limetolerant

Limetolerant is an adjective used in ecology and biology to describe organisms or populations that can survive and reproduce in environments with elevated pH levels caused by the presence of lime or limestone in the substrate. This tolerance allows species to persist in calcareous soils or limestone-rich habitats where many other organisms may struggle.

In plant ecology, limetolerance refers to the ability to cope with alkaline conditions common in calcareous soils. It is often discussed alongside the concepts of calcicole (lime-loving) and calcifuge (lime-avoiding). Limetolerant species may tolerate high pH without requiring it, occupying a middle ground on the pH-tolerance spectrum. The trait can involve physiological adjustments that support nutrient uptake, enzyme activity, and cell stability under alkaline conditions.

Limetolerance is observed across several kingdoms. In plants, many grasses and herbaceous species native to limestone regions exhibit limetolerance. In soils and water environments enriched with lime, certain fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms also show this trait, enabling them to survive where others cannot. The specific mechanisms vary but can include alterations in membrane transport, ion homeostasis, and metabolic pathways adapted to alkaline pH.

Applications of limetolerance knowledge include soil management, restoration of calcareous habitats, and selecting crop varieties or plant communities suited to limed or alkaline soils. Researchers quantify limetolerance by comparing growth, survival, or reproductive success across soils or media with different pH levels and calcium carbonate concentrations. See also calcicole, calcifuge, and soil pH tolerance.