Seedling establishment of five evergreen tree species in relation to topography,sika deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus nippon yakushimae</Emphasis>) and soil surface environments |
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Authors: | Riyou Tsujino Takakazu Yumoto |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Kami-Tanakami-Hiranocho, Ohtu Shiga, 520-2113, Japan;(2) Present address: Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, 457-4, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan |
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Abstract: | We investigated the seedling survival of five evergreen tree species over 3 years inside and outside deer-exclusion fences
in a warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest on Yakushima Island, Japan. Seedling survival was examined in relation to
topography, herbivory by sika deer, and the soil surface environment (i.e., soil surface wetness, light conditions, slope
inclination, and soil disturbance). The study species included Myrsine seguinii Lév., Syzygium buxifolium Hook. et Arn. (Group A: species distributed on the upper slope of the study site), Litsea accuminata (Bl.) Kurata, Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms (Group B: species distributed on the lower slope), and Cleyera japonica Thunb. p.p. emend. Sieb. et Zucc. (Group C: species distributed on both slopes). The soil surface environment on the upper
slope was drier, lighter, and more easily disturbed than the lower slope. Generalized linear model analyses indicated that
seedling survival in fenced and unfenced quadrats was greater on the upper slope than on the lower slope for Group A and B
species but not for Group C species. A micro-spatial scale analysis revealed that seedling survival was correlated with soil
wetness, ground light conditions, and soil disturbance but not slope inclination. These results indicate that seedling survival
was correlated with topography, sika deer herbivory, and the micro-spatial scale environment. Topography-related differences
in seedling survival appear to adequately reflect the observed adult plant distributions for Group A and C species but not
for Group B species. |
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Keywords: | Evergreen broad-leaved forest Seedling dynamics Soil water potential Topography Yakushima Island |
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