Detailed Information on Publication Record
2016
Experimental evidence from Cantabrian mountain heathlands suggests new recommendations for management of Vaccinium myrtillus L
PATO, Joaquina, José Ramón OBESO, Emilie F. PLOQUIN and Francisco De Borja JIMÉNEZ ALFARO GONZÁLEZBasic information
Original name
Experimental evidence from Cantabrian mountain heathlands suggests new recommendations for management of Vaccinium myrtillus L
Authors
PATO, Joaquina (724 Spain), José Ramón OBESO (724 Spain), Emilie F. PLOQUIN (724 Spain) and Francisco De Borja JIMÉNEZ ALFARO GONZÁLEZ (724 Spain, belonging to the institution)
Edition
PLANT ECOLOGY & DIVERSITY, 2016, 1755-0874
Other information
Language
English
Type of outcome
Článek v odborném periodiku
Field of Study
10600 1.6 Biological sciences
Country of publisher
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Confidentiality degree
není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství
Impact factor
Impact factor: 1.809
RIV identification code
RIV/00216224:14310/16:00093973
Organization unit
Faculty of Science
UT WoS
000384307500008
Keywords in English
Calluna vulgaris; cutting; competition; facilitation; heathland management; nitrogen fertilization
Změněno: 5/4/2017 18:31, Ing. Andrea Mikešková
Abstract
V originále
Background: Management actions in mountain heathlands oriented to increasing the cover of Vaccinium myrtillus promote mowing of Calluna vulgaris to avoid competition. However, such action ignores the fact that plant-plant interactions range from competition to facilitation under different stress conditions. Aims: To test whether the interactions between these two species are related to competition or facilitation, which would change the perspective for their management in mountain heathlands. Methods: A total of 40 experimental plots located in a montane heathland (northern Spain) were selected. Calluna or Vaccinium plants were either cut at ground level or not cut, and plots were fertilized with nitrogen or not in a three-factorial design. Vegetative and reproductive shoot mass and length of the current year's shoots were estimated in two consecutive years for both species. Herbivory on Vaccinium by browsing ungulates was compared in control plots and plots where Calluna had been cut 2 yrs ago. Results: The two study species co-occurred in 72.4% of the sampled plots, although Calluna was more abundant. Vaccinium growth was greater in plots with Calluna than in plots where Calluna had been cut. Browsing on Vaccinium was also higher in plots were Calluna had been cut, and the effect of fertilization was only significant on the reproductive biomass of Calluna. Conclusions: Contrary to initial proposals, our results suggest that Vaccinium does not always benefit from the cutting of Calluna in heathlands. Thus, the management of Cantabrian mountain heathlands should consider maintaining Calluna in order to facilitate the growth of Vaccinium.
Links
| EE2.3.30.0037, research and development project |
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