Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and environmental variables.

To understand the relations between environment and phenotypic plasticity is important to forecast any possible adaptation of plants to climate change. We tested for any difference between central and marginal (Mediterranean and Alpine). Study was performed on 20 populations chosen on the basis of their distance from niche optimum.In Mediterranean marginal populations : \u2022 wide flowers display corolla, \u2022 short stamen, inducing more investment in attractiveness than in seed maturation \u2022 lower pollen production and seed set. Our results suggestthat: Largest floral display and lowest allocation of resources for seeds production in Mediterranean populations may be due to the highest competition for resources (pollinators, water and soil nutrient) together with the lowest resource availability. Future climate change will probably bring about: extinction of low altitudes populations the upward shift of other