Seminar - Frank and Elin Götmark: Why produce multiple woody stems? Hypotheses and models for the adaptive significance of the shrub growth form
Date:
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 13:00 - 14:00
Duration:
1 Hour
Categories:
SLU Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies
Seminar
Seminar by Frank & Elin Götmark
University of Gothenburg
Title:
Why produce multiple woody stems? Hypotheses and models for the adaptive significance of the shrub growth form
Place: Lecture room Aspen, SLU
Host: Lars Edenius, SLU
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Abstract:
Trees are tall woody plants with a single self-supporting woody stem, branching well above ground level, while shrubs are shorter woody plants with multiple self-supporting woody stems, branching at ground level. Shrubs occur in as many plant families as trees, and may have evolved before trees. Shrubs occur in 9 of 11 global biomes according to one classification; in another classification of terrestrial global biomes, shrubs occur 13 of 14 biomes. Shrubs grow in forests, but are also common in many regions and habitats that lack trees. Thus, shrubs are more widespread than trees, and important for many ecosystem functions. Surprisingly, we have not found any detailed analysis of factors that may have selected for the shrub growth form. We will present nine hypothesis, two supported by models, to explain the adaptive significance of shrubs.
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Frank Götmark is a professor in Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology at Gothenburg University.
His research interests covers:
Ecology and conservation of forest ecosystems, temperate zones
Broadleaved forests and management for biodiversity and biofuel
Oak (Quercus spp.) ecology: regeneration and stand management
Nature reserve systems and conservation policy
Anti-predator adaptations and predation by birds of prey
The less known biodiversity: molluscs, insects, cryptogams (collaboration with other researchers)
For more information about Frank, see: http://bioenv.gu.se/english/staff/Gotmark_Frank/ee
Elin Götmark is a senior lecturer at the department of Mathematical Sciences at Gothenburg University, and her research focuses at complex analysis and partial differential equations.
Welcome!
Lars Edenius
Seminar
Seminar by Frank & Elin Götmark
University of Gothenburg
Title:
Why produce multiple woody stems? Hypotheses and models for the adaptive significance of the shrub growth form
Place: Lecture room Aspen, SLU
Host: Lars Edenius, SLU
-------------------
Abstract:
Trees are tall woody plants with a single self-supporting woody stem, branching well above ground level, while shrubs are shorter woody plants with multiple self-supporting woody stems, branching at ground level. Shrubs occur in as many plant families as trees, and may have evolved before trees. Shrubs occur in 9 of 11 global biomes according to one classification; in another classification of terrestrial global biomes, shrubs occur 13 of 14 biomes. Shrubs grow in forests, but are also common in many regions and habitats that lack trees. Thus, shrubs are more widespread than trees, and important for many ecosystem functions. Surprisingly, we have not found any detailed analysis of factors that may have selected for the shrub growth form. We will present nine hypothesis, two supported by models, to explain the adaptive significance of shrubs.
-----
Frank Götmark is a professor in Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology at Gothenburg University.
His research interests covers:
Ecology and conservation of forest ecosystems, temperate zones
Broadleaved forests and management for biodiversity and biofuel
Oak (Quercus spp.) ecology: regeneration and stand management
Nature reserve systems and conservation policy
Anti-predator adaptations and predation by birds of prey
The less known biodiversity: molluscs, insects, cryptogams (collaboration with other researchers)
For more information about Frank, see: http://bioenv.gu.se/english/staff/Gotmark_Frank/ee
Elin Götmark is a senior lecturer at the department of Mathematical Sciences at Gothenburg University, and her research focuses at complex analysis and partial differential equations.
Welcome!
Lars Edenius