The effect of environmental variability on population growth, reproduction, and lifespan in Lemna minor

Abstract

Environmental variability is common in natural systems, yet many studies in the field of aging assume constant environmental conditions. In the case of Lemna minor (common duckweed), constant caloric restriction impacts population growth, reproduction, and lifespan and these responses are nonlinear (e.g. plants live much longer in highly reduced caloric availability compared to high and moderate availability). It has not been previously studied how L. minor responds when caloric availability fluctuates which is more representative of natural conditions. In a laboratory setting, I used constant and variable light regimes to simulate variable or constant caloric availability to assess if variable environmental conditions impact population growth, reproduction, and lifespan in L. minor. I found that population growth and reproductive rate decreased under variable conditions, but lifespan was unchanged. My research showed that mean conditions alone may be insufficient in predicting responses to environmental conditions in organisms when these responses are nonlinear.