Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Weekley, Carl [1], Menges, Eric [2].

The population dynamics of the endangered herb Liatris ohlingerae (Asteraceae) in Florida scrub and roadside habitats.

Variations in disturbance regimes may alter the population dynamics of plant species. We investigated the demography of Liatris ohlingerae (scrub blazing-star), a perennial herb endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge, in roadsides and in Florida scrub sites differing in time-since-fire. We compared mean annual survival, plant size at flowering, reproductive activity, and the impact of herbivory in six roadside and 13 scrub populations. To further explore fire effects, we conducted a "clip and burn" experiment. Mean annual survival did not differ between roadside and scrub populations nor with time-since-fire. Scrub plants had significantly greater total stem length than roadside plants in all eleven years analyzed. In eight years, scrub plants had significantly fewer stems and fewer herbivorized stems than roadside plants, and in seven years, scrub plants had significantly more flowering heads. Time-since-fire generally had little impact on vital rates or herbivory. In the "clip and burn" experiment, survival of clipped and burned plants did not differ significantly from the control. Our results show that L. ohlingerae plants in scrub sites are larger and more fecund than roadside plants and that scrub populations are tolerant of individual fires and a range of fire return intervals.

Broader Impacts:

Related Links:
Species account for Liatris ohlingerae
Archbold Biological Station Plant Ecology Program home page

1 - Archbold Biological Station, Plant Ecology Program, PO Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL, 33862, USA
2 - ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION, PO BOX 2057, LAKE PLACID, FL, 33862, USA

Keywords:
Lake Wales Ridge
plant demography
endemic
fire
vital rates.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 34
Location: Portland Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: 34001
Abstract ID:110