Regeneration by Natural Layering of Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Frequency and Characteristics in Upland Britain

Macdonald, Angus; Kirkpatrick, Alex; Hester, Alison J.; Sydes, C.

doi:10.2307/2404418

Cited by 28 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…30 Aerts et al 14 showed that Molinia caerulea proportionately allocates twice the production to roots than Calluna vulgaris. At this study site the Calluna plants exhibited strong layering 31 which is accompanied by production of shallow and adventitious roots, associated with a high summer water table. 1 As well as having a greater mass, grass roots are likely to decompose faster than heather roots due to lesser lignification of their tissues.…”

Section: Effect Of Vegetation Type On Dung N Incorporationmentioning

confidence: 91%

Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

Shepherd

Anderson

Bol³

et al. 2000

Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom.

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The rate and depth of cattle dung incorporation into moorland soil may be an important factor influencing plant community dynamics through its effects on soil nutrient availability. This study traces the incorporation of 15N‐labelled dung into a moorland soil under two vegetation types in Dartmoor National Park, UK. Cores of treated and control soil 10 cm deep were collected at 2, 4, 8 and 16 week intervals and divided into 2 cm depth increments. Soil samples were freeze‐dried, ground and analysed for atom% 15N and %N content using continuous‐flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry. The contribution of dung N to the soil N pool was estimated by changes in atom% 15N of the soil. The incorporation of dung dry matter into the soil was also calculated. The labile component of the dung N was incorporated deeper and more rapidly into soil under grass than under heather vegetation. The implications of these processes for the dynamics of upland plant communities are considered in relation to the ability of plants to compete for nutrients. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Effect Of Vegetation Type On Dung N Incorporationmentioning

confidence: 91%

Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

Shepherd

Anderson

Bol³

et al. 2000

Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom.

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“…By contrast, Calluna-dominated habitat at Abernethy lies at middle altitudes in the Cairngorms, where there is little evidence of increasing nitrogen deposition, at least not before 1990 (Pitcairn et al 1995). Although reduced burning at Abernethy was causing the average age of Calluna to rise, rejuvenation by rooting of prostrate stems or layering *Email: mark.hancock@rspb.org.uk (Gimingham 1988;MacDonald et al 1995) is widespread at the site. This process is rare in some other, drier heaths, such as the Brecklands in southern England (Marrs 1988).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exceptionalCalluna vulgariswinter die-back event, Abernethy Forest, Scottish Highlands

Hancock

2008

Plant Ecology & Diversity

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Background: Calluna vulgaris is a woody shrub forming plant communities of economic and international conservation importance. Following winter 2002-2003, there was exceptional Calluna die-back in the central Scottish Highlands. Aim: To understand the effects and causes of this die-back event at Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve, Cairngorms National Park. Methods: Patterns of weather, foliage moisture and microclimate were interpreted in relation to patterns of Calluna vulgaris die-back. Vegetation development was investigated over 4 years, based on pre-existing monitoring plots. Results: February 2003 included a period of exceptionally low air humidity, during which unusually low Calluna shoot moisture readings were made, particularly in areas that subsequently had severe die-back. In monitored areas, Calluna cover declined by a third, with minimal recovery after three growing seasons. Die-back was more severe where Calluna was longer-stemmed and less abundant, and where topography was flatter or more north-facing. These topographical features, and die-back, were correlated with colder winter microclimates. A doubling in Vaccinium myrtillus cover in forest plots was strongly correlated with the pattern of Calluna die-back. Meteorological data showed an eight-fold increase in the variability of winter humidity minima since 1983-1984. Conclusions: Die-back probably followed severe 'winter desiccation', caused by extreme low humidity conditions, combined with low temperatures, lack of snow cover, and Calluna vulnerability due to age. It led to a major vegetation change in the direction of management aims at this site, but contrary to aims at many other Calluna-dominated sites. The importance of climatic variability as a potential driver of major vegetation change is emphasised.

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“…C. vulgaris has a high reproductive capacity" producing large quantities (up to 10^ seeds m"^) of very small seeds (0-6 x 0-2 mm) that remain viable in a seed bank for up to 150yr (Legg et a!., 1992;Cumming & Legg, 1995). Vegetative reproduction occurs as a result of adventitious rooting of prostrate branches (Gimingham, 1960;MacDonald et al, 1995). C, vulgaris is strongly self-incompatible (Dommee, 1969), and is both wind-and insect-pollinated (Knuth, 1908;Hagerup, 1950;Herrera, 1987).…”

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Allozyme diversity and genetic structure in South‐Western populations of heather, Calluna vulgaris

et al. 1997

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SUMMARYGenetic diversity, population genetic structure and gene flow in Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull were assessed by means of seven allozyme loci scored in 18 populations from the South-Western area of the species' range. Genetic diversity was lower (H.^ = 0-20) than reported for long-lived widespread species but was characterized by a high number of alleles per locus (5'60at the species level) of which more than 70'-\) were rare. More than 95 "r, of genetic variation vi'as found at the intrapopulation level (G^T -0'047). High levels of past gene flow-were inferred, based on the allozyme data (A'^ = 5-2 from G^T, A''^, = 10-2 from the 'private allele' method). Calluna vulgaris exhibited several geographic patterns of genetic variation. Both cluster analysis, constructed with various genetic distances and principal components analysis showed that Spanish and Pyrenean populations were clearly different from those collected in the Massif Central and Belgium. Also, a trend for decreasing genetic diversity towards Northern populations was detected. These patterns might be related to the post-glacial history' of Calluna. In addition, it is shown that isolation by distance has played a role in the geographic shaping of genetic \'ariation in this species.

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Regeneration by Natural Layering of Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Frequency and Characteristics in Upland Britain

Cited by 28 publications

References 12 publications

Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

An exceptionalCalluna vulgariswinter die-back event, Abernethy Forest, Scottish Highlands

Allozyme diversity and genetic structure in South‐Western populations of heather, Calluna vulgaris

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Regeneration by Natural Layering of Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Frequency and Characteristics in Upland Britain

Cited by 28 publications

References 12 publications

Incorporation of15N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

Incorporation of15N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

An exceptionalCalluna vulgariswinter die-back event, Abernethy Forest, Scottish Highlands

Allozyme diversity and genetic structure in South‐Western populations of heather, Calluna vulgaris

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Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

Incorporation of¹⁵N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities