Abstract
Three Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull heathlands (1100, 1500 and 1780 m altitude) are studied in order to establish and estimate parameters which will be integrated in a discrete event simulation of heathland functioning in the case of a 2 °C climate warming. The sites, situated in the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy (France), present similar conditions for Calluna growth: bedrock (trachyt), exposure and slope, so that they can be compared on a climatic basis. Main parameters sampled are: age distributions, life expectancies, layering probabilities, annual growths, biomasses (standing crop), C/N rates and potential respiratory of soils. In addition, experiments were carried out on germination, hypocotyle elongation and growth of mycorrhizal fungi in order to estimate the inhibitory-to-growth action against the substitution process. On one stand (exhibiting gaps) the patch structure of Calluna plants was recorded and mapped. The rising of biomass expected is calculated according to the Aerts's model, as a function of nitrogen availability which would increase under a scenario of climate warming. From a similar point of view, layering probabilities, life expectancies and inhibition of seedlings survival modelling – under a linear model assumption – are proposed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aerts, R. 1993. Biomass and nutrient dynamics of dominant plant species from heathlands, In: Aerts R. & Heil G.W. (eds), Heathlands: pattern and processes in a changing environment, pp. 51–84. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Ballester, A., Vieitez, E. & Mantilla, J.L. 1975. Chemical substances inhibiting growth and germination present in Ericaceae. Anales Instituto Botanica Cavanilles 31(1): 235–243.
Barclay-Estrup, P., 1970. The description and interpretation of cyclical processes in a heath community. II Changes in biomass and shoot production during the Calluna cycle. J. Ecol. 58: 243–249.
Barclay-Estrup, P. & Gimingham, C. H. 1969. The description and interpretation of cyclical processes in a heath community. I. Vegetational change in relation to the Calluna cycle. J. Ecol. 57: 737–758.
Berendse, F. 1990. Organic matter accumulation and nitrogen mineralization during secondary succession in heathland ecosystems. J. Ecol. 78: 413–427.
Beuker, E., Kolström & Kellomäki, S. 1996. Changes in wood production of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris under a warmer climate: comparison of field measurements and results of a mathematical model. Silva Fennica 30(2-3): 239–246.
Bruggink, M. 1993. Seed bank, germination and establishment of ericaceous and gramineous species in heathlands, pp. 153–180. In: Aerts R. & Heil G. W. (eds), Heathlands: pattern and processes in a changing environment, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Brown, D. G. 1994. Predicting vegetation types at treeline using topography and biophysical disturbance variables. J. Veg. Sci. 5: 641–656.
Clément, B. 1987. Structure et dynamique des communautes et des populations végétales des landes bretonnes. Thè se Doctorat Etat, Université de Rennes, France.
Coquillard, P. 1995. Simulation of the cyclical process of heathlands. Induction of mosaics structures, evolution to irreversible states. Ecol. Model. 80: 97–111.
Coquillard, P. & Fain, J. 1995. Montecarlo simulation of colonization by Pinus sylvestris of heathland on degenerate phase on volcanic substrate, pp: 274–289. In D. Bellan-Santini et al. (eds), Functioning and Dynamics of Natural and Perturbed Ecosystems. Lavoisier, Paris.
Coquillard, P. & Hill, D. R. C. 1996. Oriented-object simulation of Scots Pine growth interactions. Simulation 65(6): 411–416.
Coquillard, P. & Hill, D. R. C. 1997. Modélisation et Simulation d'Ecosystè mes: des modè les déterministes aux simulations à événements discrets. pp 273, Masson, Paris.
Doche, B. 1986. Déterminisme et expression cartographique des successions végétales. Exemple de l'Aubrac montagnard. Thè se Doctorat Etat, Université J. Fourrier, Grenoble, France.
Gimimgham, C. H. 1978. Calluna and its associated species: some aspects of co-existence in communities. Vegetatio 36(3): 179–186.
Gueugnot, J., Coquillard, P., Michelin, Y. & Jougla, P. 1993. Agro-écologie des landes et herbages de l'étage montagnard du Massif du Sancy (Massif Central, France). Ecologie 24(2-3-4): 151–168.
Helsper, H. P. G. & Klerken, G. A. M., 1984. Germination of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull in vitro under different pH conditions. Acta Botanica Neerlandica. 33(3): 347–353.
Hétier, J. M. 1975. Formation et évolution des andosols en climat tempéré. Thè se Doctorat Etat, Université Nancy, France.
Hill, D. R. C., Mazel, C. & Coquillard, P. 1996. Integrating V&V in the object-oriented life cycle of ecological modelling simulation projects pp: 21–25. In 8th European Simulation Symposium 96 (Simulation in Industry) Oct. 24- 26, Genova (Italy).
Hullu, E. de & Gimingham, C. H. 1984. Germination and establishment of seedlings in different phases of the Calluna cycle in a Scottish heathland. Vegetatio 58: 115–121.
Loiseau, P., De Montard, F. X. & Ricou, G. 1990. Grasslands in upland areas: the Massif Central (France), Managed Grasslands, pp: 71–97. In: A. Breymeyer (eds)., Elsevier, Amsterdam.
McDonald, A. J., Kirkpatrick, A. H., Hester, A. J. & Sydes, C. 1995. Regeneration by natural layering of heather (Calluna vulgaris): frequency and characteristics in upland Britain. J. Appl. Ecol. 32: 85–99.
Marcelis, C. 1981. Contribution a l'étude des effets allélopathiques de Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull sur la germination de Triticum aestivum L. Mémoire Licence Sciences Botaniques, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.
Monserud, A. R., Tchebakova, N. M., Kolchugina, P. & Denissenko, O. V. 1996. Change in Siberian phytomass predicted for global warming. Silva Fennica 30(2-3): 185–200.
Neilson, R. P. & Marks, D. 1994. A global perspective of regional vegetation and hydrologic sensitivities from climatic change. J. Veg. Sci. 5: 715–730.
Perala, D. A. & Alm, A. A. 1990. Reproductive ecology of Birch: a review. Forest Ecol. Manag. 32: 1–38.
Prévosto, B., Gueugnot, J. & Coquillard, P. 1999a. Growth model of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) on two volcanic mountains in the French Massif Central. Plant Ecology. In press.
Prévosto, B., Curt, T., Gueugnot, J. & Coquillard, P. 1999b. Modeling Scots pine growth at mountain level on volcanic substrate. Forest Ecol. Manag. In press.
Rind, D., Goldberg, R. & Ruedy, R. 1989. Change in climate variability in the 21st century. Climatic change 14: 5–37.
Robinson, R. R. K. 1972. The production by roots of Calluna vulgaris of a factor inhibitory to growth of some mycorrhizal fungi. J. Ecol. 60(1): 219–224.
Salas, M. C. & Vieitez, E. 1975. Inhibidores de germinacion en Ericaceas. Anal. Inst. Bot. Cavaniles 32(2): 619–631.
Wallén, B. 1980. Structure and dynamics of Calluna vulgaris on stand dunes in South Sweden. Oikos 35: 20–30.
Werger, M. J. A., Prentice, I. C. & Helsper, H. P. H. 1985. The effect of sodd-cutting to different depths on Calluna heathland regeneration. J. Environment. Manag. 20: 181–188.
White, J. D. & Running, S. W. 1994. Testing scale dependent assumptions in regional ecosystem simulations. J. Vegetat. Sci. 5: 685–702.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coquillard, P., Gueugnot, J., Michalet, R. et al. Heathlands functioning in a perspective of climate warming – Estimation of parameters, elements for discrete event simulation. Plant Ecology 149, 107–118 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009805112857
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009805112857