Effect of Low Vegetation on the Recruitment of Plants in Successional Habitat Types1 Export

@article{citeulike:938317, abstract = {ABSTRACT I assessed the role of low vegetation (plants ca 1 yr old and <=50 cm tall) as a biotic facilitator or barrier in the recruitment of different growth forms and species in primary forests, secondary forests, and old-fields (abandoned pastures) in southeastern Mexico. I removed by hand all plants (<=100 cm tall, including roots) and litter from 20, 0.25 m2 plots in each habitat. For 1 yr, I counted the number of plant species (5-50 cm tall) recruited, grouped them into different growth forms, and compared them to undisturbed control plots. Prior to manipulation, the standing density of trees and lianas was highest in primary and secondary forests. Shrubs were more abundant in secondary forests, whereas herbs, epiphytes, and hemi-epiphytes were more abundant in old-fields. Herbaceous plants appeared as important components of the community in all habitats. The removal of low vegetation increased total plant recruitment in all habitats. Considering each growth form, the absence of vegetation increased recruitment in primary forests for herbs, in secondary forests for epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes, in old-fields for trees, and for lianas in primary forests and old-fields. In vegetation removal plots, recruitment of species was greater in pastures, lower in secondary forest, and similar in primary forest with respect to control plots. Depending on habitat type, species, and growth form, the presence of low vegetation may act as a recruitment barrier or facilitator for different species, affecting plant community structure, diversity, and composition in different habitats. RESUMEN Evalue el efecto de la cubierta vegetal baja (plantas ca. 1 ano de edad y altura <=50 cm), como facilitador o barrera biotica en el reclutamiento de especies de plantas en diferentes formas de crecimiento en bosques primarios, secundarios y potreros abandonados del Sureste de Mexico. Removi a mano todas las plantas (altura <=100 cm, incluyendo raices) y mantillo en 20 cuadrantes de 0.25 m2 por habitat. Durante un ano, conte el numero de especies reclutadas (5-50 cm de altura), las agrupe por formas de crecimiento, y las compare con los cuadrantes control. Previo a la manipulacion, la densidad en pie de arboles y lianas fue mayor en bosques primarios y secundarios; los arbustos en bosques secundarios; y las hierbas, epifitas y hemiepifitas en potreros. Las herbaceas aparecieron como un componente importante de la comunidad en todos los habitats. La remocion de vegetacion incremento el reclutamiento total de plantas. Considerando cada forma de crecimiento, la ausencia de vegetacion incremento el reclutamiento de herbaceas en bosques primarios; de epifitas y hemiepifitas en bosques secundarios; de arboles en pastizales; y de lianas en bosques primarios y potreros. La ausencia de vegetacion tuvo un efecto positivo en el reclutamiento total de especies para potreros, un efecto negativo para bosques secundarios, y uno neutral para bosques primarios. Dependiendo del habitat, especie y forma de crecimiento, la vegetacion baja puede actuar como barrera o facilitador en el reclutamiento, afectando la estructura, diversidad y composicion de la comunidad de plantas en diferentes habitats.}, author = {Benitez-Malvido, Julieta}, citeulike-article-id = {938317}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00137.x}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00137.x}, doi = {10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00137.x}, journal = {Biotropica}, number = {2}, pages = {171--182}, posted-at = {2006-11-09 20:53:45}, priority = {2}, title = {Effect of Low Vegetation on the Recruitment of Plants in Successional Habitat Types1}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00137.x}, volume = {38}, year = {2006} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:938317 L3 - citeulike-article-id:938317 N2 - ABSTRACT I assessed the role of low vegetation (plants ca 1 yr old and <=50 cm tall) as a biotic facilitator or barrier in the recruitment of different growth forms and species in primary forests, secondary forests, and old-fields (abandoned pastures) in southeastern Mexico. I removed by hand all plants (<=100 cm tall, including roots) and litter from 20, 0.25 m2 plots in each habitat. For 1 yr, I counted the number of plant species (5-50 cm tall) recruited, grouped them into different growth forms, and compared them to undisturbed control plots. Prior to manipulation, the standing density of trees and lianas was highest in primary and secondary forests. Shrubs were more abundant in secondary forests, whereas herbs, epiphytes, and hemi-epiphytes were more abundant in old-fields. Herbaceous plants appeared as important components of the community in all habitats. The removal of low vegetation increased total plant recruitment in all habitats. Considering each growth form, the absence of vegetation increased recruitment in primary forests for herbs, in secondary forests for epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes, in old-fields for trees, and for lianas in primary forests and old-fields. In vegetation removal plots, recruitment of species was greater in pastures, lower in secondary forest, and similar in primary forest with respect to control plots. Depending on habitat type, species, and growth form, the presence of low vegetation may act as a recruitment barrier or facilitator for different species, affecting plant community structure, diversity, and composition in different habitats. RESUMEN Evalue el efecto de la cubierta vegetal baja (plantas ca. 1 ano de edad y altura <=50 cm), como facilitador o barrera biotica en el reclutamiento de especies de plantas en diferentes formas de crecimiento en bosques primarios, secundarios y potreros abandonados del Sureste de Mexico. Removi a mano todas las plantas (altura <=100 cm, incluyendo raices) y mantillo en 20 cuadrantes de 0.25 m2 por habitat. Durante un ano, conte el numero de especies reclutadas (5-50 cm de altura), las agrupe por formas de crecimiento, y las compare con los cuadrantes control. Previo a la manipulacion, la densidad en pie de arboles y lianas fue mayor en bosques primarios y secundarios; los arbustos en bosques secundarios; y las hierbas, epifitas y hemiepifitas en potreros. Las herbaceas aparecieron como un componente importante de la comunidad en todos los habitats. La remocion de vegetacion incremento el reclutamiento total de plantas. Considerando cada forma de crecimiento, la ausencia de vegetacion incremento el reclutamiento de herbaceas en bosques primarios; de epifitas y hemiepifitas en bosques secundarios; de arboles en pastizales; y de lianas en bosques primarios y potreros. La ausencia de vegetacion tuvo un efecto positivo en el reclutamiento total de especies para potreros, un efecto negativo para bosques secundarios, y uno neutral para bosques primarios. Dependiendo del habitat, especie y forma de crecimiento, la vegetacion baja puede actuar como barrera o facilitador en el reclutamiento, afectando la estructura, diversidad y composicion de la comunidad de plantas en diferentes habitats. IS - 2 JF - Biotropica EP - 182 TI - Effect of Low Vegetation on the Recruitment of Plants in Successional Habitat Types1 VL - 38 SP - 171 AU - Benitez-Malvido, Julieta PY - 2006/// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2006.00137.x ER -