Light-dependent seedling survival and growth of four tree species in Costa Rican second-growth rain forests

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Iriarte Vivar Balderrama ◽  
Robin L. Chazdon
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Light Transmittance ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Growth Increments ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Survival And Growth

The dependence of tree seedling survival and growth on light availability was evaluated over 15 mo in three second-growth, wet forest stands (15–18 y old) in north-eastern Costa Rica. Seedlings of four canopy tree species (Dipteryx panamensis, Hyeronima alchorneoides, Virola koschnyi and Vochysia guatemalensis) were planted into four canopy treatments in three replicated stands and in a pasture site, spanning a nearly complete gradient of light availability. Survival and growth of all species increased in response to increasing light availability, but species differed in survival in shaded microsites (6–20% light transmittance) and in growth increments per light increase. Hyeronima showed the highest mortality at low light levels and the highest relative height growth increase per light increase. In contrast, Virola showed high survival at low and moderate light, but showed the lowest leaf area and above-ground biomass per light increase among all species. Dipteryx and Vochysia maintained relatively high rates of survival and growth across the entire light gradient. Hyeronima and Virola showed trade-offs between growth and survival responses to light, unlike Dipteryx and Vochysia. Differences among species in seedling survival at low light may be determined by a variety of physiological and morphological traits that may or may not be mechanistically linked to growth responses.

scholarly journals Initial Survival and Development of Planted European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) Seedlings Competing with Black Cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.)

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 677
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hasstedt ◽  
Peter Annighöfer
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Tilia Cordata ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is considered one of the most invasive tree species in central Europe and causes problems for both nature conservation and silviculture. Besides mechanical control treatments, a suggested control method to prevent its ongoing spread is to underplant shade-tolerant native tree species. Therefore, we combined two mechanical treatments, with underplanting of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) on fenced and unfenced plots. After the first growing season, survival rates were evaluated, and selected seedlings were destructively harvested to analyze their growth performance and leaf morphology in association with the different light regimes resulting from mechanical treatments Survival rates for both seedlings were very high (>95%). Survival rates were higher on fenced plots than on unfenced plots, most likely as result of browsing. The mortality of F. sylvatica decreased with increasing light availability on fenced plots. The mortality of T. cordata did not change along the light gradient. After one vegetation period no differences with respect to biomass allocation could be detected along the light gradient. However, the specific leaf areas of both species responded similarly, decreasing with increasing light availability. In summary, both species were able to establish and survive in the dense P. serotina understory and might have the potential to outcompete the invasive alien species in the long run.

scholarly journals Use of Plastic Shelters for Low-Cost Establishment of Street Trees

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Jones ◽  
A. H. Chappelka ◽  
D. H. West
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Industrial Park ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Planting Methods ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
One Year

Abstract One-year-old seedlings of 11 commonly used urban shade tree species were protected with plastic shelters to determine effects on survival and growth. Additional seedlings were planted in the cities of Auburn and Opelika, Alabama, to determine seedling performance in actual urban settings and to estimate incidence of vandalism in five urban settings. Shelters increased survival in four species and height growth in seven. Diameter growth responses were mixed. During the first 13 months after planting, only 3% of the seedlings in the cities were damaged by people. However, 20% of the shelters were vandalized at least once. Vandalism rates for shelters were greatest (37-44%) in neighborhoods of privately and publicly owned homes; intermediate (20%) in recreational parks, and lowest (4-6%) in undeveloped or industrial park areas. Installation of each tree with its shelter cost $2.78 (excluding labor) and required 20-25 minutes of labor. Tree shelters show promise as a low-cost alternative to more expensive planting methods, especially in undeveloped portions of cities. South. J. Appl. For. 20(2):85-89.

scholarly journals Survival and growth responses of eight Everglades tree species along an experimental hydrological gradient on two tree island types

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana L. Stoffella ◽  
Michael S. Ross ◽  
Jay P. Sah ◽  
Rene M. Price ◽  
Pamela L. Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Tree Island ◽  
Survival And Growth

Relationship between seed size and litter effects on early seedling establishment of 15 tropical tree species

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 569-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiano Micheletto Scarpa ◽  
I. F. M. Valio
Keyword(s):  
Seed Size ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Early Seedling

A close relationship has been reported between seed size and many different plant traits such as seedling size, relative growth rate, seedling survival, distance of dispersion, colonization and density of seeds in the soil (Coomes & Grubb 2003, Jurado & Westoby 1992, Lahoreauet al. 2006, Saverimuttu & Westoby 1996, Souza & Valio 2001). Although the association of seed size and shade tolerance is unclear (Westobyet al. 1996) some authors have suggested that a larger-seeded species is better able to tolerate low light availability (Foster 1986, Foster & Janson 1985, Leishman & Westoby 1994) by producing a vigorous seedling with a higher ability to withstand predation (Armstrong & Westoby 1993, Foster 1986) and delaying the beginning of carbon fixation so as to increase survival under a canopy and under leaf litter.

scholarly journals Reaktion von Weisstannen auf ein- bis mehrmaligen Verbiss entlang von Lichtgradienten

2014 ◽  
Vol 165 (7) ◽  
pp. 198-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Camille Kolly ◽  
Andrea Doris Kupferschmid
Keyword(s):  
Light Availability ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Lateral Shoot ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Terminal Shoot

Response of Abies alba saplings to single and repeated browsing along light gradients Browsing of silver fir (Abies alba) saplings by ungulates is one of the most important issues concerning decreasing regeneration of this tree species. In addition to genetic drivers, environmental factors such as light availability play an important role for the response of a browsed tree. Using an experimental design with fences, we investigated the influence of natural browsing on tree growth along a light gradient. The few fir saplings that responded by flagging up a lateral shoot compensated the browsing induced height difference compared to unbrowsed trees within four vegetation periods. Most firs however reacted with new shoots and remained smaller than unbrowsed ones. The more often a fir sapling was damaged on its terminal shoot, the smaller the tree remained. A positive relation between tree height and light was found only up to a canopy openness of 11%. Mortality over the whole five years was high in low light (<10%) and in forest gaps (>15%), due to desiccation, competition with other plants or browsing (50% of total mortality). We recommend regenerating firs under moderately shaded conditions.

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