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Chapter 19: Problem 5

Classification of plant species into three primary life history strategies \((R, C, \text { and } S\) ) proposed by the plant ecologist Philip Grime was discussed in Chapter 10 Section \(10.10 .\) Which of these three plant strategies is most likely to be found colonizing a newly disturbed site (early successional species)? Which of the three plant strategies is most likely to characterize later successional species?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The R strategy (Ruderal) is most likely to be found colonizing a newly disturbed site (early successional species), while the C strategy (Competitive) is most likely to characterize later successional species.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the R, C, and S strategies

Philip Grime classified plant species into three strategies: R (Ruderal), C (Competitive), and S (Stress-tolerant). Each strategy has distinctive characteristics: - R strategy (Ruderal): These plants grow quickly and produce many seeds. They tend to colonize in disturbed sites and have a short life cycle. - C strategy (Competitive): These plants grow slowly but develop a large biomass. They compete well for resources and are dominant in stable environments with high resource availability. - S strategy (Stress-tolerant): These plants can tolerate stressful environmental conditions, such as low nutrient availability, drought, or extreme temperatures. They grow slowly and typically have a long life cycle.
02

Determine the early successional strategy

Early successional species are those that can colonize a newly disturbed site quickly. In this case, the R strategy (Ruderal) is most suitable because these plants grow quickly, produce many seeds, and have a short life cycle, allowing them to be the first to establish in a disturbed environment.
03

Determine the later successional strategy

Later successional species are those that can grow and compete for resources in a stable environment. In this case, the C strategy (Competitive) is most suitable because these plants grow slowly, develop a large biomass, and compete well for resources, which makes them dominant in stable environments with high resource availability. #Conclusion# The R strategy (Ruderal) is most likely to be found colonizing a newly disturbed site (early successional species), while the C strategy (Competitive) is most likely to characterize later successional species.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Distinguish between primary and secondary succession.

Distinguish between zonation and succession.

In Section \(18.7,\) we discussed the difference between size-symmetrical and size-asymmetrical competition for resources. How might the nature of these two types of competition shift during the process of plant succession?

Why is the ability to tolerate low resource availability often associated with plant species that dominate during the later stages of succession?

Defoliation of oak trees by gypsy moth larvae caused the death of extensive forest stands in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. The recovery of these forest communities after defoliation includes the growth of existing trees and shrubs that have escaped defoliation, as well as colonization of the site by tree species outside the community. Is this an example of primary or secondary succession? Why?
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