here whether these species-specific drive differences in seagrasses. Location Global. Time period Publications between 1982 2020. Major taxa studied Seagrasses (order Alismatales). Methods tested can predicted (1) rhizome diameter (a proxy size); (2) functional resilience (growth/reproductive strategy); (3) capacity. For last aspect, we used a systematic review followed meta-analytical approaches select key could potentially acclimatize extreme ranges across different Results found best explained capacity various traits, including saturation irradiance (physiological trait), leaves per shoot (morphological trait) above-ground biomass (structural trait). In contrast, our results indicate no predictive power growth/reproductive on Main conclusions Across globe, ability thrive wide range depths strongly linked organizational levels.