Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Light-mediated influence of three understorey species (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Molinia caerulea) on the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Depending on its developmental and morphological characteristics, shrubby or herbaceous understorey vegetation interacts differently with tree seedlings during the regeneration process. In acidic temperate forests, three common understorey plant species—Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kersten, Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench—are known to rapidly colonize forest gaps. Therefore, they often develop at the expense of light-demanding Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. An experiment was set up in a nursery in central France to mimic early competition occurring in a newly created gap between Scots pine seedlings and these three common understorey species (young forest-harvested individuals planted at 5 densities from 0 to 57 plants m−2). Pine seedling survival and growth (height, diameter, shoot and root biomass) and a functional trait (leaf mass on an area basis, LMA) were measured for 2 years, and cross-analysed against plant density, plant cover and available light. When understorey plant density increased, pine seedling diameter growth and biomass were negatively affected by all three plant species; height growth only slowed beneath Pteridium. These negative effects were closely linked to competition for light beneath Pteridium and Molinia. The application of the Beer–Lambert law gave an extinction coefficient k that was high for Pteridium, intermediate for Molinia and much lower for Calluna. LMA was confirmed as an effective foliar trait to reflect the degree of stress undergone by pine seedlings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams PR, Beadle CL, Mendham NJ, Smethurst PJ (2003) The impact of timing and duration of grass control on growth of a young Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantation. New For 26:147–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Aerts R, Boot RGA, Vanderaart PJM (1991) The relation between aboveground and belowground biomass allocation patterns and competitive ability. Oecol 87:551–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aranda I, Pardo F, Gil L, Pardos JA (2004) Anatomical basis of the change in leaf mass per area and nitrogen investment with relative irradiance within the canopy of eight temperate tree species. Acta Oecol 25:187–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aubin I, Beaudet M, Messier C (2000) Light extinction coefficients specific to the understory vegetation of the southern boreal forest, Quebec. Can J For Res 30:168–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aussenac G (2000) Interactions between forest stands and microclimate: ecophysiological aspects and consequences for silviculture. Ann For Sci 57:287–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balandier P, Collet C, Miller JH, Reynolds PE, Zedaker SM (2006a) Designing forest vegetation management strategies based on the mechanisms and dynamics of crop tree competition by neighbouring vegetation. Forestry 79:3–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balandier P, Sonohat G, Sinoquet H, Varlet-Grancher C, Dumas Y (2006b) Characterisation, prediction and relationships between different wavebands of solar radiation transmitted in the understorey of even-aged oak (Quercus petraea, Qrobur) stands. Trees 20:363–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balandier P, Marquier A, Gaudio N, Wehrlen L, Casella E, Coll L, Kiewitt A, Harmer R (2009) Methods for describing light capture by understorey weeds in temperate forests: consequences for tree regeneration. In: Forest Vegetation Management–towards environmental sustainability. Bentsen NS (ed), Proceedings from the final COST E47 Conference, Vejle, Denmark, 2009/05/5-7, Forest and Landscape Working Papers 35-2009:73–75

  • Ballester A, Vieitez AM, Vieitez E (1982) Allelopathic potential of Erica vagans, Calluna vulgaris, and Daboecia cantabrica. J Chem Ecol 8:851–857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson J, Nilsson SG, Franc A, Menozzi P (2000) Biodiversity, disturbances, ecosystem function and management of European forests. For Ecol Manage 132:39–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper BB, Jackson RB (1997) Plant competition underground. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 28:545–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catovsky S, Bazzaz FA (2002) Feedbacks between canopy composition and seedling regeneration in mixed conifer broad-leaved forests. Oikos 98:403–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coll L, Balandier P, Picon-Cochard C, Prevosto B, Curt T (2003) Competition for water between beech seedlings and surrounding vegetation in different light and vegetation composition conditions. Ann For Sci 60:593–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coll L, Balandier B, Picon-Cochard C (2004) Morphological and physiological responses of beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings to grass-induced belowground competition. Tree Physiol 24:45–54

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coomes DA, Grubb PJ (2000) Impacts of root competition in forests and woodlands: a theoretical framework and review of experiments. Ecol Monogr 70:171–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis M, Wrage J, Reich PB, Tjoelker MG, Schaeffer T, Muermann C (1999) Survival, growth, and photosynthesis of tree seedlings competing with herbaceous vegetation along a water-light-nitrogen gradient. Plant Ecol 145:341–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Kirwan C (1867) Les conifères indigènes et exotiques. Rothschild J, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • De la Rosa TM, Aphalo PJ, Lehto T (1998) Effects of far-red light on the growth, mycorrhizas and mineral nutrition of Scots pine seedlings. Plant Soil 201:17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De la Rosa TM, Lehto T, Aphalo PJ (1999) Does far-red light affect growth and mycorrhizas of Scots pine seedlings grown in forest soil? Plant Soil 211:259–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Den Ouden J (2000) The role of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) in forest dynamics. Dissertation, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands

  • Dolling AHU (1996) Interference of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum L. Kuhn) with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) seedling establishment. For Ecol Manage 88:227–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dougherty PM, Whitehead D, Vose JM (1994) Environmental influences on the phenology of pine. Ecol Bull 43:64–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas Y (2002) Biologie et écologie: que savons-nous de la Fougère aigle ? Rev For Fr 54:357–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H, Weber HE, Düll R, Wirth V, Werner W, Paulißen D (1992) Zeigerwerte von Pflanzen in Mitteleuropa. Scripta Geobotanica, Göttingen

    Google Scholar 

  • Frochot H, Armand G, Gama A, Nouveau M, Wehrlen L (2002) La gestion de la végétation accompagnatrice: état et perspective. Rev For Fr 6:505–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardiner ES, Hodges JD (1998) Growth and biomass distribution of cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) seedlings as influenced by light availability. For Ecol Manage 108:127–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gimingham CH (1960) Biological flora of the British Isles. Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. J Ecol 48:455–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliessman S, Muller C (1978) The allelopathic mechanisms of dominance in Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) in Southern California. J Chem Ecol 4:337–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg DE (1990) Components of resource competition in plant communities. In: Grace JB, Tilman D (eds) Perspectives on plant competition. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 27–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP (2001) Plant strategies, vegetation processes, and ecosystem properties, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Hodgson JG, Hunt R (2007) Comparative plant ecology, a functional approach to common British species. Castlepoint Press, Chippenham

    Google Scholar 

  • Hytonen J, Jylha P (2005) Effects of competing vegetation and post-planting weed control on the mortality, growth and vole damages to Betula pendula planted on former agricultural land. Silva Fennica 39:365–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Jach ME, Ceulemans R (1999) Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on phenology, growth and crown structure of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings after two years of exposure in the field. Tree Physiol 19:289–300

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jalal MAF, Read DJ, Haslam E (1982) Phenolic composition and its seasonal variation in Calluna vulgaris. Phytochem 21:1397–1401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janecek S, Leps J (2005) Effect of litter, leaf cover and cover of basal internodes of the dominant species Molinia caerulea on seedling recruitment and established vegetation. Acta Oecol 28:141–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jefferies TA (1915) Ecology of the purple heath grass (Molinia caerulea). J Ecol 3:93–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King DA (2003) Allocation of above-ground growth is related to light in temperate deciduous saplings. Funct Ecol 17:482–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozlowski TT (2002) Physiological ecology of natural regeneration of harvested and disturbed forest stands: implications for forest management. For Ecol Manage 158:195–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanier L, Badré M, Delabraze P, Dubourdieu J, Flammarion JP (1986) Précis de sylviculture, 2nd edn. ENGREF, Nancy

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieffers VJ, Messier C, Stadt KJ, Gendron F, Comeau PG (1999) Predicting and managing light in the understory of boreal forests. Can J For Res 29:796–811

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löf M (2000) Establishment and growth in seedlings of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur: influence of interference from herbaceous vegetation. Can J For Res 30:855–864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löf M, Welander NT (2004) Influence of herbaceous competitors on early growth in direct seeded Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. Ann For Sci 61:781–788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marrs RH, Watt AS (2006) Biological flora of the British Isles: Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. J Ecol 94:1272–1321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer P (2000) Hot spot: forest policy in Europe: achievements of the MCPFE and challenges ahead. For Policy Econ 1:177–185

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy N, Bentsen NS, Willoughby I, Balandier P (2010) The state of forest vegetation management in Europe in the 21st century. Eur J For Res, this issue

  • Nambiar EKS (1990) Interplay between nutrients, water, root growth and productivity in young plantations. For Ecol Manage 30:213–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nambiar EKS, Sands R (1993) Competition for water and nutrients in forests. Can J For Res 23:1955–1968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets U (2001) Global-scale climatic controls of leaf dry mass per area, density, and thickness in trees and shrubs. Ecol 82:453–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson MC, Wardle DA (2005) Understory vegetation as a forest ecosystem driver: evidence from the northern Swedish boreal forest. Front Ecol Environ 3:421–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norberg G, Dolling A, Jaderlund A, Nilsson MC, Zackrisson O (2001) Control of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) by steam treatment: effects on establishment and early growth of Scots pine. New For 21:187–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Oyen BH, Blom HH, Gjerde I, Myking T, Saetersdal M, Thunes KH (2006) Ecology, history and silviculture of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in western Norway–a literature review. Forestry 79:319–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pardos M, Montes F, Aranda I, Canellas I (2007) Influence of environmental conditions on germinant survival and diversity of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in central Spain. Eur J For Res 126:37–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Picon-Cochard C, Coll L, Balandier B (2006) The role of below-ground competition during early stages of secondary succession: the case of 3-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in an abandoned grassland. Oecol 148:373–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard JM, Comeau PG (2004) Effects of opening size and stand characteristics on light transmittance and temperature under young trembling aspen stands. For Ecol Manage 200:119–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Provendier D, Balandier P (2008) Compared effects of competition by grasses (Graminoids) and broom (Cytisus scoparius) on growth and functional traits of beech saplings (Fagus sylvatica). Ann For Sci 65:510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rameau JC, Mansion D, Dumé G, Timbal J, Lecointe A, Dupont P, Keller R (1989) Flore forestière française. Tome 1: plaines et collines. Institut pour le Développement Forestier, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB, Tjoelker MG, Walters MB, Vanderklein DW, Buschena C (1998) Close association of RGR, leaf and root morphology, seed mass and shade tolerance in seedlings of nine boreal tree species grown in high and low light. Funct Ecol 12:327–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricard JP, Messier C, Delagrange S, Beaudet M (2003) Do understory sapling respond to both light and below-ground competition? A field experiment in a north-eastern American hardwood forest and a literature review. Ann For Sci 60:749–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM (2000) Ecology and biogeography of Pinus. Cambridge university press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson RK (1972) The production by roots of Calluna vulgaris of a factor inhibitory to growth of some mycorrhizal fungi. J Ecol 60:219–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robson TM, Rodriguez-Calcerrada J, Sanchez-Gomez D, Aranda I (2009) Summer drought impedes beech seedling performance more in a sub-Mediterranean forest understory than in small gaps. Tree Physiol 29:249–259

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Calcerrada J, Mutke S, Alonso J, Gil L, Pardos JA, Aranda I (2008) Influence of overstory density on understory light, soil moisture, and survival of two underplanted oak species in a Mediterranean montane Scots pine forest. Invest Agrar Sist Recur For 17:31–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Gomez D, Zavala MA, Valladares F (2006) Seedling survival responses to irradiance are differentially influenced by low-water availability in four tree species of the Iberian cool temperate-Mediterranean ecotone. Acta Oecol 30:322–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schutz JP (2004) Opportunistic methods of controlling vegetation, inspired by natural plant succession dynamics with special reference to natural outmixing tendencies in a gap regeneration. Ann For Sci 61:149–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shropshire C, Wagner RG, Bell FW, Swanton CJ (2001) Light attenuation by early successional plants of the boreal forest. Can J For Res 31:812–823

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stadt KJ, Lieffers VJ (2005) Comparing PAR transmission models for forest understorey vegetation. Appl Veg Sci 8:65–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor K, Rowland AP, Jones HE (2001) Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench. J Ecol 89:126–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilman D (1988) Plant strategies and the dynamics and structure of plant communities. Princeton university press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Hees AFM (1997) Growth and morphology of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L) seedlings in relation to shading and drought. Ann For Sci 54:9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hees AFM, Clerkx A (2003) Shading and root-shoot relations in saplings of silver birch, pedunculate oak and beech. For Ecol Manage 176:439–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner RG, Little KM, Richardson B, McNabb K (2006) The role of vegetation management for enhancing productivity of the world’s forests. Forestry 79:57–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner S, Fisher H, Huth F (2009) Canopy effects on vegetation. In: Forest vegetation management - towards environmental sustainability. Bentsen NS (ed), Proceedings from the final COST E47 Conference, Vejle, Denmark, 2009/05/5-7, pp 52–57

  • Willoughby I (1999) Future alternatives to the use of herbicides in British forestry. Can J For Res 29:866–874

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willoughby I, Balandier P, Bentsen NS, McCarthy N, Claridge J (2009) Forest vegetation in Europe: current practice and future requirements. Cost Office, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank André Marquier, Michel Bonin and Catherine Menuet for field assistance. This study was partly supported by a grant from the “Office National des Forêts”, France.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cemagref, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France

    Noémie Gaudio, Philippe Balandier, Gwenaël Philippe, Yann Dumas, Frédéric Jean & Christian Ginisty

Authors
  1. Noémie Gaudio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Philippe Balandier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gwenaël Philippe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yann Dumas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Frédéric Jean
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Christian Ginisty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noémie Gaudio.

Additional information

Communicated by C. Ammer.

This article originates from the final conference of the Cost action E47 “European Network for Forest Vegetation Management: Towards Environmental Sustainability” in Vejle, Denmark, 4–7 May 2009.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gaudio, N., Balandier, P., Philippe, G. et al. Light-mediated influence of three understorey species (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Molinia caerulea) on the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings. Eur J Forest Res 130, 77–89 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-010-0403-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-010-0403-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation