Abstract
Burrowing and mound-building activities of gopher tortoises generated significant environmental heterogeneity in an oak-pine sandhill forest in Florida. Mounds were characterized by lower soil nutrient and organic matter concentrations, higher light intensities and greater diurnal temperature fluctuations than adjacent undisturbed areas. Temperatures during prescribed spring fires were significantly lower on mounds and near burrow openings relative to the surrounding undisturbed vegetation. Changes in plant species composition and relative abundances between recently abandoned mounds, old mounds and undisturbed areas indicated that mounds undergo microsuccession and contribute toward increased plant species diversity in the forest understory. Old mounds had the highest species richness per unit area. Mound size had no effect on plant population dynamics or community structure. Gopher tortoise disturbances increased the frequency of recruitment by seed relative to vegetative reproduction in the common rhizomatous forb, Pityopsis graminifolia.
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.
