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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 1996

Time-restricted seed regeneration of Scots pine in sites dominated by feather moss after clear-cutting

Nilsson, MC; Steijlen, I; Zackrisson, O

Abstract

Scots pine (Pious sylvestris L.) were selectively seeded in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994 in bottom layer vegetation of Pleurozium schreberi (Bird.) Mitt. in a clearcut created in 1989 and in an adjacent undisturbed Scots pine forest of Vaccinium type, in northern Sweden. Seedlings from the 1990 seeding established considerably better on the clearcut than in the forest. In contrast, seeding done in 1991, 1992, and 1994 gave no significant difference in seedling establishment between the two sites. Seedlings that established in the clearcut in 1990 grew significantly larger and had a higher content of macro- and micro-nutrients than those in the forest. For seedlings that established in 1992, biomass and nutrient content of seedlings in the clearcut did not differ from those in the forest. Seedlings established in the clearcut in 1990 increased their nutrient content in relation to seed supply, while seedlings established in the clearcut in 1992 and those in the forest had in general gained less or even lost nutrients (especially P) in relation to seed reserve. These results indicate that Pleurozium schreberi-dominated microsites can constitute a favourable microhabitat for pine regeneration following stand disturbance, although the positive effect quickly diminishes with time after disturbance. The higher establishment and growth of emerging seedlings the Ist year after cutting compared with later established cohorts in the clearcut may be caused by changes in nutrient availability. We propose that environmental stress after cutting temporarily diminishes the effect of the nutrient barrier formed by Pleurozium schreberi, ericoid mycorrhiza, and ericaceous dwarfshrubs. We conclude that successful natural pine regeneration in Pleurozium schreberi-dominated vegetation induced by clear-cutting can be severely time restricted. This is an important consideration when dealing with forestry methods that depend on natural regeneration.

Published in

Canadian Journal of Forest Research
1996, Volume: 26, number: 6, pages: 945-953
Publisher: NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA

      SLU Authors

      • Zackrisson, Olle

        • Department of Forest Vegetation Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Forest Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/x26-104

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/115299