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A new device to foster oak forest restoration via seed sowing

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Abstract

Seed sowing may be a cheap and efficient reforestation method that can yield high-quality seedlings for many woody species, but this option is usually discarded against seedling planting due to the high seed losses to mammal predators. The search for methods to reduce seed predation is therefore a key issue to broaden reforestation options and restoration success. In this study we tested (1) the effectiveness of a new device to prevent small mammals from consuming large seeds such as acorns and (2) its effect on initial seedling performance. The device consists of a capsule made of two truncated pyramids joined at the bases, with two small openings at the top and the bottom where the stem and root can exit but rodents cannot enter. We conducted a field seed-predation experiment using fenced plots (only rodents present) and unfenced plots (rodents + wild boar present) and a nursery experiment to check seedling emergence and growth. Acorn predation by rodents was almost nil when protected by the device (1.1 vs. 53.4 % without seed shelter), whereas predation by wild boar in the unfenced plots was not reduced by the device (12.4 %). In the nursery experiment there was no effect of the device on seedling emergence or growth. These results suggest that physical protectors like the one used in this study could represent a cheap method to foster the restoration of tree cover via seed sowing, especially if used in combination with fences or habitat features to reduce predation by large animals.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Consejería de Medio Ambiente (Junta de Andalucía) and the Direction of the Natural and National Park of Sierra Nevada for fieldwork permission, constant support, and facilities. Leonie Baur, Marta de la Higuera and Álvaro Gimeno provided help with fieldwork. This study was supported by Projects P12-RNM-2705 from Junta de Andalucía and PR/14/D1 from the Oficina de Transferencia de Resultados de Investigación (OTRI, Universidad de Granada). AL had a Ph.D. Grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (Ref: AP2010-0272).

Conflict of interest

JC and AL are the inventors of the seed shelter. The device is patented by the University of Granada (a public academic institution), who funded this study. However, besides the authors (JC is Professor, FF Master student, and AL Ph.D. student) no one else participated in any way in the design of the experiment, the analysis and interpretation of the data, or the writing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain

    Jorge Castro, Alexandro B. Leverkus & Francisco Fuster

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  1. Jorge Castro
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  2. Alexandro B. Leverkus
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  3. Francisco Fuster
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jorge Castro.

Electronic supplementary material

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11056_2015_9478_MOESM1_ESM.jpg

Online Resource 1: Photograph of a Quercus ilex seedling emerged from an acorn within a seed shelter in the seedling development experiment. The shoot and the root exited through the upper and lower hole of the seed shelter and had a normal development. The seed shelter did not affect seedling performance compared to seedlings originated from acorns sown without a shelter. (JPEG 1240 kb)

11056_2015_9478_MOESM2_ESM.jpg

Online Resource 2: Possible improvements on the design of the seed shelter: a) assembly of the two halves through a pressuring mechanism to avoid the exit of the roots through assembly slots; b) a conical rather than pyramidal shape might also reduce root spiraling and ease sowing mechanization; c) an elongation of the lower half to guide roots downward; d) weakening sutures along the cone to allow its opening once seedlings grow large enough; e) spikes to prevent damage by large animals. In all cases, it would be desirable to use biodegradable materials; besides avoiding pollution, the decay of the device should reduce the risk of it interfering with seedling growth. All these are aspects that need further research and testing but, in any case, have solutions that can easily be addressed by the manufacturing industry. (JPEG 35 kb)

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Castro, J., Leverkus, A.B. & Fuster, F. A new device to foster oak forest restoration via seed sowing. New Forests 46, 919–929 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9478-4

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