Seed and seedling traits affecting critical life stage transitions and recruitment outcomes in dryland grasses

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 52(1), P. 199 - 209

Published: Sept. 15, 2014

Summary Seeding native plants is a key management practice to counter land degradation across the globe, yet majority of seeding efforts fail, limiting our ability accelerate ecosystem recovery. Recruitment requires transitions through several seed and seedling stages, some which may have overriding influences on restoration outcomes. We lack, however, general framework understand predict differences in these critical demographic processes species. Functional traits influence fitness, consequently, trait variation could provide basis for explain life stage transition probabilities. used traits, field probabilities germination, emergence, establishment, survival 47 varieties drylands grasses under two watering treatments identify quantify effect cumulative first growing season. Variation germination emergence explained over 90% regardless or treatment, with probability being strongest predictor survival. Coleoptile tissue density mass had significant effects respectively, explaining 10–23% Synthesis applications . While functional work has centred linking leaf root resource acquisition utilization, study demonstrates that associated prevailing A portion been examined, but there substantial opportunity other driving processes. These advancements will underpin develop trait‐based frameworks overcoming recruitment barriers facilitating recovery degraded systems globe.

Language: Английский

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PROCESS-BASED MODELING OF SPECIES' DISTRIBUTIONS: WHAT LIMITS TEMPERATE TREE SPECIES' RANGE BOUNDARIES?

Ecology, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 88(9), P. 2280 - 2291

Published: Sept. 1, 2007

Niche-based models are widely used to understand what environmental factors determine species' distributions, but they do not provide a clear framework study the processes involved in defining ranges. Here we process-based model identify these and assess potential distribution of 17 North American boreal/temperate tree species. Using input only climate soil properties, reproduced distributions accurately. Our results allowed us climatic as well biological limiting The showed that constraints limit mainly through their impact on phenological processes, secondarily drought frost mortality. northern ranges appears be caused by inability undergo full fruit ripening and/or flowering, while southern is flower or injury flowers. These findings about ecological shaping represent crucial step toward obtaining more complete picture

Language: Английский

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Seedling Ecology and Evolution

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 18, 2008

Seedlings are highly sensitive to their environment. After seeds, they typically suffer the highest mortality of any life history stage. This book provides a comprehensive exploration seedling stage plant cycle. It considers importance seedlings in communities; environmental factors with special impact on seedlings; morphological and physiological diversity including mycorrhizae; relationship other stages; evolution; human altered ecosystems, deserts, tropical rainforests, habitat restoration projects. The is portrayed by specialised groups like orchids, bromeliads, parasitic carnivorous plants. Discussions physiology, morphology, evolution ecology brought together focus how why successful. important text sets for future research valuable graduate students researchers ecology, botany, agriculture conservation.

Language: Английский

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Scale-free foraging by primates emerges from their interaction with a complex environment

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2006, Volume and Issue: 273(1595), P. 1743 - 1750

Published: April 11, 2006

Scale-free foraging patterns are widespread among animals. These may be the outcome of an optimal searching strategy to find scarce, randomly distributed resources, but a less explored alternative is that this behaviour result from interaction animals with particular distribution resources. We introduce simple model where individual primates follow mental maps and choose their displacements according maximum efficiency criterion, in spatially disordered environment containing many trees heterogeneous size distribution. show tree-size frequency induces non-Gaussian movement multiple spatial scales (Lévy walks). results consistent field observations variation spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) patterns. discuss consequences our have for seed dispersal by primates.

Language: Английский

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The relationship between seed mass and mean time to germination for 1037 tree species across five tropical forests

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 23(1), P. 203 - 210

Published: Sept. 19, 2008

1 Theoretical models predict that large-seeded species should germinate more rapidly than small-seeded species, since large seeds are likely to have higher post-dispersal seed predation small seeds. A prompt germination strategy would therefore enable reduce risks of mortality. 2 To assess this predicted relationship between mass and mean time (MTG), we used a meta-analysis published data sources. Our base contained information for these two traits 1037 tree from five tropical areas worldwide (Brazil, India, Ivory Coast, Malaysia Panama). Both cross-species analyses phylogenetically independent contrasts (PIC) were conducted on the log-transformed values MTG. 3 Log-seed was significantly conserved trait in all sets. Log-MTG sites except India. 4 log-seed positively correlated Malaysia. PIC showed positive Brazil, India Coast but not Panama. When combined, indicated significant traits. 5 findings do support hypothesis faster seeds, rather faster. We interpret our results light phylogenetic biophysical constraints. propose four alternative mechanisms could account observed pattern, including developmental constraints, water absorption investment physical defences.

Language: Английский

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