Drivers of seedling survival in a temperate forest and their relative importance at three stages of succession

Abstract

Negative density dependence (NDD) and niche partitioning have been perceived as important mechanisms for the maintenance of species diversity. However, little is known about their relative contributions to seedling survival. We examined the effects of biotic and abiotic neighborhoods and the variations of biotic neighborhoods among species using survival data for 7503 seedlings belonging to 22 woody species over a period of 2 years in three different forest types, a half‐mature forest (HF), a mature forest (MF), and an old‐growth forest (OGF), each of these representing a specific successional stage in a temperate forest ecosystem in northeastern China. We found a convincing evidence for the existence of NDD in temperate forest ecosystems. The biotic and abiotic variables affecting seedlings survival change with successional stage, seedling size, and age. The strength of NDD for the smaller (<20 cm in height) and younger seedlings (1–2 years) as well as all seedlings combined varies significantly among species. We found no evidence that a community compensatory trend (CCT) existed in our study area. The results of this study demonstrate that the relative importance of NDD and habitat niche partitioning in driving seedling survival varies with seedling size and age and that the biotic and abiotic factors affecting seedlings survival change with successional stage.

Effects of local biotic neighbors and habitat heterogeneity on seedling survival in a spruce‐fir valley forest, northeastern China

“…Numerous studies have indicated that NDD is an important mechanism for maintaining species coexistence at seedling stage (Bagchi, Press, & Scholes, ; Johnson et al., ; Nathan & Muller‐Landau, ; Yan, Zhang, Wang, Zhao, & von Gadow, ). This is also true in our study with a strong CNDD effect on seedling survival (Figures and a).…”

Effects of density dependence in a temperate forest in northeastern China

“…Therefore, many studies have focused on detecting the prevalence of density dependence in the very early life-stages. As a consequence, these studies have provided strong evidence for the important role of negative density dependence at the seedling stage711133251525354. Interestingly, relatively few studies of density dependence have been conducted involving later life-history stages in temperate forest communities.…”

Variation in compositional and structural components of community assemblage and its determinants

“…(). Eight soil environmental and nutrient variables were measured: pH, the amount of organic matter, and the total amounts as well as the available nutrients of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (g/g; Yan, Zhang, Wang, Zhao, & Gadow, ). All laboratory analyses were conducted following the procedures recommended by the Soil Science Society of China ().…”