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Resilience at the individual plant level

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Resilience in mediterranean-type ecosystems

Part of the book series: Tasks for vegetation science ((TAVS,volume 16))

Abstract

Mediterranean-climate regions of the world are characterized by events affecting plant growth and survival which occur either regularly, such as summer drought, or episodically, such as fire, insect outbreak, extended drought or unusual cold. These episodic disturbances may occur at differing frequencies and at different times of the year.

Life form classifications have categorized the various means by which plants withstand or recover from annual unfavorable climatic conditions, but less attention has been given to the mechanisms of recovery (resilience) from infrequent but catastrophic events, with the notable exception of fire.

At the individual plant level resilience can be defined as the ability of an individual to regenerate following disturbance, either through replacement of damaged tissues or by the germination of its offspring from seed. We outline a comprehensive view of the ‘regenosphere’ of mediterranean-climate plants, discussing the types and locations of regenerative tissue, which includes seeds and buds. Factors influencing regeneration include the length of viability of regenerative tissue, response to growth triggers, the availability of stored reserves and the vulnerability of regenerating tissue to damage. Further factors influencing regenerative ability may be the timing of disturbance in relation to the seasonal growth cycle and to the life history of the plant.

We note that allocation of resources to the regenosphere involves some costs to the plant and discuss briefly the evolution of resilience in mediterranean-climate plants.

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  1. H. A. Mooney
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  2. R. J. Hobbs
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B. Dell A. J. M. Hopkins B. B. Lamont

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Mooney, H.A., Hobbs, R.J. (1986). Resilience at the individual plant level. In: Dell, B., Hopkins, A.J.M., Lamont, B.B. (eds) Resilience in mediterranean-type ecosystems. Tasks for vegetation science, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4822-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4822-8_5

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