Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/S1146-609X(02)01158-X
Title (Primary) Facilitation and competition in the high Arctic: the importance of the experimental approach
Author Dormann, C.F.; Brooker, R.W.
Source Titel Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology
Year 2002
Department CLE
Volume 23
Issue 5
Page From 297
Page To 301
Language englisch
Keywords Competition; Facilitation; Luzula confusa; Removal experiment; Salix polaris
Abstract In the last decade, plant ecologists have focussed more on the occurrence of positive plant-plant interactions than ever before. Especially in severe environments, such as the Arctic, species removal experiments tend to find facilitative rather than competitive effects, casting doubt on the importance of competition under extreme growing conditions. Two approaches to measure plant-plant interactions presented here reveal that competition affects plant growth even in the high Arctic. Luzula confusa and Salix polaris show a reduced growth in mixed stands compared with pure. This competition effect is not detected in a removal experiment, which inevitably also alters site microclimate. Indeed, in the latter experiment, facilitative effects of Luzula on Salix were found. Evidently, both facilitation and competition are acting and important. Causes and implications are discussed using a conceptual model derived from that of Brooker and Callaghan (1998).
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=5440
Dormann, C.F., Brooker, R.W. (2002):
Facilitation and competition in the high Arctic: the importance of the experimental approach
Acta Oecol. - Int. J. Ecol. 23 (5), 297 - 301 10.1016/S1146-609X(02)01158-X