Abstract
Here we investigate the long-cited pattern that throughout the eastern United States, Solidago species (goldenrods), and in particular S. canadensis displace Aster species and dominate old-field communities. Theory predicts that such a ubiquitous pattern of repeated dominance should be linked to competitive ability for a limiting resource. However, no one has investigated this possibility in old-fields, representing a potentially significant gap in our understanding of a common human-altered environment. We tested the hypothesis that S. canadensis is the superior competitor for light compared to other common co-occurring goldenrod species, and that the goldenrods in general are the superior competitors for light compared to coexisting aster species, which are typically less abundant. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the light attenuation abilities of four goldenrod species, S. canadensis, S. rugosa, S. gigantea, and Euthamia graminifolia, and three aster species, Aster novae-angliae, A. pilosus, and A. prenanthoides. Consistent with our hypothesis, S. canadensis had a greater ability to attenuate light than any of the other goldenrods at higher densities, and the goldenrods overall had a greater ability to attenuate light than the asters. By conducting a census in our study area, we verified that S. canadensis is locally the most abundant goldenrod and that goldenrods are more locally abundant than asters. Furthermore, by conducting a literature survey we found evidence that S. canadensis replaces A. pilosus through time. Thus we found a close correspondence between relative abundance in the field and light attenuation ability in field experiments. These results are consistent with theory predicting that competition for limiting resources, in this case light, explains patterns of dominance and relative abundance in old-field plant communities.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Calvin Ernst and Mark Feeley of Ernst Conservation Seed Company for allowing us to utilize their crop rows and for logistical help. We would also like to thank Linesville High School students (Linesville, PA) for their assistance with the experimental setup and data collection. We appreciate Daniel Bunker, Mark Jonas, Kelly O’Donnell, Massimo Pigliucci, and Christina Richards for their comments on earlier versions of this manuscript, and Norris Muth for providing his expertize on invasive species. Scott Meiners provided unpublished data from the Buell–Small Succession Study. This manuscript was significantly improved by comments from Karel Prach and two anonymous reviewers. This work was funded by NSF grant DEB-9903912 to Walter Carson and Martin H. H. Stevens, a University of Pittsburgh Honor’s College Brackenridge fellowship to Scott Stark, and logistical support from Miami University of Ohio to Joshua Banta.
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Banta, J.A., Stark, S.C., Stevens, M.H.H. et al. Light reduction predicts widespread patterns of dominance between asters and goldenrods. Plant Ecol 199, 65–76 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9412-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9412-3