Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity Creates a “Brown Tide” in Root Phenology and Nutrition
Joint Authors
Stenhouse, Gordon B.
Nielsen, Scott E.
Coogan, Sean C. P.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-07-16
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Earth Science , Water and Environment
Abstract EN
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in plant phenology and nutrition benefits herbivores by prolonging the period in which they can forage on nutritious plants.
Landscape heterogeneity can therefore enhance population performance of herbivores and may be a critically important feature of their habitat.
The benefits of resource heterogeneity over space and time should extend not only to large herbivores using above-ground vegetation but also to omnivores that utilize below-ground resources.
We used generalized linear models to evaluate whether spatial heterogeneity influenced temporal variation in the crude protein content of alpine sweetvetch (Hedysarum alpinum) roots in west-central Alberta, Canada, thereby potentially offering nutritional benefits to grizzly bears (Ursus arctos).
We demonstrated that temporal patterns in the crude protein content of alpine sweetvetch roots were influenced by spatial heterogeneity in annual growing season temperatures and soil moisture and nutrients.
Spatial heterogeneity and asynchrony in the protein content of alpine sweetvetch roots likely benefit grizzly bears by prolonging the period they can forage on high quality resources.
Therefore, we have presented evidence of what we termed a “brown wave” or “brown tide” in the phenology and nutrition of a below-ground plant resource, which is analogous to the previously described “green wave” in above-ground resources.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Coogan, Sean C. P.& Nielsen, Scott E.& Stenhouse, Gordon B.. 2012. Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity Creates a “Brown Tide” in Root Phenology and Nutrition. ISRN Ecology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-485569
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Coogan, Sean C. P.…[et al.]. Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity Creates a “Brown Tide” in Root Phenology and Nutrition. ISRN Ecology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-485569
American Medical Association (AMA)
Coogan, Sean C. P.& Nielsen, Scott E.& Stenhouse, Gordon B.. Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity Creates a “Brown Tide” in Root Phenology and Nutrition. ISRN Ecology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-485569
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-485569