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Shrub-oak seedling spatial associations change in response to the functional composition of neighbouring shrubs in coastal dune forest communities

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
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Abstract

•Context

The abundance and distribution of tree regeneration is driven by several processes acting at both the seedling establishment and survival stages. Plant– plant interactions highly contribute to regeneration dynamics through seed dispersal and competition or facilitation processes.

•Aims

The aim of the present study was to assess the relative importance of different functional groups of shrubs for the early establishment of oak seedlings in the coastal forest communities of south-western France.

•Material and methods

We applied spatial and non-spatial analysis methods in eleven 315-m2 regeneration plots. Within each plot, oak seedlings (height <25 cm) and shrubs (height >50 cm and DBH <4 cm) were mapped to ±1 cm. The spatial distribution patterns of the oak seedlings (Quercus robur, Quercus suber and Quercus ilex) were analysed for each species while the association patterns were detected between the seedlings of the three oaks and four functional groups of shrubs (Fagaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae and spiny shrubs) known to have contrasting effects on other species.

•Results

Oak seedling species were very often spatially aggregated at short distances (<1 m). Oak seedlings were also positively associated with shrubs of the same species within the Fagaceae group, whereas we detected negative associations with Ericaceae and no dominant significant pattern for Fabaceae and spiny shrubs.

•Conclusion

The aggregated distribution of seedlings of the three oak species was due to short-distance seed dispersal, which also explained their positive spatial associations with Fagaceae shrubs. Thus, in order to enhance oak recruitment in these ecosystems, forest managers should focus on the control of Ericaceae shrubs, while preserving Fagaceae shrubs.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the “Office National des Forêts” (O.N.F.) for permission to work in coastal sand dune forests and, in particular, to Didier Canteloup for his advice during the site selection process. We thank Fabien Rizinjirabake and Chantal Hélou for assistance in the field and Fabio Meloni and Raffaella Marzano for CAD and GIS support. The first author received a scholarship from EU through Erasmus Mundus programme Lot 10.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bordeaux, U.M.R. INRA 1202 BIOGECO, Avenue des Facultés, 33405, Talence cedex, France

    Hassan Muhamed & Jean-Paul Maalouf

  2. University of Bordeaux, U.M.R. CNRS 5805 EPOC, Avenue des Facultés, 33405, Talence cedex, France

    Richard Michalet

  3. Department TESAF, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università, 16, I-35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy

    Emanuele Lingua

Authors
  1. Hassan Muhamed
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  2. Emanuele Lingua
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  3. Jean-Paul Maalouf
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  4. Richard Michalet
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hassan Muhamed.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Laurent Bergès

Contribution of the co-authors

Jean-Paul Maalouf: supporting in data analysis and scientific discussion.

Emanuele Lingua: supporting in data analysis and scientific discussion.

Richard Michalet: designing and supervising the experiment.

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Muhamed, H., Lingua, E., Maalouf, JP. et al. Shrub-oak seedling spatial associations change in response to the functional composition of neighbouring shrubs in coastal dune forest communities. Annals of Forest Science 72, 231–241 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0419-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0419-8

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