A step back to move forward: an effect of biomass removal on functional traits of clonal and nonclonal herbs during establishment growth

Establishment growth represents a critical phase in the plant life cycle. In clonal herbs, which depend on developing extensive belowground organs, this stage may be particularly vulnerable due to substantial belowground resource allocation. We hypothesized that such investment constrains tolerance to early disturbance in clonal herbs compared to nonclonal herbs. In a glasshouse experiment involving 20 clonal and nonclonal perennial herb species, we found that clonality influences acquisitive strategies and functional trait trajectories during establishment growth. Although the overall shape of trait trajectories was similar across both groups, clonal herbs invested more in belowground biomass, exhibited more acquisitive leaf traits and had less acquisitive roots compared to their nonclonal counterparts. Biomass removal caused a shift in functional traits back from conservative to acquisitive values, with clonal species responding more strongly than nonclonal ones. Clonal herbs followed the 'Try Harder' strategy, building belowground structures intensively and maintaining high resource acquisition aboveground. Clonal and nonclonal herbs did not differ in regenerated biomass and flowering after biomass removal. Contrary to our expectations, clonality did not limit early tolerance to disturbance. Instead, early belowground investment may function as a preparatory mechanism that enhances future tolerance in clonal herbs.