I have been comparing the community structure of aquatic plants and terrestrial herbs since they are both herbs but growing in so different habitats.
I want to see what is the key point to rule their community structure. As is well known, the precipitation is important for terrestrial herbs. Light and nutrient are also important for species composition in the terrestrial plant community. While for aquatic plants, water availability is no more limiting but water depth comes in as an new factor. Light and nutrient become more important.Therefore, it is something that can be testified in controlled systems.
What do you think which one can be the key point for plant community?
That's really a intriguing question , appreciate it. To my mind , the key question to plant community is understanding the scientific basis of relationship between growing medium environment and plant diversity .Once this is properly understood , we will never fail in sustaining their community in long terms...
In aquatic systems light exposure to plants may vary due to: turbidity (caused by particulates, sediments, debris in the water), water speed (in creeks and rivers), whereas light availability in a terrestrial system is due to: competition by the canopy of larger plants, topography (land exposure to light especially on a sloping terrain). In aquatic systems (especially ponds and lakes) oxygen availability may become an important limiting factor). I hope this information helps. Good luck!
In plant communities only those who are chemically competent can share the same piece of land. In this context there is the classic case of the coexistence of garlic, chicory and daisy, the three are good together when they grow in the same place. However it seems that garlic and chicory, in the absence of the daisy, do not tolerate each other and each keeps a certain distance from the others. Why? it's because garlic is toxic to chicory. However daisy is able to detoxify the poison secreted by garlic. Another dimension of such interactions is also the intervention of mycorrhizes.
A plant community is always influnced by the animals nearby. In a study it's important to include the disturbing of animals.
Community structure can indicate the magnitude of stress on plant community
Dr Cao, I was referring notes from Prof. J.M. Pelt from his book " La solidarité chez les plantes, les animaux et les humains" Edtion Fayard, 196 pp., 2004
Regards
jp
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