Environmental effects on the dynamics of the shoot population of mountain birch trees.

Updated 2003-04-22

Bud dynamic in mountain birch, Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii, is affected by biotic and abiotic factors such as temperature, light and herbivory. Climate probably has a large impact on module life history strategies i.e. survival, sexual and vegetative reproduction. (Modules are here defined as partially autonomous, repetitive and multicellular subunits within a tree.) Trade-off between present reproduction and future growth and/or reproduction occurs if resources are limiting. There is no direct trade-off between male catkin production and axillary bud production in mountain birch since male catkins are produced at the terminal bud of long-shoot. This bud is aborted when no catkin is present. However, same resources are used for both male catkin production and axillary bud production indicating that trade-offs occur in mountain birch. In my study I have simulated herbivory in order to study what effect trade-offs have on growth of long-shoot and bud performance.

Time frame

Status
Completed
Project time span
2000 - 2002
Data collection
not specified
Data processing
not specified
Data reporting
not specified

Contact information

Contact person
Christina Borg
Address
Dep of Plant Ecology Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Villavägen 14 753 24 Uppsala

Parameters and Media

Not specified

Geography

Regions studied
Abisko Scientific Research Station

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
No

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
No
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