Importance of belowground herbivory: Pocket gophers may limit aspen to rock outcrop refugia
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Authors: L. F. Cantor, and T. G. Whitham
Date: 1989
Journal: Ecology
Volume: 70
Number: 4
Pages: 962-970
Summary of Methods: The authors of this study determined that pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) were a keystone species in northern Arizona, that reduced the spread of aspen (Populus tremuloides) into mountain meadows. Removing gophers from meadow plots enhanced aspen growth, reproduction and survival. However, when gophers were present, aspen clones were limited to rocky outcrop areas, where tunneling and underground herbivory were limited due to shallow soil layers. The results of this study indicate that underground herbivory plays an important role in this, and possibly other plant communities, in this area, and the authors suggest that measurements of this detrimental herbivory should be included in future research projects.
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: keystone species, aspen, populus tremuloides, pocket gopher, thomomys bottae, belowground herbivory, mountain meadows, roots, refugia
Annotation: None
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