Influence of competition by sown grass, disturbance and litter on recruitment of rare flood-meadow species

As a response to the sharp decline in species-rich flood-meadows along the northern Upper Rhine during the past decades, large-scaled restoration projects have been started recently. For the implementation of restoration measures knowledge about the effects of topsoil disturbance, litter and simultaneously sown grasses on seedling recruitment are of special interest. This applies in particular to the role of sown of grasses that may accelerate sward development and ease the incorporation of newly created meadows into local farming systems. As study species we selected six typical, but rare or declining flood-meadow species which differed in seed size, since this may influence the impact of the applied treatments. We studied effects of simultaneously sown grasses on germination and recruitment success of these flood-meadow species in two former arable fields situated in the functional and fossil floodplain along the northern Upper Rhine. The effects of litter and topsoil disturbance in an existing grass sward on the recruitment of the six flood-meadow species were experimentally assessed in a species-poor grassland in the functional floodplain. The individual fate of emerging seedlings was followed over two years. The effects of the applied treatments were species-specific and rather inconsistent. Responses towards disturbance and litter application corresponded to differences in seed size, with large-seeded species showing a lower susceptibility to the influence of treatments. In addition, simultaneous sowing of grass did not hamper seedling recruitment in most cases, and thus seems to be a feasible measure to accelerate the integration of newly created flood-meadows into farming systems.     

Management effects on the vegetation and soil seed bank of calcareous grasslands: An 11-year experiment

Calcareous grasslands, most of which are man made and therefore depend on some kind of human interference for their maintenance, are among the most species-rich communities on Earth at a small scale. For many centuries, most of these grasslands have been used as extensive pasture. However, after 1900, and particularly from 1940 onwards, livestock grazing has declined throughout Europe leading to the abandonment of low intensity grasslands over large areas. To conserve the remaining grasslands or to restore recently abandoned grasslands, better insights about the effects of grassland management on above and belowground species diversity are needed. Here, we describe the results of an 11-year experiment to investigate the role of grassland management (grazing, mowing and abandonment) in determining species composition and diversity both in the aboveground vegetation and the seed bank of a calcareous grassland in Belgium. Species diversity declined by about 60% 11 years after abandonment, from 29 species m⁻² to as few as 12 species m⁻². Plots that were grazed remained constant in species richness, whereas mown sites lost about 20% of their original species. Abandoned plots were largely dominated by a few grass species, in particular Festuca rubra. Concomitant with changes in the aboveground vegetation, both the number of species found in the seed bank and seed density (number of seeds m⁻²) had changed significantly 11 years after abandonment. Species diversity and seed density were significantly lower in abandoned plots than in grazed or mown plots. We conclude that abandonment of calcareous grasslands may lead to rapid decline of plant species diversity both in the aboveground vegetation and in the seed bank. As a result, seed banks probably have a limited role to play in the restoration of recently abandoned grasslands.     

Non-native anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.) reduce seed germination and seedling survival of temperate and boreal trees species

Recent studies have shown that the introduction of non-native earthworms in previously earthworm-free soils may have negative impacts on the recruitment of certain understory plant species in northern temperate forests. There is a need, therefore, to understand the mechanisms that may underlie this phenomenon. A microcosm study was conducted to test the effects of the anecic earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris L., on the number of days for germination, % seed germination, seedling survival and seedling biomass of 14 tree species native to southern Quebec (Canada). Seeds of these species were germinated and grown in the presence or absence of L. terrestris. The presence of earthworms significantly reduced % seed germination of seven tree species, as well as seedling survival of three tree species. The germination date of three tree species was significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by the presence of earthworms. Earthworms had no effect on seedling biomass. Results suggest that the introduction of L. terrestris into forested ecosystems of southern Québec may potentially alter overstory composition through several mechanisms that differentially affect the recruitment of various tree species in the understory.     

平朔安太堡露天矿排土场土壤种子库研究

采用萌发试验法研究了安太堡露天矿排土场土壤种子库特征,结果表明:排土场土壤中有活性种子存在,且以1年生植物为主,可为植被恢复提供物质基础;随着复垦时间的延长,土壤微环境改善,种子库的组成种类增加,数量增多,幼苗生长加快;复垦10年的沙棘、草地、刺槐林地,土壤种子库组成种类较新排土区明显增多,且优势种因复垦模式不同而异;未复垦的空旷区有利于种子传播,但土壤微环境差,不利于种子萌发,幼苗生长较差.     

Effect of litter removal on species richness and acidification of a mixed oak-pine woodland

Eutrophication of woodland ecosystems and disappearance of acidophilous species have often been observed in central and western Europe over recent decades. Considerable increase in air-borne nitrogen and sulphur has been invoked as responsible for these processes in most studies. Historic data indicate that for hundreds of years man removed litter and fodder from many woodlands in these areas. As a result, woodland soils became poorer and more acid than they were originally. Cessation of the removal of materials may resulted in soil enrichment and eutrophication of many woods. This hypothesis was tested in a 16-year litter removal experiment in an acidophilous mixed oak-pine wood in southern Poland. It was found that litter removal resulted in substantial impoverishment of soil. After 16 years soil of the litter removal plots contained significantly less P, Mg and Ca, and had a lower cation exchange capacity (CEC) in the epihumus subhorizon, and less Ca and a lower CEC in the humus and lessivage horizons than soil in the control plots. Vascular plant species and bryophytes colonized the litter removal plots much more frequently. Within 16 years species richness increased in the field layer of these plots, but abundance of dominant species and character of vegetation remained unchanged, while vegetation of the control plots changed from acidophilous to neutrophilous. Disappearance in the control plots of vascular plants species and mosses common in mixed woodlands was caused by thick litter layer which impeded seed germination and seedling development, and by competition of dominant species. The results obtained suggest that acidophilous vegetation in the field layer of the study wood was associated with material removal by man over a long time, and its eutrophication largely resulted from the cessation of traditional methods of management.     

Evaluating barriers to native seedling establishment in an invaded Hawaiian lowland wet forest

Many tropical island forest ecosystems are dominated by non-native plant species and lack native species regeneration in the understorey. Comparison of replicated control and removal plots offers an opportunity to examine not only invasive species impacts but also the restoration potential of native species. In lowland Hawaiian wet forests little is known about native species seed dynamics, recruitment requirements, or the effects of management. In a heavily invaded lowland wet forest, we examined the relationship between seed presence and seedling establishment in control and removal plots. Non-native species were competitively superior because they had higher germination percentages and dominated the seed bank; only seven out of 33,375 seedlings were native. In contrast, the seed rain contained native seed, but native seedling recruitment was almost exclusively limited to removal plots, suggesting that optimum establishment conditions are not met in the presence of a dense mid-storey of non-native species. Non-native species dominance was altered and biomass significantly decreased over time resulting in a reduced weeding effort (12.38-0.77 g day⁻¹). We suggest that with opening of the canopy through non-native species removal and subsequent weeding, it may be possible to reduce the seed bank enough to skew the regeneration potential towards native species. Our results suggest that germination success and lack of a seed bank are the main bottlenecks for native species. We conclude that without invasive species control, future regeneration of Hawaiian lowland wet forests is likely to be almost entirely non-native.     

Breeding system and inbreeding depression in the clonal plant species Knautia arvensis (Dipsacaceae): implications for survival in abandoned grassland

Larger clonal sizes observed in abandoned than in managed grassland could result in increased geitonogamy in Knautia arvensis. The species was investigated for self-compatibility, seed set without pollinators, and inbreeding depression in a greenhouse experiment. Seed set was equivalent in hand-selfed and hand-outcrossed plants (c. 53%), indicating full self-compatibility. Seed set was low (2.8%) in caged, unmanipulated flower heads. There was no significant difference in seed weight, germination, and survival between selfed and outcrossed progeny. Juvenile biomass was significantly lower in selfed than in outcrossed progeny (on average 45% lower). Cumulative fitness calculations for germination, survival, and juvenile biomass showed that the mean inbreeding depression was 58% in offspring produced by selfing. The results suggest that in K. arvensis, which is protected against self-pollination within flower heads through protandry, the likely mechanism for selfing is via geitonogamy among flower heads. Geitonogamy among ramets within the larger clones observed in abandoned grassland could reduce offspring viability in K. arvensis since the fitness of selfed offspring was low. Inbreeding depression could therefore add to the recruitment problems experienced by plants in abandoned grassland, both in K. arvensis and probably in other clonal grassland species, depending on their growth structure and breeding system.     

Effect of vegetation manipulation of abandoned arable land on soil microbial properties

 The effect of vegetation composition on various soil microbial properties in abandoned arable land was investigated 2 years after agricultural practice had terminated. Microbial numbers and processes were determined in five replicate plots of each of the following treatments: continued agricultural practice (monoculture of buckwheat in 1997), natural colonization by the pioneer community (arable weeds), and manipulated colonization from low (four species, three functional groups: grasses, forbs and legumes) or high diversity (15 species, three functional groups) seed mixtures from plant species that are characteristic of abandoned fields in later successional stages. The results indicated that differences in above-ground plant biomass, plant species composition and plant species diversity had no significant effect on soil microbial processes (net N mineralization, short-term nitrification, respiration and Arg ammonification), microbial biomass C and N (fumigation-incubation) or colony-forming units of the major microbial groups. Hence, there were no indications that soil microbial processes responded differently within 2 years of colonization of abandoned arable land by later successional plants as compared to that by plants from the natural pioneer weed community. Therefore, it seems that during the first few years after arable field abandonment, plants are more dependent on the prevailing soil microbiological conditions than vice versa. Received: 8 April 1999     

Control of pitch pine seed germination and initial growth exerted by leaf litters and polyphenolic compounds

We investigated the influence of three concentrations of water extracts of three leaf litter species (pitch pine, huckleberry and white oak) and a mixture of all litters on the germination of pitch pine seeds and initial seedling growth in a microcosm experiment. All three plant species are important components of the pine barrens ecosystems in New Jersey, where it has been seen that pine seedling recruitment occurs only after stand replacing fire or in disturbed sites, where surface organic soil horizons and leaf litter have been removed. Leaf litter extracts did not influence seed germination, but significantly reduced seedling growth at high concentrations. There was little difference between the leaf litter species in growth suppression. As charcoal is a natural residue on the forest floor following fire, its influence on growth suppression was examined; it has been shown to immobilize polyphenols. Charcoal removed the inhibitory effect of leaf litter extracts and allowed the fertilizer effect of nutrients leached from the leaves to enhance seedling growth, particularly at the higher concentration of litter extract used. Responses to litter extracts were compared to four pure phenolic compounds, catchecol, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and tannic acid. None of these compounds suppressed pine seedling growth, suggesting that these phenolics are not allelopathic to pine seedlings. The results are discussed in the context of fire as a driving factor in these oligotrophic and seasonally dry ecosystems and the interactions between nutrient supply and allelopathic chemistry of different leaf litters.     

Spatial and temporal effects on recruitment of an Afromontane forest tree in a threatened fragmented ecosystem

Tropical forest fragmentation affects animal and plant populations in different ways. For plants, early stages (seed to seedling) are more sensitive to habitat alteration than adults, and can shape their future spatial patterns. Therefore, studying how seed germination and seedling growth and survival vary at different spatiotemporal scales enhances our understanding about plant recruitment in fragmented ecosystems. In this study we examine if, and to what extent, recruitment at early life-stages of Xymalos monospora (Monomiaceae), a bird-dispersed Afrotropical tree, differs between and within forest fragments that vary in size, surrounding matrix and microhabitats. Three years of field experiments (2004-2006) in south-east Kenya, revealed that patterns of seed germination and seedling survival and growth were largely inconsistent, both in space and time. Recruitment was not consistently higher in larger or less disturbed fragments. At smaller spatial scales within forest fragments, recruitment was subject to high between-year variation too, with decreased germination in gaps only in the dry year of 2004. However, performance of seeds and seedlings was consistently better away from than under conspecific fruiting trees. Our results imply that fragmented tree populations of X. monospora may become age-structured, or ultimately go extinct, if recruitment fails in subsequent years. This may especially affect populations in small, disturbed forest fragments, where seed dispersal and buffering against stochastic processes are generally reduced. Exotic plantations bordering indigenous forest fragments may provide suitable conditions for native tree recruitment; hence, forest expansion through enrichment planting should be considered in future conservation plans.     

林(果)粮间作中树木枯落叶对小麦发芽期和苗期的化感效应

树木枯落叶对作物的化感效应是建设林(果)粮间作复合体系所要考虑的重要问题之一。本研究采用陕西关中地区常见的12种树木枯落叶经室内混土分解培养后的不同浓度水浸提液作为培养基质,进行室内小麦种子萌发和生长试验,探讨了林(果)粮间作树种枯落叶对小麦的化感效应。结果表明:(1)杜仲处理和元宝枫处理促进了小麦幼苗苗高生长,提高了CAT活性,却降低了根系活力;泡桐处理和杨树处理促进了小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长;花椒处理抑制了小麦幼苗根长、生物量、CAT活性和根系活力;核桃处理在高浓度时明显抑制了小麦发芽速度指数、根长、CAT活性和叶绿素含量;梨树处理对小麦发芽速度指数、根长和叶绿素含量表现为低促高抑;苹果处理提高了小麦发芽速度指数、幼苗苗高、生物量和叶绿素含量;柿树处理和枣树处理抑制了小麦幼苗根长和生物量;桃树处理和杏树处理对小麦种子萌发表现为低促高抑。(2)统计学主成分分析表明,整体上对小麦发芽和生长起明显促进作用的树种是泡桐、苹果和杨树,其次是杏树和元宝枫;整体上对小麦发芽和生长起到明显抑制作用的树种是柿树、核桃和枣树,其次是花椒和桃树;而梨树起到低促高抑的作用,杜仲则相反。     

捡拾牦牛粪对高寒草甸植物功能群特征与生产力的影响

青藏高原高寒草甸广大牧区由于交通不便、能源短缺和生活习俗等原因,牛粪依然是当地牧民的主要生活能源来源,长期、大量地捡拾牛粪改变了粪斑的数量和面积,使养分在天然草地上无法回到草地生态系统进行再循环,因而对草地植物群落结构和生物量产生一定影响,从而增加了生态风险。为探讨捡拾牛粪对草地的生态影响,本文以青海省河南县高寒草甸生态系统为研究对象,通过对适度放牧草地上牦牛粪开展为期3年的不捡拾、一半捡拾和全部捡拾3个处理的试验研究,探讨捡拾牛粪对高寒草甸生态系统植物经济功能群落特征和生产力的影响。结果表明:牛粪不捡拾处理的草地生产力显著低于半捡拾和全捡拾处理,植物多样性显著低于半捡拾处理,禾草类优良牧草生物量显著高于半捡拾和全捡拾处理,莎草类优良牧草生物量显著高于全捡拾处理;牛粪半捡拾处理比不捡拾处理草地植被丰富度显著提高31.9%,植物多样性显著增加,群落生产力显著提高9.7%(42.6 g·m~(-2)),优良牧草和可食牧草生物量变化不显著;牛粪完全捡拾比不捡拾处理也显著增加草地植被的丰富度,增幅为10.7%,植物多样性显著增加,群落生产力显著提高4.1%(17.96 g·m~(-2)),但同时毒杂草显著增多,优良牧草和可食性牧草显著减少,牧草适口性变差。捡拾(半捡和全捡)牛粪会使禾草类和莎草类优质牧草生物量显著减少,莎草类在完全捡拾牛粪区生物量极显著减少70%以上;豆科植物生物量显著增加,在完全捡拾牛粪区生物量极显著增加,可达5倍以上;占总生物量74%~79%的杂类草和毒草的生物量也显著增加,且以半捡拾区增量最多。适度的牛粪捡拾可增加植被的丰富度和多样性,也提高了植被的生物量,并可保证牧草的营养品质和适口性。本项研究结果可以为高寒草甸牧区牛粪的适度捡拾和草地生态系统可持续管理提供科学依据。     

塔里木河下游土壤种子库的空间分布特征分析

以因不合理的水土资源开发而出现严重生态退化的典型区——塔里木河下游为研究区,通过在塔里木河下游开展的两年土壤种子库实验,分析了塔里木河下游土壤种子库密度的空间分布特点。结果显示:(1)塔里木河下游土壤种子库一般在150~2 300粒/m2之间,属一个较低的水平;从种子库密度的空间分布特点看,地表植被群落退化程度的加重,使土壤种子库在顺河道方向和垂直河道方向表现出不同的变化特点;(2)塔里木河下游土壤种子库在分布上具有较高的密集性,表现出类似沙漠地区种子库的分布特征;(3)微生境条件对土壤种子库的分布影响较大。其中河水漫溢区的种子库密度远高于其它区域,而低洼地、柽柳包和有较多枯枝的退化草地均比光板地和胡杨林地有更多的有活力种子;(4)塔里木河下游严重的生态退化导致了本区土壤种子库垂直分布的差异,主要表现是随着地表植被群落生态退化程度的加重,土壤种子库的垂直分布表现为表层种子库占土壤种子库的比重不断升高的趋势。     

典型喀斯特洼地植被恢复过程中土壤碳氮储量动态及其对极端内涝灾害的响应

西南喀斯特地区是我国主要的生态脆弱区之一,石漠化严重,旱涝灾害频发。植被恢复是提升脆弱生态系统土壤碳氮固持的有效方式,但该区不同植被恢复方式土壤碳氮动态监测的研究还很缺乏。本研究以典型喀斯特峰丛洼地为对象,选取人工林、牧草地、人工林+牧草地、撂荒地自然恢复4种最主要的植被恢复方式为研究对象,以耕地作为对照,对比分析退耕前(2004年)、退耕10年(2014年)和13年后(2017年)土壤碳氮储量动态变化特征。其中2004—2014年研究区未发生极端内涝灾害, 2014—2017年连续发生2次极端内涝灾害事件。研究结果表明,退耕10年后, 4种恢复方式下土壤有机碳(SOC)储量均显著增加,但退耕13年后,除撂荒地SOC持续增加外,其他3种恢复方式下SOC表现出下降趋势。植被恢复后土壤全氮(TN)储量提升相对缓慢,退耕10年仅牧草地显著增加,退耕13年后人工林+牧草和撂荒地TN增加,且撂荒地在退耕后呈持续增加趋势。相关性分析结果表明,土壤交换性Ca~(2+)与SOC、TN均呈显著正相关关系,且与2014年相比, 2017年不同植物恢复方式下土壤交换性Ca~(2+)均显著下降,这可能与研究区2015年和2016年连续内涝灾害有关。以上结果说明,不同恢复方式均能显著提升喀斯特地区土壤碳氮固持,并以自然恢复最佳,其生态系统能有效抵御极端气候灾害带来的负面影响。     

Seedling recruitment and survival of two desert grasses in the monte of Argentina

In the Monte Austral Neuquino, Argentina, vegetation is arranged in patches. Understanding the mechanisms involved in their distribution is critical for preventing desertification. The working hypothesis was that vegetation patches reduce environmental stress on the plants. Plant patches were classified into four microenvironments: windward; below the dominant shrubs (subcanopy); vegetation at the patch periphery (canopy edge) and bare patch interspaces (open). We determined seedling survival of the dominant species in each microenvironment, using a marking method of seedlings established from sown seeds. In addition, we measured the environmental characteristics in the four microenvironments, and associated them with seedling survival. Study species were the perennial grasses Leymus erianthus (Phil.) Dubcovsky, Stipa neaei Nees ex Steudel and Poa ligularis Nees ex Steudel, and the shrubs Larrea divaricata Cav. and Atriplex lampa Gill ex Moquin. Results supported the hyphothesis only for L. erianthus and S. neaei (but not for the other three species that showed higher seedling survival in the subcanopy than in the patch interspaces after 1 year from sowing). This study determined that (1) reduced environmental stress does not guarantee seed germination and seedling survival of a given species in the plant community and (2) seedling establishment will not be possible for any species of the plant community in the patch interspaces under the study conditions in the region. This is mostly because soil temperatures can reach up to 50°C in the patch interspaces in years of scanty precipitation during late spring and summer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

风沙黄土区排土场不同恢复类型植物群落与土壤种子库特征

风沙黄土区排土场作为一种人造生态系统,自然条件恶劣,土壤贫瘠,植被恢复困难。为了探明有效的人工促进植被恢复措施,采用植被调查与种子库萌发试验相结合的方法,通过研究不同植被类型地上植物群落与土壤种子库特征及二者的关系,探讨了其植被恢复效益及潜力。结果表明:研究区人工植被恢复下地上植物群落中共47种植物,分属16科40属,土壤种子库共14种植物,分属5科13属,其中均以禾本科、菊科、藜科、豆科占主导地位; 灌木植被的地上植被和土壤种子库的物种多样性均表现为最优; 地上植被与土壤种子库密度的变化范围为88.48～495.47株/m²,74.74～1422.91粒/m²,且均在草地类型下最大。土壤种子库和地上植被的相似性普遍较低,相似性系数仅为0.16～0.23。因此,风沙黄土区排土场的植被恢复与重建需要加强保护与管理,可以考虑构建以草灌配置为主的人工植被恢复模式,保障群落的恢复潜力,并提高群落多样性与稳定性,亦可考虑引入外源种子库提升群落恢复的潜力。     

Influence of Growing Medium and Seed Size on Germination and Seedling Growth of Pinus gerardiana Wall.

Pinus gerardiana Wall. is an important nut-producing pine having restricted distribution in the world. It has been observed that natural regeneration in the species is extremely poor or entirely lacking. The species has erratic and infrequent seed years, dormancy-related problems, and slow growth of seedling, which reduces its regeneration process in natural habitats. Therefore, we investigated the effect of growing medium and seed size on germination and seedling growth of the Pinus gerardiana. The seeds were categorized into two sizes, viz, small (<2.35 cm) and large (>2.35 cm) and five growing medium treatments were used, viz, Soil:Sand:FYM; Soil:Sand:Moss:FYM; Soil:Moss:Vermicompost; Soil:Sand:Vermicompost; and Soil:Sand:Moss:Vermicompost, for assessing their impact on germination and seedling growth. It was observed that, among different growing medium treatments, higher germination and seedling growth parameters were recorded, when Soil:Sand:Moss:Vermicompost was used for the study. Between different seed sizes, higher germination and seedling growth were recorded when seed size was large.     

Is Direct Seeding a Biologically Viable Strategy for Restoring Forest Ecosystems? Evidences from a Meta‐analysis

Ecological restoration has become an important technique for mitigating the human impacts on natural vegetation. Planting seedlings is the most common approach to regain lost forest cover. However, these activities require a large economic investment. Direct seeding is considered a cheaper and easier alternative technique, in which tree seeds are introduced directly on the site rather than transplanting seedlings from nurseries. To evaluate the effectiveness of direct seeding, we conducted a comprehensive search of the literature using ‘restoration’, ‘direct seeding’ and ‘sowing’ as keywords, and we performed a meta‐analysis using 30 papers and 89 species. We used two different measures of restoration success: seed germination probability and success probability (the chance that a seed germinates and survives until the end of the experiment). In general, restoration attempts using direct‐seeding techniques were relatively unsuccessful. On average, seed germination and success probability were 0·239 and 0·114, respectively, and were not affected by climate, species successional group or the application of pre‐germinative treatments. Germination and success probability increased with seed size, and the use of physical protections resulted in a nearly twofold increase in germination probability, but this effect faded by the end of the experiments. Because of the low rate of seedling success, we suggest the use of direct seeding as a complementary technique to reduce restoration costs, particularly for species with large seeds and known high germination rates, but our results do not support direct seeding as a substitute for seedling planting. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Avian community response to vegetation and structural features in grasslands managed with fire and grazing

This study examined the importance of natural and manmade structural features on the avian community relative to management-induced vegetation dynamics. The study was conducted within the context of two alternative vegetation management treatments applied to pastures on a tallgrass prairie site in northcentral Oklahoma from 2001 to 2003. The brown-headed cowbird, a brood parasite, and the grasshopper sparrow, a common grassland obligate species, were most abundant in areas managed under a traditional treatment in which entire pastures were annually burned. Conversely, Henslow’s sparrow, a grassland obligate of conservation concern, was completely absent from traditional treatment pastures. Total bird species diversity and grassland obligate richness was highest in the patch-burn treatment, in which only discrete portions of each pasture were burned each year to create a mosaic of vegetation ‘patches’ in various stages of recovery from disturbance. Models of bird abundance reflected not only species-specific vegetation preferences, but also the often negative influence of structural features such as woody edges, roads, and ponds on breeding bird use of grasslands. Our study demonstrated that both disturbance-derived vegetation attributes and structural features contribute to heterogeneity and influence subsequent use by and composition of grassland bird communities.