The Allometry of Saguaro Height

Niklas, Karl J.; Buchman, Stephen L.

doi:10.2307/2445478

Cited by 31 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…In the case of shrubs, the arrangement of the leaves on the stem is a fixed pattern that should be maintained to enhance light capture and resource distribution. Scale symmetry is a measurement of the aboveground architecture, which is important in determining the amount of light interception and subsequently a plant's overall photosynthetic and growth rates (Pearcy et al 1987), as much as to maintain mechanical stability (Niklas 1992(Niklas , 1993(Niklas , 1994aNiklas & Buchman 1994). Random variation in the regression line that relates internode length with node order on a log-log scale, measures the rupture in the mechanisms preserving growth forms and, as a result, is a good estimator of developmental instability, as previously demonstrated (Alados et al 1994;Escós et al 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Branch structures are designated to perform more than one task simultaneously, for example, radiation interception, hydraulic conductivity and wind resistance (Farnsworth & Niklas 1995). Allometric relations between plant parts are maintained during growth so that the entire structure maintains its mechanical stability (Niklas 1992(Niklas , 1993(Niklas , 1994aNiklas & Buchman 1994) and they are consistent within species (White 1981;Weller 1987). Several authors have observed plant allometry alterations by species competition (Weiner & Thomas 1992;Weiner & Fishman 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of grazing on plant fractal architecture and fitness of a Mediterranean shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L.

1997

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Summary1. We examined natural grazing by livestock (sheep and goats) on Albaida Anthyllis cytisoides L. with the aim of determining whether variation in the allometric relationships between plant parts provides a sensitive indicator of the impact of grazing. 2. The intra-individual variation in translatory symmetry with scale and increased complexity of fractal structures reflect environmental disturbance under heavy grazing pressure and lack of grazing. 3. Fitness consequences of grazing were also investigated. Grazing promotes growth and adult survival, and a drop in seed production as a consequence of consumption. In spite of that, total inclusive fitness (population rate of change) tends to increase with grazing. 4. Moderate grazing, while promoting growth, also enhances stability of vegetative structures. The favourable effect of moderate levels of herbivory on A. cytisoides is reflected in the homeostatic maintenance of its translatory symmetry and in the increased complexity of its fractal structures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of grazing on plant fractal architecture and fitness of a Mediterranean shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L.

1997

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“…Natural selection should favor processes that minimize developmental error of traits that are functionally important to maintain fitness in organism (Fowler and Whitlock 1994). Allometric relationships among plant parts are important in maintaining mechanical stability (Niklas 1992(Niklas , 1996Niklas and Buchman 1994) and in minimizing the mutual shading of leaves on the same plant (Freeman et al, in press). Allometry, however, must also be responsive to changes in the local environment (e.g., internode lengths typically respond to changes in the light regime).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human–landscape interactions in the Conquezuela–Ambrona Valley (Soria, continental Iberia): From the early Neolithic land use to the origin of the current oak woodland

Aranbarri

González-Sampériz

Iriarte

et al. 2015

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

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We investigated the sensitivity of developmental instability measurements (leaf fluctuating asymmetry, floral radial asymmetry, and shoot translational asymmetry) to a long-standing natural stress (grazing) in a palatable tannin-producing shrub (Periploca laevigata Aiton). We also assessed the relationship between these measures of developmental instability and fitness components (growth and floral production). Developmental instability, measured by translational asymmetry, was the most accurate estimator of a plant's condition and, consequently, environmental stress. Plants with less translational asymmetry grew more and produced more flowers. Plants from the medium-grazed population were developmentally more stable, as estimated by translational and floral asymmetry, than either more heavily or more lightly grazed populations. Leaf fluctuating asymmetry was positively correlated with tannin concentration. The pattern of internode growth also responded to grazing impact. Plants under medium to heavy grazing pressure accelerated early growth and consequently escaped herbivory later in the season, i.e., at the beginning of the spring, when grazing activity was concentrated in herbaceous plants. Periploca laevigata accelerated growth and finished growing sooner than in the other grazing treatment. Thus, its annual growth was more mature and less palatable later in the season when grazers typically concentrate on shrubs. The reduction of developmental instability under medium grazing is interpreted as a direct effect of grazing and not as the release from competition.

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“…Within the Cactaceae family, the Cactoideae subfamily displays a wide diversity in growth forms and inhabits environments from the most mesic to the most xeric (Ortega-Baes et al 2010). Nevertheless, the allometric relationships between the form and cellular size of tracheary elements (Niklas and Buchman 1994;Niklas et al 1999) and plant size have been studied in few species (Gibson and Nobel 1986;Niklas et al 2000Niklas et al , 2003Arias and Terrazas 2001;Terrazas and Loza-Cornejo 2003). Gibson and Nobel (1986) mentioned the existence of a positive scaling between fiber and vessel element lengths with different growth forms within the subfamily Cactoideae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stem and wood allometric relationships in Cacteae (Cactaceae)

Vázquez-Sánchez

Terrazas

2011

Trees

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Allometric relationships in organisms are considered a universal phenomenon. A positive scaling has been reported between stem size and cellular size of tracheary elements in wood of different vascular plants, but few studies have been carried out in slow-growing succulent plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a relationship exists between size, growth form and wood cell size among individual species of Cacteae. Forty-four species belonging to 16 genera of the tribe Cacteae with differing growth forms and sizes were studied. When analyzing plant size, we found a positive allometric scaling and the larger-sized species showing a higher percentage of succulent tissue and less accumulation of wood tissue. The positive scaling found between plant size (height and diameter) and vessel elements and fiber length support the universality of the allometric relationship proposed for other vascular plants with non-succulent stems. Notably, wide-band tracheids do not scale with plant size or growth form. Succulence associated with narrow vessel elements with distinctive helical secondary walls and wide-band tracheids suggest they are the key adaptations to tolerate drought and provide support to the stems of most taxa in Cacteae. Fibers do not have the primary role of giving mechanical support; therefore, we assume the scarce fibers in clusters represent reaction wood that, along with the fundamental tissue, maintains the vertical position and shape of those species growing in rocky cracks. Our results with species having short succulent stems support the universal theory of positive allometric scaling of vascular plants.

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The Allometry of Saguaro Height

Cited by 31 publications

References 0 publications

The impact of grazing on plant fractal architecture and fitness of a Mediterranean shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L.

The impact of grazing on plant fractal architecture and fitness of a Mediterranean shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L.

Human–landscape interactions in the Conquezuela–Ambrona Valley (Soria, continental Iberia): From the early Neolithic land use to the origin of the current oak woodland

Stem and wood allometric relationships in Cacteae (Cactaceae)

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