Seed size, establishment sites and species coexistence in a Chilean rain forest

Seedling densities on the forest floor and on elevated microsites (logs and stumps) were compared for eight woody species in a temperate rain forest in southern Chile. Degree of association with elevated microsites varied significantly between species, showed no systematic relationship with reported...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of vegetation science 1995-04, Vol.6 (2), p.249-256
Main Author: Lusk, Christopher H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bosques
botanical composition
chile
chili
Coarse woody debris
composicion botanica
composition botanique
Coniferous forests
Diversity
ecologia forestal
ecologie forestiere
establecimiento de plantas
etablissement de la plante
forest ecology
Forest litter
Forest regeneration
forests
foret
grosseur des semences
Marticorena & Quezada
Nothofagus
Nurse log
plant establishment
Plants
Poultry litter
Regeneration niche
seed size
Seedlings
Spatial heterogeneity
tamano de la semilla
Temperate rain forests
temperate zones
Timber
Trees
Understory
zona templada
zone temperee
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Summary:Seedling densities on the forest floor and on elevated microsites (logs and stumps) were compared for eight woody species in a temperate rain forest in southern Chile. Degree of association with elevated microsites varied significantly between species, showed no systematic relationship with reported shade tolerance, but was significantly negatively correlated with seed mass. Large-seeded Podocarpus nubigena established preferentially on undisturbed forest floor sites, whereas seedlings of small-seeded species such as Nothofagus nitida and Laurelia philippiana were found mainly on fallen logs and stumps. The abundance of large seedlings and saplings of N. nitida on logs/stumps, and the growth forms of canopy trees, confirm that recruitment of this species occurs mainly on decaying wood. The relationship between seed size and microsite preferences may be caused by effects of seed size on (1) ability to establish in forest floor litter and (2) retention of seeds on logs. Seedling occupancy of logs and stumps varied with state of decay. Few seedlings of any species were present on logs in the early stages of decay. N. nitida established earlier than the other species, attaining maximum abundance on wood in the middle decay classes. Species richness and overall seedling abundance were highest on wood in advanced stages of decay. Seed size differences are suggested as a determinant of differential utilization of forest floor heterogeneity, and hence of plant species coexistence.
ISSN:1100-9233
1654-1103
DOI:10.2307/3236220