The effect of grazing by gastropods on vegetation dynamics in early secondary succession

Gillman, Michael Philip (1987) The effect of grazing by gastropods on vegetation dynamics in early secondary succession. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The question, `what is the effect of grazing by gastropods on vegetation dynamics in early secondary succession?', is explored through a series of greenhouse and field experiments. Each experiment (chapters 4-7) builds on the results of the last, culminating in a complex set of mechanisms by which gastropods may affect the vegetation dynamics of early successional floras. This study reveals the details of three major components of these mechanisms: i. The plant factors determining choice by gastropods, such as seedling growth-form and plant spatial distribution. ii. The extent and type of grazing damage. iii. The ability of the plants to recover from damage. In chapter 8 these mechanisms are set against the background of observed vegetation and gastropod dynamics in an early secondary succession (chapters 2 and 3 respectively) in an attempt to determine the effects of gastropod grazing on vegetation dynamics. A knowledge of gastropod dynamics is particularly important as the results of chapters 4-6 reveal significant variation between gastropod species. In chapter 8 the early successional vegetation is grouped into two dynamic units with contrasting combinations of phenotypic characteristics. The natural selection of these combinations of characteristics is discussed.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics