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SOIL HETEROGENEITY AND PLANT COMPETITION IN ANANNUAL GRASSLAND

1997; Wiley; Volume: 78; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1890/0012-9658(1997)078[2076

1939-9170

Heather L. Reynolds, Bruce A. Hungate, F. Stuart Chapin, Carla M. D’Antonio,

Plant Parasitism and Resistance

EcologyVolume 78, Issue 7 p. 2076-2090 Article SOIL HETEROGENEITY AND PLANT COMPETITION IN ANANNUAL GRASSLAND Heather L. Reynolds, Heather L. Reynolds Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USA Present address:W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, 3700 East Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060 USA.Search for more papers by this authorBruce A. Hungate, Bruce A. Hungate Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USA Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, P.O. Box 28, Edgewater, Maryland 21037-0028 USA.Search for more papers by this authorF. S. Chapin III, F. S. Chapin III Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USASearch for more papers by this authorCarla M. D'Antonio, Carla M. D'Antonio Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USASearch for more papers by this author Heather L. Reynolds, Heather L. Reynolds Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USA Present address:W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, 3700 East Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060 USA.Search for more papers by this authorBruce A. Hungate, Bruce A. Hungate Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USA Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, P.O. Box 28, Edgewater, Maryland 21037-0028 USA.Search for more papers by this authorF. S. Chapin III, F. S. Chapin III Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USASearch for more papers by this authorCarla M. D'Antonio, Carla M. D'Antonio Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 October 1997 https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1997)078[2076:SHAPCI]2.0.CO;2Citations: 44 Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Variation in competitive ability due to variation in soil characteristics is one possible mechanism allowing the local coexistence of plant species. We measured soil water, depth, and nitrogen pools and fluxes in distinct patches of three serpentine grassland species to determine whether soil heterogeneity existed and was correlated with plant species abundance. Through experimental manipulation of species' abundances, we also examined the relative importance of inherent site characteristics vs. plant species' effects in generating heterogeneity in the measured soil characteristics; and measured species' competitive abilities in different patch types. The three common grassland annuals, Calycadenia multiglandulosum, Plantago erecta, and Lasthenia californica, were segregated with respect to the measured soil characteristics. Differences in soil water, soil depth, soil microbial nitrogen, and soil carbon to nitrogen ratio were due to inherent site characteristics, while differences in nitrate availability were strongly affected by the identity of the species currently growing in a soil patch. 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