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The definitive examination of oak forest evolutionary ecology. Seed dispersal is a critical stage in the life cycle of most flowering plants. The process can have far-reaching effects on a species' biology, especially numerous aspects of its ecology and evolution. This is particularly the case for the oaks, in which the dispersal of the acorn is tied to numerous tree characteristics, as well as the behavior and ecology of the animals that feed on and move these seeds to their final destination. Forest structure, composition, and genetics often follow directly from the dispersal process—while also influencing it in turn. In Oak Seed Dispersal, Michael A. Steele draws on three decades of field research across the globe (e.g., the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and China) to describe the interactions between oaks and their seed consumers. Rodents, birds, and insects, he writes, collectively influence the survival, movement, and germination of acorns, as well as the establishment of seedlings, often indicating a coevolutionary bond between oaks and their seed consumers. This bond can only be understood by unraveling the complex interactions that occur in the context of factors such as partial seed consumption due to acorn chemistry, scatterhoarding, predation of the seed consumers by other organisms, and the limiting effects of masting on insect, rodent, and jay damage. Offering new insights on how animal-mediated dispersal drives ecological and evolutionary processes in forest ecosystems, Oak Seed Dispersal also includes an overview of threatened oak forests across the globe and explains how a lack of acorn dispersal contributes to many important conservation challenges. Highly illustrated, the book includes photographs of key dispersal organisms and tactics, as well as a foreword by Stephen B. Vander Wall, a leading authority on food hoarding and animal-mediated seed dispersal, and beautiful artwork by Tad C. Theimer, also an accomplished ecologist.
Theimer, an accomplished ecologist.
The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.
Fresh concepts in the study of seed dispersal are spurring a host of exciting new questions, new answers to old questions, new methods and approaches, and a reinvigoration of the field.Seed Dispersal: Theory and its Application in a Changing World presents both recent advances and reviews of current knowledge demonstrating the vigour and vibrancy of the field. It provides new perspectives and directions at a time when efforts to meet growing environmental challenges threatening natural systems are of utmost importance.
“A timely and much needed call to plant, protect, and delight in these diverse, life-giving giants.” —David George Haskell, author of The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees With Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy changed the conversation about gardening in America. His second book, the New York Times bestseller Nature’s Best Hope, urged homeowners to take conservation into their own hands. Now, he is turning his advocacy to one of the most important species of the plant kingdom—the mighty oak tree. Oaks sustain a complex and fascinating web of wildlife. The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. The Nature of Oaks will inspire you to treasure these trees and to act to nurture and protect them.
Seed dispersal mutualisms between plants and animals often determine the structure and diversity of ecosystems. In eastern hardwood forests of North America, the mutualism between scatter-hoarding animals and nut-bearing trees is crucial in shaping the distribution of dominant tree species and the complex wildlife communities they support. Avian seed-hoarders, in particular Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata), are especially important long-distance dispersers of oak (Quercus) acorns and other small nuts, through their caching of seeds in the autumn for winter consumption. Since oak-dominated forests are declining across much of the eastern U.S. – through mesophication, disease, and introduced pests – understanding their relationship with jays is critical to determining how best to manage for increased oak dispersal and recruitment. In addition, the reintroduction of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) to its former range is anticipated in the near future, and jays are likely to play a key role in their natural dispersal from founder plantings. In this dissertation, I examine dynamics of the mutualism between avian seed-hoarders and oaks/chestnuts to determine how it will shape these two processes of forest change – oak decline and chestnut reintroduction. I approach this topic in two ways. First, I examine each stage of the dispersal process from selection of seeds by birds through growth and survival of seedlings, for two common oaks (white oak [Q. alba] and black oak [Q. velutina]) and American chestnut. Second, I examine the link between mast abundance and Blue Jay abundance and survival, to determine how jay populations will be influenced by oak forest declines. When assessing the seed preferences of jays and other avian seed-hoarders in southeastern Ohio (Chapter 2), I found that jays consistently preferred black oak acorns over chestnuts, and chestnuts over white oak acorns. The strength of their preference for black oak acorns increased in late fall/early winter, when all seeds were less available, suggesting perhaps a greater need for lipid-rich resources in winter. Their preference for chestnuts over white oak acorns, however, suggests that chestnuts may become an important resource for jays and other seed-hoarders in years of black oak mast failure. Likewise, jays will likely serve as effective dispersers (Chapter 3) of chestnuts in those years, as 6.2% of cached chestnuts produced seedlings surviving through the first growing season, compared to 3.8% for black oak and 2.6% for white oak acorns. In addition, the propensity of jays to cache seeds in shrubby early-successional areas may also be a boon for early recruitment of the more competitive chestnut seedlings. On the other hand, jays provided directed dispersal for black and white oak acorns, as stem emergence of planted seeds was greater at cache sites than random sites for these species, but not chestnut. One of the most limiting factors for dispersal effectiveness of jays was pilferage by rodents, with >80% of all cached seeds being pilfered. Dispersal distances by jays (up to 460m from parent trees) at my mostly contiguous forest site were shorter than those reported by other studies in more fragmented habitats (up to 4km), but still suggest great potential for recruitment and colonization for oak and chestnut seedlings. Overwinter survival of jays (Chapter 4) at my Ohio field site was much greater for adults (88%) compared to young birds (47%), but otherwise was not influenced by annual mast abundance or other weather-related factors. In an analysis of long-term bird and mast abundance datasets (Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, and Regional Mast Survey) across 15 years and 8 states, I found that winter abundance of jays was positively associated with red oak subgenus mast abundance and negatively associated with the previous year’s white oak mast abundance, indicating both direct and indirect influences of acorn abundance on jays. Breeding abundance of jays, however, was not clearly associated with mast abundance, suggesting that jay populations are not necessarily limited by mast. Taken together, my results highlight the dynamic nature of the relationship between nut-bearing trees and their avian seed-dispersers, which underscores the importance of considering plant-animal mutualisms when planning forest management and restoration efforts.
This publication offers a comprehensive look at the management of oaks in urban areas. As development moves into oak woodland areas, more and more oaks are becoming "urban" oaks. Oaks are highly valued in urban areas for their aesthetic, environmental, economic and cultural benefits. However, significant impacts to the health and structural stability of oaks have resulted from urban encroachment. Changes in environment, incompatible cultural practices, and pest problems can all lead to the early demise of our stately oaks. Using this book you'll learn how to effectively manage and protect oaks in urban areas - existing oaks as well as the planting of new oaks. Three key areas are addressed: selection, care, and preservation. You'll learn how cultural practices, pest management, risk management, preservation during development, and genetic diversity can all play a role in preserving urban oaks. Arborists, urban foresters, landscape architects, planners and designers, golf course superintendents, academics, and Master Gardeners alike will find this to be an invaluable reference guide.