You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

Ecological correlates of seed size in the British flora

  1. D.J. Hodkinson†,
  2. A.P. Askew,
  3. K. Thompson,
  4. J.G. Hodgson,
  5. J.P. Bakker,
  6. R.M. Bekker

Article first published online: 28 MAR 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00256.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 12, Issue 5, pages 762–766, October 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hodkinson, D.J., Askew, A.P., Thompson, K., Hodgson, J.G., Bakker, J.P. and Bekker, R.M. (1998), Ecological correlates of seed size in the British flora. Functional Ecology, 12: 762–766. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00256.x

Author Information

  1. NERC Unit of Comparative Plant Ecology, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 MAR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 28 MAR 2002

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (147K)

Keywords:

  • Life history;
  • phylogeny;
  • seed longevity;
  • seed size;
  • shade

1. The association between seed size and habitat shade within the British flora was investigated using a data set of seed masses, life histories and quantitative measures of habitat shade for 504 species; the association between seed size and seed longevity was investigated using a data set of seed masses, life histories and seed longevities for 301 species.

2. The data were analysed using the method of phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs) calculated using the software package CAIC (Comparative Analysis by Independent Contrasts).

3. Seed mass was found to be positively correlated with habitat shade and negatively correlated with seed longevity, after variation owing to life history had been accounted for.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (147K)