Springer Verlag, Ecological Research, 5(27), p. 913-921
DOI: 10.1007/s11284-012-0969-x
Full text: Unavailable
Information on plant seed dispersal, natural loss dynamics of seeds and germination are critical for understanding natural regeneration mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different forest stand densities on seedfall, seed predation, and seedling germination of two populations of the endan-gered Spanish black Pine forests located at lower (Cen-tral population) and higher elevation near the limit of the species' range (peripheral population) in the Cuenca Mountains of Central Spain. The seed predation and germination experiment also included a nested site preparation treatment. Seed fall varied significantly be-tween 2006 and 2005 or 2007 in both populations. During the only mast year of 2006, higher seedfall was observed at lower elevation and in higher density stands. Predation rates were influenced by the seed crop since predators consumed more than 75 % of seeds in years with lower production and less than 15 % in a mast year. Seed germination is influenced by forest habitat, stand density and soil scalping. For common habitat types, and in a high seed production year, better seed germination rates were observed in medium and dense stands (25–30 and 35–40 m 2 ha À1 , respectively, in terms of basal area). No statistical difference in seed germi-nation rate was found for Spanish black pine forest at its ecological distribution limit between lower and higher densities (15–20 and 35–40 m 2 ha À1 , in terms of basal area). In both sites, closed stands with soil scalping exhibited higher germination rates.