Community and population dynamics of serpentine grassland annuals in relation to gopher disturbance

This study examines the effects of soil disturbance by gophers on patterns of species abundance in an annual grassland community on serpentine soil. We assessed production, dispersal and storage of seed, germination, survivorship and growth of the most abundant species in undisturbed vegetation and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 1985-10, Vol.67 (3), p.342-351
Main Authors: Hobbs, R.J, Mooney, H.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Annuals
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geomyidae
Geomys
Germination
Grasses
Grassland soils
grasslands
plant community analysis
plant pests
Plants
Poaceae
Population dynamics
Population ecology
responses to environment
Seedlings
Seeds
serpentine communities
Synecology
Terrestrial ecosystems
Thomomys bottae
Vegetation
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Summary:This study examines the effects of soil disturbance by gophers on patterns of species abundance in an annual grassland community on serpentine soil. We assessed production, dispersal and storage of seed, germination, survivorship and growth of the most abundant species in undisturbed vegetation and on gopher mounds. Fewer seeds of the dominant species were dispersed onto gopher mounds due to the limited movement of seeds from within the closed vegetation. Species with taller flowering stalks were more likely to colonise gopher mounds. The timing of gopher disturbance in relation to the timing of seed fall determined which species could colonise mounds. Lower numbers of seeds falling onto gopher mounds resulted in lower seedling densities of several species compared with undisturbed areas. Survivorship of the commonest species differed between undisturbed areas and gopher mounds formed at different times of year. This resulted in characteristic spectra of species abundance on the different microhabitats, giving rise to distinct spatial patterning in the community. Plants growing on gopher mounds were generally larger and produced more seed than plants in undisturbed vegetation. We suggest that continued gopher disturbance is a factor allowing several species, including perennial grasses, to persist in this community.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/bf00384939