长白山阔叶红松林乔木树种幼苗组成及其年际动态

为了解阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林乔木树种幼苗的组成及其年际动态, 以长白山阔叶红松林25 ha动态监测样地为平台, 在样地内150个种子收集器周围设置了600个5 m×5 m幼苗样方。基于2006–2008年连续3年的幼苗样方调查数据, 对乔木幼苗的树种组成、数量组成、空间分布特征、年际动态、新增和死亡幼苗组成等进行了分析。结果表明: (1)从树种组成来看, 该群落乔木树种的幼苗组成种类较为丰富, 共记录到21个树种, 这些树种也是样地内胸径1 cm以上乔木树种的主要组成成分。树种组成在年际间变化不大, 但各样方间表现出极大的空间变异。(2)从数量组成来看, 共记录到11,959株乔木幼苗, 以水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)和紫椴(Tilia amurensis)幼苗数最多, 占总幼苗数的72.75%; 水曲柳、紫椴和红松的幼苗数量在年际间有明显波动, 其他树种年际间波动较小。(3)从新增和死亡幼苗的数量与组成来看, 共记录到15个乔木树种的新增幼苗, 其中紫椴、水曲柳、色木槭(Acer mono)、红松等10个树种在每次调查中都有新苗记录, 新苗数量在年际间随物种和样方位置表现出明显差异。(4)对各树种的幼苗、种子和大树的组成和空间分布的比较发现, 各树种的幼苗、种子和大树之间的数量组成和比例差异较大, 其中紫椴、水曲柳、色木槭和假色槭(A. pseudo-sieboldianum)的幼苗、种子在整个样地内都有分布, 春榆(Ulmus japonica)和怀槐(Maackia amurensis)幼苗的空间分布与种子和大树不一致, 糠椴(T. mandshurica)和山丁子(Malus baccata)等的幼苗、种子和大树的个体数相对都较少, 且它们的分布是一致的。     

吉林蛟河不同演替阶段针阔混交林乔木幼苗数量组成及其时间动态

为了解蛟河地区木本植物幼苗的数量特征及其年际动态, 以及影响幼苗数量的生态学过程, 该文以不同演替阶段针阔混交林监测样地为基础, 在样地内共设置了451个种子雨-幼苗观测样站.通过2012-2014年连续3年的幼苗监测调查, 对木本植物幼苗物种组成,数量特征,高度级结构及其年际动态进行了分析, 并用多元回归的方法分析了幼苗数量与林分类型,同种成体胸高断面积之和及林冠开阔度的关系.结果表明: (1)林下幼苗层主要木本植物的组成在不同演替阶段林分中差异不大, 并与样地内主要树种组成保持着一定相似性, 但幼苗重要值排序在年际间和不同演替阶段稍有波动.(2) 3个样地内幼苗个体数量和物种数都主要集中在5-20 cm高度级之间, 之后随高度级增加而逐渐减少, 但幼苗个体数量减少更快.表明与种间竞争相比, 物种内部的相互作用是导致幼苗死亡的主要原因, 证实了负密度制约效应在幼苗更新过程中的作用.(3) 5个主要树种的幼苗数量都与同种成体胸高断面积之和呈显著的正相关关系, 还呈现出明显的生境偏好, 表明扩散限制和生态位过程也会影响幼苗的数量和分布.该文间接证实了负密度制约效应,扩散限制和生态位过程对温带地区不同演替阶段森林群落中幼苗数量组成的影响.     

辽东山区次生林乔木幼苗组成及其年际动态

为了解辽东山区次生林乔木幼苗组成及其年际动态, 本文以4 ha动态监测样地为平台, 对样地内1,600个 5 m × 5 m样方进行监测。依据2014-2016年连续3年的调查, 对样地内乔木幼苗的组成、高度分布、新增和死亡年际动态、空间分布格局等进行分析。结果表明: (1)调查期间共记录到22种乔木幼苗, 3年间幼苗组成没有发生变化, 但各个样方间出现极大差异, 并且幼苗优势树种组成与样地内优势树种成分保持着一定的相似性。(2)幼苗数量在不同树种和年际间表现出较大的差异: 花曲柳(Fraxinus rhynchophylla)、色木槭(Acer mono)、胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica)在3年间幼苗数量最多, 占幼苗总数的75.6%; 花曲柳和胡桃楸幼苗数量表现出较明显的年际波动, 其他树种波动较小, 不同树种的幼苗密度差异很大。(3)幼苗新增和死亡存在明显的种间和年际差异: 2014-2015年间幼苗的新增数量(3,888)明显高于2015-2016年间(1,710), 同时2014-2015年间幼苗死亡率(23.7%)也明显高于2015-2016年间(12.7%)。对2015-2016年间新增幼苗和已有幼苗的死亡情况进行比较可以发现, 新增幼苗总体死亡率(18.8%)明显高于已有幼苗(8.1%)。(4)对比幼苗和大树的空间分布可以发现, 样地内优势幼苗都表现出集群分布的特征。在空间分布上, 幼苗与母树保持一定的相似性。     

浙江省典型天然次生林主要树种空间分布格局及其关联性

松阔混交林和常绿阔叶林是亚热带地区天然次生林代表性的森林类型,通过研究主要树种分布变动趋势,可以有效地指导森林经营措施。在该地区4个1hm~2典型样地,在0—30m尺度范围内综合分析了主要树种的空间分布格局及种间关联性,并对同一树种分发育阶段在不同森林群落中的种群空间分布格局进行了比较,以探讨亚热带地区天然次生林群落空间格局形成和种群维持机制。样地1和2为松阔混交林,其中样地1的马尾松密度较低,样地3和4为常绿阔叶林。研究结果表明:(1)以完全随机模型为零假设时,样地1的主要种群在小尺度(10 m)呈聚集分布,随尺度增加呈随机分布;样地2—4的主要种群在所有尺度呈聚集分布,随尺度增加聚集强度逐渐减弱;以异质泊松模型为零假设时,4个样地的主要种群在大部分尺度呈随机分布;(2)青冈和苦槠的小树(5.0 cm≤DBH10.0 cm)在4样地的所有尺度以聚集分布为主,大树(DBH≥10.0 cm)在松阔混交林样地呈随机分布趋势,但在常绿阔叶林样地青冈在0—20 m尺度、苦槠在所有尺度呈聚集分布;(3)松阔混交林中建群种马尾松和其他树种的种间关联性,在样地1的小尺度为负相关,随尺度增加为不相关,在样地2的所有尺度为负相关;常绿阔叶林中建群种青冈和其他树种的种间关联性在在样地3的小尺度为负相关,随尺度增加为不相关,在样地4的所有尺度为负相关;所有伴生树种的种间关联性以负相关为主。结果说明,种群空间分布格局及其关联性随群落结构和空间尺度的不同而出现变化,在松阔混交林和常绿阔叶林群落格局形成中除了扩散限制和生境异质性以外,密度制约机制在松阔混交林中发挥了重要作用,而在常绿阔叶林中其作用随着树木生活史阶段的提高而减弱。     

辽东山区次生林木本植物空间分布

森林木本植物的空间格局有助于揭示群落结构的形成机制与潜在的生态学过程,且对林分经营具有一定指导意义。在0—50 m尺度范围内综合分析了辽东山区4 hm2温带次生林样地多度10的树种空间格局。研究发现:(1)在完全随机零模型下,大部分树种呈现聚集格局,聚集格局树种的比例随尺度增加而降低;在32 m的较大尺度下,随尺度增加,随机和规则格局成为树种分布的主要形式;(2)在异质性泊松过程零模型下,55.9%的树种呈现随机格局,其余大部分树种在10 m的尺度下呈现聚集格局,且随尺度增加,规则格局成为主要形式;(3)在完全随机零模型下,树种属性(林层、径级和多度)显著地影响种群聚集度,而在异质性泊松过程零模型下,树种属性对种群聚集度不存在显著影响。综上,生境异质性、扩散限制和树种属性部分解释了辽东山区次生林木本植物空间分布格局,相对而言,生境异质性的效应更为突出。研究结果有助于揭示次生林群落生物多样性的维持机制。     

神农架天然针阔混交林乔木更新的空间格局

为深入了解神农架天然针阔混交林群落乔木树种的更新特征,于神农架国家公园设置1 hm2森林动态监测样地对树种更新进行调查,利用Ripley的L函数分析优势更新树种的空间分布格局、种间空间关联性以及与大树的空间分布关系。结果显示:(1)更新个体共有35 752株,隶属于19科29属45种。更新优势种基本是乔木层优势树种,物种更新数量表现为:巴山冷杉(Abies fargesii Franch.)华山松(Pinus armandii Franch.)四蕊槭(Acer stachyophyllum subsp. tetramerum (Pax) A. E.)华中山楂(Crataegus wilsonii Sarg.),混交林群落更新良好。(2)随着尺度增加,巴山冷杉、华山松更新空间格局由聚集分布向随机分布和均匀分布发展;华中山楂、四蕊槭更新的空间格局在整个尺度上均为聚集分布,表明针叶、阔叶树种更新在空间生态利用策略上出现分化。(3)巴山冷杉与其余3个优势更新树种、华山松与华中山楂更新呈显著正相关,表现出对微生境的共同喜好;四蕊槭分别与华山松、华中山楂更新的空间关系表现为显著负相关,种间竞争激烈。(4)巴山冷杉、华中山楂、四蕊槭的更新个体与大树的空间分布总体为显著正相关,这可能与种子传播限制相关;华山松幼苗、幼树与大树的空间分布在小尺度上呈负相关,存在资源不对称竞争。     

太岳山主要树种空间分布格局及其维持机制研究

该研究于2014年太岳山植被保护完好地区建立了CTFS技术规范的4hm2森林监测样地,调查并鉴定了样地内胸径(DBH)大于1cm的木本植物,分析样地内的群落组成,对样地中的主要乔木树种分为幼树(1cm≤DBH≤10cm)、小树(10cmDBH≤30cm)和成年树(DBH30cm)3个生长阶段,并在去除空间异质性的基础上,采用不规则区域中的点格局分析方法,定量分析样地中主要树种在0~100m尺度上的空间分布格局;用双关联函数^g(r)研究了种群不同生长阶段的格局类型,探讨太岳山主要树种的空间分布格局产生和维持的机理,以明确该区物种的生态适应对策和种群动态。结果显示:(1)样地内共有木本植物9 698株,其中包括枯立木209株;该区群落的主要优势物种为辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanica)、白桦(Betula platyphylla)、油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)、鹅耳枥(Carpinus turczaninowii)、野山楂(Crataegus cuneata)、色木槭(Acer mono)。(2)研究区主要树种以聚集型分布为主,加入枯立木后,种群聚集程度降低并趋于随机分布。(3)^g(r)函数分析表明,样地内种群不同生长阶段的个体呈现出随年龄增加聚集程度降低的规律,这种变化过程是对种群本身的生物学特性和环境条件的综合反应。研究结果初步确定,太岳山研究区存在一定程度的密度制约效应。     

辽东山区次生林乔木幼苗分布格局与种间空间关联性

在辽东山区次生林建立4 hm^2样地(200 m×200 m),研究0~50 m尺度范围内乔木幼苗分布格局及种间空间关联性.结果表明:在完全随机零模型下,0~20 m尺度上,95%的树种呈现聚集分布格局;0~16 m尺度上,19个树种呈现聚集分布;随着尺度的增加,聚集分布树种的比例逐渐减少,50 m尺度上,随机分布成为树种分布的主要形式;在异质性泊松过程零模型下,0~24 m尺度上,5%的树种呈现聚集分布,26~50 m尺度上,42%和58%的树种呈现随机和均匀分布.在完全随机零模型下,正相关树种对比例最高,且在50 m尺度下呈现正相关、负相关、无相关3种相关性的树种对比例相同;在异质性泊松过程零模型下,树种对主要呈现负相关,且随尺度增大,负相关的树种对比例逐渐升高.种子扩散限制和生境异质性在某种程度上解释了乔木幼苗的聚集分布格局,乔木幼苗强烈的聚集分布又促使种间空间关联性密切,更新群落稳定性较差.     

吉林蛟河针阔混交林多年生幼苗物种组成及其生境解释

为了解生物因素与非生物因素对吉林蛟河针阔混交林多年生幼苗物种组成、数量特征及其空间分布的影响,以吉林蛟河21.12 hm2针阔混交林监测样地为基础,在样地内按照机械布点的方式设置了128个5 m×5 m多年生幼苗监测样方,以乔木树种多年生幼苗(高度H≥30 cm,胸径DBH1 cm)为对象,分析多年生幼苗的物种组成与数量特征。以重要值排名前三的主要树种幼苗为对象,分析生物因素与非生物因素对其物种组成及多度的影响。结果表明:(1)本次共调查到871株实生幼苗,分属13科16属25种,均为样地内主要树种的幼苗,Simpson多样性指数为0.91,重要值排名前三的幼苗为色木槭(Acer mono)、白牛槭(Acer mandshuricum)和红松(Pinus koaiensis)。(2)生物成体因素对幼苗数量影响的尺度效应(10和20 m)在物种间存在差异。白牛槭幼苗数量在两个尺度都与其成体数量呈显著正相关。红松幼苗数量在两个尺度都与其成体胸高断面积之和呈显著正相关,与相对胸高断面积在20 m尺度呈显著负相关。色木槭幼苗数量在20 m尺度上与成体胸高断面积之和呈显著正相关,与相对胸高断面积则呈显著负相关,在10 m尺度上与成体数量呈显著正相关。同种成体对3种幼苗的数量没有表现出显著的密度制约效应。(3)回归结果表明:全部物种幼苗数量与胸高断面积之和、叶面积指数及土壤酸碱度呈显著正相关,与土壤湿度呈显著负相关。白牛槭、红松及色木槭幼苗数量与10个因子的相关性有较大差异,表明不同树种对不同的生境选择性存在较大差异。     

秦岭皇冠暖温性落叶阔叶林物种组成与群落结构

秦岭是典型的暖温带-亚热带过渡区。中国森林生物多样性监测网络(CForBio)现有的样地已经基本覆盖了中国大多数气候区,但位于气候过渡带的样地较少。本研究参照CForBio和CTFS(Center for Tropical Forest Science)的技术规范,于2019年在陕西皇冠山省级自然保护区内建立25 hm²(500 m×500 m)森林动态监测样地。本研究以样地内胸径(DBH)≥1 cm的所有木本植物为对象,分析了物种组成、区系特征、径级结构以及优势树种的空间分布格局。结果表明: 样地内DBH≥1 cm的木本植物独立个体有75137株(包括分枝的个体数为95679株),隶属于44科83属121种。群落属的区系类型主要为温带成分,占总属数的71.1%,同时混有一些热带成分。群落优势种明显,前5个物种的个体数超过总个体数的40%,前50个物种的个体数占总个体数的95%,其余61个物种个体数不到样地总个体数的5%。样地所有木本植物个体总径级分布呈倒“J”型。重要值>5的4个主要物种的空间分布呈现不同的分布格局。随着尺度增大,种内的聚集程度降低,且不同物种的空间分布都受到环境异质性的影响。秦岭暖温性落叶阔叶林物种组成丰富,群落结构稳定,更新良好,反映了暖温带向亚热带过渡的典型特征,且环境异质性可能是影响该样地树种空间分布的重要因素。     

Spatial patterns and associations in a Quercus‐Betula forest in northern China

Question: Are species‐specific regeneration strategies and competition the dominant processes facilitating species coexistence in a Quercus liaotungensis dominated temperate deciduous forest? Location: Dongling Mountains, North China, 1300 m a.s.l. Methods: Ripley's K‐function was used to characterize the spatial patterns and spatial associations of two dominant tree species, Quercus liaotungensis and Betula dahurica, and a common subcanopy species, Acer mono, at different growth stages (adult, sapling, seedling). Results: Seedlings, saplings and adults of all three species exhibited clumped distributions at most spatial scales. Quercus seedlings and saplings were positively associated with conspecific adult trees and spatially independent of dead trees suggesting that seed dispersal and vegetative regeneration influenced the spatial patterning of Quercus trees. Betula seedlings and saplings were positively associated with both live and dead trees of conspecific adults at small scales (<5 m) but negatively associated with live and dead trees of other species indicating sprouting as an important mechanism of reproduction. Saplings of Acer had a strong spatial dependence on the distribution of conspecific adult trees indicating its limited seed dispersal range. Negative associations between adult trees of Betula and Quercus demonstrated interspecific competition at local scales (<5 m). Conclusions: Different regeneration strategies among the three species play an important role in regulating their spatial distribution patterns, while competition between individuals of Betula and Quercus at the adult stage also contributes to spatial patterning of these communities. The recruitment limitations of Betula and Quercus may affect the persistence of these species and the long‐term dynamics of the forest.     

Influence of conspecific and heterospecific adults on riparian tree species establishment during encroachment of a humid palm savanna

Woody plant encroachment of savanna ecosystems has been related to altered disturbance regimes, mainly fire suppression and herbivore exclusion. In contrast, neighbourhood interactions among resident and colonising woody species have received little attention, despite their likely influence on the pattern and rate of tree establishment. We examined how resident palm trees (Butia yatay) and established adults of two riparian forest tree species (Allophylus edulis and Sebastiania commersoniana) influenced seed arrival and seedling performance of the latter two species in a humid savanna of east-central Argentina. Seed traps and seedlings of both riparian species were placed in herbaceous openings, and beneath palm, conspecific and heterospecific adult trees in two unburned savanna patches, and were monitored for 2 years. Only seeds of the bird-dispersed Allophylus arrived in palm microsites, yet survival of Allophylus seedlings near adult palms was limited by animal damage through trampling and burrowing, a non-trophic mechanism of apparent competition. Seeds of both riparian species dispersed into conspecific microsites, although adult trees selectively reduced growth of conspecific seedlings, a pattern consistent with the “escape hypothesis”. Further, survival of Sebastiania increased in the moister Allophylus microsites, suggesting a one-way facilitative interaction between woody colonisers. Our results indicate that dispersal facilitation by resident savanna trees may be critical to riparian species invasion after fire suppression. Distance-dependent effects of conspecific and heterospecific adult trees could contribute to shape the subsequent dynamics of woody seedling establishment. Overall, we show that indirect interactions can play a prominent role in savanna encroachment by non-resident woody species.     

Spatial pattern of seedlings 1 year after fire in a Mediterranean pine forest

Summary The spatial distribution of seedlings of the dominant perennial plant species (Pinus halepensis, Cistus salviifolius, Rhus coriaria) and may annual species was studied after a wild fire in an eastern Mediterranean pine forest. The spatial distribution of all seedlings is affected by the location of the old burned pine trees. Seedling density of Pinus and Cistus is higher at a distance from the burned pine canopy and lower near the burned pine trunk. It is also higher beneath small burned pine trees than under big ones. Rhus seedling density is higher under big burned pine trees and also near the burned trunks. Seedlings of Pinus, Cistus and Rhus growing under the burned canopy of big pine trees tend to be taller than seedlings under small ones or outside the burned canopy. Most annual species germinate and establish themselves outside the burned canopies, and only a few annual species are found beneath them. It is suggested that variation in the heat of the fire, in the amount of ash between burned pine trees of different sizes, and in the distance from the burned canopy are responsible for the observed pattern of seedling distribution. The possible ecological significance of the spatial pattern of seedlings distribution and their differential growth rate are discussed.     

A comparison of sites suitable for the seedling establishment of two co-occurring species, Swintonia glauca and Stemonurus scorpioides, in a tropical peat swamp forest

Spatial and temporal ground-surface dynamics are major factors that affect regeneration and species coexistence in tropical peat swamp forests. We studied the seedling survivorship and morphological features of two tree species that play important roles in maintaining the ground-surface dynamics of a peat swamp forest in Sumatra. Large Swintonia glauca trees form mounds, whereas large Stemonurus scorpioides trees occupy non-mounds. We monitored the demography of naturally dispersed Swintonia and Stemonurus seedlings that germinated in 2000. Survivorship of Swintonia seedlings was high under conditions of late germination, high-light environment, and elevated ground surface, and was negatively affected by distance to the nearest conspecific adult. Survivorship of Stemonurus was high under conditions of early germination and high conspecific seedling density, and was also negatively affected by distance to the nearest conspecific adult. The allometric features of Stemonurus seedlings indicated characteristics of stress tolerance, that is, low growth rate and thick, porous roots. Stemonurus, which has large wingless seeds, regenerated in non-mounds around the parental trees, while winged Swintonia seeds dispersed farther from the parent and established in patchily distributed gaps and mounds. Thus, Swintonia seedlings can survive on non-mound sites within gaps and possibly create mounds, while Stemonurus seedlings tend to maintain non-mounds around the parental trees.     

Effects of seed dispersal, adult tree and seedling density on the spatial genetic structure of regeneration at fine temporal and spatial scales

Several demographic factors can produce family structured patches within natural plant populations, particularly limited seed and pollen dispersal and small effective density. In this paper, we used computer simulations to examine how seed dispersal, density, and spatial distribution of adult trees and seedlings can explain the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of natural regeneration after a single reproductive event in a small population. We then illustrated the results of our simulations using genetic (isozymes and chloroplast microsatellites) and demographic experimental data from an Abies alba (silver fir) intensive study plot located in the Southern French Alps (Mont Ventoux). Simulations showed that the structuring effect of limited dispersal on seedling SGS can largely be counterbalanced by high effective density or a clumped spatial distribution of adult trees. In addition, the clumping of natural regeneration far from adult trees, which is common in temperate forest communities where gap dynamics are predominant, further decreases SGS intensity. Contrary to our simulation results, low adult tree density, aggregated spatial distribution of seedlings, and limited seed dispersal did not generate a significant SGS in our A. alba experimental plot. Although some level of long distance pollen and seed flow could explain this lack of SGS, our experimental data confirm the role of spatial aggregation (both in adult trees and in seedlings far from adult trees) in reducing SGS in natural populations.     

长白山次生杨桦林优势更新幼苗空间分布及环境解释

为了解长白山次生杨桦林中优势更新幼苗的空间分布及其与环境因子之间的关系,以5.2 hm²（200 m×260 m）固定样地更新幼苗的全面定位调查和环境因子调查本底数据为基础,对样地内个体数量排序前5的优势更新幼苗进行分析。结果表明：在中小距离尺度上,水曲柳（Fraxinus mandshurica）（0-90 m）、色木槭（Acer mono）（0-60 m）、紫椴（Tilia amurensis）（0-60 m、90-150 m）和假色槭（Acer pseudo-sieboldianums）（0-90 m）更新幼苗的空间分布关系为显著正自相关,呈聚集性分布;群落水平上,环境变量和空间变量对5种优势更新幼苗的空间分布变异解释能力为61%,其中,纯粹空间变量的解释度为56%,而纯粹环境变量的解释度不足1%;种群水平上,环境因子对更新幼苗的空间分布有一定影响,其中,水曲柳幼苗的空间分布与土壤有机质、土壤全钾和土壤水分显著相关,色木槭幼苗的空间分布与土壤有机质和土壤全磷显著相关,紫椴幼苗的空间分布与土壤全磷显著相关,假色槭幼苗的空间分布与土壤水分显著相关;簇毛槭（Acer barbinerve）幼苗的空间分布与环境因子未表现出显著的相关性。长白山次生杨桦林中优势更新幼苗多为聚集性分布,环境因子对其分布有一定影响。     

青藏高原东缘林线杜鹃-岷江冷杉原始林的空间格局

为深入理解高山林线原始林中优势树种的空间结构特征和种间关系,以青藏高原东缘林线杜鹃-岷江冷杉原始林1 hm²样地调查数据为基础,采用成对相关函数g(r)函数,分析了优势种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)和凝毛杜鹃(Rhododendron agglutinatum)各径级的空间分布格局和各径级间的空间关联性。结果表明:岷江冷杉和凝毛杜鹃径级分布连续,呈倒"J"型,均为进展种群。小尺度上,对于岷江冷杉活立木(小树+中树+大树)、小树、中树为显著聚集分布,大树为均匀分布,死树则为随机分布;凝毛杜鹃活立木(小树+中树+大树)、小树、中树、大树、死树均为显著聚集分布。小尺度上随径级增大岷江冷杉的分布格局从聚集分布趋于均匀分布。岷江冷杉大树与其小树的空间关联验证了Janzen-Connell假说中的距离制约效应。通过验证接受了随机死亡假说,发现种内的密度制约效应不明显。两个树种的枯立木对凝毛杜鹃小树均表现为排斥关系,而对岷江冷杉小树表现为相互独立的关系。两个优势种总体表现为相互独立,但种间不同径级间的空间关联性各异。     

Spatial patterns of tree seedling establishment and their relationship to environmental variables in a cold-temperate deciduous forest of eastern North America

Patterns of seedling recruitment may have persistent effects on population and community processes. Assuming seed availability is not limiting, the environmental sieve (i.e., the suite of factors influencing seed germination and seedling emergence and survival) determines how many seedlings establish and, most importantly, where they do so. In this study, we identify the spatial structure of some resources and abiotic conditions known to be significant for tree seedling emergence and survival and determine how these environmental factors influence the establishment of Fagus grandifolia, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana in a deciduous forest of southern Québec (Canada). We expect an increase from Fagus, through Acer and Fraxinus, to Ostrya in the control of environmental variables on seedling emergence and survival, because of differences in the seed size of these species. Density of newly-emerged seedlings of all four species showed positive spatial autocorrelation at distances of up to ca. 10 m. Environmental variables were also structured at the same spatial scale, except for soil moisture. Acer seedling emergence pattern was positively correlated to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and the pattern of Fraxinus to soil N and moisture. Seedling survival was not spatially autocorrelated for any of the four species, although it was positively density-dependent in Acer and Fagus. In only Ostrya was seedling survival correlated (positively) to one of the environmental variables studied, i.e., PPFD. Overall, environmental variables were spatially less heterogeneous than seedling emergence and survival. Either seed availability was not saturating or factors not considered here, such as competition and predation (the intensity of which often varies with resources and/or abiotic conditions), modified the influence that the physical environment had on patterns of seedling establishment. Our prediction of a greater environmental control on seedling emergence and survival in small-seed species was not totally confirmed.     

A Neighborhood Analysis of the Consequences of Quercus suber Decline for Regeneration Dynamics in Mediterranean Forests

In forests, the vulnerable seedling stage is largely influenced by the canopy, which modifies the surrounding environment. Consequently, any alteration in the characteristics of the canopy, such as those promoted by forest dieback, might impact regeneration dynamics. Our work analyzes the interaction between canopy neighbors and seedlings in Mediterranean forests affected by the decline of their dominant species (Quercus suber). Our objective was to understand how the impacts of neighbor trees and shrubs on recruitment could affect future dynamics of these declining forests. Seeds of the three dominant tree species (Quercus suber, Olea europaea and Quercus canariensis) were sown in six sites during two consecutive years. Using a spatially-explicit, neighborhood approach we developed models that explained the observed spatial variation in seedling emergence, survival, growth and photochemical efficiency as a function of the size, identity, health, abundance and distribution of adult trees and shrubs in the neighborhood. We found strong neighborhood effects for all the performance estimators, particularly seedling emergence and survival. Tree neighbors positively affected emergence, independently of species identity or health. Alternatively, seedling survival was much lower in neighborhoods dominated by defoliated and dead Q. suber trees than in neighborhoods dominated by healthy trees. For the two oak species, these negative effects were consistent over the three years of the experimental seedlings. These results indicate that ongoing changes in species’ relative abundance and canopy trees’ health might alter the successional trajectories of Mediterranean oak-forests through neighbor-specific impacts on seedlings. The recruitment failure of dominant late-successional oaks in the gaps opened after Q. suber death would indirectly favor the establishment of other coexisting woody species, such as drought-tolerant shrubs. This could lead current forests to shift into open systems with lower tree cover. Adult canopy decline would therefore represent an additional factor threatening the recruitment of Quercus forests worldwide.     

Moms are better nurses than dads: gender biased self‐facilitation in a dioecious Juniperus tree

Questions: Can gender of nurse plants affect regeneration patterns and spatial population structure? Is there a seed‐seedling conflict in the regeneration process? What factors are responsible for the clumped spatial population structure observed for adult trees? Location: Mediterranean cold semi‐arid high mountains in Spain. Methods: The spatial pattern of adult Juniperus thurifera trees was studied by means of Ripley's K‐analysis. χ² analyses were used to test for natural seedling frequency in each of three main microhabitats: (1) under female and (2) male tree canopies and (3) in open interspaces. The observed pattern was explained experimentally by studying seed and seedling survival for two years. Survival probabilities were calculated across life stages for each of three main microhabitats. Results: Adult J. thurifera trees were aggregated in space. Most seedlings were found underneath female J. thurifera trees. Experimental studies demonstrated that from seed dispersal to seedling survival all life stages showed the same positive or negative trend within a given microhabitat, indicating stage coupling and no seed‐seedling conflicts. Attraction of frugivo‐rous birds by reproductive female junipers and improvement of environmental conditions beneath tree canopies were the main factors responsible for the variation in seedling density among microhabitats; highest underneath female trees and lowest in open interspaces. Conclusions: In dioecious species, the gender of nurse plants can significantly determine the spatial population structure. In J. thurifera forests, facilitation beneath female trees occurs among all life stages without any sign of seed‐seedling conflict. The most critical factors shaping the spatial population structure were directed seed dispersal and environmental amelioration beneath female conspecific trees.