Effects of a dense moss layer on germination and establishment of vascular plants in newly created calcareous grasslands

Jeschke, Michael; Kiehl, Kathrin

doi:10.1016/j.flora.2007.09.006

Cited by 72 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…compared to when the moss layer was absent [30]. These findings suggest that the seedlings experience a limitation in light availability induced by the moss layer, whereby seedlings increase their height growth to avoid light competition [45,46]. When total seedling biomass was considered, we found the lowest biomass when seedlings were grown with H. splendens and P. commune and highest when grown with S. girgensohnii and P. schreberi, even when moss biomass was kept constant across species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies

Stuiver

Wardle

Gundale

et al. 2014

Forests

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Boreal forests are characterized by an extensive moss layer, which may have both competitive and facilitative effects on forest regeneration. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate how variation in moss species and biomass, in combination with precipitation frequency, affect Pinus sylvestris seedling growth. We found that moss species differed in their effects on seedling growth, and moss biomass had negative effects on seedlings, primarily when it reached maximal levels. When moss biomass was maximal, seedling biomass decreased, whereas height and above-relative to below-ground mass increased, due to competition for light. The effect that moss biomass had on seedling performance differed among the moss species. Hylocomium splendens and Polytrichum commune reduced seedling growth the most, likely because of their taller growth form. Seedlings were not adversely affected by Sphagnum girgensohnii and Pleurozium schreberi, possibly because they were not tall enough to compete for light and improved soil resource availability. Reduced precipitation frequency decreased the growth of all moss species, except P. commune, while it impaired the growth of seedlings only when they were grown with P. commune. Our findings suggest that changes in moss species and biomass, which can be altered by disturbance or climate change, can influence forest regeneration. OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 1932

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies

Stuiver

Wardle

Gundale

et al. 2014

Forests

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“…On TR, 30-40 cm topsoil was removed in 1993 down to the calcareous gravel. The remaining soil consisted of 11% fine particles (<2 mm) and 89% gravel, with little organic matter and low water holding capacity (Jeschke & Kiehl 2008). In 1993, soon after these restoration measures, the sites received transfer of fresh seed-containing hay from the ancient grassland.…”

Section: Study Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraspecific trait variation and allocation strategies of calcareous grassland species: Results from a restoration experiment

Andrade

Overbeck

Pilger

et al. 2014

Basic and Applied Ecology

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“…In general the presence of a bryophyte mat may positively [7][8][9] or negatively [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] affect seed germination and seedling survival. Seeds that get caught in a moss mat often remain too dry to germinate or are too far from the ground for the radicle to reach the soil surface and fail to establish [17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, effects of bryophytes may be related to their turf structure with a thick moss cover affecting seed germination negatively and a thin moss cover promoting germination [4,14,27]. A moss mat may have a negative effect on germination and a positive effect on seedling survival [4,15,28,29]. The effect of bryophytes on germination and seedling survival may differ between years depending on weather conditions [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moss and Soil Substrates Interact with Moisture Level to Influence Germination by Three Wetland Tree Species

et al. 2012

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To assess germination success in different microsites of a forested wetland environment, seeds of three common western New York wetland tree species, Acer x freemanii, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana, were sown into flats in the greenhouse with three substrates (mosses Hypnum imponens or Thuidium delicatulum or bare soil) and three hydrological conditions (wet, moist, or dry) in a factorial design. For the three species both treatment regimes and the interaction were highly significant, except for Acer, in which the substrate regime was not significant. Fraxinus germination had the highest tolerance for wet conditions and lowest for dry conditions followed by Acer and then Ulmus. Significant interactions showed that the effect of hydrological regime on germination is influenced by substrate type. Moss decreased germination under drier conditions and increased germination under wet conditions by lifting the seeds away from the soil and creating drier conditions than on bare soil. It is also possible that interspecific competition for moisture played a role in decreasing germination under dry conditions. By influencing the regeneration niche for three major tree species of swamps in the northeastern United States, the bryophyte layer plays an important role in determining community composition.

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Effects of a dense moss layer on germination and establishment of vascular plants in newly created calcareous grasslands

Cited by 72 publications

References 22 publications

The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies

The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies

Intraspecific trait variation and allocation strategies of calcareous grassland species: Results from a restoration experiment

Moss and Soil Substrates Interact with Moisture Level to Influence Germination by Three Wetland Tree Species

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