The biogeomorphological life cycle of poplars during the fluvial biogeomorphological succession: a special focus on Populus nigra L. |
| |
Authors: | D Corenblit J Steiger E González A M Gurnell G Charrier J Darrozes J Dousseau F Julien L Lambs S Larrue E Roussel F Vautier O Voldoire |
| |
Institution: | 1. Clermont Université, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Clermont‐Ferrand Cedex 1, France;2. CNRS, UMR 6042, GEOLAB – Laboratoire de géographie physique et environnementale, Clermont‐Ferrand, France;3. Peatland Ecology Research Group, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada;4. School of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK;5. Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, UMR 5563, GET – Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Toulouse, France;6. Université Paul Sabatier, INP, CNRS, UMR 5245, ECOLAB – Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Toulouse, France;7. CNRS, USR 3550, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Clermont‐Ferrand Cedex 1, France |
| |
Abstract: | Riverine ecosystems are recurrently rejuvenated during destructive flood events and vegetation succession starts again. Poplars (i.e. species from Populus genera) respond to hydrogeomorphological constraints, but, in turn, also influence these processes. Thus, poplar development on bare mineral substrates is not exclusively a one‐way vegetative process. Reciprocal interactions and adjustments between poplar species and sediment dynamics during their life cycle lead to the emergence of biogeomorphological entities within the fluvial corridor, such as vegetated islands, benches and floodplains. Based on a review of geomorphological, biological and ecological literature, we have identified and described the co‐constructing processes between riparian poplars and their fluvial environment. We have explored the possibility that the modification of the hydrogeomorphological environment exerted, in particular, by the European black poplar (Populus nigra L.), increases its fitness and thus results in positive niche construction. We focus on the fundamental phases of dispersal, recruitment and establishment until sexual maturity of P. nigra by describing the hierarchy of interactions and the pattern of feedbacks between biotic and abiotic components. We explicitly relate the biological life cycle of P. nigra to the fluvial biogeomorphic succession model by referring to the ‘biogeomorphological life cycle’ of P. nigra. Finally, we propose new research perspectives based on this theoretical framework. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| |
Keywords: | biogeomorphology biogeomorphological life cycle fluvial biogeomorphic succession model abiotic‐biotic feedback engineer species Salicaceae evolutionary geomorphology |
|
|