[PCA] Need info on std. template to profile life cycles of angiosperms, emphasis on reproductive dynamics
bmacbryde at netscape.net
bmacbryde at netscape.net
Mon Dec 22 11:48:43 CST 2008
Where I work (USDA/APHIS), we are in early stages of planning to
prepare and/or fine-tune and adopt a relatively standard set of
parameters (which we are calling a template) to indicate basic life
cycles of flowering plants in the United States, focusing mainly on
common crop plants and several plantation trees. The impetus behind
this idea is to organize and focus internal information better, and
limit the categories to those we really need. This would not be for a
relational database. We then envision preparing brief (several page)
biological documents (profiles) on individual species, which would
adhere tightly to the standard template. The results for a species
would be something like the Cliffs Notes, but much shorter.
I would appreciate information on existing standard formats or
templates of this general type. For example, parameters of interest to
put in the standard template include: native or introduced; annual,
biennial, herbaceous or woody perennial; modes of pollination (wind,
insects, both, percentages, characteristics); outcrossing, selfing,
both (and rough percentages); isolation distances to maintain genetic
separation between cultivated strains (cultivars); vegetative
propagation (kinds, extent); modes of dispersal (and characteristics);
seed dormancy (practical characteristics, longevity); potential
free-living strains (weedy strains or relatives, other taxa); etc.
Details on morphology are not a focus.
Occasionally others have made thorough efforts to capture life history
variation in flowering plants, for example in standardizing categories
for a relational database. I'd much appreciate suggestions on major
comprehensive papers or similar efforts, whether they relate to wild
plants (native or naturalized), horticultural plants, silvicultural
plants, or agricultural plants. The idea is not to elaborate on the
infinite variation, but just to capture the main categories to profile
the potential dynamics of such species.
Thanks, Bruce MacBryde, Ph.D.
USDA/APHIS
Riverdale, MD
E-mail: bmacbryde at netscape.net
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