You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Theses and Dissertations

role of seed dispersal in mediating competition between two temperate understory plant populations, Cornus florida and Lindera benzoin, in a Pennsylvania state park

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2006
Summary:
This study examines the demographic status of two co-occurring plant populations, Cornus florida and Lindera benzoin, with a stage matrix population projection model, and the potential for a competitive advantage in endozoochorous seed dispersal for L. benzoin in the quantity of seeds dispersed, the quality of seed dispersal, or a combination of the two. A plant pathology analysis indicates that the C. florida population has been impacted by the fungal pathogen Discula destructiva . The population model predicts a decline in the C. florida population and an increase in the L. benzoin population. Seed removal experiments revealed that significantly more seeds of L. benzoin were removed by insects, presumably ants. This could represent an important advantage for L. benzoin in the quality of seed dispersal. However, L. benzoin is likely also benefiting by the increase in colonization opportunities that are provided as individuals of C. florida succumb to D. destructiva.
Title: The role of seed dispersal in mediating competition between two temperate understory plant populations, Cornus florida and Lindera benzoin, in a Pennsylvania state park.
85 views
22 downloads
Name(s): Vejdani, Vivianne
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Wille, Luc T., Thesis Advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2006
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 111 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: This study examines the demographic status of two co-occurring plant populations, Cornus florida and Lindera benzoin, with a stage matrix population projection model, and the potential for a competitive advantage in endozoochorous seed dispersal for L. benzoin in the quantity of seeds dispersed, the quality of seed dispersal, or a combination of the two. A plant pathology analysis indicates that the C. florida population has been impacted by the fungal pathogen Discula destructiva . The population model predicts a decline in the C. florida population and an increase in the L. benzoin population. Seed removal experiments revealed that significantly more seeds of L. benzoin were removed by insects, presumably ants. This could represent an important advantage for L. benzoin in the quality of seed dispersal. However, L. benzoin is likely also benefiting by the increase in colonization opportunities that are provided as individuals of C. florida succumb to D. destructiva.
Identifier: 9780542787850 (isbn), 13398 (digitool), FADT13398 (IID), fau:10248 (fedora)
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.
Subject(s): Plant populations--Pennsylvania
Insect-plant relationships--Pennsylvania
Insects--Ecology
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13398
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.