Population structure effect on reproduction of a rare plant: beyond population size effect

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 1371-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arantzazu L. Luzuriaga ◽  
Adrián Escudero ◽  
María José Albert ◽  
Luis Giménez-Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Aggregation Index ◽  
Negative Effect

Several studies have evaluated the effect of population size on plant reproductive output, but there are few studies concerning the effect of other population structure variables on plant reproduction. In this study, we went beyond population size effect and we tested the effect of some population spatial variables such as plant density, plant aggregation, population structure, and population identity on plant reproductive success and fitness in large populations (>1000 individuals) of Centaurea hyssopifolia Vahl., an endemic species of central Spain. We analysed the reproductive output (capitula, flowers, and seeds) and another two components of plant fitness (seed mass and germinability) in 350 individuals from seven populations in 2002 and 2003. All populations were similar in size but differed in other population spatial characteristics (density, plant aggregation pattern, population plant size structure). We used Morisita’s aggregation index to characterize the level of plant aggregation within populations. Population plant size structure variable determined the proportion of different sized plants in a population. We used generalized linear mixed models to model the contribution of these population spatial variables to several reproductive parameters. Our results showed that whereas the aggregation index exerted a positive control on plant seed set, plant density had a negative effect, and plant population size structure did not significantly influence any response variable. Density only exerted a negative effect on seed set. On the contrary, plant aggregation had a positive effect. Seed mass was also larger in more aggregated populations, although no differences in seed germinability were observed. We detected the effect of population attributes on reproduction in terms of seed set, but we did not detect any effect on other overall reproductive variables measured at plant level. To sum up, our results showed that if population fragments were large enough, spatial population attributes became crucial factors for plant reproductive output and fitness. These easily measurable population variables may improve the conservation management of rare plant species.

Is reproductive allocation in Senecio vulgaris plastic?

Botany ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Weiner ◽  
Lars Rosenmeier ◽  
Emma Soy Massoni ◽  
Josep Nogués Vera ◽  
Eva Hernández Plaza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Reproductive Allocation ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Nutrient Level ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Senecio Vulgaris ◽  
The Relationship

Several purported cases of plasticity in plant allocation patterns appear to be the effects of size and allometric growth (“apparent plasticity”). To ask whether there is true plasticity (i.e., a change in the allometric trajectory) in reproductive allocation in Senecio vulgaris  L., we grew S. vulgaris plants at high and low levels of water, nutrients, and competition, and analyzed the relationship between vegetative and seed biomass. Plant size was the major determinant of reproductive output, accounting for 83% of the variation in log (seed mass). There were also significant effects of the treatments that were not due to size, accounting for an additional 9% of the variation. The treatments affected the allometric coefficient (intercept), not the allometric exponent (slope) of the relationship, reflecting a small but significant shift in the efficiency of conversion of total plant biomass into reproductive biomass. In a second experiment, we grew S. vulgaris plants at three nutrient levels and allowed all individuals to complete their life cycles. Again, nutrient level had a small but significant effect on the allometric coefficient. Plasticity in reproductive allocation exists, but is very limited. The primary effects of the environment on the reproductive output of S. vulgaris occur via plant size.

scholarly journals Habitat Suitability, Population Structure and Conservation Status of Pinanga arinasae (Arecaceae), an Endemic Palm in Bali Island, Indonesia

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Angga Yudaputra ◽  
Joko Ridho Witono ◽  
Inggit Puji Astuti ◽  
Esti Munawaroh ◽  
Yuzammi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Litter Depth ◽  
Population Size Structure

The conservation of species should be based on knowledge of habitat requirements, population structure and conservation status. This knowledge is quite important to design conservation areas for species and to promote long-term persistence. In this study, we investigated habitat suitability, population size structure and conservation status of Pinanga arinasae in Bali. Plots with palms and adjacent areas with no palms were sampled to characterize key habitat variables. Habitat suitability was modeled using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF) methods. The population size structure was characterized by counting and measuring the height and reproductive status of the individuals found in plots. Furthermore, we assessed the extinction risk of the species using the IUCN Red List Criteria. The ANN variables that best explained occurrence were litter depth, elevation, canopy openness and slope. The RF variables that best explained the data were elevation, litter depth, slope, and aspect. Both ANN and RF are robust models that can be used to predict the occurrence of P. arinasae. The population size structure included many seedlings, but juvenile and mature individuals were found in relatively small numbers. Based on the findings, we proposed Endangered B1+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v); D as the conservation status of P. arinasae.

scholarly journals Aspects of the population biology, life history and threats to Aloe ortholopha Christian and Milne-Redh.: A serpentine endemic from the northern Great Dyke of Zimbabwe

Bothalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoni I. Kunonga ◽  
Tamuka Nhiwatiwa ◽  
Mduduzi Tembani ◽  
Shakkie Kativu
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Population Biology ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Great Dyke ◽  
Size Class Distribution ◽  
Class Distribution ◽  
Per Capita

Background: Aloe ortholopha is a rare endemic confined to serpentine soils of the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. Its International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status is listed as Vulnerable; however, its population biology and life history are poorly documented.Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide information on the population biology and life history of A. ortholopha through assessment of its size-class distribution, population size and density, reproductive output and fitness, and threats related to fire and mining.Method: Circumference of A. ortholopha leaf rosette was used to ascertain size-class distribution. Population size and density were determined by enumerating flowering individuals. Per-capita reproductive output was determined as mean number of flowers per plant, fruit set and mean number of seeds per fruit. Fitness was determined from seed germination capacity. Impact of fire and mining were recorded photographically.Results: Determination of size-class distribution of A. ortholopha from three study sites (southern region [SR], central region [CR] and northern region [NR]) revealed a bell-shaped curve dominated by intermediate size classes. Population size (number of flowering individuals) ranged from 36 to 66 per site. This translated to a density of 4.0–7.3 flowering plants per hectare. Per-capita reproductive output, measured as mean number of flowers per plant, was significantly different in SR and CR compared to that in the NR region. Mean number of fruits per plant did not significantly differ across the three regions. Mean seed set per plant in CR and NR was significantly different to that in the SR region. Species fitness, as determined from in vitro germination assays, showed that seeds harvested from fire-damaged capsules have the lowest cumulative germination percentage. It was also observed that leaf rosettes curled up to form a ball that protects the apical centre of plants from fire damage.Conclusion: A. ortholopha occurs in small population clusters of low density. The species has a low per-capita reproductive output characterised by production of many flowers, but with very low percentage fruit and seed set. The species has low fitness as evidenced by nominal recruitment of saplings and juveniles. Conspecific mates are frequently lost owing to fire and mining activities.

Size structure and seed yield over 4 years in an experimental Cassia marilandica (Leguminosae) population

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1324-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon K. Piper
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Insect Herbivory ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Cost Of Reproduction ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Experimental Population ◽  
Relative Growth

An experimental population of a perennial species, Cassia marilandica, was monitored for 4 years to examine changes in size structure and seed production over time. Plants flowered and set seed the 1st year and annually thereafter. Plant size, seed mass per plant, and reproductive effort were highest in the 2nd year but declined thereafter. Over the first 3 years, density remained constant, but plant size and yield varied. By the 4th year, density, size, and seed yield all declined, owing probably to combinations of drought and insect herbivory. Mean distance to nearest neighbors was consistently positively correlated with plant size but with seed mass in the 2nd and 3rd years only. Plant size was positively correlated with seed mass in each year, with reproductive effort in the first 3 years, but with relative growth rate in the last 2 years only. Population size structure and lifetime reproductive output were generally positively skewed. Except for a slight effect from the 1st to the 2nd year, no cost of reproduction, measured as reduced growth, reproduction, or likelihood of survival was seen. Key words: Cassia marilandica, cost of reproduction, density, Leguminosae, nearest neighbor, perennial, population structure, prairie plants, seed mass.

scholarly journals Effects of Vector Maturation Time on the Dynamics of Cassava Mosaic Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Al Basir ◽  
Y. N. Kyrychko ◽  
K. B. Blyuss ◽  
S. Ray
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Viruses ◽  
Mosaic Disease ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Cassava Mosaic Disease ◽  
Maturation Time ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Dynamical Regimes

AbstractMany plant diseases are caused by plant viruses that are often transmitted to plants by vectors. For instance, the cassava mosaic disease, which is spread by whiteflies, has a significant negative effect on plant growth and development. Since only mature whiteflies can contribute to the spread of the cassava mosaic virus, and the maturation time is non-negligible compared to whitefly lifetime, it is important to consider the effects this maturation time can have on the dynamics. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model for dynamics of cassava mosaic disease that includes immature and mature vectors and explicitly includes a time delay representing vector maturation time. A special feature of our plant epidemic model is that vector recruitment is negatively related to the delayed ratio between vector density and plant density. We identify conditions of biological feasibility and stability of different steady states in terms of system parameters and the time delay. Numerical stability analyses and simulations are performed to explore the role of various parameters, and to illustrate the behaviour of the model in different dynamical regimes. We show that the maturation delay may stabilise epidemiological dynamics that would otherwise be cyclic.

scholarly journals How Do the Population Structure Changes of China Affect Carbon Emissions? An Empirical Study Based on Ridge Regression Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3319
Author(s):  
Chulin Pan ◽  
Huayi Wang ◽  
Hongpeng Guo ◽  
Hong Pan
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Ridge Regression ◽  
Employment Structure ◽  
Consumption Structure ◽  
Structure Changes ◽  
Size Population ◽  
Ridge Regression Analysis

This study focuses on the impact of population structure changes on carbon emissions in China from 1995 to 2018. This paper constructs the multiple regression model and uses the ridge regression to analyze the relationship between population structure changes and carbon emissions from four aspects: population size, population age structure, population consumption structure, and population employment structure. The results showed that these four variables all had a significant impact on carbon emissions in China. The ridge regression analysis confirmed that the population size, population age structure, and population employment structure promoted the increase in carbon emissions, and their contribution ratios were 3.316%, 2.468%, 1.280%, respectively. However, the influence of population consumption structure (−0.667%) on carbon emissions was negative. The results showed that the population size had the greatest impact on carbon emissions, which was the main driving factor of carbon emissions in China. Chinese population will bring huge pressure on the environment and resources in the future. Therefore, based on the comprehensive analysis, implementing the one-child policy will help slow down China’s population growth, control the number of populations, optimize the population structure, so as to reduce carbon emissions. In terms of employment structure and consumption structure, we should strengthen policy guidance and market incentives, raising people’s low-carbon awareness, optimizing energy-consumption structure, improving energy efficiency, so as to effectively control China’s carbon emissions.

The effect of population structure on growth patterns in the woody goldenrod Solidago pauciflosculosa

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1955-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin P. Pritts ◽  
James F. Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Dispersion Pattern ◽  
Allocation Patterns ◽  
Total Plant Biomass ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Two Populations

The population structure and growth patterns of two populations of Solidago pauciflosculosa, a woody goldenrod, were investigated. Populations consisted of even-aged contagious patches of individuals, a dispersion pattern likely caused by the periodic appearance of microsites suitable for seedling establishment. The density of individuals within the even-aged clumps varied considerably and was correlated with total plant biomass and reproductive output. Density was not correlated with either reproductive or nonreproductive allocation patterns.

Reproductive output of ponderosa pine in response to thinning and prescribed burning in western Montana

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 844-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Peters ◽  
Anna Sala
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Western Montana ◽  
Cone Production

Thinning and thinning followed by prescribed fire are common management practices intended to restore historic conditions in low-elevation ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws.) forests of the northern Rocky Mountains. While these treatments generally ameliorate the physiology and growth of residual trees, treatment-specific effects on reproductive output are not known. We examined reproductive output of second-growth ponderosa pine in western Montana 9 years after the application of four treatments: thinning, thinning followed by spring prescribed fire, thinning followed by fall prescribed fire, and unthinned control stands. Field and greenhouse observations indicated that reproductive traits vary depending on the specific management treatment. Cone production was significantly higher in trees from all actively managed stands relative to control trees. Trees subjected to prescribed fire produced cones with higher numbers of filled seeds than trees in unburned treatments. Seed mass, percentage germination, and seedling biomass were significantly lower for seeds from trees in spring burn treatments relative to all others and were generally higher in trees from fall burn treatments. We show for the first time that thinning and prescribed-burning treatments can influence reproductive output in ponderosa pine.

Plant height and height of the main ear in maize (Zea mays L.) at different locations and different plant densities

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Gyenes-Hegyi ◽  
I. Pók ◽  
L. Kizmus ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Considerable Effect ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
The Best Approximation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Ear Height

The plant height and the height of the main ear were studied over two years in twelve single cross maize hybrids sown at three different plant densities (45, 65 and 85 thousand plants/ha) at five locations in Hungary (Keszthely, Gönc, Gyöngyös, Sopronhorpács, Martonvásár). The results revealed that plant height and the height of the main ear are important variety traits and are in close correlation with each other. It was found that the hybrids grew the tallest when the genetic distance between the parental components was greatest (Mv 4, Mv 5). The height of the main ear was also the greatest in these hybrids, and the degree of heterosis was highest (193% for plant height, 194% for the height of the main ear). The shortest hybrids were those developed between related lines (Mv 7, Mv 11). In this case the heterosis effect was the lowest for both plant height (128%) and the height of the main ear (144%). The ratio of the height of the main ear to the plant height was stable, showing little variation between the hybrids (37–44%). As maize is of tropical origin it grows best in a humid, warm, sunny climate. Among the locations tested, the Keszthely site gave the best approximation to these conditions, and it was here that the maize grew tallest. The dry, warm weather in Gyöngyös stunted the development of the plants, which were the shortest at this location. Plant density had an influence on the plant size. The plants were shortest when sown at a plant density of 45,000 plants/ha, and the main ears were situated the lowest in this case. At all the locations the plant and main ear height rose when the plant density was increased to 65,000 plants/ha. At two sites (Gönc and Sopronhorpács) the plants attained their maximum height at the greatest plant density (85,000 plants/ha). In Keszthely there was no significant difference between these two characters at plant densities of 65 and 85 thousand plants/ha, while in Gyöngyös and Martonvásár the greatest plant density led to a decrease in the plant and main ear height. The year had a considerable effect on the characters tested.

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