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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Ecological Significance Of The Herbaceous Layer In Temperate Forest Ecosystems, Frank S. Gilliam
The Ecological Significance Of The Herbaceous Layer In Temperate Forest Ecosystems, Frank S. Gilliam
Biological Sciences Faculty Research
Despite a growing awareness that the herbaceous layer serves a special role in maintaining the structure and function of forests, this stratum remainsan underappreciated aspect of forest ecosystems. In this article I review and synthesize information concerning the herb layer’s structure,composition, and dynamics to emphasize its role as an integral component of forest ecosystems. Because species diversity is highest in the herb layeramong all forest strata, forest biodiversity is largely a function of the herb-layer community. Competitive interactions within the herb layer candetermine the initial success of plants occupying higher strata, including the regeneration of dominant overstory tree species. Furthermore, …
The Evolution Of Zinjanthropus Boisei, Paul J. Constantino, Bernard A. Wood
The Evolution Of Zinjanthropus Boisei, Paul J. Constantino, Bernard A. Wood
Biological Sciences Faculty Research
Many people assume that OH 5, the type specimen of Paranthropus boisei, collected in 1959, was the first evidence of that taxon to be found, but OH 3, recovered in 1955, predated the discovery of OH 5 by four years. Thus, Paranthropus boisei recently celebrated the equivalent of its fiftieth birthday. This review marks that milestone by examining the way our understanding of this taxon has changed during its fifty, or so, year history.