The pattern of dioecy in terrestrial, temperate plant succession

摘要: Hypothesis: Inbreeding avoidance theory suggests that dioecious plant species (those with separate-sexed individuals) should have high fitness because they result from obligate outcrossing. Thus, these be more competitive than those engage in some form of inbreeding. Competitive ability increases successional stage many series studies. Accordingly, we expect to disproportionately represented late stages. Data: Species presence/absence and importance (number taken eight studies open land forest succession North America. Analysis methods: Presence/absence: We assessed the proportion at each stage. then compared proportions a random model. Importance: tested values against Conclusions: Dioecious were not prevalent There was no significant increase most cases number declined stage, although this trend significant. significantly less important stages early or mid Finally, rarely present climax communities.