Modes of colonization of an heterogenous alluvial area on the edge of the garonne river by Phalaris arundinacea L

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Abstract
The modes of colonization of a heterogenous alluvial area by Phalaris arundinacea L., a pioneer species, were studied on the edge of the Garonne river downstream of Toulouse (S.W. France). The heterogeneity of the location is essentially represented (1) by the type of soil: sands and gravels on the banks of the Garonne and silts in the hollows at a certain distance from the river; (2) by the period of submersion: zones flooded only during short periods and zones submerged during six months of the year; and (3) by the fertility of the substratum.The response of the Phalaris arundinacea population were measured using vegetation structure parameters and descriptions of the development cycle. Water plays the most important part in the identification of space colonization modes. Two types of individual plants appear. Those living in submerged environments for a very short time are characterized by both a high biomass and sexual reproduction energy allowance, and by unimodal growth. Those living in environments flooded over long periods are characterized by both a low biomass and sexual reproduction energy allowance, and by a bimodal growth in two successive generations: a submersion generation and a low‐water generation. Specific competition reduces the differences between the two types of individual plants from the point of view of population cover and of the structure and density of the individual plants. Phalaris arundinacea L. is shown to have a remarkable capacity for colonizing sites with distinctive ecological characteristics.