Summary
The patterns of allocation of structural and nonstructural carbon were followed in the co-occurring desert ephemerals Plantago insularis and Camissonia boothii. Patterns of biomass distribution were determined from material harvested at biweekly intervals as were levels of nonstructural sugar and starch. Seasonal patterns of growth and reproduction differed markedly with Plantago allocating significantly more structural and nonstructural carbon to reproduction early in the season. Plantago completed its life cycle in less than 60 days but Camissonia continued both vegetative and reproductive growth to over 100 days. The longer growing season of Camissonia was possible because more energy was allocated to vegetative tissues and storage presumably as investment toward longer life and higher levels of reproduction.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atkinson, T., Fowler, J.R., Carton, G.A., Lough, A.K.: A rapid method for the accurate determination of lipid in animal tissues. Analyst 97, 562–568 (1972)
Beatley, J.C.: Phenological events and their environmental triggers in Mojave Desert ecosystems. Ecology 55, 856–863 (1974)
Bligh, E.G., Dyer, W.J.: A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification. Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37, 911–917 (1959)
Burk, J.H.: Sonoran Desert vegetation. In: Terrestrial vegetation of California (M.G. Barbour, J. Major, eds.), pp. 869–889. New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1977
Cody, M.: A general theory of clutch size. Evolution 20, 174–184 (1966)
Cohen, D.: Maximizing final yield when growth is limited by time or by limiting resources. J. Theor. Biol. 33, 299–307 (1971)
Dina, S.J., Klikoff, L.G.: Carbohydrate cycle of Plantago insularis var. fastigata: a winter annual from the Sonoran Desert. Bot. Gaz. 135, 13–18 (1974)
Evans, G.C.: The quantitative analysis of plant growth. Los Angeles, Univ. Calif. Press 1972
Fisher, R.A.: The genetical theory of natural selection. New York, Dover 1958
Gadgil, M., Bossert, W.H.: Life historical consequences of natural selection. Am. Nat. 104, 1–24 (1970)
Gadgil, M., Solbrig, O.T.: The concept of r- and K-selection: evidence from wildflowers and some theoretical considerations. Am. Nat. 106, 14–31 (1972)
Harper, J.L.: A Darwinian approach to plant ecology. J. Ecol. 55, 242–270 (1967)
Harper, J.L., Ogden, J.: The reproductive strategy of higher plants I. The concept of strategy with special reference to Senecio vulgaris L. J. Ecol. 58, 681–698 (1970)
Hudson, G.J., John, P.M.V., Bailey, B.J. Southgate, D.A.T.: The automated determination of carbohydrate. Development of a method for available carbohydrates and its appication to food-stuffs. J. Sci. Fd. Agic. 27, 681–687 (1976)
Johansen, D.A.: Plant microtechnique. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1940
Joy, K.W.: Translocation in sugar beet I. Assimilation of 14CO 2 distribution of material from leaves. J. Exp. Bot 15, 485–494 (1964)
Klikoff, L.G.: Competitive response to moisture stress of a winter annual of the Sonoran Desert. Am. Mid. Nat. 75, 383–391 (1966)
Lever, M.: A new reaction for colorimetric determination of carbohydrates. Anal. Biochem 47, 273–279 (1972)
Mooney, H.A.: The carbon balance of plants. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 3, 315–346 (1972)
Mooney, H.A., Ehleringer, J., Berry, T.A.: High phosynthetic capacity of a winter annual in Death Valley. Science 194, 322–323 (1976)
Mulroy, T.W., Rundel, P.W.: Annual plants: adaptations to desert environments. Bioscience 27, 109–114 (1977)
Munz, P.A.: A flora of southern California. Los Angeles, Univ. Calif. Press, 1974
Santorius, K.A.: The protective effects of sugars on chloroplast membranes during temperature and water stress and its relationship to frost, desiccation and heat resistance. Planta 113, 105–114 (1973)
Smith, D.: Removing and analyzing total nonstructural carbohydrates from plant tissues. Research Report 41, Univ. Wisconsin College of Agriculture, 1969
Stewart, W.S., Bannister, P.: Seasonal changes in carbohydrate content of three Vaccinium spp. with particular reference to V. uliginosum L. and its distribution in the British Isles. Flora Bd. 162, S, 134–155 (1975)
Tevis, L., Jr.: Germination and growth of ephemerals induced by sprinkling a sandy desert. Ecology 39, 681–688 (1958a)
Tevis, W., Jr.: A population of desert ephemerals germinated by less than one inch of rain. Ecology 39, 688–695 (1958b)
Went, F.W.: Ecology of desert plants. I. Observations on germination in the Joshua Tree National Monument, California. Ecol. 29, 242–253 (1948)
Went, F.W.: Ecology of desert plants. II. The effect of rain and temperature on germination and growth. Ecology 30, 1–13 (1949)
Went, F.W., Westergaard, M.: Ecology of desert plants. III. Development of plants in the Death Valley National Monument, California. Ecology 30, 26–38 (1949)
Zar, J.H.: Biostatistical analysis. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1976
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Clark, D.D., Burk, J.H. Resource allocation patterns of two California-Sonoran desert ephemerals. Oecologia 46, 86–91 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346971
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346971