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Ecology and Adaptive Strategies

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Vegetation Ecology of Socotra

Part of the book series: Plant and Vegetation ((PAVE,volume 7))

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Abstract

Most of the Socotra Archipelago is occupied by desert or semi-desert vegetation types, and deserts impose severe restrictions on plant growth. Few detailed studies have been carried out on adaptive features of Socotran plants to their environment, and the information that is forthcoming mainly relates to plants of the desert plains in both the north and south of the island. In this chapter, some key adaptations to arid desert environments are discussed, followed by a brief overview of the adaptations to saline and high montane ecosystems. The Raunkiaer life-form classification system is of limited use for predominantly desert ecosystems, because it is rather restricted in its structure–function relationships relevant to desert life. The five main types are briefly discussed, followed by a more detailed overview of the major growth-forms. Other classification systems place greater emphasis on the role of physiological adaptations, and “plant functional types”, which reduce the complexity of species diversity in biological systems to a limited number of key types, can facilitate a better understanding of important ecosystem processes. Several of the more common functional classification systems are outlined, and their application to the flora of Socotra is indicated. Short accounts of topics such as pollination ecology, including the potential significance of bird-pollination, seed dispersal and germination are given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Gary Brown

  2. Department of Botany, Universitäet Duisburg-Essen, Gebäude S05, V05 E32, Essen, Germany

    Bruno A. Mies

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Brown, G., Mies, B.A. (2012). Ecology and Adaptive Strategies. In: Vegetation Ecology of Socotra. Plant and Vegetation, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4141-6_5

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