- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
The definitive examination of oak forest evolutionary ecology.
Seed dispersal is a critical stage in the life cycle of most flowering plants. The process can have far-reaching effects on a species' biology, especially numerous aspects of its ecology and evolution. This is particularly the case for the oaks, in which the dispersal of the acorn is tied to numerous tree characteristics, as well as the behavior and ecology of the animals that feed on and move these seeds to their final destination. Forest structure, composition, and genetics often follow directly from the dispersal process—while also influencing it in turn.
In Oak Seed Dispersal, Michael A. Steele draws on three decades of field research across the globe (e.g., the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and China) to describe the interactions between oaks and their seed consumers. Rodents, birds, and insects, he writes, collectively influence the survival, movement, and germination of acorns, as well as the establishment of seedlings, often indicating a coevolutionary bond between oaks and their seed consumers. This bond can only be understood by unraveling the complex interactions that occur in the context of factors such as partial seed consumption due to acorn chemistry, scatterhoarding, predation of the seed consumers by other organisms, and the limiting effects of masting on insect, rodent, and jay damage.
Offering new insights on how animal-mediated dispersal drives ecological and evolutionary processes in forest ecosystems, Oak Seed Dispersal also includes an overview of threatened oak forests across the globe and explains how a lack of acorn dispersal contributes to many important conservation challenges. Highly illustrated, the book includes photographs of key dispersal organisms and tactics, as well as a foreword by Stephen B. Vander Wall, a leading authority on food hoarding and animal-mediated seed dispersal, and beautiful artwork by Tad C. Theimer, also an accomplished ecologist.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword, by Stephen B. Vander Wall
- Preface
- 1. Seed Dispersal
- 2. The Distribution, Diversity, and Evolution of the Oaks
- 3. The Oak Life Cycle
- 4. Masting in Oaks
- 5. The Oak Dispersal Process: Intrinsic Factors I
- 6. The Oak Dispersal Process: Intrinsic Factors II
- 7. The Oak Dispersal Process: Extrinsic Factors I
- 8. The Oak Dispersal Process: Extrinsic Factors II
- 9. The Rodents: Seed Predators or Seed Dispersers?
- 10. The Jays: A Different Kind of Oak Dispersal Agent
- 11. The Mind of the Scatterhoarder
- 12. The Insects: Acorn Predators, Parasites, or Commensals?
- 13. Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Oak Dispersal,Establishment, and Regeneration
- 14. Threatened Oak Forests and Oak Forest Conservation
- 15. Oak Dispersal and Oak-Animal Interactions: Looking Forward
- Literature Cited
- Index