An Experimental Analysis of Macrophyte Growth Forms as Fish Foraging Habitat

1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Dionne ◽  
Carol L. Folt
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Plant Growth Form ◽  
Macrophyte Growth ◽  
Capture Rates

In this laboratory study we measured the independent effects of macrophyte growth form, plant density, and prey abundance on the foraging rate of the pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus). We demonstrate that macrophyte growth forms are not all similar in their effects on fish foraging. Prey capture rates of pumpkinseeds foraging among Scirpus validus (cylindrical stems) were 53 and 365% times greater than for Potamogeton amplifolius (leafy stems) for cladoceran (Sida crystallina) and larval damselfly (Coenagrionidae) prey, respectively. Plant growth form influenced prey capture rates more than charges in natural plant density. Plant density effects ranged from none on damselfly capture rates to a 29% decline in cladoceran capture rate over a twofold increase in plant density. Our results indicate that in plant-structured habitats, variation in plant growth form can be an important determinant of fish foraging and habitat associations.

scholarly journals Post-fire changes in plant growth form composition in Andean páramo grassland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya A. Zomer ◽  
Paul M. Ramsay
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Plant Growth Form ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Three Phases

AbstractQuestionsFire suppression policies have been widely adopted in the páramo grasslands of the northern Andes to protect their biodiversity and ecosystem services. Páramos have been regularly burned for many years, and it is not clear how páramo vegetation will respond to significant changes in their fire regimes. This study investigates differences in plant growth form composition, light levels and soil temperatures in páramo plots representing a range of recovery times since the last fire.LocationReserva Ecológica El Ángel and La Bretaña Nature Reserve, Carchi, Northern Ecuador.MethodsWe assessed the frequency of ten páramo growth forms, vegetation height, soil temperature, and light intensity in fifteen fire sites with historical records of fire (<1 – 15 years since fire), and one recently unburned site (at least 40 years since fire). A chronosquence of sites was used to assess potential changes in plant community composition in post-fire succession of páramo.ResultsThe recovery of páramo vegetation after fire comprised three phases: initial recruitment with high growth form diversity, followed by reduced diversity, light and soil temperatures in dense tussock vegetation, and ultimately canopy height stratification with a return of diversity. All but one plant growth forms were represented in each of the three phases, and the changes reflected differences in relative abundance.ConclusionsPost-fire páramo succession is characterized by clear shifts in the relative abundance of plant growth forms, ending with (co-)dominance of upright shrubs. The long-term consequences of such shifts for biodiversity and ecosystem function, given the widespread adoption of fire suppression policies in the páramo need careful, evidence-based consideration.

The unfolding of plant growth form-defence syndromes along elevation gradients

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Defossez ◽  
Loïc Pellissier ◽  
Sergio Rasmann
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Elevation Gradients ◽  
Plant Growth Form

scholarly journals Influence of plant growth form, habitat and season on leaf-wax n-alkane hydrogen-isotopic signatures in equatorial East Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 263 ◽  
pp. 122-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Griepentrog ◽  
Lien De Wispelaere ◽  
Marijn Bauters ◽  
Samuel Bodé ◽  
Andreas Hemp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Leaf Wax ◽  
Plant Growth Form

FEEDING HABITS OF MULE DEER ON FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING RANGES NEAR KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. WILLMS ◽  
A. McLEAN ◽  
R. RITCEY
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Plant Growth Form ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Tree Component

Diets of mule deer were studied in the Kamloops area from September to April. The forages of 67 rumen samples were sorted to grass, tree, shrub, and forb species and the percent oven-dry weights calculated for each. Polynomial regressions (to the third degree) were used to describe the use of each plant-growth form over time, as well as to determine the influence of snow depth on plant species consumption. Douglas fir formed most of the tree component of the diet of the deer. Consumption of this species was highest in December and January. Grass consumption was less than 10% until early spring when it increased to almost 100%. More forbs were consumed in fall than in winter, while shrubs were consumed more in early fall and late winter than in late fall. Species composition of each plant growth-form generally varied with season. Increasing snow depth altered the proportion of both small and large plants in the diet. As snow depth increased, fewer small plants but more large plants were consumed.

scholarly journals Soil-mediated effects of global change on plant communities depend on plant growth form

Ecosphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e01996
Author(s):  
Jes Hines ◽  
Susann Pabst ◽  
Kevin E. Mueller ◽  
Dana M. Blumenthal ◽  
Simone Cesarz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Change ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Plant Growth Form

THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN WEEDS.: 91. Malva pusilla Sm. (= M. rotundifolia L.)

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERTE M. D. MAKOWSKI ◽  
IAN N. MORRISON
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Weed Biology ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Plant Growth Form ◽  
Malva Parviflora ◽  
Prairie Provinces

This account provides information on the biology of round-leaved mallow, Malva pusilla Sm. (= M. rotundifolia L.). Primarily a weed of gardens and waste places, it has recently become troublesome in field crops causing yield losses of up to 90% in flax and lentil and up to 30% in wheat. Introduced from Eurasia, it is common mainly in the prairie provinces. Although often confused with two other weedy mallows, M. neglecta Wallr. and M. parviflora L., it has a different geographical distribution and can easily be distinguished by its short petals with bearded claws. Malva pusilla propagates by seed which are impermeable to water, exhibiting low germination unless scarified, and therefore capable of remaining dormant for long periods. Plant growth form varies greatly with competition. Round-leaved mallow is difficult to control chemically, but it can be effectively controlled with a fungus which is being developed as a commercial bioherbicide.Key words: Malva neglecta, Malva parviflora, Round-leaved mallow, weed biology

scholarly journals The Altitudinal Patterns of Leaf C∶N∶P Stoichiometry Are Regulated by Plant Growth Form, Climate and Soil on Changbai Mountain, China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e95196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Zhao ◽  
Nianpeng He ◽  
Qiufeng Wang ◽  
Xinyu Zhang ◽  
Ruili Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Changbai Mountain ◽  
Plant Growth Form
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