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3 April 2017 Shade, reproductive effort and growth of the endangered native cactus, Opuntia humifusa Raf. in Point Pelee National Park, Canada
Taly Dawn Drezner
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Abstract

Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear cactus) is an endangered species in Canada, found principally in only one remaining location nationally, at Point Pelee National Park (PPNP). This study quantifies fruit and flower production in the population, the pad yellowing phenomenon that has been observed, overlying coverage and shade, and a variety of plant size metrics in order to assess the relationships between these factors. A variety of parametric (ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation, t tests) and nonparametric (Spearman's rank correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test) statistical analyses were conducted. Pad yellowing, a presumed sign of ill health, was not significantly related to any aspect of plant size or reproduction, and was statistically related only to shade (less yellowing with greater shade). Shade also affects plant height, with taller plants associated with greater shade. Reproductive effort is lower in shadier sites, and shade also appears to delay reproduction to later in the season. Published research generally suggests that increases in sexual reproduction are a sign of stress, suggesting an overall decrease in stress in the cactus population in the Park. However, I observed that reproduction decreased with shade, and increasing shade is known to cause population decline, making the effects of light stress at PPNP difficult to determine.

©Copyright 2017 by The Torrey Botanical Society
Taly Dawn Drezner "Shade, reproductive effort and growth of the endangered native cactus, Opuntia humifusa Raf. in Point Pelee National Park, Canada," The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 144(2), 179-190, (3 April 2017). https://doi.org/10.3159/TORREY-D-16-00027R1
Received: 5 May 2016; Published: 3 April 2017
KEYWORDS
cactus (Cactaceae)
conservation
endangered species
fish-eye photography
reproduction
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