Abstract
Siberian alder (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica) shows annual variation in reproductive output. However, this phenomenon has not been explained by hypotheses proposed in previous studies. In this study, we constructed a matrix model of current-year shoot dynamics to estimate and compare the reproductive output of current-year shoot population with or without annual variation, and explained the annual variation of reproductive output in terms of a reproductive strategy of the current-year shoot population of Siberian alder. The current-year shoot population of Siberian alder was divided into three functional groups: reproductive, maintenance, and explorative shoot sub-populations. A transition matrix was calculated from the relationships between 1-year-old shoots and the current-year shoots on them. The dynamics of the current-year shoot population was simulated using the estimated matrix on the patterns with or without annual variation in reproductive output. The pattern with annual variation in reproductive output yielded more reproductive current-year shoots than the pattern with high reproductive output every year. The annual variation of reproductive output may well be regarded as a reproductive strategy of current-year shoots to increase lifetime fecundity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen RB, Platt KH (1990) Annual seedfall variation in Nothofagus solandri (Fagaceae), Canterbury, New Zealand. Oikos 57:199–206
Hasegawa S, Takeda H (2001) Functional specialization of current shoots as a reproductive strategy in Japanese alder (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica). Can J Bot 79:38–48
Hasegawa S, Koba K, Tayasu I, Takeda H, Haga H (2003) Carbon autonomy of reproductive shoots of Siberian alder (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica). J Plant Res 116:183–188
Isagi Y, Sugimura K, Sumida A, Ito H (1997) How does masting happen and synchronize? J Theor Biol 187:231–239
Janzen DH (1976) Why bamboos wait so long to flower. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 7:347–391
Koenig WD, Mumme RL, Carmen WJ, Stanback MT (1994) Acorn production by oaks in central coastal California: variation within and among years. Ecology 75:99–109
Lehtilä K, Tuomi J, Sulkinoja M (1994) Bud demography of mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa near tree line. Ecology 75:945–955
Maillette L (1982a) Structural dynamics of silver birch. I. The fates of buds. J Appl Ecol 19:203–218
Maillette L (1982b) Structural dynamics of silver birch. II. A matrix model of the bud population. J Appl Ecol 19:219–238
Mizui N (1993) Ecological studies on reproduction in deciduous broad-leaved tree species (in Japanese with English summary). Bull Hokkaido For Res Inst 30:1–67
Newell EA (1991) Direct and delayed costs of reproduction in Aesculus californica. J Ecol 79:365–378
Nilsson SG, Wästljung U (1987) Seed predation and cross-pollination in mast-seeding beech (Fagus sylvatica) patches. Ecology 68:260–265
Norton DA, Kelly D (1988) Mast seeding over 33 years by Dacrydium cupressinum Lamb.(rimu) (Podocarpaceae) in New Zealand: importance of economies of scale. Funct Ecol 2:399–408
Smith CC, Hamrick JL, Kramer CL (1990) The advantage of mast years for wind pollination. Am Nat 136:154–166
Sork VL, Bramble J, Sexton O (1993) Ecology of mast-fruiting in three species of North American deciduous oaks. Ecology 74:528–541
Tuomi J, Niemelä P, Mannila R (1982) Resource allocation on dwarf shoots of birch (Betula pendula): reproduction and leaf growth. New Phytol 91:483–487
White J (1979) The plant as a metapopulation. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 10:109–145
Acknowledgements
We thank T. Ando, K. Kurumado, N. Miyamoto and all the staff of Takayama Research Station, Institute for Basin Ecosystem Studies, Gifu University for the support of field studies. We are grateful to H. Barclay, K. Kawamura and two anonymous reviewers for reading through the manuscript and giving us valuable suggestions. We are also grateful to H. Tobita, T. Shirota, S. Nanami, E. Ito, M. Suzuki, M. Ishihara, A. Mori, T. Kohyama and the members of Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University for their advice.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hasegawa, S.F., Takeda, H. Current-year shoot based approach for annual variation in the reproductive output in Siberian alder (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica). Trees 18, 436–441 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-004-0323-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-004-0323-1