LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY SREM 3011 LECTURE 5 Dr Brendan Mackey Department of Geography The Australian National University
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY SREM 3011 LECTURE 5 Dr Brendan Mackey Department of Geography The Australian National University
A FErtile offspring under natural conditions <barrier to reproduction> <morphological> ≤ genetic analysis> What is a species?
A B ‘Fertile offspring under natural conditions’ <‘barrier’ to reproduction> <morphological> <genetic analysis> What is a species?
What characteristics/attributes should/can we measure to quantify the response of biota to climate or the environment, generally)? Individual plant characteristic/attributes Characteristics of a vegetation stand How does climate affect plant physiology select plant/vegetation attributes for which there is a physiological basis that reflects measurable environmental attributes
• What characteristics/attributes should/can we measure to quantify the response of biota to climate (or the environment, generally)? • Individual plant characteristic/attributes • Characteristics of a vegetation stand • How does climate affect plant physiology - select plant/vegetation attributes for which there is a physiological basis that reflects measurable environmental attributes
Taxonomy Every plant is a measure of the conditions under which it grows Presencelabsence of a species Environmental variables have not exceeded tolerance ranges Plant has made net growth Ecologically competitive BUT What is a species? A taxonomic abstraction ?? Any reality outside a taxonomist's head?
Taxonomy - ‘Every plant is a measure of the conditions under which it grows’ - Presence/absence of a species • Environmental variables have not exceeded tolerance ranges • Plant has made net growth • Ecologically competitive BUT What is a species? A taxonomic abstraction?? Any reality outside a taxonomist’s head?
Plant genetics manifests in the landscape in varlous ways 1. Taxonomic classification 2. Age structure height sIze diameter 3. Productivity(Biomass) 4. Growth forms 5. Physiognomy and phenology 6. Life history/regeneration strategies
Plant genetics manifests in the landscape in various ways: 1. Taxonomic classification 2. Age structure size 3. Productivity (Biomass) 4. Growth forms 5. Physiognomy and phenology 6. Life history/regeneration strategies height diameter