Survivorship patterns in an annual plant community

Age-specific survivorship was studied in a number of plant species which occur in a distinct, predominantly annual plant community of Texas, in association with the activities of pocket gophers. Of eleven species analyzed in detail, all functioned as annuals. Contrary to theoretical expectations, the species had low rates of juvenile mortality, and did not exhibit the demographic specializations of weedy or colonizing species. It is suggested that the annual habit in this case may be adaptive in sites with continual disturbance, such as that due to pocket gopher activity.