Single-Family versus Multi-Family Introductions

P. Vergeer; L. J. L. van den Berg; J. G. M. Roelofs; N. J. Ouborg

doi:10.1055/s-2005-865904

Plant Biology, Table of Contents

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2005; 7(5): 509-515
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865904

Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

Single-Family versus Multi-Family Introductions

P. Vergeer¹ , L. J. L. van den Berg¹ , J. G. M. Roelofs¹ , N. J. Ouborg¹

¹Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Abstract

The early success of plant introduction as a function of source material and habitat quality was tested in Arnica montana to determine whether different introduction strategies could affect plant viability of the introduced population. Plants originating from related (single-family introductions) and unrelated (multi-family introductions) individuals were introduced into undisturbed sites and into sites which were limed, turf cut, or both turf cut and limed. For four consecutive years, we analysed plant performance by measuring survival time, growth, and reproductive capacity. Introduction success was found to be strongly affected by habitat quality. Turf cutting in combination with additional liming significantly increased reproductive capacity and stimulated early flowering. To restore eutrophic and acidified soil conditions, turf cutting with additional liming prior to introduction is recommended. Furthermore, a significant effect of multi-family introductions was observed. Multi-family introductions showed higher introduction success compared to single-family introductions. Although the long-term effects of multi-family introductions will emerge after several generations, the preliminary results suggest multi-family introductions as the most successful introduction strategy.

Key words

Arnica montana - conservation - introduction strategies - restoration - transplantation.

Full Text

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P. Vergeer

School of Biology
University of Leeds

LS2 9JT, Leeds

UK

Email: p.vergeer@leeds.ac.uk

Editor: J. Knops