Abstract

The role of natural regeneration in silvicultural systems is attracting increasing interest, but much is unknown about how stand development after clear-cutting affects seedling regeneration. We looked at the impact of tree canopy and ground layer vegetation (i.e., 'stand type') as well as soil properties (i.e., 'soil origin' or stand from which soil originated) on survival and growth of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings at three forest developmental stages, i.e., 4, 16 and 34 years after clear-cutting. To do this we transplanted soil cores between stands of different stages to separate the effects of soil properties versus canopy closure on seedling performance. We found that seedling survival of both species was highest when planted in the oldest stands independent of soil origin. P. sylvestris seedling growth responded to stand type but not soil origin, and biomass was highest at the youngest stand likely because of greater light availability. Meanwhile, although P. abies seedling root biomass responded to stand type, this species was mostly responsive to soil origin, with shoot and total biomass being greatest when seedlings were grown in soil originating from the oldest stands. These findings have implications for our understanding of tree regeneration of species that differ in their responsiveness to light and soil characteristics. The results can further inform forest managers about how to optimize survival and growth of seedlings by means of canopy regulation as well as provide information to assist the regeneration and development of multi-storied forest stands. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Boreal forest; Light; Norway spruce; Scots pine; Seedling growth; Soil transplant experiments

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
2016, Volume: 378, pages: 31-43
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Stuiver, Babs

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wardle, David

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gundale, Michael

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nilsson Hegethorn, Marie-Charlotte

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.07.009

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/77383