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Vicinism and mass effect
Author(s) -
Zonneveld Isaak S.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3236244
Subject(s) - ecology , propagule , plant community , context (archaeology) , salt marsh , vegetation (pathology) , term (time) , geography , ecological succession , biology , quantum mechanics , medicine , physics , archaeology , pathology
Abstract. The term vicinism (neighbourship), first published in a phytosociological context by Nordhagen, refers to the occurrence of plant species in a less favourable environment ‐outside their sociological (ecological) amplitude — as a result of the continuous supply of propagules from neighbouring areas. In recent studies on this subject the term mass effect has been used for what seems to be the same phenomenon. This is unfortunate since this term was introduced much earlier to indicate the ability of plants which are able to grow in dense stands in order to change the local environment to the benefit of themselves — physically, chemically or mechanically‐ by developing a dense vegetation cover. Examples of this mass effect are mainly found in extreme environments such as salt marshes and lake shores. The occurrence of both vicinism and mass effect indicates that competition is not the only biological factor important in selection. Vicinism also contributes to connectivity, a major topic in landscape ecology. Both vicinism and connectivity as synecological concepts in their original meaning deserve more attention from ecologists.