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1.
The effects of removing aboveground vegetation on survival and growth of Hondo spruce (Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis) saplings were examined in a dense dwarf bamboo (Sasa nipponica) field inside a deer-proof fence built in a degraded sub-alpine forest on Mt Ohdaigahara, central Japan. All bamboo culms
were removed within a radius of 1 m from each sapling in a plot of 0.6 ha (removal plot), whereas no culms were removed in
two control plots of 0.1 ha. We measured the height, crown depth, and main shoot elongation over 1 year for all spruce saplings,
culm height and cover ratios of dwarf bamboo growing around each spruce sapling, and the light levels above each sapling.
Removal of dwarf bamboo regulated the culm height and bamboo coverage until the following summer such that light conditions
improved. The mortality of saplings smaller than the average culm height was lower in the removal plot (0.89%) than in a control
plot (5.9%). After bamboo removal, sapling height growth was reduced with increasing bamboo cover in the previous year. Complete
removal of the aboveground portions of covering bamboo improved sapling survival while regulating elongation growth, possibly
because of the sudden increase in light intensity. Thus, controlling the extent of dwarf bamboo removal might be necessary
to facilitate the growth of spruce saplings to restore the forest. 相似文献
2.
《Forest Ecology and Management》1998,103(1):49-56
We investigated the browsing effect of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) on the biomass and morphology of Sasa nipponica Makino et Shibata, a dwarf bamboo, in Mt. Ohdaigahara, central Japan. The investigation was performed through comparison of S. nipponica inside and outside a deer-proof fence. The S. nipponica outside the fence decreased in biomass (292.7 d.w.g./50×50 cm inside and 105.1 d.w.g. outside in August 1994), became miniaturized in culm height (49.1 cm inside and 15.6 cm outside), decreased in top leaf length (118.9 mm inside and 69.8 mm outside) and in culm diameter (2.0 mm inside and 1.2 mm outside) and densified in culm number (254/50×50 cm inside and 622 outside). After the destruction of the deer-proof fence, S. nipponica inside the fence underwent similar changes, that is, biomass decrease, miniaturization and densification in the next flush. 相似文献
3.
The indirect consequence of sika deer (Cervus nippon) grazing on the regeneration of Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis through its effect on the small rodent population was assessed by evaluating seed predation by mice inside and outside the
deer-proof fence on Mt Ohdaigahara, central Japan. Following construction of the deer-proof fence, Sasa nipponica, which covers the forest floor and is the main forage of deer, grew thicker inside the fence due to the absence of deer grazing
than outside of the fence. Higher numbers of two species of woodmice (Apodemus speciosus and A. argenteus) were found inside the fence, possibly because the thick S. nipponica growth provides better cover. Inside the fence, more seeds of P. jezoensis var. hondoensis were eaten by the mice than outside the fence. These results suggest that the mouse populations inside the fence increased
due to changes in S. nipponica cover, which subsequently increased seed predation by the mice, possibly preventing regeneration of P. jezoensis var. hondoensis. 相似文献
4.
Habitat structure in Oku-Nikko, Japan, has been substantially modified by the overabundance of sika deer (Cervus nippon). A deer-proof fence (15.0 km and 900 ha) was constructed in 2001 to conserve vegetation. Although the understory inside the fence is dominated by Sasa nipponica (hereafter, Sasa), an important forage plant for deer, that outside the fence is dominated by Aster ageratoides leiophyllus (hereafter, Aster), an unpalatable plant to deer, and, partly, by bare floor. In this study, we examined the effects of deer on ground-dwelling insects and earthworms, the primary food resources of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and, thus, the bottom-up cascading effects of the herbivore on the omnivorous carnivore. Between July and September 2008, we examined the abundance of insects and earthworms by pitfall trapping and hand-sorting methods, respectively, both inside and outside the fence. The abundance of earthworms and insects (Scarabaeidae and Rhaphidophoridae) was higher on forest floors with Aster and/or bare floors outside the fence than on those with Sasa inside the fence. These results indicate that the increasing deer population in this area probably increased the number of these invertebrates outside the fence by modifying understory vegetation and/or depositing dung. Furthermore, the sighting rates of raccoon dogs obtained by spotlight counts were greater outside than inside the fence, suggesting that deer probably exert bottom-up cascading effects on raccoon dogs, at least during May to November, when the invertebrates are predominantly fed on by the omnivorous carnivore. 相似文献
5.
Jiří Kamler Miloslav Homolka Miroslava Barančeková Jarmila Krojerová-Prokešová 《European Journal of Forest Research》2010,129(2):155-162
Browsing of overabundant free-living herbivores often limits the natural as well as artificial regeneration of forest in Central-European
Mountains. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of the extensive reductions of herbivore populations for protection
of forest regeneration in preferred areas. We analysed the relationship between the intensity of shoot browsing and relative
density of herbivores in viewpoint of natural regeneration of secondary mountain spruce stands with low proportion of broadleaved
trees in Králicky Sněžník Reserve (Czech Republic). The distribution of seasonally migrating herbivores was established by
counting faecal pellet groups (standing crop method) in growing season. The intensity of browsing of spruce, beech and rowan
was assessed using the proportion of browsed shoots on individual tree sapling. Density of red deer was re-counted from the
number of pellet groups and it was 15–56 individual/km2. The intensity of spruce browsing was low in the whole area in all seasons. In general, the intensity of rowan and beech
shoot browsing was high in the whole area. There were no correlations between deer density and browsing intensity of rowan
(browsing was severe in all plots). We conclude that the natural regeneration of attractive trees and shrubs is nearly impossible
in habitats where proportion of these food items is too small, even when the density of herbivores is low. Reduction of herbivores
density is useful for protecting spruce and other tree species with low preference by herbivores. Forest managers should take
into account the high palatability of deciduous tree species and distribution of herbivores on localities. Preference of localities
is often based on grasses in the food supply. Regeneration of highly palatable tree species requires both low density of herbivores
and sufficient protection of saplings. 相似文献
6.
We investigated the effects of selective logging on stand structure and regeneration in selectively logged subboreal forests
in Taisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido in northern Japan. The basal area decreased and the size structure of trees altered
in the stands studied due to repeated, intense selective logging, in which larger trees were cut down as a priority. Sapling
density in the stands was much lower than that in primary forests. In the simple and multiple regression analyses that were
used to estimate the effects of selective logging on sapling density, sapling density had a significant positive correlation
with tree density and had little correlation with the density of logged stumps or the height ofSasa (dwarf bamboo) growing on the forest floor. These results suggest that the establishment sites around canopy trees influenced
the establishment of saplings, rather than the gaps caused by selective logging. However, both the coefficient of determination
and the standardized partial regression coefficient of multiple regression analysis were higher for the stand with a dense
cover ofSasa than for the stand with a sparse cover ofSasa. Thus, the success of regenerating forests with selective logging depends on both the site of advanced regeneration and the
light conditions that regulate growth. 相似文献
7.
Natural regeneration measurements are the main silvicultural objective in overaged protective forests of the Bavarian Limestone
Alps. While manifold problems with these stands, especially the impact of browsing, are widely recognised, the regeneration
niches of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are insufficiently known. The purpose of this study was to determine favourable combinations of site factors
for the development of spruce in small, unfenced canopy gaps, located on Aposerido-Fagetum caricetosum albae forest sites. We recorded the occurrence of spruce saplings (as dependent variable) and of six site factors (as independent
variables) on 480 0.5 m2-subplots. In addition, we estimated the coverage of six acid adapted plant species to determine correlations with the humus
depth. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of the occurrence of a spruce sapling in
dependency of the different site factors. Supported by other studies, we assumed that the supply of solar radiation was adequate
for the sufficient regeneration of spruce within the canopy gaps. Other site factors significantly determined the regeneration
niches of spruce saplings. More spruce saplings were found near hindrances and on rough surfaces than would be expected from
a random occurrence of saplings. These microsite types may have characteristics, especially protection against snow gliding
that promotes spruce establishment. A calculated “hindrance index”, which accounted for the number, and the distance of surrounding
hindrances might be a good specific value to describe the influence of hindrances on steep slopes. The sapling establishment
decreased on thin humus layers. Our assumption for the sites was that thick organic layers might represent a good seedbed
for spruce. Decayed dead wood was scarce, but was exceedingly favoured by spruce saplings. Results obtained suggest that the
natural regeneration establishment of spruce on steep slopes can be successfully influenced by site factors which inhibit
the influence of snow gliding. According to a “positive microsite” concept, we recommend for artificial regeneration measurements
with spruce, microsites close to hindrances (e.g. stumps, downed trees) and Vaccinium myrtillus as a predictor for thick, acid humus layers. 相似文献
8.
Establishment patterns of woody species in low intensity-grazed pastures after the cessation of intensive agricultural use 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
Low intensity grazing with large herbivores is increasingly used to steer the development of mosaic landscapes (including wood-pastures) and woodland expansion on former agricultural land. We studied the establishment and early growth pattern of woody species in grasslands (formerly used for high intensity summer cattle grazing) in which a low intensity-grazing regime was set up between 4 and 11 years ago. We tested whether the developing vegetation patches, consisting of tall herbs and scrub, influenced this pattern. Further, we investigated if increased susceptibility to trampling disturbance by large herbivores on wet soils in floodplains influenced sapling establishment.Formerly intensively used grasslands were studied at six sites, four in floodplains and two in interfluvial zones on nutrient rich, heavy soils. In total, we sampled 141 plots with grassland, tall herb or scrub vegetation and recorded individuals of established tree and shrub species, their height, diameter, browsing damage and distance to potential seed sources. In the floodplains, we recorded soil disturbance by large herbivores (hoofprints) in wet and moist soils.Sapling frequencies, with Fraxinus excelsior as the most common species (>50% of all individuals), were two to three times higher in tall herb and scrub patches compared to grassland. Only the spiny Crataegus monogyna established in higher frequencies in grassland plots. In floodplains, we found two to three times more established woody saplings in wet tall herb plots, compared to moist and wet grassland plots and moist tall herb plots.Browsing reduced sapling height in grassland and tall herb patches. Only in scrub patches did average height (±2.5 m) reach above the browse line. We found 30–70% less browsing damage to saplings in scrub compared to damage in grassland and tall herb plots. In particular, damage to the apical shoot was strongly reduced.Our findings show that tree establishment occurs in spatial association with non-grassland patches that offer protection against browsing. Fast growing spiny shrubs like Rubus sp. offer protection for palatable saplings, allowing establishment and growing out beyond the browse line. Alternatively, increased establishment occurs in wet tall herb patches, where soil disturbance by moderate trampling favours germination and, subsequently, saplings are protected at least temporarily against browsing by unpalatable tall herbs. 相似文献
9.
P. M. McEvoy J. H. McAdam M. R. Mosquera-Losada A. Rigueiro-Rodríguez 《Agroforestry Systems》2006,66(2):85-92
Forest grazing has been recognised as being a useful tool in fire-risk reduction, in addition to having the potential to preserve
or enhance forest biodiversity if managed correctly. Concern for natural regeneration of forest trees in Europe has also prompted
interest in the effects of large herbivores on seedling and sapling growth and mortality. An investigation was carried out
into sapling damage and density of natural regeneration of oak (Quercus robur) in a mature, pony-grazed, Pinus radiata forest in Galicia, NW Spain under two different grazing regimes (continuous and rotational). In all treatments significantly
more oak seedlings and saplings were recorded in areas of grass sward than areas dominated by taller ground flora species.
Damage to oak saplings was assessed from the form (height and canopy) relative to stem diameter. The height and average canopy
diameter of similar-aged saplings were found to be significantly greater in ungrazed (control) than both continuous and rotationally
grazed treatments. Height and canopy diameters of similar-aged oak were not significantly different between the two grazing
treatments. Significant differences were observed in tree form, with unbrowsed saplings having the greatest height to canopy
width ratio and those in the continuously browsed plots having the smallest. An obvious decrease in the goodness of fit (R2) of regression analyses were found in continuously grazed areas compared to rotational and control plots for both height
and canopy data. The differences in damage observed were not significantly different enough to suggest one method of grazing
over the other as being better for minimising sapling damage. Management requirements are more likely to dictate grazing regime.
Overall, stock density is likely to have a more significant effect on damage than stocking system. 相似文献
10.
To detect the magnitude of indirect positive effects of deer and mice on seedling survival of some woody species in a Japanese temperate forest, we analyzed the data from an earlier field experiment using a hierarchical Bayesian approach. The forest studied was inhabited by sika deer (Cervus nippon) and mice (Apodemus spp.), and the floor was covered with dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, which negatively affected tree seedlings and was in turn negatively affected by deer and mice. The field experiment was designed as the combination of exclusion or removal of these factors: deer, mice and dwarf bamboo. A hierarchical Bayesian model was constructed and the parameters were estimated by the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The model successfully showed the indirect positive effects of deer and mice, which improved the survival rate of five cohorts of the seedlings of three tree species by ameliorating the direct negative effect of dwarf bamboo. The cohorts studied were formed by the seedlings of Abies homolepis that emerged in 1997 and 2002, those of Fraxinus lanuginosa f. serrata that emerged in 1998 and 2002, and those of Fagus crenata that emerged in 1999. The positive indirect effect was especially large in F. crenata, which is known to be severely affected by dwarf bamboo. The total effect of deer was shown to be positive for all cohorts except the A. homolepis cohort that emerged in 1997, at which time the dwarf bamboo had not yet fully recovered from the browsing pressure of deer. The total effect of mice was shown to be positive for all of the cohorts. We conclude that these positive effects were due to the large negative effect of dwarf bamboo on the seedlings. 相似文献
11.
David Scott David Welch Madeline Thurlow David A. Elston 《Forest Ecology and Management》2000,130(1-3):199-211
The occurrence of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings and saplings (<2.0 m in height and suppressed by grazing) and ground characteristics were recorded in a 300 ha block of natural pine forest in 1993. The density of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) was then reduced by exclosure to approximately 3–4 deer km−2, which is below the threshold at which pine regeneration should occur. Numbers and performance of pine seedlings and saplings were further monitored 2 and 4 years after exclosure. Numbers of young pine increased over time. In the three years with observations 97–99% of pine seedlings and saplings were recorded within 20 m of a seed source. Stepwise multiple regression was used to explore the relationships of pine establishment with plot characteristics for (a) all observation plots (n = 178) and (b) plots within 20 m of a seed source (n = 154). The factors most closely related to the number of pine seedlings and saplings in 1997 were, for (a), seed–source distance, vegetation height, blaeberry cover, slope and deer pellet-group density in 1993, all but the last having negative effects. For (b), vegetation height, blaeberry cover and slope were again selected predictors, and again had negative effects. Possible mechanisms by which the selected main effects may influence pine regeneration are discussed, the positive relationship to deer density being considered to reflect the creation of gaps in the sward suitable for germination. However, the amounts of variation explained in the models were low, being 16% for (a) and 13% for (b), reflecting the patchy nature and diverse age of the regeneration. 相似文献
12.
Willis John L. Harrington Constance A. Brodie Leslie C. Roberts Scott D. 《New Forests》2021,52(2):329-348
Promoting patchy recruitment of shade tolerant tree species into the midstory is an important step in developing structural diversity in second-growth stands. Variable-density thinning (VDT) has been proposed as a strategy for accelerating structural diversity, as its combination of within-stand treatments (harvest gaps, thinning, and non-harvested skips) should create variable overstory and understory conditions. Here we report on western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) seedling and sapling densities in five mixed-conifer stands and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) seedling and sapling densities in two stands in western Washington at 3,7, 10, and 16–17 years after VDT. Additionally, we report on western hemlock advance regeneration growth and survival in two stands over 14 years. Western hemlock seedling density was highest in the thinned treatment but only significantly so in Year 10. In contrast, the gaps contained significantly more western hemlock saplings in Years 7 and 10 and significantly greater growth of western hemlock advance regeneration through Year 10. Skips embedded within the VDT did not differ significantly from unharvested reserves in terms of seedling or sapling densities of either species. Sitka spruce seedling density was highest in the gap and thinned treatments, but saplings were uncommon in all treatments. Collectively, these results indicate that our variant of VDT promoted patchy, midstory recruitment of western hemlock but failed to recruit Sitka spruce saplings in either stand where it established. Consequently, more intensive variants of VDT may be required to promote midstory recruitment of species less tolerant of shade than western hemlock.
相似文献13.
《Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research》2012,27(1-4):364-369
In single‐tree selection, trees removed by harvest or lost through mortality are replaced by ingrowth from the seedling/sapling bank. Because the level of ingrowth is governed not only by the recruitment rate of new seedlings, but also by mortality and growth rates within the seedling/sapling stratum, knowledge of how these processes are related to the tree stratum is important for successful application of single‐tree selection. Therefore, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration (0.1 m ≤ height ≤ 2.0 m) was measured on seventy 100 m2 circular subplots at each of two sites in central and northern Sweden. Both sites had previously been selectively logged, but the time elapsed since the last harvest was at least 30 yrs. Basal area of trees of at least 2 m height within three different radii from the subplot centres was measured. Measurements on regeneration included height and leader length. Influence of local stand basal area on density and growth of regeneration was analysed by ordinary least‐squares linear regression for each of four height intervals. Regeneration was significantly aggregated at both sites, but number of Norway spruce seedlings and saplings per circular subplot was not correlated to local stand basal area. Out of 36 regressions, only eight showed a significantly (p < 0.05) negative correlation between seedling and sapling height growth and local stand basal area. In five of these cases, removal of one point (subplot) made p > 0.05. The results suggest that density and growth of Norway spruce regeneration in selectively logged uneven‐aged Norway spruce stands is affected more by ground conditions than by local stand basal area. 相似文献
14.
Ikue Murata Sigefumi Saruki Katsuyoshi Kubota Sachiko Inoue Naoaki Tashiro Tsutomu Enoki Yasuhiro Utsumi Susumu Inoue 《Journal of Forest Research》2009,14(5):296-301
Effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and dwarf bamboo (“sasa;” Sasamorpha borealis) on seedling emergence and survival were investigated in cool-temperate mixed forests in the Kyushu mountain range, Japan.
We compared the effects of sika deer between two sites with different sika deer densities. One site (no-sasa forest) has sparse
cover of S. borealis and a high density of sika deer, and the other site (sasa forest) has dense cover of S. borealis with a low density of sika deer. In the no-sasa forest, more seedlings emerged and the survival rate of the seedlings was
higher compared with the sasa forest. Compared with the sasa forest, the canopy in the no-sasa forest was more open, the organic
layer was shallower and drier, the mean daily soil temperature was higher, and soil temperature fluctuated more widely. Those
environmental parameters did not differ between unfenced and fenced plots. The comparison between the sasa and no-sasa forests
suggested that removal of S. borealis by sika deer had an indirect positive effect on seedling emergence and survival. However, the fenced-plot experiments indicated
that sika deer inhibited seedling emergence and survival. These contradictory conclusions could result from the much larger
negative effects of S. borealis on seedling emergence and survival compared with the effects of sika deer browsing. 相似文献
15.
16.
The aim of the present study was to quantify the effects of roe deer browsing relative to the effects of soil preparation, shelterwood density (light) and seed fall. Ultimately, the goal was better silvicultural guidelines to support the use of natural beech regeneration in the close-to-nature forestry context. In spring 1995, an experiment on natural regeneration with three experimental stands (0.28–0.6 ha) was installed in a beech (Fagus sylvatica) dominated broadleaved forest inhabited by a dense roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population (24 deer km−2). The autumn of 1995 offered a large beech mast (stand average 307–1168 beechnuts m−2).Treatments installed included fencing to exclude deer, soil preparation, shelterwood thinning, and the relevant control treatments. Roe deer and soil preparation had dramatic effects on regeneration from the moment the seedlings sprouted in the spring 1996. The regeneration sprouted only sparsely in the unprepared seedbed producing only 5 seedlings m−2 (average across fence treatments) after 2 months, which was reduced to 1 sapling m−2 8 years later. Deer had no significant effect on the regeneration density of the unprepared seedbed. In contrast, the cultivated seedbeds produced initially (after 2 months) up to 191 seedlings m−2 protected by fence, whereas the densities in the unfenced treatments peaked by 22 seedlings m−2. By the end of the study, these densities were reduced to 22 saplings m−2 in the permanently fenced mineral soil seedbed and to 2 saplings m−2 in the unfenced mineral soil seedbed. Regeneration height outside the permanent fence was generally only half the height of the regeneration inside. Additionally, we found significantly positive effects of increasing light and seed fall on regeneration density and of light on regeneration growth.We conclude that the roe deer only reduced the regeneration density of the dense regenerations established in the cultivated seedbeds. However, the regeneration density of the unprepared seedbed was not sufficient to support a future high quality stand. We found no treatment that within the timeframe of this study could support successful regeneration establishment outside the permanent fences. Whether this will change in the future with more time given for the regeneration to establish is yet to be revealed. 相似文献
17.
18.
Robert Jobidon 《Forest Ecology and Management》2000,130(1-3):77-97
The effects of competition from red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and northern hardwood tree species on white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were examined on a clearcut site of the boreal mixedwood forest of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec, Canada. A controlled experiment involving a gradient of five vegetation densities on the basis of the leaf area index (LAI) was established in a completely randomized plot design with six replications. Each of the five levels of vegetation cover (including vegetation-free plots) were examined to evaluate how they affected environmental factors (quantity and quality of light reaching the spruce seedlings, and soil temperature), spruce growth (height, basal diameter, volume index, and above-ground biomass), spruce mortality, browsing damage, spruce foliar mineral nutrition, as well as the stand structural development, during the first 5 years after seedling planting.
Each spruce growth variable analyzed in this study, according to a RMANOVA procedure, followed a negative hyperbolic form of density dependence of competitive effects. Loss of growth in young white spruce plantations in competition with northern hardwoods is likely to occur with the first few competitors. In cases where higher levels of competing vegetation were maintained over time, loss of spruce growth was extremely severe, to an extent where the exponential growth character of the young trees has been lost. At the end of the fifth year, spruce growing with no interference were larger in mean total above-ground biomass by a factor of 9.7 than those growing with the highest level of vegetation cover. Spruce did not develop a strategy of shade avoidance by increasing tree height, on the contrary. Spruce mortality differed among treatments only in the fifth year, indicating that early evaluation of spruce survival is not a strong indicator of competitive effects, when compared to diameter growth. Spruce foliar N and Ca contents were significantly reduced by the first level of competing vegetation cover, while K increased with the density of the vegetation cover, and P and Mg were not affected. Nitrogen nutrition of young white spruce planted on recently disturbed sites is discussed in relation to the potential root discrimination of this species against soil nitrate, a reaction observed by Kronzucker et al. [Kronzucker, H.J., Siddiqi, M.Y., Glass, A.D.M., 1997. Conifer root discrimination against soil nitrate and the ecology of forest succession. Nature London 385, 59–61]. The effects of hardwood competition indicate a prevalence of competition for light over a competition for nutrients, as revealed by the substantial increase in the h/d ratio of white spruce. Two indicators, h/d ratio and the quantity of light received at the tree seedling level, are suggested as a basis for the management of hardwood competition in a white spruce plantation.
Analysis of the stand structural development indicates that spruce height distribution was affected only by moderate or dense cover of vegetation, while diameter distribution, when compared to competing vegetation-free plots, was affected by the lowest level of vegetation cover. This study shows that competition influenced the stand structural development in the same way as genetic and micro-site factors by aggravating the amplitude of size inequality. The impact of hardwood competition is discussed in view of reaching an equilibrium between optimal spruce plantation growth and benefits from further silvicultural treatments, and maintaining hardwood species known to improve long term site quality, within a white spruce plantation. 相似文献
19.
The intensity of deer herbivory, rather than simply the deer population density, directly affects the forest ecosystem, but a linear relationship between these two factors has generally been assumed. To assess their relationship, we investigated deer population density and tree sapling vegetation in six forests with different deer density on Yakushima Island, Japan. The feeding frequency was used as an index of deer herbivory. Palatable saplings showed high feeding frequency and became rare in deer-abundant areas, while unpalatable saplings showed low feeding frequency and increased with increasing deer density. In addition, feeding frequency on sapling vegetation did not continue to increase with increasing deer population and was limited to only 0.24-0.32 in deer-abundant areas (more than 20 deer/km2). These data suggest that deer shift their main food items from living palatable saplings to other alternatives such as litter fall rather than living unpalatable saplings. Clearly, the nonlinear relationship between deer density and deer herbivory on forest vegetation could result from a change in the food eaten by deer, and it is therefore necessary to assess the impacts of deer based on not only the size of the deer population but also the intensity of direct herbivory. 相似文献
20.
The effect of herbaceous vegetation on growth and survival was assessed in planted eucalyptus saplings grown under four levels
of weed cover. Seedlings of Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii were planted with 0 (W0), 25 (W25), 50 (W50) and 100% (W100) weed cover. Weed species composition and aboveground biomass
was determined. Soil water content was evaluated by the gravimetric method. Seedling leaf area, diameter and height were evaluated
at planting and during the 3 months following establishment. Tree height, diameter and stem volume was estimated at 12, 24
and 36 months. First year tree survival was recorded. The ratio of cumulative stem growth under W100: cumulative stem growth
under W0 was used to measure competitive performance. Regression analysis was used to determine competition thresholds. Weeds
seriously threaten the growth of E. globulus subsp. maidenii. Early negative effects of competition on growth were evident as from the second month after establishment, and both seedlings
and 1-year-old saplings were more affected than 2- and 3-year-old ones. A “minimum-response threshold” was determined near
500 kg/ha (corresponding to W25 cover). No clear effect was found between sapling survival and weed biomass. 相似文献