The influence of windthrow microsites on tree regeneration and establishment in an old growth mountain forest

The Rothwald forest in Lower Austria represents one of the few never logged old growth forests in Central Europe. Here, the influence of windthrow pits and mounds on tree regeneration in a spruce-fir-beech mountain forest was studied. Two main factors for recolonisation of sites after disturbance were investigated: (i) the trapping ability of microsites for seeds and (ii) the ability of particular tree species to establish and grow on different microsites. On two one hectare permanent sample plots, pits resulting from windthrow with existing tree trunks were recorded. At each windthrow three microsites were determined: pit, pitwall and undisturbed forest floor. If the windthrow plate already collapsed and formed a mound, this microsite was recorded as well. Furthermore, a control site was established at each windthrow. For two years the development of seedlings at four different microsites and the according control sites were monitored. To describe the variability of environmental factors possibly influencing seedling establishment and survival, litter, humus and soil attributes, herb vegetation cover as well as light availability (GSF) were assessed. In addition, soil temperature, chemical soil properties and water content were recorded at randomly selected windthrows. The distribution of the seedlings was assessed with a Redundancy Analysis, its occurrence modelled with a logistic regression and the mortality analysed with the Kaplan-Maier lifetime function. In contrast to the assumption of seed accumulation in concave microsites because of secondary dispersal, the pit microsites show comparable seed rain to the control site. However, pits have the lowest seedling numbers and by far the highest mortality rates of seedlings. The thickness of leaf litter was identified as a major driver of suitability of a microsite for recolonisation. Through its thickness, it inhibits germination and smothering of seedlings poses a particular high hazard during the winter period. Also different establishment patterns of the investigated tree species were detected. The results indicate that windthrows create microsite heterogeneity and plant species richness but limit tree population size and spatial distribution of the occurring tree species.     

林地土壤及其真菌对毛红椿种子发芽及幼苗保存的影响

[目的]通过不同群落毛红椿天然林林地土壤及其真菌对种子萌发和幼苗存活影响的研究,探讨影响毛红椿天然更新的障碍因素。[方法]在江西九连山国家级自然保护区内的3个毛红椿天然优势群落中,分别取距离毛红椿母树3个不同距离(2.5、5.0、7.5 m)处的根区土壤和远离毛红椿母树(25 m以外)的非根区土壤,以非林地土为对照开展室内模拟播种和以根区土壤真菌的水或根系分泌物悬液对毛红椿幼苗进行灌根接种,观察种子萌发、幼苗存活和幼苗感病情况。[结果]各群落土壤中种子发芽均呈先上升后下降规律,且基本在第8 10天达到高峰;林地土与非林地土种子发芽率差异不显著,但林地根区土幼苗的存活率极显著低于非林地土和林地非根区土;距母树3个不同距离根区土的幼苗存活率差异不显著。灌根接种不同处理间幼苗存活率差异极显著,具体表现为接种RS2、RS5根区真菌的幼苗感病率显著高于根系分泌物及无菌水空白对照,且RS2真菌的根系分泌物悬浮液幼苗感病率显著高于其无菌水悬浮液。[结论]毛红椿种子萌发不受土壤环境的影响,但幼苗建成受根区范围内土壤的影响,根系分泌物和致病菌的互作显著降低幼苗保存率。由此推断,毛红椿根区土壤内存在幼苗的潜在致病菌及根系分泌物可增强其致病性。     

秦岭冷杉幼苗适应性的研究

通过对秦岭冷杉不同海拔、光照、苗床类型、覆土深度等条件下的野外播种试验,分析了不同条件下种子萌发、幼苗存活和幼苗生长率的差异,揭示了秦岭冷杉种子及幼苗在天然环境下的适应性.天然生境下秦岭冷杉的平均出苗率只有17.7％,不及实验室发芽率(36％)的一半.海拔、光照、苗床类型、埋藏深度对秦岭冷杉的种子萌发、幼苗存活和幼苗生长率都有不同程度的影响.生产上秦岭冷杉的复壮一定要遵循适地适树的原则.     

Seed germination and seedling establishment of the monocarpic dwarf bamboo Sasa veitchii var. hirsuta

In order to determine the influences of environmental factors on seed germination and to identify the effects of germination characteristics on seedling establishment for Sasa veitchii var. hirsuta, germination experiments and a survey on current seedling dynamics were conducted in a natural habitat after mass flowering. The results of the germination experiments revealed that the seeds require a low-temperature environment for germination; those exposed to low-temperature conditions for a time similar to the length of winter (4 months of low-temperature conditions) germinated gradually, while those exposed for longer (>4 months of low-temperature conditions) germinated rapidly. These results were compatible with field observations indicating that seedlings emerged from June to October in the year after mass flowering, and they suggested this germination characteristic (i.e., variation of germination timing due to seed dormancy) may play an ecological function in spreading risk (although it may also increase the potential for seed predation). The results also revealed that stronger light and alternating temperature conditions had no effect on germination, whereas high temperatures and drying had negative effects. The outcomes of the survey on current seedling dynamics revealed that the seedling establishment ratio was high in a forest understory compared to that seen at a site where solar radiation was strong and soil water content was low. This implies that germination characteristics may promote seedling establishment in forest understory.     

Influence of herbaceous ground cover on forest restoration of eastern US coal surface mines

Competitive effects of dense herbaceous vegetation (ground cover) can inhibit forest restoration on mine sites. Here we review the evidence of ground cover interactions with planted tree seedlings on coal surface mines of the eastern US, discuss recent research into these interactions, and draw conclusions concerning ground cover management when restoring forests on reclaimed coal mines. Reclaimed mine sites have a high potential to support productive forests, however forest establishment is inhibited by reclamation practices that included soil compaction, and the seeding of competitive ground covers. In the first few years after tree planting, a dense ground cover of grass and legume species commonly seeded on mine sites often affect growth and survival negatively. Herbaceous vegetation providing less extensive and competitive ground coverage may either facilitate or inhibit tree establishment, depending on site conditions. The use of quality planting stock promotes the competitive ability of seedlings by improving nutrient status and the ability to capture available resources. Herbaceous species have contrasting functional characteristics, and thus compete differently with trees for available resources. Negative interactions with trees are more frequently reported for non-native cool-season grasses than for native warm-season grasses, while the effects of legumes change over time. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of tree/ground cover interactions. The development of seeding mixes that can control erosion, facilitate survival and growth of planted trees, and allow establishment by unplanted native species would aid forest restoration on eastern US, coal mines.

     

Seedling emergence, growth, and allocation of Oriental bittersweet: effects of seed input, seed bank, and forest floor litter

The establishment of invasive plant populations is controlled by seed input, survival in the soil seed bank, and effects of soil surface disturbance on emergence, growth, and survival. We studied the invasive vine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Oriental bittersweet) to determine if seedlings in forest understory germinate from the seed bank or from seed rain. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of leaf litter mass and physical texture on seedling survival, growth, and allocation. In the understory of an invaded mixed hardwood forest, we measured seed input, seedling emergence with seed rain, and seedling emergence without seed rain. Mean seed rain was 168 seeds m⁻²: mean seedling emergence was 107 m⁻², and there was a strong correlation between seed rain and seedling emergence. The ratio of seedlings to seed input (0.61) was close to the seed viability (0.66) leaving very few seeds to enter the seed bank. Seed bank germination under field conditions was low (1 seedling m⁻²). Soil cores were incubated in a greenhouse to determine seed bank viability, and germination from these soil cores did not occur. To determine how litter affects seedling establishment and growth, we measured seedling emergence and biomass allocation in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds were placed below intact and fragmented deciduous leaf litter in amounts ranging from zero to the equivalent of 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Seedling emergence was not affected by fragmented litter, but decreased to <20% as intact litter increased to 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Increasing litter resulted in greater allocation to hypocotyl and less to cotyledon and radicle, and this effect was greater in intact litter. C. orbiculatus seedlings achieve emergence through forest floor litter through plasticity in allocation to hypocotyl growth. The low survival of C. orbiculatus in the seed bank suggests that eradication of seedling advance regeneration and adult plants prior to seed rain may be an effective control strategy. However, the intact forest floor litter of an undisturbed forest will not prevent seedling establishment.     

Relationships between site and stock quality in Pinus halepensis Mill. reforestation on semiarid landscapes in eastern Spain

The influence of site and stock quality factors in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) plantation establishment has been studied. Five stocklots with a contrasting seedling quality were planted on six different sites showing different ecologic conditions in a same regional context. This reciprocal study indicated that site factors (climate, meteorology and soil) explained most of the variability found over stock quality factors (material and performance attributes) in the overall performance results (F values for final survival were 64.2 and 14.1 for site and stocklot, respectively). There were significant interactions between both factors in survival (F = 2.03 for final survival) and first growth, indicating that the seedling quality attributes associated with a better performance depended on site conditions, with physiological attributes being more dependent on the site than morphological attributes. The lower the site quality (poor performance), the higher the importance of stock quality, especially that related with seedling size and macronutrient content, which showed positive correlations (p < 0.05) with survival, yielding differences of over 30% between stocklots. In general, a milder climate and a shallow site meant a higher mortality. The meteorology during the two years after planting confirmed this trend as survival was preferably correlated with temperature variables instead of with precipitation. In the first year, climate factors affected seedling performance more than the soil texture, whereas, in the second, growth was correlated (p < 0.01) with clay and silt percentages, confirming a predominant effect of site over time. Soil depth is discussed as a basic variable possessing a determinant influence on the overall results.     

The role of germination microsite in the establishment of sugar pine and Jeffrey pine seedlings

Mature shrubs can provide microhabitats that are beneficial to tree seedling growth and development. Sugar pine trees (Pinus lambertiana) grow in a narrow zone on the eastern slope of the Carson Range in extreme western Nevada, whereas Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) is the dominant tree species in the region, an area extensively disturbed by wild fire. This study compares seedling establishment of sugar pine and Jeffrey pine relative to mature shrubs. In the fall of 2002 (cohort 1) and 2003 (cohort 2), 13,600 seeds of both species were planted in wire mesh enclosures, at three sites, under a variety of microhabitat treatments: under shade and in the open, under two species of shrub cover, and with and without plant litter. Seedlings were monitored for survival through two growing seasons. Even though more sugar pine seedlings emerged, more Jeffrey pine seedlings survived, and Jeffrey pine was the more drought tolerant species, better suited for the xeric climate found in the Carson Range. Litter slightly hindered seedling emergence but had no effect on survival and there was no significant species × litter interaction. Supplemental water facilitated survival in all treatments with highest survival in shade treatments. Sugar pine seedlings showed a significant increase in survival over Jeffrey pine seedlings with the addition of water, particularly in open treatments and more of both species survived under manzanita shrubs with water. The highest seedling mortality occurred when shrub canopy was removed, and seedlings experienced the effect of full sun and competition for soil water. For either species, microhabitat is a significant factor in determining success or failure in rehabilitation efforts after disturbance.     

The effect of herbivory on seedling survival of the invasive exotic species Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus in a Mediterranean ecosystem of Central Chile

Herbivory may be an important factor affecting seedling survival of exotic species invading new habitats. We evaluated the effect of vertebrate herbivory on the seedling survival of two widely planted and invasive tree species (Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus), in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem of central Chile. An important role of herbivory on seedling survival of these two species in their introduced ranges has previously been documented. However, this has mainly been evaluated in forest plantations where habitat and vegetation conditions differ from wild habitats in which invasion occurs. We planted seedlings with and without protection against vertebrate herbivores in different aspects (a mesic south-facing slope and a xeric north-facing slope) and vegetation cover (open sites and sites with patchy tree cover). We found that regardless of aspect or vegetation cover, herbivory, in this case mainly caused by exotic vertebrates, significantly and negatively affected seedling survival of both species. However, while the effect of herbivory on P. radiata was significant in every vegetation and habitat condition, for E. globulus, the effect of herbivory was significant only for open sites in the mesic habitat. These results suggest that, as observed in forestry plantations, vertebrate herbivory may constrain seedling establishment of these two exotic trees and potentially impede the invasion. However, the importance of herbivory in controlling exotic species may vary depending on the vegetation and habitat conditions in some species such as E. globulus.     

不同土壤埋藏深度下山杏(Prunus srmeniaca)种子的萌发和幼苗发育

A semi-greenhouse study was conducted to understand the effects of soil burial depth on seed germination and seedling development. The seeds of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca) were buried at the soil depths of 0-cm, 4-cm, 8-cm, and 12-cm, respectively, to simulate the seed hoarding behavior of rodents in the field. The results revealed that the rates of seed germination and established seedlings from buried seeds were both the highest in 4-cm burial depth group, and then decreased with increasing soil depth. The number of rotten seeds increased in deeper burial depth. It is unfavourable for seed germination at 0-cm burial depth (i.e., seeds were laid on soil surface). There was insignificant effect of burial depth on growth of established seedlings. The results from this study indicated that proper burial depth in soil would be helpful for the seed germination and seedling growth. The seedlings derived from buried seeds at shallower depth (4 cm) in this research have advantage in their early development.     

Development of oak and beech seedlings planted under varying shelterwood densities and with different site preparation methods in southern Sweden

Effects of site preparation, shelterwood density and planting depth on the survival and growth of planted beech and oak seedlings were studied. Experiments were performed in one oak and one beech stand in southern Sweden. Two areas with different densities of shelterwood and one clearcut were established in each stand. Growth, damage and survival of the planted seedlings were observed for three years. Soil water potential was recorded weekly and radiation and soil temperatures were recorded continuously during the growing seasons.Neither site preparation methods nor planting depth affected oak seedling growth, when planting was carried out on fresh clearcuts or in shelterwoods, while growth of beech seedlings was positively affected by mounding. Growth of oak seedlings was inhibited by the shelterwood treatments. In beech seedlings, growth was lowest in dense shelterwood, while there was no difference in growth between seedlings on the clearcut area and in the shelterwood of low density. Differences in growth may be explained by differences in radiation and soil water potential.When planting was carried out on a one-year-old clearcut, site preparation improved the subsequent growth of oak and beech seedlings.     

Evaluating Indigenous Practices for Petai (Parkia speciosa Hassk.) Seed Germination: The Effect of Seed Shelling and Seed Cutting on Germination, Growth, and Survival

Parkia speciosa Hassk. (petai, pete, sator, and stink bean) is a medium to large tree native to Southeast Asia with various medicinal, wood, and shade tree uses. Its seed is an important component of Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai cuisines. Petai is a common component of smallholder tree gardens throughout Indonesia. Indigenous propagation practices for this species are removal of the seed coat, cutting off ¼ to ½ of the seed, or both, before sowing in prepared beds or containers. These practices are thought by farmers to accelerate seed germination and improve seedling growth. Seed cutting is also practiced to retain part of the seed for household consumption. A research trial was implemented to document the effect of seed shelling and seed cutting on seed germination, seedling growth, and seedling survival. Results indicate that both treatments accelerate—but do not increase—seed germination. Nine days after sowing, the treatments increased germination by 27–32% over the controls; the combination of the treatments increased germination by up to 70%. However, by 35 days all treatments and combinations achieved 100% germination. Seed cutting had a negative effect on seedling diameter and height growth. The combination of no shelling and ½ cutting indicated higher seedling mortality over the study period. The findings support the use of the indigenous seed shelling practice but suggest discontinuation of seed cutting practices.     

草珊瑚林冠下播种育苗试验

草珊瑚播种育苗试验在杉木近熟林、阔叶树近熟林、毛竹林的林冠下进行,结果表明：不同树种林冠下的生长环境和土壤条件对草珊瑚种子的发芽率、苗木保存率及生长量均有显著影响;杉木近熟林林冠下较适宜草珊瑚的种子发芽率、苗木保存率、苗高、地径、主根长度、侧根长度、≥3 cm侧根条数7项指标平均达85.1%、83.6%、8.2 cm、0.18cm、5.3 cm、8.4 cm、4.2条。     

Effects of nurse shrubs and tree shelters on the survival and growth of two Austrocedrus chilensis seedling types in a forest restoration trial in semiarid Patagonia, Argentina

? Context

Harsh environmental conditions in xeric sites of Andean Patagonia, affect the emergence, survival, and growth of either naturally grown or planted Austrocedrus seedlings.

? Aims

We evaluated the effects of nurse shrubs and tree shelters on the survival and growth of Austrocedrus seedlings as compared to unprotected (control) areas and how differently produced seedling types perform under these treatments.

? Methods

In 2006, two Austrocedrus seedling types (1?+?2?=?S1 and Plug 2?+?1?=?S2) were planted under shrub cover (C1), tree shelter (C2), and control (C3). Soil surface temperature and moisture were measured for each treatment during the first growing season, while seedling survival and height were recorded during 5 years.

? Results

Survival was not affected by cover type the first year, but it was affected by seedling type (S1?>?S2). After an extremely dry second growing season, seedling survival significantly decreased in relation to either cover or seedling type. Five years after plantation, survival was significantly higher for C1 and C2 (40?C60 %) as compared to C3-S2 (18 %). Seedling height was significantly affected by cover, but not by seedling type.

? Conclusions

The use of nurse shrubs and/or tree shelters is useful in Austrocedrus seedling restoration trials. Seedling morphology appears as relevant for survival in semiarid environments.     

Effects of full and partial clearing, with and without herbicide, on weed cover, light availability, and establishment success of white ash in shrub communities of abandoned pastureland in southwestern Quebec, Canada

Shrub communities established on former pasture land are currently under-used and their forestry potential is of interest to land owners wishing to increase valuable hardwood regeneration on their properties. The comparative effects of strip clearing and total clearing, both treatments applied with or without herbicide, on competing vegetation cover, light availability, and survival and growth of planted white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) were examined in two different shrub dominated sites for 3 years in southwestern Québec, Canada. Survival was high in all treatments. At the site with the richest soil and in comparison to total clearing, strip clearing produced the lowest light level in the third year, which induced lower total herbaceous weed cover. These combined effects produced the same growth results for white ash seedlings in all treatments. At the second site, with the highest woody vegetation regrowth, strip clearing has promoted seedling height growth and produced the highest height: diameter ratio for white ash. This ratio was also superior at this site in the absence of herbicide. Treatment effects were soil/site dependant. Because partial clearing in strips has never reduced tree growth in comparison to total clearing, it represents a promising method for the establishment of valuable hardwoods in shrubby vegetation, with lower management intensity and lower landscape impact than total clearing.     

Maintenance of an abrupt boundary between needle-leaved and broad-leaved forests in a wetland near coast

There is an abrupt boundary between two well-developed wetland forests, a stand consisting of a broad-leaved, nitrogen-fixer Alnus japonica and a stand of the needle-leaved Picea glehnii Masters, in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. To clarify maintenance mechanisms, we studied the forest profile, water level, groundwater and precipitation chemistry, seedling establishment patterns in relation to microhabitats, and seed migration. The profile of groundwater level insufficiently explained the abrupt boundary formation, while the groundwater chemistry differed significantly between the two forests; i.e., EC, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Cl- were higher in P. glehnii forest and pH was lower. Precipitation in P. glehnii forest contained richer Na+, Ca2+ and Cl-, indicating that the differences in surface-water chemistry were mostly derived from precipitation. Solar radiation was less than 2.2 MJ·m-2·d-1 on P. glehnii forest in late June, while that was patchily distributed in A. japonica forest with a range from 1.0 to 3.7 MJ·m-2·d-1. Moss cover on the soil surface, most of which were made of Sphagnum spp., was 60% in P. glehnii forest, but was 10% in A. japonica forest. Surface water chemistry represented by pH was considered to determine the development of Sphagnum moss. About 70% of P. glehnii seedlings < 1.3 m in height established on moss cover. Seed-sowing experiments suggested that seed germination and seedling survival for both species were significantly higher in P. glehnii forest. Therefore, the regeneration of P. glehnii in A. japonica forest was negligible, owing to the paucity of favorable microhabitats and low seedling establishment. A. japonica regenerated only by resprouting, and the seedlings were few in both forests. In addition, A. japonica seed migration into the P. glehnii forests was greatly restricted, and low solar radiation in the P. glehnii forest contributed to low seedling survival. Based on those results, we concluded that Picea glehnii and Alnus japonica could develop distinct and selfish environments being unsuitable for the other species and inhibit natural afforestation of another species each other by excluding invasion.     

Importance of root growth in overcoming planting stress

Root growth is critical to the establishment of planted seedlings. Seedlings can undergo stress just after planting if root growth is not sufficient to couple the seedling to available soil water. Stress occurs when a newly planted seedling’s root system can not supply enough water to transpiring needles to maintain a proper water balance and ensure survival. Thus, a newly planted seedling’s ability to overcome planting stress is affected by its root system size and distribution, root–soil contact, and root hydraulic conductivity. This paper describes how factors of root growth and water status of newly planted seedlings are important in overcoming the phenomenon of planting stress which then allows a newly planted seedling to enter the establishment phase of development.     

Regeneration of Polylepis australis Bitt. in the mountains of central Argentina

Polylepis australis woodlands range from northern to central Argentina. They support a high number of endemisms (both plants and animals) and constitute the main cover type in watersheds contributing to retain soil and catch water. Natural regeneration of P. australis in the Córdoba mountains, Argentina, was studied in two communities dominated by P. australis: shrublands and woodlands. The main objectives of the study were: (1) to characterize shrublands and woodlands in terms of physical (physical and chemical soil properties) and biological (Polylepis’ growth form, fern and moss cover) characteristics; (2) to describe P. australis’ soil seed bank and compare seedling and sapling establishment between both communities. The presence of seedlings as well as saplings was quantified, and soil samples were taken so as to characterize the seed bank.

Results showed significant differences in habitat conditions between shrublands and woodlands. Seedlings’ density was higher in the shrublands, while no differences appeared regarding the sapling numbers. A negative correlation was found between seedling numbers and total community cover as well as mosses and ferns cover. Seed density in the soil bank was higher in the woodlands, but overall seed viability was less than 5%. In the shrublands, the most critical stage of the species regeneration cycle was the transition from seedling to sapling, while in the woodlands the main “filter” occurred during seed germination. The low number of saplings observed in both units suggests a stagnation of P. australis regeneration, which could be translated into an unlikely expansion of the species throughout the Córdoba mountains.     

Natural regeneration of Picea abies on small clear-cuts in SE Norway

The objective was to study the influence of vegetation cover, humus depth, microrelief and distance to seed tree edge on natural regeneration of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in five small clear-cuts on bilberry woodland in southeastern Norway. The impact of the vegetation was considered at tree different scales: at the growing point, in the nearest square decimetre around the seedlings and at a 1 m² scale. Most of the regeneration (95%) developed in 1996, after a rich seed year in 1995. The microhabitat was of crucial importance to seedling establishment. Litter, Sphagnum spp. and Polytrichum commune were good substrates for establishment, while areas dominated by Deschampsia flexuosa, Dicranum spp. and Pleurozium schreberi had very few seedlings. Seedling survival after five growing seasons was slightly better in litter than in Sphagnum and other mosses, but the differences were not statistically significant. Increasing humus depth had a positive influence on regeneration, probably due to shallow soils at the sites. Even though depressions covered only 4.9% of the ground, 24.1% of the seedlings occurred here. Survival was, however, lower in depressions than in the other microrelief classes. Distance to the seed tree edge had a significant influence on establishment, with more seedlings establishing close to the edge.     

榆林沙区樟子松育苗技术

樟子松是耐寒、抗旱的优良针叶树种,在榆林沙区的自然条件下造林用苗一般需3～5年出圃。育苗地应选择土质疏松、排水良好,地下水位较低,呈中性或微酸性圃地。营养土采用黄绵新土1方混拌优质磷肥3～5kg,硫酸亚铁2kg左右配制;种子处理可用雪藏、沙藏或温水浸种;播种深度不能大于0.5cm;出苗后重点防治立枯病;注意越冬保护等。