Sun/shade conditions affect recruitment and local adaptation of a columnar cactus in dry forests.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Facilitation among plants in water-limited environments (i.e. where evapotranspiration overcomes the availability of water during the growing season) has been considered a local adaptation to water and light conditions. Among cacti, early life-history stages can benefit from the facilitative effects of nurse plants that reduce solar radiation and water stress. However, whether light condition itself acts as an agent of selection through facilitation remains untested. The aim of this study was to determine (1) whether light conditions affect seedling recruitment, (2) whether the positive effect of shade on seedling recruitment is more intense under more stressful conditions and (3) whether shade condition (facilitation) reduces the magnitude of local adaptation o

SUBMITTER: Miranda-Jacome A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3555523 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature