Germination success of gut-passed seeds of plant species in semi steppe rangelands: survival and ecological correlate with seed traits and standing vegetation
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
During last two decades studies on endozoochorous seed dispersal indicated that a large numbers of plant seeds are potentially dispersed and suceefully germinated via animal dung. However, very little is known about the relative importance of endozoochory in germination success of plant species in semi-steppe rangelands.. In this paper we examined dung germinating seed content, seed deposition patterns of different domestic animals (Cattle, Sheep and goat), ecological correlate with seed traits (Seed weight, length, width and shape) and the possible correlate of dung seed content characteristics with vegetation in a simulated feeding experiment and a field study in semi-steppe rangelands of Karsanak, Iran. 39 native plant species were fed to domestic animals and their germination successes were recorded in a simulated glasshouse experiment. In the field study, Animal dung (Sheep and goat) was collected during summer 2009 and 2001 and was placed under greenhouse conditions to record seed germination. The resulting species germination was compared to the standing vegetation of 60 4-m2 plots installed randomly along 6 200m transects.
Authors and Affiliations
Sepideh Fazelian, Pejman Tahmasebi Kohyani, Hamze Ali Shirmardi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP37563
- DOI -
- Views 175
- Downloads 0
Comparison of morphological traits and essential oils content in Lippia citriodora L. cultivated in greenhouse and outdoor
Lippia citriodora L., Verbenaceae family, is cultivated due to useful secondary metabolites like essential oil compound, which apply in the food, cosmetics industries. This plant is used as decreasing blood sugar, anti-b...
Variation of morphological and structural traits in natural Cork Oak populations along temperature and precipitation gradient in Northern Tunisia
It tested the hypothesis that contrasting climate and elevations affect the growth and productivity of more than 47 cork oak populations in the Kroumirie (Mediterranean forest in the north west of Tunisia). Study increa...
Taxonomical and ecological study for some species of Scutellaria L. (Labiatae family) in Iraq
Morphological, chemical and geographical studies of three species: Scutellariam ulticauli, Scutellaria pycnotricha and S. cutellaria tomentosa were conducted in Iraq to identify the general and accurate characteristics t...
Effects of using subsurface drip irrigation and treated municipal wastewater on Olive (Olea. europaea L.)
The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate the effects of using treated wastewater on the vegetative growth and nutrients content of three years old zard olive (Olea. europaea L.) trees.The experiments were carr...
Floristic characterization of the ecotonal zone between the Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild) J. Leonard (Fabaceae) Forest and the semi-deciduous mixed forest in Mbiye island (Congo Basin, DR Congo)
The study intended to determine the floristic composition of an ecotonal forest zone between the Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest and the mixed forest of Mbiye Island Forest Reserve. Data were collected from a 50 m x 100...