Herbivore-Limited Establishment of a Sonoran Desert Tree, Cerciduium Microphyllum
McAuliffe JR. 1986. Herbivore-Limited Establishment of a Sonoran Desert Tree, Cerciduium Microphyllum. Ecology. 67(1):276-280
Factors limiting the establishment of foothills palo verde were studied at three Sonoran Desert locations, one of the study sites being at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Little mortality was observed from causes other than herbivory by lagomorphs, and the conclusion is drawn that successful reproduction depends largely on protection offered seedlings by other perennial plants or "nurse trees." Seedlings growing under the canopies of other perennials were eaten less often than those in the open. Such reliance on physical refuges may be a little-recognized but important factor in the distribution of some desert plants. Bibliography, (3 figures, 3 tables in draft; 1 figure, 2 tables in published version).
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- McAuliffe, Joseph
- Units
- ORPI , SAGU
- Keywords
- bajadas, Botany, Competition (Species), Establishment, foothill palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum), Habitats, Herbivores, Herbivory, limiting factors, Mortality, Reproduction, seedling mortality, Sonoran Desert