Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1 Plants and the origin of the biosphere
- Chapter 2 Description of vegetation: the search for global patterns
- Chapter 3 Resources
- Chapter 4 Stress
- Chapter 5 Competition
- Chapter 6 Disturbance
- Chapter 7 Herbivory
- Chapter 8 Positive interactions: mutualism, commensalism, and symbiosis
- Chapter 9 Time
- Chapter 10 Gradients and plant communities: description at local scales
- Chapter 11 Diversity
- Chapter 12 Conservation and management
- Questions for Review
- References
- Index
- References
This chapter is part of a book that is no longer available to purchase from Cambridge Core
Chapter 8 - Positive interactions: mutualism, commensalism, and symbiosis
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1 Plants and the origin of the biosphere
- Chapter 2 Description of vegetation: the search for global patterns
- Chapter 3 Resources
- Chapter 4 Stress
- Chapter 5 Competition
- Chapter 6 Disturbance
- Chapter 7 Herbivory
- Chapter 8 Positive interactions: mutualism, commensalism, and symbiosis
- Chapter 9 Time
- Chapter 10 Gradients and plant communities: description at local scales
- Chapter 11 Diversity
- Chapter 12 Conservation and management
- Questions for Review
- References
- Index
- References
Summary
Mutualism, commensalism, symbiosis. Plant–plant co-operation (facilitation, protection, oxygen, shading). Plant–fungus co-operation (mycorrhizae, lichens). Plant–animal co-operation: pollination by birds, seed dispersal by animals (tapir, ants, rodents), the fates of seeds, dodos. The costs of sexual reproduction. The value of sexuality. Animals defending plants. Symbiosis in animal guts: a consequence of cellulose. Models of mutualism. Conceptual obstacles in the study of mutualism.
Introduction
Definitions
Mutualism is an interaction between two species or individuals that is beneficial to both. It is, in other words, a +/+ interaction, in contrast with competition, which is the reverse, a −/− interaction (Chapter 5). Mutualism is sometimes confused with symbiosis, but the term symbiosis denotes merely that two species are living together in close association. Close association is insufficient evidence for the occurrence of mutualism.
Some of the problems and issues that arise in the study of mutualism are related to those that arose in the study of competition (Chapter 5), since the same problems can arise whether one is trying to assess positive or negative interactions among individuals. Further, just as competition can be asymmetric, where one individual experiences more negative effects than the other, so too can mutualism be asymmetric. Since it is, in fact, rather unlikely that both individuals in a mutualistic relationship will receive identical benefits from the association, most mutualistic interactions probably are asymmetric.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Plants and VegetationOrigins, Processes, Consequences, pp. 336 - 402Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007
References
and . 1982. Neotropical anachronisms: the fruits the gomphotheres ate. Science 215: 19–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Janzen, D. H. 1983. Dispersal of seeds by vertebrate guts. pp. 232–262. In and (eds.) Coevolution. Sunderland: Sinauer.Google Scholar
, , and . 1982. The ecology of mutualism. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 13: 315–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williamson, G. B. 1990. Allelopathy, Koch's postulates and the neck riddle. pp. 143–162. In and (eds.) Perspectives on Plant Competition. San Diego: Academic Press.Google Scholar
, , , and . 1993. Origin and diversification of endomycorrhizal fungi and coincidence with vascular land plants. Nature 363: 67–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
and . 1994. Physical stress and positive associations among marsh plants. The American Naturalist 144: 363–372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
1996. Diversity and Evolutionary Biology of Tropical Flowers. Paperback edition 1994 (with corrections). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Accessibility standard: Unknown
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
Accessibility compliance for the PDF of this book is currently unknown
and may be updated in the future.
- 1
- Cited by