Demographic Studies of Anthyllis Vulneraria L. In the Netherlands

Abstract

In the course of 4 to 6 years demographic studies were made of several coastal populations of Anthyllis vulneraria L. var. langei Jalas and of an inland population of the var. vulneraria. Fluctuations in the population density, in the biomass and in the rate of flowering were recorded, and in addition the relation between life span and flower production was investigated.Coastal populations appear to exhibit a far greater fluctuation in density, annual biomass production and rate of flowering than the inland population studied. These different degrees of fluctuation are associated with differences in the environment. In the interior, fewer flowers are produced per plant and the plants more often flower only once, whilst more plants start flowering at a later age than is the case in coastal populations. The differences in the pattern of flowering are most probably correlated with the denser stands of vegetation at the site in the interior where the mutual competition among the plants is stronger. The total life-span of the plants appears to be about the same near the coast and in the interior. Coverage: mosses and lichensRe leve E I: Hypnum cupressiforme L. var. elatum B.S. 70%, Dicranum scoparium Hedw. 20%; Re le ve E 2: Hypnum cupressiforme L. var. elatum B.S. 20%, Dicranum scoparium Hedw. 20%, Cladonia impexa Harm. p, Cladonia pityrea (Florke) Fr. a, Cladonia rangiformis Hoffm. p, Cladonia furcata Schrad. a; Re le ve E 3: Hypnum cupressiforme L. var. elatum B.S. 50%; Re lev e E 5: Hypnum cupressiforme L. var. elatum B.S. 40%; Re le ve T: Cladonia furcata Schrad. p, Cladonia rangiformis Hoffm. p, Peltigera spuria (Ach.) DC. r, Cladonia chlorophaea Spreng. p, Ceratodon purpureus Brid. p, Tortula ruralis Ehrh. p; Re leve W: Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. 02, Camptothecium lutescens (Hedw.) B. and G. a, Campylium chrysophyllum (Brid.) Lange a, Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) Fleisch. a, Weissia controversa Hedw. p, Brachythecium rutabulum (L.) B.S.

Characteristics of Three Populations of a Swamp Annual Under Different Temperature Regimes

“…For example, 80% of all L. leptocarpa plants were in fruit by the end of the first growing season but <40% of the plants fruited the second season. Similarly, Sterk (1975) reported strong year-to-year fluctuations in flowering plant density and biomass in inland, coastal, and island populations of Anthyllis vulneraria. He attributed the smaller fluctuation in biomass in the inland population to its greater density and less variable habitat.…”

“…(1970) regarded seed size as one of the least plastic components of reproductive yield in plants subjected to density stress; however, considerable variability of mean seed size might be expected across locations or from year to year. Sterk (1975) reported differences in seed mass within the same species at geographically different sites. McWilliams et a!.…”

Demographic effects of extreme weather events on a short‐lived calcareous grassland species: stochastic life table response experiments

“…Seeds weigh between 1.7 and 2.8 mg (mean: 2.4 mg) (Klotz, Kühn & Durka 2002) and lack specific adaptations for dispersal. The species has no persistent seed bank (Sterk 1975; Sterk et al. 1982; Dutoit & Alard 1995).…”

Seedling Survivorship in Natural Populations of Nine Perennial Chalk Grassland Plants

“…In this communication we report observations on seedling survivorship in natural populations of nine species of chalk grassland habitats in Britain. Only one of these species (Athyllis vulnerariaX) has been the subject of a published demographic study before (Sterk, 1975).…”