Cyclic Change and Pattern in an Arthrocnemum Community in Sri Lanka

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Abstract
The low shrub A. indicum is closely related to Salicornia and dominates some saline habitats in Sri Lanka. The plants show cyclic change and associated pattern. The plants spread by radiating prostrate shoots which bear upright aerial shoots having clusters of branches. These trap wind-borne sand which then forms hummocks. Each clump goes through a cycle of pioneer, building, mature, degenerate and eroded phases. Vegetation pattern is controlled by A. indicum. Progressive accumulation of fine sand, organic debris and humus around the plants of A. indicum improves the water-retaining capacity of soil on hummocks; Cynodon dactylon is then able to establish and colonize more frequently on hummocks than elsewhere, but on any particular hummock it grows better where either or both the abundance and performance of A. indicum is low. Thus, 1 element in the pattern of C. dactylon is of enviornmental origin and the other is imposed upon it by A. indicum.