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55 results for “seedling survival”
Supporting data for: Post-fire early successional vegetation buffers surface microclimate and increases survival of planted conifer seedlings in the southwestern United States
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Complex biotic interactions mediated by shrubs: revisiting the stress-gradient hypothesis and consequences for tree seedling survival
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Data from: Release from aboveground enemies increases seedling survival in grasslands
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Tree seedling functional traits mediate plant-soil feedback survival responses across a gradient of light availability
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Performances (survival and growth) and functional traits of tree seedlings along light and water gradients
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Intrinsic biotic factors and micro-site conditions drive seedling survival in a species with masting reproduction
<p><span>1. Seedling recruitment following a masting event, where more fruits are produced in synchrony and intermittently compared to other species, plays a crucial role in determining species diversity and community structure. Such seedling recruitment can be super-abundant, but followed by high mortality shortly thereafter. Differences in biotic factors such seedling characteristics, competition and herbivory, and micro-site specific abiotic factors could determine seedling fate in space and time. </span></p> <p><span>2. In a subtropical forest in south China, for two years using censuses conducted every one to two months, we monitored 40 seed traps and 120, 1 m<sup>2</sup> quadrats in five 1-hectare plots located from 1400 m to 1850 m asl for the masting maple species, <i>Acer campbellii </i>subsp.<i> sinense </i>(Pax) P.C.DeJong . We measured biotic – conspecific and heterospecific seedling density, species richness, herbivory, seedling height and leaf number – and abiotic – canopy openness, slope, and aspect – factors to assess drivers of seedling survival and evaluated <i>A. campbellii </i>subsp.<i> sinense </i>presence in the soil seed bank (SSB).</span></p> <p><span>3. The masting seed dispersal peak and seedling emergence peak occurred between October 2017 and January 2018, and May 2018, respectively. Of 688 selected seedlings, mortality was 92.7% within one year. No seeds were observed in the SSB. Seedling height and leaf number positively affected seedling survival, while seed placement as measured by aspect also showed effects on survival. Conspecific and heterospecific density and herbivory did not show any clear effect. Higher probabilities of seedling survival were found in areas with larger canopy openness (≥ 12% canopy gap size) and in steeper micro-sites (≥ 35°). </span></p> <p><span>4. <i>Synthesis</i>. Masting is mainly studied as a population level phenomenon from the fruiting tree perspective. Our study of individual seedling fate revealed that intrinsic biotic factors and seed placement were key drivers of survival. Although biotic determinants such as competition from conspecifics or heterospecifics or herbivory did not determine survival, their ubiquitous presence may be an underlying equalizer in community dynamics where seedlings that overcome biotic pressures, if placed at the right micro-site, are at better odds at being recruited to the next life history stages. </span></p>
Data from: Spatio-temporal variation of biotic and abiotic stress agents determines seedling survival in assisted oak regeneration
1. Mediterranean oak woodlands are currently undergoing considerable anthropogenic changes that globally threaten their long-term persistence. Restoration efforts via assisted regeneration depend on species traits and type of stress. However, how different sources of stress vary across space (microsites) and time (intra and inter-annual variation) for co-occurring oak species remains largely unknown. 2. We examined spatio-temporal variation of biotic (herbivory, seed predation) and abiotic (drought) stress agents to evaluate seedling survival across different regeneration microsites, and considering two climatically contrasting years. We used two co-occurring species of contrasting ecology and leaf traits in California oak woodlands: the deciduous Quercus lobata and the evergreen Q. agrifolia. 3. Most oak seedlings (98.8%) suffered from some type of stress. For both species, summer drought was the main cause of mortality, followed by rodent damage, ungulate browsing and insect damage. Rodents represented the predominant biotic stress, as all rodent-affected seedlings eventually died. Interactions among stress factors were nuanced: insect and ungulate-browsing stresses were greater during dry year, whereas rodent damage was similar in dry and average years. Intra-annually, rodent damage was the main stress agent in early spring, whereas water stress and ungulate-browsing were greater in late spring-early fall. Plant species traits were also determinant: overall, the evergreen species had greater survival probability than the deciduous one. 4. Across microsites, water stress showed higher occurrence in open grassland habitats, while rodent damage was prevalent under palatable shrubs and ungulate browsing under conspecific trees. Shrub and tree cover reduced damage attributed to water stress but increased rodent and ungulate damage, respectively. Interestingly, lower water stress but higher rodent damage was found further inside the shrub cover. 5. Synthesis and applications. Intra and inter-annual variation are critical determinants of stress type and intensity on oak recruitment. Spatial variation (microsite identity) is also informative to manipulate stress agent impact. We conclude that assisted regeneration should consider not only the predominance and lethality of each stress type and microsite, but also the interactions thereof and thus manipulate protective microsites accordingly.
Data from: Do plant traits explain tree seedling survival in bogs?
Moss-dominated peat bogs store approximately 30% of global soil carbon. A climate induced shift from current moss-dominated conditions to tree-dominated states is expected to strongly affect their functioning and carbon sequestration capacity. Consequently, unraveling the mechanisms that may explain successful tree seedling establishment in these ecosystems is highly relevant. To assess the role of drought on early tree seedling establishment and the relative importance of plant traits in tree seedling survival, we conducted a factorial glasshouse experiment with seven conifer species. Our results show that drought inhibits moss growth, thereby increasing survival of tree seedlings. Survival success was higher in Pinus than in Picea species, ranking Pinus banksiana > Pinus sylvestris > Pinus nigra > Picea mariana > Picea glauca, Picea sitchensis > Picea rubens. We found that those species most successful under dry and wet conditions combined a fast shoot growth with high seed mass. We conclude that plant traits contribute to explaining successful early tree seedling establishment in bogs.
Data from: Designed habitat heterogeneity on green roofs increases seedling survival but not plant species diversity
Urban areas benefit from the ecosystem services provided by low input green roofs. However, limited substrate depth on these green roofs creates challenging conditions for plant establishment and survival, leading to industry reliance on non-native succulents. Through a green roof and glasshouse study, we assessed the impact of simple design modifications to the green roof surface, including redistribution of substrate and addition of logs and pebble piles, on both substrate temperature and moisture content. We added seeds of 26 native species and quantified seedling density, species richness and composition over a single growing season. Overall effects of microsite heterogeneity on species diversity were assessed using species accumulation curves. The modifications altered substrate temperature and moisture. Deep substrate (10-12 cm) and the presence of surface features reduced temperature by 14.6°C and, while surface features had mixed effects on substrate moisture on the green roof, pebble piles slowed moisture loss during a six-week drought in the glasshouse. Following drought conditions, seedling density and species richness was greatest, relative to seeded controls, where substrate was deep on the green roof and where pebbles were present in glasshouse modules, despite high mortality overall. Design modifications did not result in differentiation of seedling communities among different microsite types. Species accumulation curves showed no difference in species richness between aggregates of modified vs. unaltered microsites. Synthesis and applications. Redistribution of green roof substrate and the addition of logs and pebble piles altered microsite conditions and created habitat heterogeneity on a green roof. These design modifications represent a minimalist strategy to ameliorate growing conditions, improve seedling survival and decrease species loss on shallow substrate green roofs.
Tree_seedling_survival_growth_leaf_traits_in_disturbed_conditions
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>1.<span> </span></span><span>Restoration of tropical montane cloud forest landscapes is urgently required. Assisting the regeneration of endangered and shade tolerant tree species is essential for both the recovery of this vulnerable group and of ecological processes. However, there is limited species-specific information regarding tree performance under different disturbance conditions with which to implement effective interventions. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>2.<span> </span></span><span>We assessed the performance of shade tolerant tree seedlings in restoration plantings under different disturbance settings and determined whether leaf mass area (LMA) and leaf dry mass content (LDMC) – functional traits typically associated with resource capture or stress tolerance – could serve as predictors of survival and growth among species. Since conservative leaf morphological traits can maximize survival, we expected species with higher LMA and LDMC to present higher survival. For a set of eight native cloud forest species, a total of 2202 seedlings were planted in four pastures, five secondary forests and three forests subjected to traditional selective logging, in tropical montane cloud forest landscapes in Eastern Mexico.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>3.<span> </span></span><span>Seedling survival was high after three years: 62% in pastures, 80% in secondary forests and 88% in logged forests. Growth rates were lowest in pastures, followed by secondary forests and highest in logged forests. LMA was a strong predictor of seedling survival in all of the environments; tree species with higher LMA presented greater survival. LDMC was related to seedling survival in the three environments, although to a lesser extent than LMA. In the pastures, higher LMA and LDMC were linked to lower growth.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_heading=h.30j0zll"></a><span>4.<span> </span></span><span>Synthesis and applications. This study support the potential of shade tolerant tree species in restoration efforts to assist the recovery of this important functional group and to accelerate succession across altered environments. Our results support the notion that conservative leaf functional traits are linked to a higher probability of survival, not only in the shaded understorey, but also under high solar radiation in transformed habitats. Leaf Mass Area (LMA) in particular is a reliable predictor of seedling survival for shade tolerant species. Species selection based on LMA could thus improve restoration initiative outcomes: tree species with high LMA present higher survival probability and can be introduced into pastures, secondary forests and selectively logged forests.</span></p>
Turgor loss point predicts survival responses to experimental and natural drought in tropical tree seedlings
<p>Identifying key traits that can serve as proxies for species drought resistance is crucial for predicting and mitigating effects of climate change in diverse plant communities. Turgor loss point (π<sub>tlp</sub>) is a recently emerged trait that has been linked to species distributions across gradients of water availability. However, a direct relationship between π<sub>tlp</sub> and species ability to survive drought has yet to be established for woody species. Using a manipulative field experiment to quantify species drought resistance (i.e. their survival response to drought), combined with measurements of π<sub>tlp</sub> for 16 tree species, we show a negative relationship between π<sub>tlp</sub> and seedling drought resistance. Using long-term forest plot data, we also show that π<sub>tlp</sub> predicts seedling survival responses to a severe El Niño-related drought, although additional factors are clearly also important. Our study demonstrates that species with lower π<sub>tlp</sub> exhibit higher survival under both experimental and natural drought. These results provide a missing cornerstone in the assessment of the traits underlying drought resistance in woody species and strengthen π<sub>tlp</sub> as a proxy for evaluating which species will lose or win under projections of exacerbating drought regimes.</p>
Wind dispersal and 1-year survival of Vataireopsis iglesiasii (Fabaceae) seedlings in a Neotropical lowland rain forest
<p>Populations of many tropical tree species are regulated by negative distance- and density-dependent processes (NDD), yet most studies on the effects of conspecific seedling and adult neighbours on seedling survival have focused on animal-dispersed species. Species with seeds dispersed by wind may not be moved as far on average as seeds dispersed by animals, but some seeds may be dispersed a lot further, suggesting that knowledge of dispersal mechanism may help in our understanding of NDD. In this study, we took advantage of a high-fecundity reproductive event that occurred for an individual isolated canopy tree of Vataireopsis iglesiasii in a tropical lowland rain forest site in Amazonian Ecuador to document seed dispersal and seedling survival to 1-year post-dispersal. Most seeds did not disperse far: 86% of germinated seedlings were found within 100 m. Mortality was high: only 49 of the 1732 monitored seedlings survived one year and only five survived a further four years. We found a significant negative effect of conspecific seedling density (but no effect of distance from the parent tree) on 1-year survival. Rare long-distance dispersal events may increase the probability of a seed reaching specific habitats, such as high-light patches, and surviving beyond one year, thereby shifting the population recruitment curve outwards away from adult trees and maintaining diversity in species-rich forests.</p>
Size- and environment-driven seedling survival and growth are mediated by leaf functional traits
<p><span>Ecologists usually find that plant demography (e.g., survival and growth) changes along with plant size and environmental gradients, which suggests the effects of ontogeny-related processes and abiotic filtering. However, the role of functional traits underlying the plant size- and environment-demography relationships is usually overlooked. By measuring the individual-level leaf traits of more than 2700 seedlings in a temperate forest, we evaluated how seedling functional traits mediated the size- and environment-demography relationships. First, we found leaves were larger for taller seedlings, leaf economics traits were more conservative in taller seedlings and under high light and low elevation conditions. Then, structural equation modeling showed that a higher survival probability for taller seedlings was indirectly driven by their larger leaf area. Although taller seedlings had lower growth rates, larger and more resource-conservative leaves could promote the growth rate of these tall seedlings. Environmental variables did not appear to influence seedling survival and growth directly but did influence growth indirectly by mediating trait variation. Finally, species-specific variation in traits along with size and environments was associated with the species-specific variation in seedling survival and growth. Our study suggests that, not only plant ontogeny- and environment-related ecological processes, functional traits are also important intermediary agents underlying the usually observed plant size- and environment-demography relationships.</span></p>
Supporting data for: Planted conifer seedling survival in a post-wildfire landscape in New Mexico: From experimental planting to predictive probabilistic surfaces
<p>Across the southwestern United States, high-severity wildfire is causing increasingly large patches of tree mortality, removing the seed sources required for the natural regeneration of these formerly conifer-dominated landscapes. Planting tree seedlings can accelerate succession and restore the ecosystem services that pre-wildfire forests provided, but in the semi-arid southwestern US, the survival of planted conifer seedlings is typically low. We present data on a seedling planting experiment within the footprint of the 2011 Las Conchas Fire in northern New Mexico, using microclimate variables and site-level topographic indices to determine which factors influence seedling survival of four conifer tree species. We then extrapolate these findings to the wider landscape for the most commonly planted species, producing a spatial projection of probabilistic seedling survival as a function of both site- and landscape-scale factors, using readily available topographic data. Both sets of analyses highlight the importance of landscape heterogeneity, quantifiable using topographic indices, in shaping microclimatic environments and affecting seedling survival in a predictable manner. Our results demonstrate that using these methods to guide future plantings may increase conifer tree seedling survival in high-severity post-wildfire landscapes.</p>
Supplementary data: What drives grassland-forest boundaries? Assessing fire and frost effects on tree seedling survival and architecture
<ol> <li>Fire and frost represent two major hurdles for the persistence of trees in open grassy biomes and have both been proposed as drivers of grassland-forest boundaries in Africa.</li> <li>We assess the response of young tree seedlings, which represent a vulnerable stage in tree recruitment, to traumatic fire and frost disturbances.</li> <li>In a greenhouse experiment, we investigated how seedling traits predicted survival and resprouting ability in response to fire <i>vs</i> frost; we characterised survival strategies of seedlings in response to the two disturbances, and we documented how the architecture of surviving seedlings is affected by fire <i>vs</i> frost injury.</li> <li>Survival rates were similar under both treatments. However, different species displayed different levels of sensitivity to fire and frost. Seedling survival was higher for older seedlings and seedlings with more basal leaves. Survivors of a fire event lost more biomass than the survivors of a frost event. However, the architecture of recovered fire and frost treated seedlings were mostly similar. Seedlings that recovered from fire and frost treatments were often shorter than those that had not been exposed to any disturbance, with multiple thin branches, which may increase vulnerability to the next frost or fire event.</li> <li> <i>Synthesis</i>. Fire caused more severe aboveground damage compared to a single frost event, suggesting that fire is an important driver of tree distribution in these open grassland systems. However, the impact of repeated frost events may be equally severe, and needs to be investigated. Also, woody species composition may be influenced by phenomena that affect the timing and frequency of seedling exposure to damage, as mortality was found to be dependent on seedling age. Therefore, changes in fire regime and climate (esp. changes that bring about less frost and reduced fire intensity and frequency) are likely to result in changes in the composition and the structure of the woody components of these systems.</li> </ol>
Survival and growth of Symphonia seedlings in a reciprocal transplantation experiment
<p>Trees are characterised by the large number of seeds they produce. Although most of those seeds will never germinate, plenty will. Of those which germinate, many die young, and eventually only a minute fraction will grow to adult stage and reproduce. Is this just a random process? Do variations in germination and survival at very young stages rely on variations in adaptations to microgeographic heterogeneity? and do these processes matter at all in determining tree species distribution and abundance?</p> <p>We have studied these questions with the Neotropical <i>Symphonia</i> tree species. In the Guiana shield, <i>Symphonia</i> are represented by at least two sympatric taxa or ecotypes, <i>Symphonia globulifera</i> found almost exclusively in bottomlands, and a yet undescribed more generalist taxon/ecotype, <i>Symphonia sp1</i>. A reciprocal transplantation experiment (510 seeds, 16 conditions) was set up and followed over the course of 6 years to evaluate the survival and performance of individuals from different ecotypes and provenances.</p> <p>Germination, survival, growth, and herbivory showed signs of local adaptation, with some combinations of ecotypes and provenances growing faster and surviving better in their own habitat or provenance region. <i>S. globulifera</i> was strongly penalised when planted outside its home habitat but showed the fastest growth rates when planted in its home habitat, suggesting it's a specialist of a high-risk high-gain strategy. Conversely, <i>S. sp1</i> behaved as a generalist, performing well in a variety of environments. </p> <p>The differential performance of seeds and seedlings in the different habitats matches the known distribution of both ecotypes, indicating that environmental filtering at the very early stages can be a key determinant of tree species distributions, even at the microgeographic level and among very closely related taxa. Furthermore, such differential performance also contributes to explain, in part, the maintenance of the different <i>Symphonia</i> ecotypes living in intimate sympatry despite occasional gene flow.</p>
Data from: Spatio-temporal variation of biotic and abiotic stress agents determines seedling survival in assisted oak regeneration
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Data from: Early emergence increases survival of tree seedlings in Central European temperate forests despite severe late frost
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Size- and environment-driven seedling survival and growth are mediated by leaf functional traits
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Data from: Do plant traits explain tree seedling survival in bogs?
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