Competitive abilities of three narrowly endemic plant species in experimental neighborhoods along a fire gradient

We conducted field experiments manipulating lichens, shrubs, and herbs alon g a time-since-fire gradient and assessing effects on three endemic herbace ous species of Florida scrub: Eryngium cuneifolium, Hypericum cumulicola, a nd Polygonella basiramia. Responses included seed germination, survival, bi omass, and fecundity. Transplants into recently burned patches generally ha d higher survival, larger biomass, and greater reproductive output than tra nsplants into long-unburned patches. Open areas and sites near oaks frequen tly were more favorable than sites near Florida rosemary. Ground lichens di d not affect germination but increased mortality rate of seedlings. Neighbo ring small shrubby and herbaceous species did not affect the performance of these species. Of the three species, naturally occurring E. cuneifolium we re farthest from large shrubs, and their microhabitats had the least ground lichens and shrubs. Eryngium cuneifolium and H. cumulicola are capable of forming persistent seed banks and their recruitment after fire depends most ly on these dormant seeds. Polygonella basiramia relies on seed dispersal a nd immediate seed germination to colonize recently burned patches. Manageme nt for these species should involve variable fire regimes to allow all thre e species to persist along with many other scrub endemics.