Temporal changes in local spatial structure of late-successional species: establishment of an Andean caulescent rosette plant

L D  Llambi; R  Law; A  Hodge

Temporal changes in local spatial structure of late-successional species: establishment of an Andean caulescent rosette plant

Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

1 We analyse successional changes in local spatial structure of populations of a dominant late-successional species (Espeletia schultzii) in the high tropical Andes.

2 Spatial maps of plants of E. schultzii and important features of their environment were recorded at early (year 3) and middle (year 8) stages of succession after agricultural disturbance, and in non-cultivated paramo.

3 Spatial covariance functions were calculated from the maps to provide information on the changing 'plant-eye's view' of seedlings and adults during succession, and on the coupling of spatial structure to dynamics of successional communities.

4 Seedlings of E. schultzii appeared at high densities shortly after agricultural disturbance ceased. Spatial aggregation, which among seedlings was strongest in later stages of succession, was absent among adults, suggesting greater mortality within aggregations of conspecifics plays a part in regulating population dynamics.

5 Early in succession, seedlings of E. schultzii were slightly segregated from the dominant early successional species, Rumex acetosella. By year 8 of succession, R. acetosella was strongly segregated from adults of E. schultzii, but not from seedlings. This suggests that competitive exclusion caused by asymmetric competition may contribute to decline in early successional species.

6 Spatial sorting in relation to abiotic factors was most evident in the mature paramo, with E. schultzii adults occurring on steeper slopes and on less stony ground. E. schultzii adults here were also segregated from Hypericum laricifolium, the other dominant species.

7 The coupling of local spatial structure to community dynamics may have profound effects on succession. In particular, the development of interspecific segregation could contribute to the continued coexistence of early and late successional species throughout succession.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	122-131
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Ecology
Volume	92
Issue number	1
Publication status	Published - Feb 2004

Keywords

competition
Espeletia
local density dependence
paramo
spatial pattern
LIMESTONE GRASSLAND
SOIL PROPERTIES
PATTERN
COMMUNITIES
FOREST
GROWTH
MODELS
REGENERATION
ORGANIZATION
POPULATIONS

Cite this

@article{0e73dcdb275b465583364e4c156421a9,

title = "Temporal changes in local spatial structure of late-successional species: establishment of an Andean caulescent rosette plant",

abstract = "1 We analyse successional changes in local spatial structure of populations of a dominant late-successional species (Espeletia schultzii) in the high tropical Andes.2 Spatial maps of plants of E. schultzii and important features of their environment were recorded at early (year 3) and middle (year 8) stages of succession after agricultural disturbance, and in non-cultivated paramo.3 Spatial covariance functions were calculated from the maps to provide information on the changing 'plant-eye's view' of seedlings and adults during succession, and on the coupling of spatial structure to dynamics of successional communities.4 Seedlings of E. schultzii appeared at high densities shortly after agricultural disturbance ceased. Spatial aggregation, which among seedlings was strongest in later stages of succession, was absent among adults, suggesting greater mortality within aggregations of conspecifics plays a part in regulating population dynamics.5 Early in succession, seedlings of E. schultzii were slightly segregated from the dominant early successional species, Rumex acetosella. By year 8 of succession, R. acetosella was strongly segregated from adults of E. schultzii, but not from seedlings. This suggests that competitive exclusion caused by asymmetric competition may contribute to decline in early successional species.6 Spatial sorting in relation to abiotic factors was most evident in the mature paramo, with E. schultzii adults occurring on steeper slopes and on less stony ground. E. schultzii adults here were also segregated from Hypericum laricifolium, the other dominant species.7 The coupling of local spatial structure to community dynamics may have profound effects on succession. In particular, the development of interspecific segregation could contribute to the continued coexistence of early and late successional species throughout succession.",

keywords = "competition, Espeletia, local density dependence, paramo, spatial pattern, LIMESTONE GRASSLAND, SOIL PROPERTIES, PATTERN, COMMUNITIES, FOREST, GROWTH, MODELS, REGENERATION, ORGANIZATION, POPULATIONS",

author = "Llambi, {L D} and R Law and A Hodge",

year = "2004",

month = feb,

language = "English",

volume = "92",

pages = "122--131",

journal = "Journal of Ecology",

issn = "0022-0477",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Temporal changes in local spatial structure of late-successional species: establishment of an Andean caulescent rosette plant

AU - Llambi, L D

AU - Law, R

AU - Hodge, A

PY - 2004/2

Y1 - 2004/2

N2 - 1 We analyse successional changes in local spatial structure of populations of a dominant late-successional species (Espeletia schultzii) in the high tropical Andes.2 Spatial maps of plants of E. schultzii and important features of their environment were recorded at early (year 3) and middle (year 8) stages of succession after agricultural disturbance, and in non-cultivated paramo.3 Spatial covariance functions were calculated from the maps to provide information on the changing 'plant-eye's view' of seedlings and adults during succession, and on the coupling of spatial structure to dynamics of successional communities.4 Seedlings of E. schultzii appeared at high densities shortly after agricultural disturbance ceased. Spatial aggregation, which among seedlings was strongest in later stages of succession, was absent among adults, suggesting greater mortality within aggregations of conspecifics plays a part in regulating population dynamics.5 Early in succession, seedlings of E. schultzii were slightly segregated from the dominant early successional species, Rumex acetosella. By year 8 of succession, R. acetosella was strongly segregated from adults of E. schultzii, but not from seedlings. This suggests that competitive exclusion caused by asymmetric competition may contribute to decline in early successional species.6 Spatial sorting in relation to abiotic factors was most evident in the mature paramo, with E. schultzii adults occurring on steeper slopes and on less stony ground. E. schultzii adults here were also segregated from Hypericum laricifolium, the other dominant species.7 The coupling of local spatial structure to community dynamics may have profound effects on succession. In particular, the development of interspecific segregation could contribute to the continued coexistence of early and late successional species throughout succession.

AB - 1 We analyse successional changes in local spatial structure of populations of a dominant late-successional species (Espeletia schultzii) in the high tropical Andes.2 Spatial maps of plants of E. schultzii and important features of their environment were recorded at early (year 3) and middle (year 8) stages of succession after agricultural disturbance, and in non-cultivated paramo.3 Spatial covariance functions were calculated from the maps to provide information on the changing 'plant-eye's view' of seedlings and adults during succession, and on the coupling of spatial structure to dynamics of successional communities.4 Seedlings of E. schultzii appeared at high densities shortly after agricultural disturbance ceased. Spatial aggregation, which among seedlings was strongest in later stages of succession, was absent among adults, suggesting greater mortality within aggregations of conspecifics plays a part in regulating population dynamics.5 Early in succession, seedlings of E. schultzii were slightly segregated from the dominant early successional species, Rumex acetosella. By year 8 of succession, R. acetosella was strongly segregated from adults of E. schultzii, but not from seedlings. This suggests that competitive exclusion caused by asymmetric competition may contribute to decline in early successional species.6 Spatial sorting in relation to abiotic factors was most evident in the mature paramo, with E. schultzii adults occurring on steeper slopes and on less stony ground. E. schultzii adults here were also segregated from Hypericum laricifolium, the other dominant species.7 The coupling of local spatial structure to community dynamics may have profound effects on succession. In particular, the development of interspecific segregation could contribute to the continued coexistence of early and late successional species throughout succession.

KW - competition

KW - Espeletia

KW - local density dependence

KW - paramo

KW - spatial pattern

KW - LIMESTONE GRASSLAND

KW - SOIL PROPERTIES

KW - PATTERN

KW - COMMUNITIES

KW - FOREST

KW - GROWTH

KW - MODELS

KW - REGENERATION

KW - ORGANIZATION

KW - POPULATIONS

M3 - Article

SN - 0022-0477

VL - 92

SP - 122

EP - 131

JO - Journal of Ecology

JF - Journal of Ecology

IS - 1

ER -