Fire, rain and the selection of seeder and resprouter life-histories in fire-recruiting, woody plants.
Several Cape species of the genus Erica are known to present seeder and resprouter phenotypes, and this variation seems to have a genetic basis. Therefore, this genus provides ideal model systems for using to elucidate the evolution of nonsprouting or seeder and resprouter life-histories in woody, fire-recruiting plants. A simple simulation model was developed to identify, under life-history optimality, the ecological conditions (viz. rainfall conditions and fire frequency) that conferred a selective advantage to the seeder phenotype over the resprouter in a given Cape Erica species. The model illustrated that the seeder life-history was able to invade and replace a resprouter population only under a mild mediterranean climate, with short, moderate summer droughts. This simulation approach will contribute to a better understanding of the biogeographical pattern of seeder and resprouter lineages of one of the paradigmatic fynbos woody taxa throughout the Cape floristic region.
Ojeda
Fernando
F
Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Cádiz, CASEM, Campus Río San Pedro, 11510-Puerto Real, Spain. fernando.ojeda@uca.es
Brun
Fernando G
FG
Vergara
Juan J
JJ
D005075:Biological Evolution; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017753:Ecosystem; D029791:Ericaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D005390:Fires; D008954:Models, Biological; D063245:Plant Development; D011891:Rain; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors