Reproductive ecology of forest trees
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document in English
biology
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published 19/11/2008
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Summary
Plant reproductive processes encompass biotic interactions, such as pollination and seed predation and dispersal, and abiotic elements, notably disturbance that creates differential reproductive opportunities for plant groups and thereby maintains diverse forest formations.
There are several important stages in the regeneration of trees, the first of which is the allocation of resources to reproductive structures as opposed to vegetative growth. Among flowering plants, that comprise the majority of tree species, allocation to reproductive structures such as flowers, seeds, and fruit may vary enormously and may comprise a substantial portion of photosynthate. Even within plant families some trees (e.g., some dipterocarps of the genus Shorea) produce several million tiny flowers, while others (e.g., Dipterocarpus) produce only a few hundred relatively large flowers. Flower number and morphology reflect pollinator syndromes while the trade-off between seed size and number has also generated a huge variety of options for reproductive success. Beyond being a crucial step in seed production, pollination is the first of two stages by which gene flow is affected, by gamete dispersal within populations. Seed dispersal represents a second opportunity for gene flow as seeds are transported to new locations by a variety of dispersal vectors.
There are several important stages in the regeneration of trees, the first of which is the allocation of resources to reproductive structures as opposed to vegetative growth. Among flowering plants, that comprise the majority of tree species, allocation to reproductive structures such as flowers, seeds, and fruit may vary enormously and may comprise a substantial portion of photosynthate. Even within plant families some trees (e.g., some dipterocarps of the genus Shorea) produce several million tiny flowers, while others (e.g., Dipterocarpus) produce only a few hundred relatively large flowers. Flower number and morphology reflect pollinator syndromes while the trade-off between seed size and number has also generated a huge variety of options for reproductive success. Beyond being a crucial step in seed production, pollination is the first of two stages by which gene flow is affected, by gamete dispersal within populations. Seed dispersal represents a second opportunity for gene flow as seeds are transported to new locations by a variety of dispersal vectors.
Table of Contents
- Introduction.
- General reproductive strategies.
- Vegetative reproduction.
- Sexual reproduction.
- Pollination of angiosperms.
- Pollination by vertebrates.
- Pollination by invertebrates.
- Wind pollination.
- Breeding systems and incompatibility.
- Seed morphology and dispersal.
- Seed size.
- Seed dispersal.
- Seed and seedling banks.
- Natural disturbance.
- Conclusion.
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