Plant recruitment in the High Arctic: Seed bank and seedling emergence on Svalbard

Abstract. Composition and density of the soil seed banks, together with seedling emergence in the field, were examined on Svalbard. 1213 soil samples were collected from six drymesic habitats in three regions representing various stages of colonization from bare moraines to full vegetation cover and spanning a range of typical nutrient and thermal regimes. Of the 165 vascular plant species native to Svalbard, 72 were present as mature plants at the study sites and of these 70% germinated seed. Proglacial soil had 12 seedlings per m², disturbed Dryas heath 131, intact Dryas heath 91, polar heath 715, thermophilic heath 3113, and a bird cliff 10437 seedlings. Highest seed bank species richness was at the thermophilic heath (26 species). Seedlings of 27 species emerged in the field, with fewer seedlings in disturbed habitats (60 seedlings per m²) than in intact Dryas heath (142), suggesting that an absence of ‘safe sites’ limited seedling establishment in disturbed habitats. Measurement of seedling emergence in the field increased awareness of which species are able to germinate naturally. This may be underestimated by up to 31% if greenhouse trials alone are used, owing partly to unsuitability of greenhouse conditions for germination of some species and also to practical limitations of amount of soil sampled. Most thermophilic species failed to germinate and some species present at several sites only germinated from the thermophilic heath seed bank, suggesting that climate constrains recruitment from seeds in the High Arctic.     

Pine Litter from Afforestations Hinders the Establishment of Endemic Plants in Semiarid Scrubby Habitats of Natura 2000 Network

A sowing experiment was carried out using three endemic secondary successional species that commonly co‐occur with Pinus halepensis in afforestations in southeast Spain. The experiment simulated the natural arrangement of needle litter over soil to test the litter's effect on seedling emergence and early growth of dwarf‐shrubs and annual species, the main components of some European Habitats of Community Interest in Spain. Three sowing treatments were compared in a growth chamber: (1) soil without litter taken from clearings in a pine plantation (BARE); (2) intact soil and litter forming two distinct layers as in the field (PINE); and (3) soil and pine litter mixed in the laboratory (PINEMX). Seedling emergence of Diplotaxis harra and Thymus zygis were seven and two times higher, respectively, on BARE than on the pine litter treatments. Pine litter significantly decreased seedling biomass, length, and number of leaves of D. harra and T. zygis. Thymus capitatum was weakly affected by the presence of pine litter. We suggest that plant recruitment in the understory of P. halepensis is partially controlled by interference of pine litter, which might affect dynamics of the studied species. We propose that management practices counteract this negative effect by manipulating the pine litter layer to achieve successful ecological restoration and conservation of endemic‐rich secondary communities in Natura 2000 sites in semiarid western Mediterranean areas.     

花楸树种子散布、萌发与种群天然更新的关系

花楸树是我国东北林区重要的非木质资源树种,其实生天然更新不良.本文通过研究花楸树种子散布、土壤种子库及种子萌发出土过程,分析花楸树实生天然更新的影响因素.结果表明：自然散落的花楸树果实96.1%分布于母株2 m范围内,凋落物层和土壤表层（0～2 cm）的种子数占土壤种子库总数的97.0%;不同季节花楸树土壤种子库种子数量差别很大,当年11月上旬种子数量最多,达(257.7±69.2)粒·m^-2;翌年7月下旬种子数量最少,仅为(2.9±2.9)粒·m^-2;温度不是花楸树种子萌发出土过程的限制因子,0 ℃～5 ℃时幼苗出苗率达(67.5±6.6)%,但对其出苗速率影响显著.土壤含水量为50%时,花楸树出苗率最高,达(74.7±4.2)%;含水量为60%时,幼苗死亡率最低,为(32.6±0.6)%.花楸树种子的散布格局和土壤种子库的时空分布格局影响种子的萌发出土过程,进而影响其种群的天然更新.     

塔额盆地野果林不同居群野扁桃土壤种子库及幼苗更新研究

【目的】明确新疆野扁桃(Amygdalus ledebouriana)土壤种子库及幼苗更新特征,探究影响野扁桃种群更新受限因子。【方法】以新疆塔额盆地的野扁桃为研究对象,通过对野外样地调查、土样采集及母株下幼苗数量、级别统计的方法对新疆野扁桃土壤种子库及幼苗更新进行研究。【结果】(1)野扁桃土壤种子库种子平均密度为96.45粒/m2,托里居群完整种子密度最大,裕民居群被啃食种子密度最大,虫蛀种子仅在塔城居群出现;(2)野扁桃种子主要分布在枯枝落叶层,占种子总量的56.29%,S2(0—5 cm)土层占29.07%,S3(5—10 cm)土层占14.65%,土壤种子水平扩散距离与野扁桃所处坡度成正比;(3)调查的野扁桃幼苗中未发现实生苗,Ⅰ级苗占幼苗总数的51.13%,母株基部50 cm内的范围是野扁桃幼苗集中分布区域。【结论】野扁桃土壤种子库分布特征表现为近母株及地表,幼苗更新的特征也表现为近母株分布,自然条件下,被啃食种子、虫蛀种子和生态位缺失是野扁桃实生苗无法萌发,实生更新受限转而进行萌生更新的主要原因。     

The chemical nature of P accumulation in agricultural soils��implications for fertiliser management and design: an Australian perspective

Sand burial, persistent seed bank and soil water content (SWC) are three factors that potentially can affect regeneration in sand dune plant populations. To evaluate the effects of these three factors on population regeneration of Eremosparton songoricum, a rare and endangered legume, we investigated seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling survival in greenhouse and controlled field experiments in different sand dunes microsites. Freshly matured seeds are physically dormant, and the highest germination was only 9.3?±?5.8% at 25/10°C. Seed germination occurred at burial depths from 0 to 10 cm, but the maximum depth from which seedlings emerged was 6 cm; from 1 to 6 cm, the deeper the burial, the lower the percentage of seedling emergence. Only 36.2% of the total soil seed banks occurred at depths of 0?C6 cm. For artificially sown seeds at different dune microsites, mean seedling emergence percentage was 6.8%. Of 150 seedlings that emerged in the field investigation at the study site, only those germinating in flat sandy areas survived, and mean survival percentage was only 2.0%. Thus, the proportion of non-dormant seeds in soil seed banks that developed into seedlings and survived to the end of the growing season was only 0.2%. Minimum SWC for seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling survival was 2.0%. During monitoring of emergent seedlings in the field, low seedling recruitment was at least partly due to the rate of root extension (1.6?±?0.3 cm day^?1) into the sandy soil, which was slower than that of the downward movement of plant-available moisture (2.8?±?0.6 cm day^?1). Thus, population regeneration under natural conditions rarely occurred via sexual reproduction, owing to the limited water resources available for seedling establishment. Rational field seeding practices, including manually scarified or dry stored seeds before sowing, sowing the seeds at right time and suitable place, are suggested for ecological restoration of endangered E. songoricum populations.     

Controlling the seed bank of the invasive plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia saligna</Emphasis>: comparison of the efficacy of prescribed burning,soil solarization,and their combination

Reducing the seed bank of invasive plants is a prerequisite for successful restoration of invaded ecosystems. The Australian legume tree Acacia saligna is one of the worst invasive plants in Mediterranean climate regions. This fire-adapted species possesses a large persistent seed bank characterized by physical dormant seeds. The present research was aimed to compare the efficacy of prescribed burning, soil solarization by solar heating of moist soil, and their use in combination on A. saligna seed bank reduction, using the buried seed method, and on seedling emergence from the natural seed bank, as a model of controlling fire-adapted plants. The data obtained show that the direct effect of prescribed burning on the buried seed dynamics was highly variable, and it only reduced seed viability from 98% to about 56%. Soil solarization, particularly in combination with prescribed burning, was much more effective than prescribed burning alone, reducing seed viability to about 29 and 4%, respectively. These results were confirmed by recording seedling emergence from the natural seed bank during two successive germination years following the treatments. Only a relatively very small number of seedlings emerged in the soil solarization treatment and none in the combined treatment. Based on the above data, it is recommended to apply prescribed burning as a pretreatment for soil solarization, or to utilize wild fires followed by soil solarization to reduce the seed bank of invasive fire-adapted plants. In situations in which fire cannot be used as a pretreatment, soil solarization alone is reasonably effective.     

Natural regeneration of Pinus resinosa on burned and unburned sites in Newfoundland

Abstract. Natural regeneration of Pinus resinosa (red pine) seedlings around mature trees was studied in burned and unburned stands. Growth inhibitory effects of the forest organic matter on red pine seedlings was tested by a stair-step experiment using leachate of forest soil monoliths and also by a seed germination bio-assay using forest floor substrates. To test if higher burning temperatures can remove the allelopathic effects of red pine-Kalmia organic matter, a laboratory bio-assay was conducted by germinating red pine seeds on the organic matter burned at 200, 400, 600 and 800°C. Deposition of dry needles and a thick duff layer under red pine stands affected seedling establishment. Red pine seedling establishment increased with the decreasing thickness of duff layer away from the stump of the seed-bearing trees. Wildfire helped in removing the duff layer and increased seedling establishment. A high fuel load within a 0 - 1 m radius around the tree stump caused a deep burn of the organic matter including part of the soil seed reserve. On a burned-over surface, more seedlings established in a band between 1 and 2 m around the stump than inside and outside the band. Primary root growth of red pine was severely inhibited when the seedlings were grown in unburned forest floor organic matter where Kalmia was the principal understory species. Water leachate of a Pinus resinosa-Kalmia soil monolith was inhibitory to red pine seedling growth. In greenhouse conditions, the seedlings grew well in burned-over soil from a Pinus resinosa stand. Burned organic matter from a red pine forest showed an increase in pH with a burning temperature of 600°C. Primary root growth of red pine seedlings was similarly increased with increasing temperature up to 600°C; at higher temperatures the root length of seedlings did not increase any further.     

辽东山区长白落叶松人工林天然更新障碍分析

通过对辽东山区不同间伐强度下长白落叶松林内种子库,种子萌发,幼苗出现、成活与生长的观测,分析了长白落叶松天然更新的主要影响因素.结果表明:40年生落叶松人工林的种子雨中,有30%的种子有活力,可以满足天然更新的需要;土壤种子库的种子主要分布在枯枝落叶层,4月下旬林内种子开始萌发,6月幼苗数量达到最大,幼苗累计出现率与间伐强度(光照)之间无显著相关,只受到地被物的影响;随间伐强度的增加,幼苗平均存活率提高,但林下幼苗生长缓慢,苗高均不超过6 cm;林内当年幼苗9月全部消失,没有超过1年生的幼苗,但皆伐迹地的更新幼苗存活较多、生长良好.初步确定地被物和光照是辽东山区长白落叶松天然更新的主要障碍因子.     

Seed rain and soil seed bank of Picea asperata Mast. in subalpine coniferous forest of western Sichuan,China

Abstract

Dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) is widely planted on clear-cuts from natural subalpine coniferous forests in western Sichuan. To assess the natural regeneration potential of this species in spruce plantations of different ages, field studies on the seed rain, seed bank, and seedling recruitment were conducted in 20-year, 30-year, and 60-year plantations, and in a retained natural forest ca. 150 years old for comparison. Moreover, a series of temperature and light regimes were also designed in March 2003 to test germination/dormancy responses of the P. asperata seeds to different conditions. In the plantations considered, both the densities of seed rain and soil seed bank increased with increasing stand age, whereas they were both low beneath the natural forest partially due to low adult density of P. asperata adult trees. P. asperata has a transient seed bank, and ca. 60% of seeds were found in the litter layer. Seed decay and seed predation were the two most important factors affecting soil seed bank dynamics, which caused a number of seed losses from the soil. Only a small fraction germinated and produced seedlings, and the indices of the losses from the seed bank via germination in the 30-year plantation, 60-year plantation and natural forest were 4.75, 5.10, and 2.80%, respectively. High seedling mortality was observed after seedling emergence, and most of the germinated seedlings died out within one growing season. The P. asperata seeds showed a high percent germination and no significant differences under most light and temperature regimes except for full sunlight or temperature below 5°C. In conclusion, despite a substantial number of seed produced, the high depletion of soil seed, the low seedling output, and high seedling mortality may obscure the natural regeneration potential of this tree species.     

CONTRASTING GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF BETULA ALLEGHANIENSIS AND RHUS TYPHINA SUBJECTED TO VARIOUS AMOUNTS AND TYPES OF PLANT LITTER

Several characteristics of the environment, such as plant litter, may interact with species characteristics, such as seed size, to determine patterns of plant establishment and thereby influence abundance and spatial location of plants long after the factor has itself disappeared. To determine if litter might differentially affect seedling establishment of Betula alleghaniensis Britton and Rhus typhina L., two woody species with different sized seeds, we conducted two greenhouse experiments. We documented emergence, morphology, and growth patterns of seedlings covered by three amounts each of Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. leaves or Tsuga canadensis L. needles. All amounts of litter significantly reduced and delayed final Betula alleghaniensis seedling emergence, and the resultant seedlings had reduced root: shoot ratios, longer hypocotyls, and were less robust. Litter did not affect Rhus typhina emergence but did alter biomass allocation: stem, leaf, and root biomass of Rhus seedlings was reduced by greater amounts of litter, and by leaf litter relative to needle litter. We attribute the different responses of Betula and Rhus to differences in seed size (Betula mean seed size = 1.0 mg; Rhus mean seed size = 8.5 mg) and germination cues (Betula requires light, Rhus requires chemical or heat scarification), and suggest that differential response to litter may contribute to coexistence among these sympatric species.     

The seed bank longevity index revisited: limited reliability evident from a burial experiment and database analyses

Background and Aims

Seed survival in the soil contributes to population persistence and community diversity, creating a need for reliable measures of soil seed bank persistence. Several methods estimate soil seed bank persistence, most of which count seedlings emerging from soil samples. Seasonality, depth distribution and presence (or absence) in vegetation are then used to classify a species'' soil seed bank into persistent or transient, often synthesized into a longevity index. This study aims to determine if counts of seedlings from soil samples yield reliable seed bank persistence estimates and if this is correlated to seed production.

Methods

Seeds of 38 annual weeds taken from arable fields were buried in the field and their viability tested by germination and tetrazolium tests at 6 month intervals for 2·5 years. This direct measure of soil seed survival was compared with indirect estimates from the literature, which use seedling emergence from soil samples to determine seed bank persistence. Published databases were used to explore the generality of the influence of reproductive capacity on seed bank persistence estimates from seedling emergence data.

Key Results

There was no relationship between a species'' soil seed survival in the burial experiment and its seed bank persistence estimate from published data using seedling emergence from soil samples. The analysis of complementary data from published databases revealed that while seed bank persistence estimates based on seedling emergence from soil samples are generally correlated with seed production, estimates of seed banks from burial experiments are not.

Conclusions

The results can be explained in terms of the seed size–seed number trade-off, which suggests that the higher number of smaller seeds is compensated after germination. Soil seed bank persistence estimates correlated to seed production are therefore not useful for studies on population persistence or community diversity. Confusion of soil seed survival and seed production can be avoided by separate use of soil seed abundance and experimental soil seed survival.Key words: Arable weeds, Bifora testiculata, Carthamus lanatus, Centaurea solstitialis, longevity index, seed bank persistence, soil seed bank     

Comparison of aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank composition at sites of different grazing intensity around a savanna-woodland watering point in West Africa

Grazing removes a plant’s aboveground vegetative and reproductive tissues and can modify the soil seed bank, potentially impacting the restoration of preferred species. Knowledge about aboveground vegetation and species composition of soil seed bank and the processes that contribute to vegetation recovery on and surrounding watering points subjected to grazing is lacking. Successful restoration strategies hinge on addressing these knowledge gaps. We assessed the effects of livestock grazing on aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank characteristics along a river bank and surrounding areas subject to different grazing intensities and draw implications for restoration. Plots (50?×?50 m) were established along five transects representing differing levels of grazing intensity. Soil samples were taken from three layers within each plot to determine soil properties and species composition of soil seed bank using the seedling emergence method. Heavy grazing resulted in the disappearance of perennial grasses, a reduction in species diversity and a decrease in soil nutrients with increased soil depth. Overall, the similarity between the extant aboveground vegetation and flora within the soil seed bank was low. The soil seed bank was dominated by herbaceous species and two woody species, suggesting that many woody species are not accumulating in the soil. With increasing soil depth, the seed density and richness declined. Canonical correspondence analyses (CCAs) showed that emerged seedlings from the soil seed bank were significantly influenced by soil carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium and soil cation exchange capacity. This finding suggests that current grazing practices have a negative impact on the vegetation surrounding watering points; hence there is a need for improved grazing management strategies and vegetation restoration in these areas. The soil seed bank alone cannot restore degraded river banks; active transfer of propagules from adjacent undisturbed forest areas is essential.     

Smoke and heat: influence on seedling emergence from the germinable soil seed bank of mesic grassland in South Africa

We examined if germination and seedling emergence of species from the soil seed bank of mesic grassland in South Africa differed in their response to smoke or heat treatments alone or combined. Soil seed bank samples taken from 0 to 5 cm depth of the topsoil were treated with smoke-water solution, heat and heat + smoke-water combined and subsequent emergence of seedlings monitored over 90 days. In total, 790 individuals from 11 different plant families representing 37 graminoid (Poaceae) and non-graminoid species of flowering plants were identified. The most abundant plant families that emerged were Poaceae followed by Asteraceae. Grasses contributed 18% of the germinable seed bank, while non-grass (forbs and trees) species contributed >80%. The most abundant grass species that emerged was Themeda triandra and the most common forb species was Centella asiatica. Compared to the control, smoke-water (SW) and/or smoke-water + heat (H + SW) treatment resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in mean number of seedling emergence. SW and H + SW treatment of soil seed bank also resulted in fourfold to fivefold greater biomass production. These results suggest that emergence of some smoke-responsive perennial grasses (e.g. Themeda triandra) from the soil seed bank can be enhanced using smoke techniques. Moreover, plant-derived smoke could potentially have a significant role in the restoration of degraded grasslands in South Africa and elsewhere.     

Earthworms promote greater richness and abundance in the emergence of plant species across a grassland-forest ecotone

Aims Chalk grasslands are subject to vegetation dynamics that range from species-rich open grasslands to tall and encroached grasslands, and woods and forests. In grasslands, earthworms impact plant communities and ecosystem functioning through the modification of soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties, but also through their selective ingestion and vertical transportation of seeds from the soil seed bank. Laboratory experiments showed that seed–earthworm interactions are species specific, but little is known on the impact of seed–earthworm interactions in the field. The overall aim of this study was to better understand seed–earthworm interactions and their impact on the plant community. First we analyzed the composition of seedlings emerging from casts after earthworm ingestion. Then we compared seedling composition in casts to the plant composition of emerging seedlings from the soil and of the aboveground vegetation along four stages of the secondary succession of chalk grasslands.Methods Four stages of the secondary succession of a chalk grassland—from open sward to woods—were sampled in Upper Normandy, France, in February 2010. Within each successional stage (×3 replicates), we sampled the standing vegetation, soil seed bank at three soil depths (0–2, 2–5 and 5–10cm) and earthworm surface casts along transects. Soil and cast samples were water sieved before samples were spread onto trays and placed into a greenhouse. Emerging seedlings were counted and identified. Effect of successional stage and origin of samples on mean and variability of abundance and species richness of seedlings emerging from casts and soil seed banks were analyzed. Plant compositions were compared between all sample types. We used generalized mixed-effect models and a distance-based redundancy multivariate analysis.Important findings Seedling abundance was always higher in earthworm casts than in the soil seed bank and increased up to 5-fold, 4-fold and 3.5-fold, respectively, in the tall grassland, woods and encroached grassland compared to the soil surface layer. Species richness was also higher in earthworm casts than in the soil seed bank in all successional stages, with a 4-fold increase in the encroached grassland. The plant composition of the standing vegetation was more similar to that of seedlings from casts than to that of seedlings from the soil seed bank. Seedlings diversity emerging from casts in the tall and encroached grasslands tended toward the diversity found in woods. Our results indicate that earthworms may promote the emergence of seedlings. We also suggest that the loss of some plant species in the seed bank and the tall grass vegetation in intermediary successional stages modify the local conditions and prevent the further establishment of early-successional plant species.     

The role of reproductive phenology, seedling emergence and establishment of perennial Salix gordejevii in active sand dune fields

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The function of sexual reproduction of perennials in restoration of vegetation of active dune fields frequently has been underestimated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction of the perennial Salix gordejevii in the revegetation of active dunes. METHODS: Seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii were examined both in controlled experiments (germination at different burial depths with different watering regimes) and in field observations in three dune slacks. The reproductive phenology and soil seed bank of S. gordejevii, the dynamics of soil moisture, the groundwater table and the landform level of three dune slacks were monitored. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of S. gordejevii began maturation on 1 May, and seed dispersal lasted from 8 May to 20 May. Seeds on the soil surface germinated significantly faster than those buried in soil (P<0.05). Seedling emergence was negatively correlated with landform level. When most seedlings emerged, there was a significantly positive correlation between soil moisture and seedling emergence (P<0.01). Rainfall was negatively correlated with seedling emergence. Seedling establishment was significantly and positively correlated with seedling emergence (P<0.05), and 72.3 % of the emergent seedlings were established at the end of the growing season. These results indicated that (a) seeds matured and dispersed before the rainy season; (b) seeds germinated as soon as they contacted a moist surface and relied more on soil moisture than on rainfall; and (c) more seedlings emerged at lower sampling points in dune slacks. CONCLUSIONS: In natural conditions, restoration of active sand dune fields generally commences with revegetation of dune slacks where sexual reproduction of perennials contributes greatly to species encroachment and colonization and hence plays an important role in restoration of active dune fields. Furthermore, aeolian erosion in dune slacks, leading to good soil moisture, facilitates seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii.     

Seedling dynamics of shrubs in a fully closed temperate forest: greater than expected

Shrub seedling emergences were studied in a beech-birch forest in the Basque Country (Spain). During four years (1998–2001) all emerging shrubs were tagged and regularly monitored in 198 1 m² plots. Seedling emergence was intense during the entire study period and primarily occurred in early spring. Emerging seedlings mainly belonged to Hedera helix , Rubus gr. glandulosus and several heath species (including genera Erica , Calluna and Daboecia ). In contrast, some dominant species components of the shrub layer ( Vaccinium myrtillus and Lonicera periclymenum ) showed no emergences. While small seeded species (heath species and Rubus ) showed clear microsite preferences, avoiding litter for emergence, that was not the case of large seeded Hedera helix. Strict microsite requirements appear clearly associated with having seed bank, suggesting that this trait may allow these species to select favourable microenvironment prior to germination. Average life varied largely among the different taxa. It was very low for Rubus (7.4 months) and heath (4.9), and high for Hedera seedlings (23.1). Final survival was extremely low in the case of small-seeded species. Survival of Hedera seedlings was high, although their growth was very low, suggesting the existence of a conspicuous seedling bank. Our results clearly show that several shrubs species have dramatic seedling dynamics in full closed forest stands. Small seeded species preferentially emerge on bare surfaces in early spring from the soil seed banks. On the other hand, Hedera seedlings are able to emerge on litter and maintain a conspicuous seedling bank based on an efficient dispersal capability.     

Growth and mycorrhizal community structure of Pinus sylvestris seedlings following the addition of forest litter

We report the effects of pine and oak litter on species composition and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi colonizing 2-year-old Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings grown in a bare-root nursery in Lithuania. A layer of pine or oak litter was placed on the surface of the nursery bed soil to mimic natural litter cover. Oak litter amendment appeared to be most favorable for seedling survival, with a 73% survival rate, in contrast to the untreated mineral bed soil (44%). The concentrations of total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were higher in oak growth medium than in pine growth medium. Relative to the control (pH 6.1), the pH was lower in pine growth medium (5.8) and higher in oak growth medium (6.3). There were also twofold and threefold increases in the C content of growth medium with the addition of pine and oak litter, respectively. Among seven mycorrhizal morphotypes, eight different mycorrhizal taxa were identified: Suillus luteus, Suillus variegatus, Wilcoxina mikolae, a Tuber sp., a Tomentella sp., Cenococcum geophilum, Amphinema byssoides, and one unidentified ectomycorrhizal symbiont. Forest litter addition affected the relative abundance of mycorrhizal symbionts more than their overall representation. This was more pronounced for pine litter than for oak litter, with 40% and 25% increases in the abundance of suilloid mycorrhizae, respectively. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that changes in the supply of organic matter through litter manipulation may have far-reaching effects on the chemistry of soil, thus influencing the growth and survival of Scots pine seedlings and their mycorrhizal communities.     

生境片段化对千岛湖马尾松林内土壤种子库的影响

土壤种子库是森林群落更新的主要来源之一,对森林的演替和恢复等具有重要意义。生境片段化现象正日益严重地影响着森林群落,并可影响森林土壤种子库。研究了千岛湖地区的大陆及岛屿次生马尾松林内土壤种子库的组成及其影响因素(e.g.,岛屿面积,形状指数,隔离度和距岛屿边缘距离等)。根据大陆和岛屿的面积及边缘梯度,采用大数量小样方法,分别在土壤种子库最大化(初冬,2015年12月)和最小化(晚春,2016年4月)时期对马尾松林内土壤进行了机械取样。对土壤样品进行萌发实验,检测了两个时期的土壤种子库上层(0—2 cm)和下层(2—5 cm)种子组成,并通过广义线性混合效应模型等手段分析其影响因素。结果显示:(1)所有316个土壤样本中,萌发出幼苗1422株,隶属于29科、40属、41种。其中,木本植物幼苗占13种1024株,草本占28种398株。(2)Jaccard指数和相关性分析均显示初冬、晚春时期的土壤种子库组成具有很高的相似性;土壤种子库上、下层组成的相似性也很高。(3)广义线性混合效应模型分析显示,在大陆和岛屿上,土壤种子库下层种子含量低于上层;而大陆样地土壤种子库中的木本植物种子数较岛屿样地高。岛屿上,土壤种子库中的种子数随土层的加深而降低;随边缘梯度升高也下降,尤其是草本植物的种子。对于岛屿上的木本植物,不耐阴种的种子数量远大于耐阴种,尤其是土壤下层。表明千岛湖地区马尾松林内土壤种子库组成受到生境片段化的影响,进而可能作用于该类型森林群落的演替。     

Multivariate path analysis of the relationships between seedling regeneration and environmental factors beneath a dwarf bamboo understory

Seedling emergence and establishment are fragile processes that determine the direction and structure of forest succession and regeneration. However, seedling emergence and establishment are easily affected by biotic and abiotic (environmental) factors. A dense and expanding understory of dwarf bamboo is one such important factor that can seriously hinder the seedling regeneration. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the emergence and establishment of canopy tree seedlings under artificially controlled densities of dwarf bamboo. We found that understory dwarf bamboo obstructed seedling emergence but reduced the death of seedlings. Although understory dwarf bamboo reduced the median retention time of seedlings, dense bamboo increased the mean survival time of seedlings. Our results suggest that understory dwarf bamboo has multiple selectivities for tree seedling emergence and establishment: high‐density dwarf bamboo was beneficial to evergreen species but lower‐density of bamboo was conducive to the survival of deciduous species, it means the dwarf bamboo potentially alters successional trajectories of forest communities. Path analysis revealed that the most important factors affecting tree seedling emergence and death were the abundance of seeds in the seed bank and the density of emerged seedlings, and that the soil temperature promoted seedling emergence but increased seedling death, the thickness of litter limited seedling emergence, and the leaf area index of the bamboo canopy limited seedling death. The present study suggests that dwarf bamboo can directly alter the microenvironment, significantly reducing light levels and soil temperature but increasing the thickness of litter and soil humus, thereby indirectly impacting the regeneration of tree seedlings. Our results indicate that various factors affected seedling emergence, and there were complex indirect relationships among these factors. In general, biological factors had a stronger influence on tree seedling regeneration than environmental factors.     

红壤侵蚀区植被恢复过程中土壤种子库变化特征

土壤侵蚀作为一种自然营力和自然干扰形式对土壤种子库的次分布与物种组成具有一定的影响。本研究对典型红壤侵蚀区裸地(Ⅰ号)、马尾松林地(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ号)和次生林(Ⅴ号)等5处不同植被恢复区的土壤种子库物种组成、储量及分布格局进行研究,探究在植被恢复过程中土壤侵蚀对土壤种子库的影响。结果表明: 研究区土壤种子库共统计到21种物种,物种丰富度低,以草本种类为主。各样地土壤种子库密度为56.7～793.3粒·m^-2,样地间差异显著,土壤种子库密度随着土壤侵蚀强度加重而明显下降。各样地浅层0～2 cm土壤种子库密度随着上坡-中坡-下坡的变化均呈增加趋势;剧烈侵蚀地和强烈侵蚀地土壤种子库主要分布在5～10 cm深层土壤内,且中上坡0～2 cm土层几乎没有种子。土壤侵蚀使得土壤种子库在土层中的分布呈现深层化,植被恢复后深层种子库积累仍需要较长的时间。