The evolutionary ecology of mast seeding

doi:10.1016/0169-5347(94)90310-7

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Volume 9, Issue 12, December 1994, Pages 465-470

https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(94)90310-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

The past seven years have seen a revolution in understanding the causes of mast seeding In perennial plants. Before 1987, the two main theories were resource matching (i.e. plants vary their reproductive output to match variable resources) and predator satiation (i.e. losses to predators are reduced by varying the seed crop). Today, resource matching is restricted to a proximate role, and predator satiation is only one of many theories for the ultimate advantage of masting. Wind pollination, prediction of favourable years for seedling establishment, animal pollination, animal dispersal of fruits, high accessory costs of reproduction and large seed size have all been advanced as possible causes of masting. Of these, wind pollination, predator satiation and environmental prediction are important in a number of species, but the other theories have less support. In future, Important advances seem likely from quantifying synchrony within a population, and examining species with very constant reproduction between years.

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Trends in Ecology & Evolution

ReviewThe evolutionary ecology of mast seeding

Abstract

J. Theor Biol.

Trends Ecol. Evol.

Trends Ecol. Evol.

Trends Ecol. Evol.

Trends Ecol. Evol.

The Structure and Life of Forest Trees

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst

Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst

Biol. J. Linn. Soc.

The Reproductive Capacity of Plants

Ecology

Funct Ecol.

J. Ecol.

Am. Nat.

Ecology

Nature

Annu. Sci. For.

Review
The evolutionary ecology of mast seeding