Abstract
• Introduction
Shrubs are recognized as important tree regeneration niches. In this study, we experimentally analysed the effects of shrub presence, canopy cover (closed cover and open cover-gaps), and seedling size on Pinus pinaster growth.
• Objective
We expected that (1) seedling–shrub interaction would depend on seedling size and would shift from positive to negative with increasing size; (2) overstorey canopy would affect seedling–shrub interaction, with stronger and positive interactions in gaps, and (3) microsite factors would be affected by vegetation. Social status and plant size appeared to determine the post-shrub-treatment growth response.
• Results
The effect of shrub on seedling growth varied with the canopy cover. Under closed canopy, there was a shift from a positive net effect on smaller seedlings to a negative net effect on mid-size seedlings, and then back to a positive net effect on larger seedling response. Under open canopy, a negative net effect was observed, with no change in the sign of the interaction as seedling size increased. Microenvironmental conditions varied in relation to overstorey and understorey vegetation, while soil conditions varied in relation to overstorey. The seedling–shrub interaction had both positive and negative net effects, which could help define the natural regeneration dynamic of P. pinaster.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the editor and two anonymous referees for their valuable comments on the initial version of the manuscript. Andrea Blanch revised the English. M. Juverson Boosener revised the French. Dr. Gerardo Moreno kindly revised an initial draft of the manuscript. We are grateful to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación for financial support for projects AGL2001-1780, AGL2004-07094-CO2-O2 and AGL2007-65795, and for grant BES-2005-7498. We thank Pedro Abati and La Sociedad de las Navas del Marqués, S.A. for assistance with stand selection, and the Spanish Climate Agency (AEMET) for climatic data. We also thank V. Pando for statistical support, and E. Escalante, S. Bogino, C. Herrero, P. Valbuena, A. Sanz, I. Ruano, A. de Lucas, M. Gómez, Y. Pallaviccini, and J. Díez for field assistance.
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Rodríguez-García, E., Ordóñez, C. & Bravo, F. Effects of shrub and canopy cover on the relative growth rate of Pinus pinaster Ait. seedlings of different sizes. Annals of Forest Science 68, 337–346 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0039-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0039-5