Landscape and species‐level distribution of morphological and life history traits in a temperate woodland flora

Abstract

Abstract. We developed a description of a central New England deciduous hardwood forest based on the distribution within the community of morphological and life history traits (N= 34) and environmental factors. Classification by TWINSPAN of 186 species based on morphological and life history traits identified six major functional groups of species largely corresponding to growth form. A data matrix of plots x traits was ordinated using PCA. Each of the resulting four PCA axes was associated with a major environmental gradient: drainage, site exposure, disturbance due to past land use and degree of disturbance in the 1938 New England Hurricane (24.9, 19.8, 11.7 and 8.4% of the variation respectively). Two patterns suggested that a suite of potentially functional traits, rather than a few key characters (e.g. vital attributes), govern the distribution of species in this community: (1) each of the four axes was largely associated with a different group of traits and (2) each axis was associated with several traits that appeared to sort independently (i.e. not to co‐occur within species). Evaluating one often‐examined trait, there was no evidence that dispersal ability limited the colonization of species into secondary woodlands. We also found that landscape‐scale abundance was associated with a small number of traits. Production of fleshy fruits and few diaspores per plant were positively associated with landscape‐level abundance. Our results suggest that attempts to understand the overall structure and function of this plant community based on a few key characters, such as dispersal ability, will meet with limited success. However, when focusing on one aspect of the community, such as frequency across the landscape, relatively few characters may be important.

Factors Influencing the Abundance of Berry Plants for Black Bears, <em>Ursus americanus</em>, in Quebec

“…In those classifications, drainage is sometimes used to characterize plant communities. However, when considering only the berry species used by Black Bears in those classifications, conclusions are equally variable as those in our study (Whitney 1991;Carter et al 1999;Motzkin et al 1999;Mabry et al 2000). Mabry et al (2000) even identified some morphological traits of berry species that are linked with a dry or humid drainage.…”

“…However, when considering only the berry species used by Black Bears in those classifications, conclusions are equally variable as those in our study (Whitney 1991;Carter et al 1999;Motzkin et al 1999;Mabry et al 2000). Mabry et al (2000) even identified some morphological traits of berry species that are linked with a dry or humid drainage. The results of Motzkin et al (1999) were quite variable, showing that the best predictor of the presence of some berry species is sometimes drainage, sometimes the kind of land use, sometimes the soil quality, or sometimes the presence of natural dis turbances.…”

“…Several attempts involving ecological classification of vegetation have also been done (Whitney 1991;Carter et al 1999;Motzkin et al 1999;Mabry et al 2000). In those classifications, drainage is sometimes used to characterize plant communities.…”

“…In the Gaspésie, clearcuts younger than 15 years old had more berries than older cuts (Boileau et al 1994). Finally, Mabry et al (2000), after a classification of vegetation by morphological traits, affirmed that having berries is a feature associated with high site exposure, or solar radiation potential. Thus, plants with this morphological trait are mostly found in open areas.…”

Effects of extending rotation period on plant species diversity in Larix kaempferi plantations in central Japan

“…Nagaike, A. Hayashi Nagaike [31] showed that the species composition, which is characterized by differences in life form and seed dispersal types, clearly differed between broad-leaved secondary forest and Larix kaempferi plantations. Type of life form and seed dispersal are thought to be ecologically important traits in response to disturbance [4,11,26]. In an Appalachian hardwood forest, the herbaceous component of the herb layer was significantly greater in young clear-cut stands than in mature stands, whereas the woody component of the herb layer was significantly greater in mature stands [9].…”