Overlap and seasonal shifts in use of woody plant species amongst a guild of savanna browsers

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. J. O'Kane ◽  
Kevin J. Duffy ◽  
Bruce R. Page ◽  
David W. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Theoretical Predictions

Abstract:To clarify the potential influence of different browsers in the same guild on woody vegetation, dietary overlap and separation between elephant, giraffe, kudu, nyala and impala was assessed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. Woody species browsed, browsing heights, plant-parts browsed and browsing versus grazing were recorded over 2 y by direct observation. We obtained 3068 browse records. Niche breadth (Levins' measure) and overlap (Schoener's index) in species browsed and browsing heights were calculated. Annual and seasonal differences in these measurements, plant-part use and browsing versus grazing were assessed. Elephant utilized the largest number (n = 78) of different woody plant species. Overlap in species browsed was lower between elephant and other browsers than amongst the latter. Seasonal rainfall influenced the range of woody plants utilized, niche breadth in terms of species browsed and browsing versus grazing. Marked resource depletion caused elephant, contrary to theoretical predictions, to narrow niche breadth in terms of species browsed. However, resource depletion rarely had a significant effect on interspecific overlap in species browsed or overlap in browsing heights, on actual browsing heights or plant-parts utilized. A small suite (n = 8) of woody species formed the core diet of all guild members, implying the potential for synergistic impacts by guild members on these species and for competition between populations of different guild members.

Weight–diameter relationships for 22 woody plant species

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1851-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Telfer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Prediction Equations ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Leaf Weight ◽  
Ground Line

Prediction equations are presented for use in estimating total aboveground weight and maximum leaf weight for 22 species of woody plants. Stem diameter at the ground line was found to be closely correlated with both total and leaf weights. This diameter was therefore used in the equations as the measurement from which weights were predicted.

scholarly journals Pre-forcing Treatments Influence Bud Break and Shoot Elongation in Forced Woody Species

1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-103
Author(s):  
Guochen Yang ◽  
Paul E. Read
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Bud Break ◽  
Cold Requirement

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of pre-forcing treatments for the release of bud dormancy of dormant stems of lilac, privet and Vanhoutte spirea. The new softwood growth of these dormant stems was used either as explants for in vitro culture or as cuttings for rooting studies of woody plant species in the off-season. A pre-forcing 15% bleach solution (0.78% NaOCl) soak hastened bud break, enhanced percentage of bud break, and promoted shoot elongation. Pre-forcing wetting agent treatments produced similar results to those of the bleach soak with variation among wetting agents and plant species. Smaller treatment differences were observed in the forcing characteristics when stems were collected later in the winter, probably because the cold requirement of the buds had been completely or partially met. This technique will provide explants for in vitro culture and softwood cuttings for propagation of woody plants over an extended period.

scholarly journals Woody Species Diversity, Vegetation Structure, and Regeneration Status of the Moist Afromontane Forest of Agama in Southwestern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Abyot Dibaba ◽  
Teshome Soromessa ◽  
Alemayehu Kefalew ◽  
Admassu Addi
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Agama Forest in Kafa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, to assess species diversity, vegetation structure, and regeneration status of woody species. A systematic sampling technique was employed to collect vegetation data. Sixty (60) sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were laid at 300 m intervals all along ten grids interspaced 800 m apart. Sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were used to record DBH and H of all woody plant species reaching a DBH >2.5 cm and height >2 m. For the inventory of seedling and sapling, two subplots of 2 m × 5 m were used at the beginning and the end of the baseline on opposite sides of the main quadrat. Vegetation data such as DBH, height, seedling, and sapling density of woody species were recorded in each plot. Altogether, 72 woody plant species of 65 genera and 35 families were identified. Analysis of selected tree species showed diverse population structures. This study showed that small trees and shrubs dominated the Agama Forest, which revealed its status under a secondary regeneration stage. Study on the structure and regeneration of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. Sound management and monitoring, as well as maintenance of biodiversity and cultural and economic values of the forest, require conservation activities that encourage sustainable uses of the forest and its products.

scholarly journals Rasgos morfológicos regenerativos en una comunidad de especies leñosas en un bosque seco tropical tumbesino

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 859 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Romero Saritama ◽  
César Pérez-Rúiz
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Woody Plant Species

The study of functional morphological traits enables us to know fundamental aspects of the dynamics of plant communities in local and global habitats. Regenerative morphological traits play an important role in defining plant history and ecological behavior. Seed and fruit characteristics determine to a large extent the patterns for dispersal, germination, establishment and seedling recruitment a given species exhibits on its natural habitat. Despite their prominent role, seed and fruit traits have been poorly studied at the community level of woody plant species in neo-tropical dry forests. In the present study we aimed at i) evaluate the functional role of morphological traits of seeds, fruits and embryo in woody plant species; ii) determine which are the morphological patterns present in seeds collected from the community of woody species that occur in neo-tropical dry forests; and iii) compare woody plant species seed mass values comparatively between neo-tropical dry and tropical forests. To do so, mature seeds were collected from 79 plant species that occur in the Tumbesian forest of Southwest Ecuador. The studied species included the 42 and 37 most representative tree and shrubbery species of the Tumbesian forest respectively. A total of 18 morphological traits (seven quantitative and 11 qualitative) were measured and evaluated in the seeds, fruits and embryos of the selected species, and we compared the seeds mass with other forest types. Our results showed a huge heterogeneity among traits values in the studied species. Seed mass, volume and number were the traits that vary the most at the community level, i.e. seed length ranged from 1.3 to 39 mm, and seed width from 0.6 to 25 mm. Only six embryo types were found among the 79 plant species. In 40 % of the cases, fully developed inverted embryos with large and thick cotyledons to store considerable amount of nutrients were recorded. We concluded that highly variable and functionally complementary morphological traits occur among the studied woody plants of the dry Tumbesian forest. The latter favors a plethora of behavioral mechanisms to coexist among woody species of the dry forest in response to the environmental stress that is typical of arid areas.

scholarly journals Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Proenza ◽  
Michael Andreu
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Florida Scrub ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
The Individual

The purpose of this fact sheet is to help identify a few of the more common woody plant species found in Florida’s scrub ecosystems. In the individual plant descriptions, words that appear in bold font are considered to be key field characteristics that will aid in identification of the species. This 14-page fact sheet was written by Lynn Proenza and Michael Andreu and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr373

Field identification of roots of woody plants of the savanna ecosystem study area, Nylsvley

Bothalia ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 13 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 171-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Rutherford
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Field Identification ◽  
Fresh Root

A key for the field identification of fresh root material of 21 woody plant species on the savanna ecosystem study area, Nylsvley, South Africa, is given. Descriptions of macroscopic features of roots as well as photographic descriptions of roots and root systems are provided.

Woody Plants Species Composition and Diversity in West Bank Forest of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 63-78
Author(s):  
Ariyo, Oluyinka Christopher
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
West Bank ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Tropical Agriculture ◽  
Woody Plant Species

Woody plants species composition, richness, dominance and diversity in west bank forest of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) was undertaken to understand the status of the forest. The analysis of tree species composition, richness and diversity in the forest was carried out with the aim of developing efficient management plan that will ensure biodiversity conservation. Vegetation survey using transects and plot sampling techniques were used to collect data for the study. Three transects of 500 m long each {A (270°W), B (90°E) and C (180°S)} were constructed with the aid of prismatic compass in the forest. 10 sampling plots of 10 m by 10 m each were demarcated along each transect making a total number of 30 sampling plots. In each plot, all woody plant species (trees and shrubs) with girth at breast height (gbh) greater than or equal to 10 cm (gbh ≥ 10 cm) were identified, enumerated and measured. The results showed that 581 woody plants belonging to 65 species and 28 families were encountered in the forest. The most abundant family in the forest was Fabaceae sub families of Caesalpinioidea, Mimosoideae and Palpilinoideae. The forest had Simpson diversity index (D), Shannon-Wiener (H) and Evenness index of 0.012, 0.354 and 0.195 respectively. The total density and basal area of woody plants species in the forest was 1,936.67 individuals’ ha-1 and 98.23 m2 ha−1. Newbouldia laevis had the highest density of 190 ha-1 and relative frequency of 9.811% while Milicia excelsa had the highest basal area of 40.34 m2 ha−1, relative dominance of 41.07% and Importance value index of 14.04%. The study concludes that the forest has a reasonably good tree and shrub species composition and richness, dominated by trees and a repository of many indigenous tropical woody plant species. The study recommends in-depth forest inventory, preparation of management plan and promotion of good governance in management of the forest. Also, further studies on regeneration, structure, soil seed bank, seed physiology and herbaceous plant should be carried out in the forest.

scholarly journals Does avian gut passage favour seed germination of woody species of the Chaco Serrano Woodland in Argentina?

Botany ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Celeste Díaz Vélez ◽  
Ana Elisa Ferreras ◽  
Wesley Rodrigues Silva ◽  
Leonardo Galetto
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Chaco Serrano ◽  
Germination Speed ◽  
Dispersal Agents

Frugivorous birds are key dispersal agents of many plant species and also may facilitate seed germination after gut passage. However, the general effects of gut passage on seed germination are still not clear, with positive, negative, and neutral effects reported on seed germination. We evaluated seed germination of seven bird-dispersed plant species of the Chaco Serrano Woodland in Córdoba, Argentina: Celtis ehrenbergiana (Klotzsch) Liebm., Condalia spp. Cav., Lantana camara L., Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl., Lycium cestroides Schltdl., Schinus fasciculatus (Griseb.) I.M. Johnst., and Zanthoxylum coco Gillies. We compared germination percentages and germination speed among seeds ingested by birds, manually extracted seeds, and seeds from intact fruits to understand which mechanisms are acting on bird gut-passed seeds. For six plant species, the action of frugivorous birds increased seed germination percentages and germination speed, through scarification, deinhibition, or combined mechanisms. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms acting on seeds passed through bird gut. Also, we show the pivotal role that frugivorous birds exert on the seed germination of native woody plant species in the threatened ecosystem of the Chaco Serrano Woodland.

Comparative accumulation of manganese in leaves and stems of woody plants native to acidic and non-acidic substrates

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-417
Author(s):  
Ernest Small
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Manganese Availability

Nine woody plant species typically found in non-acidic substrates, and 12 woody plant species typically found in acidic substrates, were cultivated at three levels of manganese availability. Considered collectively, the group of plants from the acidic habitats accumulated less manganese in the foliage compared with the group of plants from non-acidic habitats, suggesting adaptation by means of exclusion to the potentially toxic levels of manganese of acid soils. No significant differences were found for the two groups with respect to manganese accumulation in the stems.

scholarly journals Vegetative structure, floristic composition and natural regeneration of a species in Ylat Forest, Meket Woreda, Northeastern Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-53
Author(s):  
SISAY TEGEGNE ◽  
BIKILA WORKINEH
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Vegetative Structure

Tegegne S, Workineh B. 2017. Vegetative structure, floristic composition and natural regeneration of a species in Ylat Forest in Meket Woreda, Northeastern Ethiopia. Asian J For 1: 40-53. The natural forest of Ylat in Meket Woreda, Northeastern Ethiopia was examined to decide the vegetative structure, floristic formation and natural regeneration of woodland species and to supply data on sustainable administration of the woody plants in specific and the woodland founts in common. Systematic sampling design was used in this study to gather vegetation information. For each of the sampling sites, five transect lines having fiftyfour primary plots with 400 m2 (20m × 20m) each were laid out to gather the information on woody species along 200m line transects. A total of 60 vascular plant species having a place to 41 families and 56 genera were identified of which 13 (21.67%) were trees, 31 (51.67%) bushes, 6 (10%) climbers and 10 species (16.66) of herbs. Of all the families, Lamiaceae (8.33%) and Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Euphorbiaceae 3 species (5%) were the most overwhelming woody plant species and followed by Sapindaceae, Aloaceae, Ranunclaceae, Poaceae, Oleaceae, Polygonaceae and Cucurbitaceae contains 2 species each (3.33%). A total of 2652 woody plant species individuals (1227.77 individual/ha) were found of which 405 individuals were Myrsine africana and 19 individuals were Millettia ferruginea and 20 individuals were Dombeya torrida. This data showed the highest and the lowest number of woody plant species. The thickness of woody species with DBH ≥ 2.5cm was 1227.77 individual/ha, basal zone was 1 m2 /ha, frequency of woody species was 258. The overall Shannon diversity and evenness of woody species was 2.94 and 0.84 respectively, demonstrating that the diversity and evenness of woody species within the timberland is moderately high. The woody plant species having the highest importance value index (IVI) were Erica arborea (36.31) followed by Allophylus abyssinicus (28.65) whereas Hagenia abyssinica, Myrica salicifolia, Euphorbia tirucalli, Calpurnia aurea were the lowest IVI and should be given conservation priority. Finally, this study showed that the population structure of the most woody plant species in Ylat Timberland was in a great state of regeneration recruitment level.

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