Clonal integration and effects of simulated herbivory in old-field perennials
-
-
Authors: B. Schmid, G. M. Puttick, K. H. Burgess, and F. A. Bazzaz
Date: 1988
Journal: Oecologia
Volume: 75
Number: 3
Pages: 465-471
Summary of Methods: This study compared the growth, phenology, and leaf demography of partly defoliated, connected shoots with that of partly defoliated, severed shoots in four old-field perennials (Solidago canadensis, S. altissima, S. gigantea, Aster lanceolatus) with differing rhizome systems, in a common garden and in the field. Removing about 50% of the total leaf area from shoots had different effects depending on plant species, shoot density, and in particular whether rhizome connections between shoots were left intact or severed. Isolated shoots in the field or in high density clumps in the garden suffered the most from defoliation, while shoots with intact connections or in low density clumps suffered the least. S. altissima showed overcompensation in response to simulated herbivory in the common garden-defoliated shoots grew faster and were larger at harvest than non-defoliated neighbors.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: donal integration, herbivory, compensation, aster lanceolatus, solidago spp.
Annotation: Through clipping, they removed 90% of the area from every other leaf along the stem, leaving only the petioles and proximal halves of midribs. This method was chosen to simulate the type of attack by leaf-eating beetles observed in the field. In the field experiment, 2 populations of S. canadensis and A. lanceolatus were selected within each block and random chosen shoots were marked and mapped. On August 7, 1985, half of the shoots were severed from their parent clone and both connected and severed assigned to the following simulated herbivory treatments: (1) control; (2) removal of 90% of the area from half of all leaves, leaving petioles and bases; (3) removal of 90% of the area from half of all leaves leaving petioles and proximal halves of midribs; and (4) removal of 50% of the inflorescences ( only for S. canadensis)
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-