Back to Search
Start Over
Multi-stemmed trees in subtropical coastal dune forest: Survival strategy in response to chronic disturbance.
- Source :
-
Journal of Vegetation Science . Oct2007, Vol. 18 Issue 5, p693-700. 8p. 2 Charts, 2 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Questions: Is multi-stemming a survival strategy in response to chronic disturbance? Is multi-stemming under phylogenetic control? What environmental factors are associated with multi-stemming? When do trees initiate growth of multiple stems? Do multi-stemmed trees have limited stature?Location: Subtropical Indian Ocean coastal dune forest at Cape Vidal in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, northeastern South Africa. Methods: Tree physiognomy and environmental conditions were sampled in 20 transects that were 300 m long and 5 m wide. Results: 38.9 % of trees were multi-stemmed, with no correlation between multi-stemming and taxonomic grouping. The multi-stemming trait was most associated with stem decumbency and substrate erosion and multi-stemmed individuals were less common in protected dune slacks. Trees at Cape Vidal appear to facultatively produce multiple stems from an early stage. There was no trade-off between tree height and stem number. Conclusions: Coastal winds and the unstable dune substrate are important environmental correlates of multi-stemming. Both short stature and the high incidence of multi-stemming are related to the tree-disturbance interaction. The taxonomically widespread phenotypic plasticity in this trait indicates the importance of multi-stemming to tree survival even under low levels of disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 11009233
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Vegetation Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 26387921
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2007.tb02583.x