Canopy openness and exclusion of wild ungulates act synergistically to improve oak natural regeneration

Barrere, Julien; Petersson, Linda K.; Boulanger, Vincent; Collet, Catherine; Löf, Magnus; Saı̈d, Sonia

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.118976

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…However, oaks are also preferentially browsed (Götmark et al 2005). Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that short-term browsing mainly reduces the growth of oak seedlings rather than increasing its mortality (Bideau et al 2016, Barrere et al 2021. A significantly lower proportion of plots with larger oak regeneration in the study area supports this observation (> 50 cm and < 130 cm height: 5 %; height > 130 cm and dbh < 7 cm: 2.4 % colonised).…”

Section: Density Of Oak Regenerationsupporting

confidence: 62%

Modelling natural regeneration of Oak in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration

Axer¹,

Martens²,

Schlicht³

et al. 2023

iForest

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In the course of climate change, natural regeneration of oaks (Quercus spp.) is gaining in importance for forest conversion to climate-adapted mixed forests. In order to predict areas in which natural oak regeneration could establish, variables influencing the occurrence and density of oak regeneration were identified using geostatistical zero-altered negative binomial generalized linear models (ZANB). For this purpose, large-scale inventory data from the state forest of Saxony were analysed. The dataset was derived from 6060 permanent plots. The results show that the occurrence of oak regeneration depends on a number of environmental variables. In addition to seed availability, the establishment environment, especially with regard to the light ecology of oak regeneration, was important. High basal area of pine increased the probability for oak regeneration occurrence. The most important variables for the regeneration density of oak have similarly been found to be those describing the seed availability. The highest regeneration densities are predicted within oak stands, with an optimum relationship at 25 m 2 ha -1 of oak basal area. The results further show that a high regeneration density was achieved on sites with low fertility and favourable light conditions. Oak regeneration density increased with increasing browsing percent on rowan, indicating that browsing on oak can be reduced if other palatable species are available. Using the identified variables, the occurrence and density of oak regeneration can be predicted in space with high accuracy. The statistical tool developed can be used for planning forest conversion incorporating natural regeneration.

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Section: Density Of Oak Regenerationsupporting

confidence: 62%

Modelling natural regeneration of Oak in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration

Axer¹,

Martens²,

Schlicht³

et al. 2023

iForest

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“…A large cover of competitive understory vegetation may increase seedling mortality but also divert browsing from less palatable tree seedlings [61,70]. In parallel, browsing may facilitate seedling growth by preferentially consuming competitive species (e.g., Rubus fructicosus L.) or facilitate herbaceous species by preferentially consuming tree seedlings [70][71][72]. The results of this study show that ungulates reduced woody cover but did not affect non-woody cover (Figures 1 and 3).…”

Section: Interaction Between Seedlings Herbaceous Vegetation and Brow...mentioning

confidence: 63%

“…Understory vegetation may substantially shape recruitment niches for tree seedlings, with both positive and negative effects on recruitment probability. A large cover of competitive understory vegetation may increase seedling mortality but also divert browsing from less palatable tree seedlings [61,70]. In parallel, browsing may facilitate seedling growth by preferentially consuming competitive species (e.g., Rubus fructicosus L.) or facilitate herbaceous species by preferentially consuming tree seedlings [70][71][72].…”

Section: Interaction Between Seedlings Herbaceous Vegetation and Brow...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific Growth Reductions Caused by Wild Ungulates on Tree Seedlings and Their Implications for Temperate Quercus-Fagus Forests

Candaele

Ligot

Licoppe

et al. 2023

Forests

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Ungulate impacts on forest understory alter tree species composition, with cascading effects on forest functions and resilience against future climate conditions. Indeed, the ungulate browsing pressure on tree seedlings is species-specific and causes contrasted growth reductions that alter tree recruitment rates. Untangling the effects of browsing from the effects of the other factors driving regeneration success is required to guide the forest and ungulate management. In particular, Fagus sylvatica L. strongly dominates temperate Quercus-Fagus forests close to their climax, and it remains unclear if controlling ungulate populations can maintain tree species diversity in naturally regenerated forests. We addressed this question by monitoring 734 pairs of fenced and unfenced 6-m2 plots across a broad gradient of Cervus elaphus L. abundance in Belgian Quercus-Fagus forests managed by continuous cover forestry. Seedling height, density, and vegetation cover were monitored from 2016 to 2021. Species diversity and ecological affinity for light, temperature, and atmospheric humidity conditions were computed from these measures. With ungulates, the mean growth of Betula pendula Roth. and Sorbus aucuparia L. was negligible, whereas, without ungulates, their growth was higher than the growth of other species. With ungulates, the growth of Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst was higher than other species. Quercus (Quercus petreae (Matt.) Liebl and Quercus robur L.) growth was the lowest in all conditions. Finally, Carpinus betulus L. was heavily browsed but still grew higher than its competitors with ungulates. Ungulate browsing can then severely affect seedling growth and likely reduce the diversity of future recruited trees. In the study area, browsing unfavored the regeneration of the species that are less shade tolerant, more-drought tolerant, and more-heat tolerant. It thus accelerates the natural succession and reduces forest resilience to heat and drought events. Such an observation was found valid over a wide study area encompassing contrasting levels of Cervus elaphus L. abundance. Combining further reductions of ungulate populations with foodscape improvement is likely required to maintain species diversity in these forests.

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“…The existing literature on plantation failure due to drought is very limited. On the one hand, the question of plantation failure has been mainly addressed to measure the impact of game on silvicultural practices (see the study of Barrere et al [5] as a recent example). On the other hand, many studies have investigated species' drought tolerance/resistance on saplings and seedlings due to the ease of experimentation at young stages (see the literature review by Grossnickle [6] and a recent study by Pardos and Calama [7] as examples).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Cost Assessment of Tree Plantation Failure under Extreme Drought Events in France: What Role for Insurance?

Brèteau-Amores

Brunette

Andrés-Domenech

2023

Forests

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Research Highlights: We analyze the costs of plantation failure and evaluate the distribution of replantation costs and risk sharing between the forestry company and the forest owner in France. Background and Objectives: Due to the lack of a clear definition of drought, forestry companies are increasingly considered as liable for plantation failure, increasing their costs and leading to financial instability. In this context, this paper aims to address the following questions. In the case of plantation failure, is it less costly to replant, not replant, or restart the whole plantation? What is the impact of changing the liability scheme between the company and the forest owner in terms of replantation costs and risk sharing? Materials and Methods: We performed a cost assessment of different itineraries of plantations as a function of different mortality rates. The breakdown of the replantation costs between the company and the forest owner was also investigated. Results: No replanting is the least expensive option for the forest owner, followed by replanting and then by starting the whole plantation anew. Reducing the company’s liability is an interesting option to reduce its exposure to risk. Conclusions: Modifications of the company’s liability allows for the inclusion of private insurance contracts against plantation failure.

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Canopy openness and exclusion of wild ungulates act synergistically to improve oak natural regeneration

Cited by 20 publications

References 91 publications

Modelling natural regeneration of Oak in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration

Modelling natural regeneration of Oak in Saxony, Germany: identifying factors influencing the occurrence and density of regeneration

Interspecific Growth Reductions Caused by Wild Ungulates on Tree Seedlings and Their Implications for Temperate Quercus-Fagus Forests

A Cost Assessment of Tree Plantation Failure under Extreme Drought Events in France: What Role for Insurance?

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