Effects of fire, browsers and gallers on New Jersey tea (Ceanothus herbaceous) growth and reproduction
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Authors: H. L. Throop, and P. A. Fay
Date: 1999
Journal: American Midland Naturalist
Volume: 141
Number: 1
Pages: 51-58
Summary of Methods: The effects of deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moth (Periploca ceanothiella) herbivory on the vegetative and reproductive growth of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus herbaceous) was measured in burned and unburned tallgrass pastures. The growth form of New Jersey tea plants differed between burned and unburned pastures; burned plants produced longer stems while unburned plants produced more branched stems. Galling and browsing enhanced production of stems and inflorescence from New Jersey tea plants, however, deer browsing pressure was equal between burning treatments while stem galling moths were most active on unburned plants, most likely because fire enhanced mortality of this species. These results suggest that New Jersey tea plants can tolerate fire and herbivory from stem galling moths and white-tailed deer through tolerance mechanisms that enhance vegetative and reproductive growth in response to these disturbances.
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: periploca ceanothiella, odocoileus virginianus, white-tailed deer, stem galling moth, grazing tolerance, flint hills, plant growth form
Annotation: Deer browse this species in fall and winter and stem galling moths are active from July - March. The authors did their field sampling in June and July.
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