Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Quercus liaotungensis Acorn Predation by Vertebrates in Dongling Mountain,Northern China

In studying the spatial and temporal patterns of acorn predation of Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. by vertebrates, Three forests in Dongling Mountain, Northern China, including a broad-leaved forest, a Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest and a Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. forest were selected in which acorn predation was observed in the peak period of acornfall and the period after natural acornfall. The survival of acorn from predation was influenced by forest types and period of acornfall as well as the interaction of forest types and the period of acornfall. The rates of acorn loss are high in the Pinus tabulaeformis forest and Larix principis-rupprechtii forest in both peak period of acornfall and period after natural acornfall. All the acorns deployed on the ground disappeared within two days. In the broad-leaved forest, the rate of acorn loss was high in the period after natural acornfall, but low in the peak period of acornfall probably due to predator satiation. In addition, the acorn removal by the small mammals under study was different among 3 forests. These results suggest that small vertebrates play an important role in predating and dispersing acorns with different spatial and temporal patterns which may affect the acorn fate in different types of forests and the establishment of seedlings as well as the natural regeneration of Q. liaotungensis population.