Reproduction and Survivorship of Cakile edentula var. lacustris Along the Lake Huron Shoreline

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Abstract
C. e. var. lacustris, a summer annual of the family Brassicaceae, is abundant between the 1st dune ridge and shoreline of Lake Huron. Populations are most dense in the middle of their distribution (driftline) and least dense at the landward and lakeward ends of the gradient. Survivorship and fruit production were highest on the lakeward end of the gradient and decreased landward. A majority of the fruits produced on plants close to the shoreline were dispersed landward by high waves. Several environmental and biotic factors, such as sand accretion, exposure of roots by sand erosion, desiccation, insect damage, disease infection and human trampling may be directly, or indirectly, responsible for seedling mortality.