Ecological stress memory and cross stress tolerance in plants in the face of climate extremes

Under climate change, not only the magnitude, but also the frequency of extreme weather events is predicted to increase. Such repeated climate stress events may cause fundamental shifts in species compositions or ecosystem functioning. Yet, few studies document such shifts. One reason for higher stability of ecosystems than previously expected may be ecological stress memory at the single plant level. Ecological stress memory is defined here as any response of a single plant after a stress experience that modifies the response of the plant towards future stress events including the mode of interaction with other ecological units. Ecological stress memory is assessed on a whole plant level in ecological relevant parameters. It is therefore one important aspect of the broader concept of ecological memory that refers to whole communities and ecosystems. Here, we present studies which indicate the existence of ecological stress memory within single plants after drought, frost or heat stress. Possible mechanisms underlying an ecological stress memory are the accumulation of proteins, transcription factors or protective metabolites, as well as epigenetic modifications or morphological changes. In order to evaluate the importance of stress memory for stabilizing whole ecosystems and communities in times of climate change, cooperation between ecologists and molecular biologists is urgently needed, as well as more studies investigating stress memory on a single plant level. Only then the potential of plant stress memory for stabilizing ecosystems in times of intensifying climatic extremes can be evaluated and taken into account for measures of mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

► We define the concept of an ecological stress memory.
► Some studies hint towards the existence of an ecological stress memory after climate extremes (drought, heat, frost).
► Possible mechanisms are e.g. epigenetic modifications.
► Further work and co-operations between ecologist and molecular biologist are urgently needed.