Above- and below-ground competition between the liana <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia kamerunensis</Emphasis> and tree seedlings in contrasting light environments |
| |
Authors: | Tarin Toledo-Aceves Michael D Swaine |
| |
Institution: | (1) CONABIO, Insurgentes sur 4903, Col. Parques del Pedregal, Mexico, 14010, D.F., Mexico;(2) School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Proliferation of lianas in canopy gaps can restrict tree regeneration in tropical forests through competition. Liana effects
may differ between tree species, depending on tree requirements for above- and below-ground resources. We conducted an experiment
in a shade house over 12 months to test the effect of light (7 and 27% external irradiance) on the competitive interactions
between seedlings of one liana species and three tree species and the contribution of both above- and below-ground competition.
Seedlings of the liana Acacia kamerunensis were grown with tree seedlings differing in shade tolerance: Nauclea diderrichii (Pioneer), Khaya anthotheca (Non-Pioneer Light Demander) and Garcinia afzelii (Non-Pioneer Shade Bearer). Trees were grown in four competition treatments with the liana: no competition, root competition,
shoot competition and root and shoot competition. Both root and root–shoot competition significantly reduced relative growth
rates in all three tree species. After one year, root–shoot competition reduced growth in biomass to 58% of those (all species)
grown in no competition. The root competition treatment had a more important contribution in the effect of the liana on tree
growth. Tree seedlings did not respond to competition with the liana by altering their patterns of biomass allocation. Although
irradiance had a great effect on tree growth and allocation of biomass, the interaction between competition treatments and
irradiance was not significant. Nauclea diderrichii, the tree species which responded most to the effects of competition, showed signs of being pot-bound, the stress of which
may have augmented the competition effects. The understanding of the interaction of above- and below-ground competition between
lianas and trees and its moderation by the light environment is important for a proper appreciation of the influence of lianas
on tropical forest regeneration. |
| |
Keywords: | Competition Liana Forest regeneration Irradiance Tree seedling |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|