To resprout or not to resprout: factors driving intraspecific variability in resprouting

Abstract

Resprouting is a mechanism that allows individual plants to persist in disturbance‐prone ecosystems. It is often considered a binary trait, defining species as resprouters or non‐resprouters. Although this dichotomous classification accounts for a high proportion of the interspecific variability in resprouting, it does not account for the intraspecific variability, as not all individuals of resprouting species successfully resprout, even if they are subject to a similar disturbance. To ascertain the causes of the intraspecific variability in resprouting we propose a conceptual model that disaggregates the process of resprouting into three sequential steps: initial ability to resprout, resprouting vigour and post‐resprouting survival. To test this model, we clipped 151 plants of three resprouting species (Anthyllis cytisoides, Globularia alypum and Linum suffruticosum) and, for each individual, we analysed the carbohydrate (starch and soluble sugars) and nutrient (N and P) concentrations in the roots at the moment of the disturbance (clipping all aboveground biomass). We then monitored initial ability to resprout, resprouting vigour and post‐resprouting survival in each individual during a one‐year period. Anthyllis showed high initial ability to resprout and high post‐resprouting survival. Globularia and Linum had low final resprouting success, mainly due to their low post‐resprouting survival, but also to the low initial ability to resprout in Linum. All three species showed variable resprouting vigour. Our results suggest that resprouting success is limited by different phases of the process of resprouting, depending on the species. Intraspecific variability in resprouting supported the importance of: a) the pre‐disturbance state of the plant (i.e. plant size and stored resources) on the initial ability to resprout and on the resprouting vigour, and b) the initial post‐disturbance capacity to acquire resources (i.e. resprouting vigour) on the post‐resprouting survival. The proposed three‐step model of resprouting provides a mechanistic description of the factors driving intraspecific variability in resprouting.

Sequential Management of Commercial Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) Plantations in Central Amazonia: Seeking Sustainable Models for Essential Oil Production

“…Fang et al [42], studying regrowth ecophysiology, describe a decrease in TSS concentrations during the regrowth process, wherein root tissues became the source in a source-sink system. This agrees with other studies that have concluded that a capacity to mobilize such reserves, and so support sprouting shoot growth, is predominant in the period following pollarding [34,36,[75][76][77].…”

“…The post-harvest regrowth capacity of a tree is influenced by such factors as pre-disturbance condition [32,33], initial capacity to acquire post-disturbance resources, genetic predisposition [34], as well the dormant seedbank [35]. In rosewood, vigorous regrowth of managed trees has been reported [6,7,36].…”

“…Post-harvest plants have no immediate photosynthetic capacity and therefore require nutrient stocks in their underground organs to meet the demands of respiration and the regrowth process until leaves appear on regrown shoots [34,40]. Additionally, several authors [33,[41][42][43] have associated photosynthetic characteristics with the nutritional status of sprouting.…”

The role of root buds in the regeneration of Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Salicaceae) in the cerrado, São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil

“…In order to support respiratory demands and initiate sprouting, such plants shall have sufficient carbohydrates and nutrients stored in their underground organs (Bowen & Pate 1993). Moreira et al (2012) while studying factors driving intraspecific variability in sprouting, found that resources stored by the plant pre-disturbance can boost its initial ability to sprout and the sprouting vigor and, consequently, its initial post-disturbance ability to acquire new resources. Likewise, the development of root buds depends on the resources stored by the main trunk.…”

Global Environmental Change in Drylands: Ecohydrological Controls on Plant Communities

“…Following other studies (e.g., Andeires et al, 2002;Van Langevelde et al, 2003;Beckage et al, 2009;Yu and D'Odorico, 2014a), the rate of change of shrub biomass is proportional to the existing shrub biomass, S, and to the resources available for new shrub growth, Smax-S, while fireinduced disturbance kills shrubs at a rate that is proportional to the existing shrub biomass and to fire frequency, , Consistent with other studies (e.g., Andeires et al, 2002;Van Langevelde et al, 2003;Yu and D'Odorico, 2014a), this model does not account for resprouting of shrubs after fires, a trait that is species-specific and is expected to favor State II (e.g., Chidumayo, 2004;Vest et al, 2004;Moreira et al, 2012). Thus, grasses may limit shrub growth only through fire dynamics but not through a preferential access to the available resources.…”