OOS 52 - Underlying Mechanisms of Woody Plant Encroachment

Friday, August 10, 2012: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
B110, Oregon Convention Center
Organizer:
Spencer N. Bissett, Virginia Commonwealth University
Moderator:
Spencer N. Bissett, Virginia Commonwealth University
Over the past decade many studies have focused on encroachment of woody species into different plant communities in ecosystems around the world. Both the causes and consequences have been well quantified. In contrast, the underlying mechanisms of woody encroachment have not been well studied and certainly not presented in a synthetic fashion. The goal of this OOS is to bring together a collection of presentations focusing on various aspects of why some woody species are successful while others are not, and what specific mechanisms drive their expansion. These studies will include physiology, structure, symbiotic associations, reproductive potential, seed dispersal, etc. and will focus on both natural expansions and the well documented invasion of exotic woody species into grasslands and other communities.
8:00 AM
 From seedling establishment to thicketization 
Donald R. Young, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
8:40 AM
 Changing disturbance regimes and woody species dynamics in coastal wetlands
Jesse Fruchter, The Avanti Corporation; Loretta L. Battaglia, Southern Illinois University
9:00 AM
 The two-layer hypothesis is dead: Long live the two-layer hypothesis
Karen H. Beard, Utah State University; Andrew Kulmatiski, University of Alaska Anchorage; Michael Mazzacavallo, University of Alaska Anchorage
9:20 AM
 Bi-stability, compromised resilience, and state-shift indicators: Abrupt shift of tallgrass prairie to degraded shrubland
Zak Ratajczak, Kansas State University; Jesse Nippert, Kansas State University; Troy W. Ocheltree, University of Minnesota
9:40 AM
9:50 AM
 Linking hydraulic properties, canopy structure, and light use to shrub expansion
Sheri A. Shiflett, Virginia Commonwealth University; Julie C. Zinnert, Virginia Commonwealth University; Donald R. Young, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
10:10 AM
 How ontogenetic niche shifts in the moisture tolerances of an exotic tree influence its invasion dynamics
Christopher A. Gabler, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center; Evan Siemann, Rice University
10:30 AM
 Alternative stable states of grassland and woodland introduced by positive feedbacks between vegetation and microclimate
Paolo D'Odorico, University of Virginia; Yufei He, University of Virginia; Staphan DeWekker, University of Virginia; Jose Fuentes, Pennsylvania State University; Scott L. Collins, University of New Mexico; William T. Pockman, University of New Mexico; Marcy E. Litvak, University of New Mexico
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