Effects of surface disturbance and light level on seedling emergence in a Japanese secondary deciduous forest

Abstract

Abstract. The effects of soil surface disturbance and light level on seedling emergence were examined by creating experimental conditions differing in soil surface treatment and light level in a temperate deciduous broadleaved secondary forest in central Japan. The results of MANOVA showed that soil surface disturbance exerted a favourable influence upon the seedling emergence of many species. Effect of soil disturbance on total density and number of emerged species was greater than that of a high light level. The interaction between soil surface disturbance and light level revealed significant positive effects for seedling emergence, especially for small‐seeded species. The relationship between the percentage of emerged seedlings and seed weight was significantly negative in the soil‐surface disturbed and high light level condition, suggesting that minute‐seeded species largely depend on both factors for seedling emergence. Both soil surface disturbance and high light level had a positive effect on the number of emerged species, suggesting that these factors contributed to species richness at the stage of seedling emergence.

Effects of litter, soil surface conditions, and microhabitat on Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. Seedling emergence and establishment

“…This suggests soil surface disturbance does not improve seed-soil contact or microenvironmental conditions around the seeds (Hadas, 1982). Although contrary to results of a number of studies showing that soil surface texture can have a large impact on emergence (Eckert et al, 1986;Hamrick & Lee, 1987;Young et al, 1990;Kobayashi & Kamitani, 2000), this is perhaps not surprising. A winter beneath several meters of snow probably promotes sufficient contact, and, because germination takes place during snowmelt, water availability is probably not the problem as it would be later in the season (Gutterman, 1993;Kigel, 1995).…”

Tree regeneration in artificial canopy gaps established for restoring natural structural variability in a Scots pine stand

“…Although light availability is clearly important, many studies have shown that also other factors play important role in regeneration success (e.g. Kuuluvainen 1994, Gray and Spies 1997, Kuuluvainen and Juntunen 1998, Wright et al 1998, Kobayashi and Kamitani 2000 and the actual effects of light still require further exploration.…”

Tree seedlings: how do they establish in spontaneously developed forests? A study from a mountainous area in the Czech Republic

“…Light conditions are important for the establishment of many tree species (e.g., Kobayashi and Kamitani 2000). Species typical for early stages of succession are usually r-strategists, and they are more sensitive for competition of species typical for older stages (Odum 1969).…”