Skip to main content

Survival of Small Isolated Population of Muscari Tenuiflorum Tausch in Dry Continental Grasslands

The role of reproduction

  • Chapter
Species Survival in Fragmented Landscapes

Part of the book series: The GeoJournal Library ((GEJL,volume 35))

  • 244 Accesses

Abstract

To estimate the vulnerability of small isolated populations of rare species, it is necessary to study their population biology (Schmid & Matthies 1994). Besides dispersal, germination, and seedling establishment, generative reproduction plays an important role in ensuring population survival. Usually, the reproduction rate of a population depends on the amount of resources available in its habitat (Chiariello & Gulmon 1991). In small isolated populations, reproduction can be reduced (as a part of reduced fitness caused by inbreeding depression; Watson et al. 1994). Clegg & Brown (1983) and Soule (1980) point out that this is the most important factor which decreases the probability of population survival. The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not the reproduction rate is influenced by population size. Therefore, Muscari tenuiflorum was selected as a rare species in the pophyry hill landscape Northwest of Halle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Blab, J., E. Nowak, W. Trautmann, H. Sukopp (1984). Rote Liste der gefährdeten Tier- und Pflanzenarten in der BRD (4th edn). Kilda, Greven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiariello, N.R. & S.L. Gulmon (1991). Stress effects on plant reproduction. - In: H.A. Mooney, W.E. Winner & E.J. Pell (eds). Response of Plants to Multiple Stress. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 161- 188

    Google Scholar 

  • Clegg, M.T. & A.H.D. Brown (1983). The founding of plant populations. - In: C.M. Schonewald-Cox, S.M. Chambers, S.M. MacBryde & W.L. Thomas (eds). Genetics and Conservation, Menlo Park, pp. 216- 228

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner, O., E. Low & C. Schröter (1934). Lebensgeschichte der Blutenpflanzen Mitteleuropas, Bd. 1.3. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • LAU, Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz, Sachsen-Anhalt (1992). Rote Listen Sachsen-Anhalt. Berichte des Landesamtes für Umweltschutz Sachsen-Anhalt 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T.D. (1988). Pattern of fruit and seed production. - In: J. Lovett Doust & L. Lovett Doust (eds). Plant Reproductive Ecology. Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 179–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovett Doust, L., J. Lovett Doust & K. Tun (1986). Fecundity and size relationships in lack-in-the pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum (Araceae). American Journal of Botany 73, 489–494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahn, E.G. (1965). Vegetationsaufbau und Standortsverhältnisse der kontinental beeinflussten Xerothermrasengesellschaften Mitteldeutschlands. Abh. Sächs. Akad. Wiss., Math. nath. 49/1: 1–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahn, E.G. (1966). Die ökologisch-soziologischen Artengruppen der Xerothermrasen Mitteldeutschlands. Botanisches Jahrbuch 85, 1–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquis, R.J. (1988). Phenological variation in the Neotropical understory shrub Poper arieianum: Causes and consequences. Ecology 69, 1552–1565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, C. & D. Ludlam (1989). The pattern of abortion of developing seeds in Lolium perenne L. American Naturalist 131, 739–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menges, E.S. (1991). Seed germination percentage increases with population size in a fragmented prairie species. Conservation Biology 5; 138–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meusel, H., E. Jäger & E. Weinert (1965). Vergleichende Chorologie der Zentraleuropäischen Flora. Fischer, Jena.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostermeijer, J.G.B., J.C.M. den Nijs, L.E.L. Raijmann & S.B.J. Menken (1992). Population biology and management of the marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe L.), a rare species in The Netherlands. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 108, 117–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, C.M. (1994). Size dependent reproduction in Australian alpine Ranunculus. Australian Journal of Ecology 19, 336–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, B. & D. Matthies (1994). Seltenheit und Gefährdung - Populationsbiologische Grundlagen des Artenschutzes. Naturwissenschaften 81, 283–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soulé, M.E. (1980). Thresholds for survival: Maintaining fitness and evolutionary potential. - In: M.E. Soulé & B.A. Wilcox (eds). Conservation Biology: An Evolutionary Perspective. Sinauer, Sunderland, pp. 111–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, A.G. (1984). The cost of over-initiation fruit. American Midi, and Naturalist 112, 379–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, A.G. & R.I. Bertin (1986). Male competition, female choice and sexual selection in plants. - In: L. Real (ed). Pollination Biology. Academic Press, Orlando.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, B.K., J. Weiner & S.I. Warwick (1991). Size-dependent reproductive output in agricultural weeds. Canadian Journal of Botany 69, 442–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, L.E., G.E. Uno, N.A. McCarty & A.B. Kornkven (1994). Conservation biology of a rare plant species Eriocaulon kornickianum (Eriocaulaceae). American Journal of Botany 81, 980–986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiens, D. (1984). Ovule survivorship, brood size, life history, breeding systems, and reproductive success in plants. Oecologia 64, 47–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt R. (1980). The reproductive biology of Asclepia tuberosa. I: Flower number, arrangement, and fruit set. New Phytologist 85, 119–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Weiss, G., Mahn, E.G. (1996). Survival of Small Isolated Population of Muscari Tenuiflorum Tausch in Dry Continental Grasslands. In: Settele, J., Margules, C., Poschlod, P., Henle, K. (eds) Species Survival in Fragmented Landscapes. The GeoJournal Library, vol 35. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0343-2_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0343-2_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6640-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0343-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics