hybridization is normally prevented by different flowering times in the two species, but under certain climatic/weather conditions hybridization may occur (Dorman and Barber 1956), and natural hybrids of shortleaf pine and loblolly pine have been reported (Zobel 1953, Hare and Switzer 1969, Edwards-Burke et al. 1997 and Stewart et al. 2010). The questions are where, when, and why do they hybrid...

Wildfires are a natural disturbance in many ecosystems. Consequently, plant species have acquired traits that allow them to resist and regenerate an environment with recurrent fires. A key trait fire-prone ecosystems is the age at first reproduction (maturity age); populations of non-resprouting cannot persist when fire interval shorter than this age. Maturity variable among individuals, so we ...

The development of transportation in the 19th century allowed for transfer large quantities pine seeds between significant areas Europe. This artificial migration usually had negative breeding consequences, so regulations were introduced to protect local gene pools. current dynamically changing climate contributes a reconsideration assisted genotypes as factor mitigation risks. However, require...

The endangered South Australian glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus Mathews 1912) feeds almost exclusively on the seeds of the drooping sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata), and shows marked preferences for individual trees. This field study investigated foraging ecology and tree selection through observations of foraging birds and measurements of trees and seed cones. Th...

Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman is a major disturbance agent in American pine forests, but attack preferences for various host species, and their relative suitability for reproduction, are poorly known. We studied patterns of beetle attack and reproduction during an infestation of stands containing Virginia pine and loblolly pine. Nearly all Virginia pine were attacked and killed, whereas a th...