Effects of experimental defoliation on the growth, reproduction and survival of Astrocaryum mexicanum
-
-
Authors: A. Mendoza, D. Pinero, and J. Sarukhan
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Ecology
Volume: 75
Number: 2
Pages: 545-554
Summary of Methods: Mendoza determined the effects of light, heavy or severe simulated herbivory on understory palms (Astrocaryum mexicanum) at different growth stages. Plant response to defoliation varied by plant age, defoliation intensity, and age of plant material removed. Completely defoliated juvenile and immature plants produced significantly fewer leaves than control plants. In mature plams, the removal of the oldest portions of the crown increased leaf production by 30%. Complete defoliation and the removal of two-thirds of the oldest leaves had the effect of reducing leaf abscission in all stages, except for seedlings. Completely defoliated plants had a lower probability of reproduction and produced no fruits for three years. Defoliations greater than 33% of the total number of leaves reduced the reproductive capacity of palms, except when the oldest tissue was removed. These results suggest that herbivory can alter the age distribution and reproductive ability of A. mexicanum stands in the Mexican rainforest.
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: astrocaryum mexicanum, simulated herbivory, grazing intensity, tropical rainforest, mortality, recovery from grazing, compensatory growth
Annotation: Study was conducted in a tropical rainforest in eastern Mexico. 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3 of all leaves were removed in the light, heavy and severe defoliation treatments during a clipping treatment that was performed once during the last week of November 1977. Individuals of the following age-classes were selected for the experiment: 1) seedlings, 2) juveniles, 3) immature individuals, and 4) mature individuals.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-