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Population cycles caused by overcompensating density-dependence in an annual plant

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Summary

We analyse demographic data from a seven-year study of the annual crucifer Erophila verna which showed two-year cycles of abundance in the field. The unusual behaviour of this population is shown to be the consequence of overcompensating density-dependence. Very local differences in germination succes between plots can account for observed differences in their population dynamics over the long term.

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Author notes

  1. J. Silvertown

    Present address: Biology Dept., Open University, Walton Hall, MK7 6AA, Milton Keynes, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Botany, Warsaw University, Al. Ujazdowskie 4, 00-478, Warsaw, Poland

    E. Symonides

  2. Section of Ecology & Systematics, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    J. Silvertown & V. Andreasen

Authors
  1. E. Symonides
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  2. J. Silvertown
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  3. V. Andreasen
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Symonides, E., Silvertown, J. & Andreasen, V. Population cycles caused by overcompensating density-dependence in an annual plant. Oecologia 71, 156–158 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377336

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377336

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