The importance of <i>Olneya tesota</i> as a nurse plant in the Sonoran Desert

Suzán, Humberto; Nabhan, Gary Paul; Patten, Duncan T.

doi:10.2307/3236375

Cited by 107 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…These findings in a high-altitude cutover agree with other observations in low-altitude semi-arid and arid regions (Endo et al 2008). These results can be attributed mainly to variation in foliation levels related to age-dependent size for individual shrub species, since the shrub shading Table 3 level is positively related to foliation level (ReismanBerman 2007) and a shaded microenvironment reduces ground air temperature in summer (Suzán et al 1996;Shumway 2000). Moreover, the lower temperature and solar radiation would lead to lower VPD (Franco and Nobel 1989) as occurred in the present study (Table 2).…”

Section: Microhabitat Effectsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Shrub island effects on a high-altitude forest cutover in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Wang

Bao

2011

Annals of Forest Science

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The roles of woody-plant islands are well documented in low-altitude regions, but research related to such shrub effects in high-altitude regions is scant. & Aims Four common shrub species (Cerasus trichostoma, Ribes glaciale, Rosa omeiensis and Salix sphaeronymphe) in a high-altitude forest cutover of the eastern Tibetan Plateau, were chosen to evaluate the effects of both species and size of shrub islands on microhabitats, herbaceous communities and woody seedling regeneration. & Methods Total 86 shrubs with different sizes were investigated; The shrub size, herb community structure and species composition, litter, soil nutrient and microclimate parameters beneath the shrub canopies were also measured. & Results All shrubs significantly ameliorated microclimates, increased content of soil organic matter and total nitrogen, both grass and forb species richness, and litter cover and biomass, and promoted woody seedling recruitment (richness and number), but decreased cover and biomass of the herbaceous community beneath them. These effects were greater for larger shrubs, and also varied among shrub species with different crown architectures. We also found differences in species-dependency of the shrub effect for the responses of the herbaceous and woody seedling species, suggesting that shrubs also indirectly facilitate forbs and seedling regeneration through competition release of grasses. We conclude that shrub-island effects are size-and species-dependent. In order to accelerate natural succession and restoration in alpine cutovers, shrub island preservation and their effective utilization as reforestation microhabitats should be integrated into vegetation management procedures.

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Section: Microhabitat Effectsmentioning

confidence: 60%

Shrub island effects on a high-altitude forest cutover in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Wang

Bao

2011

Annals of Forest Science

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“…In the xeric zone, combinations between both life forms were relatively high for P. juliflora -C. repandus (12.2%) and P. juliflora -S. griseus couples (8.2%), suggesting that cactus individuals will be favourably growing near trunks of P. julifora shrubs, mainly under severe water conditions. Habitat under nurse plants canopies may act as an ''environmental buffer'', providing homogeneous abiotic conditions to columnar cacti and other perennials and/or ephemeral species (Suzan et al 1996;Tewksbury and Lloyd 2001). Thus, the existence of nurse plants for cacti sexual recruitment suggests that our semiarid landscape can be an environmental bottleneck, where dispersal efficiency and/ or microclimatic conditions in some safe site can be a common process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Associations, Size–Distance Relationships and Population Structure of Two Dominant Life Forms in a Semiarid Enclave of the Venezuelan Andes

Larrea-Alcázar

Soriano

2006

Plant Ecol

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The role of three thorny legume species as nurse plants and competitive relationships with columnar cacti were evaluated in a semiarid enclave of the Venezuelan Andes. Abundance and size of three columnar cacti species (Stenocereus griseus, Cereus repandus and Pilosocereus tillianus) under isolated shrubs of three thorny legumes species (Prosopis juliflora, Acacia farnesiana and A. macracantha) were recorded and compared with open areas. Using size -distance data we inferred the intensity of intra-and interspecific competition between both life forms in a ''cardonal'' (xeric zone) and ''espinar'' (mesic zone) of the enclave. Sixty-one columnar cacti were found beneath the three thorny legume species (92%), while only 5 cactus individuals were found in open areas (8%). Comparison of observed and expected number of cactus individuals shows that S. griseus and C. repandus are significantly associated with isolated shrubs of A. farnesiana and A. macracantha. Although P. juliflora contributed more than 40% of the total legume plant cover, the number of columnar cacti under its isolated shrubs was significantly lower than would be expected by chance. In all, 19 of 21 possible plant -plant combinations between and within columnar cacti and legume shrubs were recorded (espinar: 18, cardonal: 13, common combinations: 12). In both zones, intra-and interspecific combinations among columnar cacti species were relatively high (positive correlation between the sum of neighbour plant sizes and the distances separating them). Our results strongly suggest, at least for case of S. griseus and C. repandus, that these columnar cacti species require nurse plants for their establishment. The results on interference need still support from further research. We discuss the effects of plant -plant positive interactions on natural regeneration of these columnar cacti.

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“…The restrictions imposed by water scarcity and high temperatures in this environments can be reduced by nurse-plant canopies (Patten, 1978;Smith et al, 1987), as well as outcrops and stones (Steenbergh & Lowe, 1969;Danin, 1999). In addition, the shrubs can modify other environmental variables such as solar radiation (Franco & Nobel, 1989), soil fertility (García-Moya & McKell, 1970;Franco & Nobel, 1989;Cross & Schlesinger, 1999), mechanical injury and browsing (McAuliffe, 1984b;Suzán et al, 1996). Protection and habitat amelioration by shrubs are underlying causes of clumped distribution of cacti (Vandermeer, 1980;McAuliffe, 1984a, b), while negative 1986); however, some species growing in the coastal shrubland of Topolobampo, which are sheltered by shrubs in other dry zones (Cody, 1993;Arriaga et al, 1993), appear to occupy the interstices among shrubs under more benign conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%