Plant competition in mediterranean-type vegetation

Plant competition in communities subjected to stress and disturbance is an important ecological issue. We review studies on plant competition in mediterranean-type plant communities in order to discuss its effect on plant- and plant community structure, to determine the type of competition that takes place and the interaction between competition and effects of fire. Competition can intermittently effect all stages of the plant life cycle. Water and light seem to be the most frequent resources for which plants compete. Competition for nutrients also occurs and seems to be more intense when nutrient availability is high. Plant interference through allelopathy is also important. Competition may also occur after fire but it is not clear if it is less intense than in mature stands. As most of the studies have been carried out in California. More field experiments that combine the effect of competition and fire along with environmental gradients differing in water and nutrient levels should be conducted in other mediterranean regions in order to draw generalizations on the mechanisms of competition in plant communities.