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The Effects of Density on Resource Partitioning in Chamaesyce hirta (Euphorbiaceae)
Author(s) -
Snell Terry W.,
Burch Derek G.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1935512
Subject(s) - intraspecific competition , biology , nutrient , competition (biology) , ecology , population density , population , resource (disambiguation) , botany , demography , computer network , sociology , computer science
The pattern of resource allocation in Chamaesyce hirta was significantly affected by both density and nutrient availability. Increased intraspecific competition and decreased nutrient levels produced decreases in the proportion of total plant energy allocated to reproductive tissues in all units tested. A 32—fold increase in density diminished reproductive effort by one—third and an 8—fold decrease in nutrient levels diminished reproductive effort by one—half. These results are in agreement with theoretical predictions that for a resource—limited population, reproductive effort should decrease with decreasing resource availability. Increased root growth seemed to be inversely related to reproductive effort.