Summary
The effects of pollination, predispersal seed predation, and plant density upon seed production of Astragalus canadensis L. in a tall-grass prairie were studied by experimental manipulation of plant density. Seed production was greater at high than low plant densities; this was inferred to result from differences in pollination success. Predispersal seed predation was lower at high than low plant densities. The relative seed production of different densities of A. canadensis was predicted based upon pollination success and the host detection ability of the predator. Increased seed production and modification of the environment by high densities of A. canadensis appears to maintain a clumped distribution of this species, while also producing new clumps at a low rate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrahamson, W. G., Gadgil, M. D.: Growth form and reproductive effort in goldenrods (Solidago, Compositae). Amer. Naturalist 107, 651–661 (1973)
Aikman, J. M., Thorne, R. F.: The Cayler Prairie: an ecological and taxonomic study of a Northwest Iowa prairie. Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci. 63, 177–200 (1956)
Barneby, R.: Atlas of North American Astragalus. N. Y. Bot. Gard. Mem. 13, 1–596 (1964)
Beattie, A. J., Breedlove,D. E., Ehrlich, P. R.: The ecology of the pollination and predation of Frasera speciosa. Ecology 54, 81–91 (1973)
Breedlove, D. E., Ehrlich, P. R.: Plant-herbivore coevolution: Lupines and Lycaenids. Science 162, 671–672 (1968)
Breedlove, D. E., Ehrlich, P. R.: Coevolution: patterns of legume predation by a Lycaenid Butterfly. Oecologia (Berl.) 10, 99–104 (1972)
Cruden, R. W.: Pollinators in high-elevation ecosystems: relative effectiveness of birds and bees. Science 176, 1439–1440 (1972)
Gadgil, M. D., Solbrig, O. T.: The concept of r- and K-selection: evidence from wild flowers and some theoretical considerations. Amer. Naturalist 106, 14–31 (1972)
Harper, J. L., White, J.: The dynamics of plant populations. Proc. Adv. Study Inst. Dynamics Numbers Popul. (Oosterbeek), 41–63 (1970)
Heinrich, B., Raven, P. H.: Energetics and pollination ecology. Science 176, 597–602 (1972)
Holling, C. S.: The functional response of predators to prey density and its role in mimicry and regulation. Mem. Ent. Soc. Canad. 45, 1–60 (1965)
Holling, C. S.: The functional response of invertebrate predators to prey density. Mem. Ent. Soc. Canad. 48, 1–86 (1966)
Janzen, D. H.: Seed-eaters versus seed size, number, toxicity and dispersal. Evolution 23, 1–27 (1969)
Janzen, D. H.: Herbivores and the number of tree species in tropical forests. Amer. Naturalist 104, 501–528 (1970)
Janzen, D. H.: Escape of Cassia grandis beans from predators in time and space. Ecology 52, 964–979 (1971)
Janzen, D. H.: Association of a rainforest palm and seed-eating beetles in Puerto Rico. Ecology 53, 258–261 (1972)
Kucera, C. L., Dahlamn, R. C., Koelling, N.: Total net productivity and turnover on an energy basis for tall-grass prairie. Ecology 48, 536–541 (1967)
Koelling, M. R., Kucera, C. L.: Productivity and turnover relationships in native tall-grass prairie. Iowa St. J. Sci. 39, 387–392 (1965)
Larson, M. M., Schubert, G. H.: Cone crops of ponderosa pine in central Arizona, including the influence of Abert squirrels. USDA Forest Service Res. Paper RM-58, 15 p. (1970)
Levin, D. A.: The effect of corolla color and outline on interspecific pollen flow in Phlox. Evolution 23, 444–455 (1969)
Levin, D. A., Anderson, W. W.: Competition for pollinators between simultaneously flowering species. Amer. Naturalist 104, 455–467 (1970)
Levin, D. A., Kerster, H. W.: The dependence of bee mediated pollen and gene dispersal on plant density. Evolution 23, 560–572 (1969)
Smythe, N.: Neotropical fruiting seasons and seed dispersal. Amer. Naturalist 104, 25–35 (1970)
Willson, M. F.: Evolutionary ecology of plants: A review. II. Ecological life histories. The Biol. 54, 148–162 (1972)
Willson, M. F.: Evolutionary ecology of plants: A review. II. Plant/animal interactions. The Biol. 55, 89–105 (1973)
Wilson, F. F., Rathcke, B. J.: Adaptive design of the floral display in Asclepias syriaca L. Amer. Midl. Nat. (in press, 1974)
Wilson, D. E., Janzen, D. H.: Predation on Scheelea palm seeds by bruchid beetles: seed density and distance from the parent palm. Ecology 53, 954–959 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Platt, W.J., Hill, G.R. & Clark, S. Seed production in a prairie legume (Astragalus canadensis L.). Oecologia 17, 55–63 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345095
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345095