What do seedlings die from and what are the implications for evolution of seed size?

Article Abstract:

The literature indicates that drought, herbivory and pathogen attack are the major causes of mortality in natural seedling populations, with competition from other seedlings accounting for a relatively small proportion of seeding deaths. The dominance of frequency-independent mortality in the first season of growth suggests that the seed-size/number trade-off hypothesis is not a convincing explanation for the wide range of seed mass observed in most vegetation types.

Influence, Bacteria, Pathogenic, Pathogenic bacteria, Seedlings

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Leaf expansion times: a response to Sun (2003)

Article Abstract:

Moles and Westoby explain their hypotheses that small leaf species take less time to expand their leaves than the larger leaf species within a common temperature zone. However, they agree that further evidence across many species and sites will be needed to decide about the generality of the pattern.

Analysis, Plant reproduction

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Leaf expansion rate, final leaf size and leaf expansion period are not necessarily correlated

Article Abstract:

Moles and Westoby have hypothesized that final leaf size and leaf expansin are strongly correlated (Oikos 90: 517-524). However, it is concluded that the hypotheses are incorrect, the conclusions unreliable and the data may have been misinterpreted.

Australia

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