On the Ecology of Short‐lived Forbs in Chalk Grasslands: Life‐history Characteristics

Abstract

Summary The life‐histories of Carlina vulgaris L., Daucus carota L., Euphrasia officinalis L., Gentianella germanica (Willd). Börner, Linum catharticum L., and Scabiosa columbaria L. in a chalk grassland in the Netherlands are described on the basis of frequent observations during a period of three and a half years. E. officinalis and a small part of the L. catharticum population were found to be annual. G. germanica and the major part of the L. catharticum population were biennial, whereas the other species took several years to reach maturity. All species except the major part of the Scabiosa columbaria population were monocarpic. Vegetation cover influenced the occurrence of short‐lived forbs, but a large variation is found in the data. In D. carota, E. officinalis and Scabiosa columbaria seed production had a marked effect on seedling density in the following year. Shoot growth in Scabiosa columbaria seedlings varied at various vegetation densities. Furthermore, a marked correlation was found between rosette size and the probability of becoming mature in the subsequent year. Within one grassland, life‐history types within the group of short‐lived species are found to vary. On the one hand, there are the small‐seeded annuals with high mortality, but rather constant density of mature plants (Euphrasia), and on the other hand there are the more conservative life histories (Carlina, Daucus and Scabiosa), with larger seeds, lower mortality rates, but higher age of first reproduction and considerable variation in the density' of individuals.

Morphological and reproductive responses of dominant plant species to local conditions in herbaceous successional stages of a calcareous hillside

“…These patterns are consistent with studies showing that the sexual reproductive effort of early successional species declines in grasslands dominated by competitive grasses (Verkaar and Schenkeveld, 1984) or by shrubs (Newell and Tramer, 1978). This decrease in sexual reproduction is likely related to increased competition for light in closed turfs dominated by grasses (Grubb et al, 1997).…”

Mating structure and inbreeding and outbreeding depression in the rare plant Gentianella germanica (Gentianaceae)

“…Study species-Gentianella germanica (Gentianaceae) is a biennial species that germinates in spring, forms a rosette during the first year, dies back above ground in winter, re-emerges in spring, and flowers in the autumn of its second year (Hegi, 1926;Verkaar and Schenkeveld, 1984). Flowering plants typically reach a height of 5-30 cm and produce 3-30 flowers (Hegi, 1926).…”

Phenotypic plasticity in Carlina vulgaris: effects of geographical origin, population size, and population isolation

“…(Ko¨rner and Meusel 1986). Seed recruitment and population persistence in C. vulgaris, as in many other monocarpic perennials, is largely dependent on vegetation disturbance through grazing or trampling (Verkaar and Schenkeveld 1984;Sebald et al 1996;Lö fgren et al 2000;Rose et al 2002;Franze´n and Eriksson 2003), and in open habitats it appears to be sensitive to strong drought (van der Meijden et al 1992). The species has declined due to the cessation of traditional grassland management in large parts of central Europe (Korneck et al 1996;Sebald et al 1996).…”

“…The insect-pollinated, mainly outcrossed florets are produced from June to October. Seeds (achenes) have a small pappus and are presumably dispersed over rather short distances, and there seems to be no persistent seed bank (Verkaar and Schenkeveld 1984;Hegi 1987;Klinkhamer et al 1991Klinkhamer et al , 1996Rose et al 2002;Franze´n and Eriksson 2003).…”