SEED BANK DYNAMICS WITHIN A METAPOPULATION FRAMEWORK: A STUDY OF AN ANT-DISPERSED SPECIES

<p><strong>Questions. </strong>How do spatial and temporal landscape dynamics, including past disturbance, affect the distribution of the seed bank of an early-succession species? Do these factors ultimately influence above-ground subpopulation persistence within a metapopulation framework?<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Location. </strong>Granite-gneiss outcrops within mixed hardwood-conifer forest in Michigan, USA<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Methods. </strong>We studied the distribution of the <em>Capnoides sempervirens</em> seed bank on outcrops and within the forest matrix in relation to landscape and physiographic (<em>n </em>= 517). Above-ground plant persistence (<em>n </em>= 144) in relation to landscape and habitat variables was also investigated.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Results. </strong>Seeds were found up to 175 m from outcrops, but seed presence generally decreased with increased distance to outcrops. Areas of recent fire had both increased abundance and greater frequency of occurrence of seeds. Seed presence on outcrops shared no relationship with adult plants, but instead corresponded to increased groundcover at sampling locations.<strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Conclusions. </strong>Results indicated seed distribution is not random but reliant upon spatial and temporal predictors. Increased seed presence in relation to adult-plant habitat demonstrated seed bank distribution has some dependence on distance from source populations and primary disperser activity, but the presence of seeds within the greater forest matrix also indicated reliance on landscape, physiographic, or disturbance-related factors. Seed distribution has the potential to influence subpopulation persistence.<strong></strong></p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Sprengelmeyer, Emily E

Contributors dc:contributor

• Alan Rebertus

• Seed bank
• Metapopulation
• Disturbance
• Dispersal mechanisms
• Capnoides sempervirens
• Life Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/5

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1012