Structure and Composition of Juniperus Communities and Factors That Control Them

The joint effects of fire and herbivory on hardwood regeneration in central Texas woodlands

“…For example, the distribution of Ashe juniper extends further to the west than that of Texas red oak (Turner et al, 2003). Many juniper species have ecological roles related to their tolerance of relatively xeric habitats: they colonize open sites such as savannas and pastures, are drought-tolerant, and can grow on rocky and shallow soil (Van Auken and McKinley, 2008).…”

Fire dynamics distinguish grasslands, shrublands and woodlands as alternative attractors in theCentralGreatPlains ofNorthAmerica

“…; Briggs et al . ; Van Auken & McKinley ; Barger et al . ; Ratajczak, Nippert & Collins ) and in many other grasslands globally (Eldridge et al .…”

“…; Roques, O'Connor & Watkinson ; Fuhlendorf et al . ; Van Auken & McKinley ). Within mesic grasslands, including North American tallgrass prairie, changes in the timing, intensity and frequency of fire have been implicated as important proximate drivers of transitions from grasslands to shrublands and woodlands (Briggs et al .…”

The role of photosynthesis in the recruitment of juvenile Quercus gambelii into mature Q. gambelii communities

“…If the juvenile Q. gambelii plants can survive in the understory at reduced light levels and reduced photosynthetic rates until a tree fall gap appears, they could replace the fallen adult. Although shade may influence recruitment (Griffin 1976, Cierjacks andHensen 2004), other studies indicate herbivory may be as, or more important (Griffin 1976, Allen-Diaz and Bartolome 1992, McPherson 1993, Bonfil 1998, Renauld et al 2003, Rooney 2003, Rossell et al 2005, Van Auken and McKinley 2008, or a synergistic inhibitory effects between herbivory and lower light levels may occur (Quintana-Ascencio et al 1992, Kelly 2002, Riley and Jones 2003, Baraza et al 2004.…”

“…The factors that seem to control recruitment into these communities have also been difficult to identify (Van Auken et al 2004, McKinley andVan Auken 2005). Shade tolerance is a crucial life-history trait that plays a major role in plant community dynamics (Valladares and Niinemets 2008) and it is one of the key attributes required to realistically predict forest dynamics (Bugmann 1996).…”