Abstract
Abstract The effects of ground lichens on seed germination were studied in rosemary scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge in south-central Florida. Lichen removal and seed addition experiments were established within gaps in scrub patches unburned for more than 30 years. Vegetation in these gaps was dominated by ground lichens and vegetatively propagated Licania michauxii and Selaginella arenicola. All ground lichens were removed from one of each of 21 paired plots in 1995 and 1998. Seeds of four short-lived perennial herbs were added to 9 randomly selected plot pairs in 1998. Plots were monitored for seedling and clonal recruitment and death, as well as feral pig damage from 1995–2000. Occasional feral pig disturbance temporarily decreased lichen cover. Our study confirms that seedling recruitment is naturally low in these long-unburned, lichen-covered sites. Seedling emergence was higher, however, in lichen removal plots throughout the experiment, but only significantly so before seed addition. Low recruitment ...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
