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Submitted to: Ecology and Management of Pinyon Juniper Communities Within The Interior W
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2005 Publication Date: 5/16/2005 Citation: Monaco, T.A. 2005. Abiotic and biotic factors influencing seedbed and seedling establishment. Ecology and Management of Pinyon Juniper Communities Within The Interior W. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Seed germination and seedling establishment are arguably the most critical stages controlling the successful rangeland seedings. These stages are also ecologically complex and under the control of variable biotic and abiotic factors. Species specific germination strategies, dormancy, straitification, and condition of seed are important components of seedbed ecology that must be understood to insure adequate germination. In addition, ecologically based weed management that modifies disturbance, colonization, and species performance may greatly improve seedling establishment and foster the creation of weed resistant plant communities. For my talk, I will primarily focus on the abiotic and biotic factors that can be managed to favor reassembling plant communities comprised of a combination of species. A precursor to establishing multi-species seedings with a complex mixture of grasses, forbs and shrubs understanding how combined species assemblages use resources in time and space. It is also important to identify the contribution of individual species to ecosystem processes like nutrient use, litter production, nutrient cycling, and weed suppression. I will showcase the unique variability that exists between species for these processes and highlight preliminary findings of field experiments designed to evaluate the ways in which plots containing complex species mixtures are functionally different than monocultures. |
