Life strategies in a semi‐arid grassland community — mechanisms of dispersal and reproduction within Lapiedro martinezii‐Stipetum tenacissimae (Southeastern Spain)

Abstract

AbstractThe present study describes mechanisms of dispersal and reproduction within the semi‐arid grassland community Lapiedro martinezii‐Stipetum tenacissimae. The life strategy analysis based on sociological relevés was carried out in Tabernas Desert (Province Almería, Southeastern Spain). The biological significance of the occurring life strategies is represented by the mean group quantity fraction (GM).There are five different life strategies established. The dominant life strategy subdivision is that of Perennial stayers with long‐ and short‐range dispersal, with sexual and clonal reproduction. Clearly less important are Perennial stayers with short‐range dispersal, with sexual reproduction, Fugitives with long‐ and short‐range dispersal, with sexual reproduction, and Annual shuttle species. One of the most important characteristics of the community is a polychorous dispersal capacity. The diaspores of several species are equally adapted to meteoranemochory and to epizoochory. Synaptospermy, aestatiphory, trypanocarpy, and myxospermy are significant mechanisms evolved to prevent secondary dispersal or predation of seed‐harvesting ants. The dominant character species Stipa tenacissima is additionally characterized by clonal reproduction.