| Abstract: | Seedling emergence and survival of 15 perennial species were studied for six years in a 557-m2 permanent plot at Tumamoc Hill, Arizona, USA, an ungrazed site in the northern Sonoran Desert. The minimum rain required for germination and emergence ranged from 17.5 to 35.6 mm. Few species emerged in every year of the study. First-year survival averaged across all 15 species was 3.7%; only 0.1% of seedlings lived as long as four years. The odds of survival in the first year improved with increased rain. About three times as many seedlings died from predation as desiccation. In 2-m2 subplots, mortality of three woody species in the first 30 days after emergence appeared to be independent of seedling density. Short-, moderate-, and long-lived species displayed distinct survival strategies. Long-lived species compensated for generally poor seedling survival by frequent germination and emergence. Moderate-lived species exhibited highly episodic germination and emergence, a potentially risky behavior that might have been offset to some extent by relatively good long-term survival. Short-lived species had the highest seedling survival. Because these species can bloom in their first year, good early survival meant that some individuals were able to reproduce before they died. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70027193 |
| Citation Author: | Bowers, J. E.; Turner, R. M.; Burgess, T. L. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | 119 |
| Citation Issue: | 1 |
| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Plant Ecology |
| Citation LatN: | |
| Citation LatS: | |
| Citation LonE: | |
| Citation LonW: | |
| Citation Month: | |
| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | 13 |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | |
| Citation Publisher: | |
| Citation Series: | |
| Citation Series Code: | |
| Citation Series Number: | |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Temporal and spatial patterns in emergence and early survival of perennial plants in the Sonoran Desert; 2004; Article; Journal; Plant Ecology; Bowers, J. E.; Turner, R. M.; Burgess, T. L. |
| Citation Start Page: | 107 |
| Citation Volume: | 172 |
| Citation Year: | 2004 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Temporal and spatial patterns in emergence and early survival of perennial plants in the Sonoran Desert; 2004; Article; Journal; Plant Ecology; Bowers, J. E.; Turner, R. M.; Burgess, T. L. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:VEGE.0000026026.34760.1b |
| Date Other: | Thu, 1 Jan 2004 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | |
