Abstract
Introduction
Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) is a dominant tree species in the cold temperate mixed forest zone in eastern Eurasia. Its seeds are food sources for wildlife but have become an important and marketable part of the economy for local communities.
Methods
We conducted ecological surveys inside and around Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve (CMNR) each year following the legalization of pine seed harvesting in 2000–2005 and restrictions on pine seed harvesting in 2006–2009.
Results
We found that human harvesting of pine cones was associated with declines in pine seed production and quality, pine regeneration, and populations of Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), sable (Martes zibellina), and Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica).
Discussion
CMNR generally harbored greater wildlife populations than were found outside of its boundaries, but populations inside and outside of CMNR tended to decline in response to unrestricted cone harvesting. Enactment of restrictions on harvesting of cones in 2006 led to rebounds in populations of squirrel, sable, weasel, yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) and Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) in CMNR relative to outside, concurrent with a reduced percent of seed being usurped by humans. However, harvest restrictions failed to diminish damage to trees by humans or seeds by insect pests, and regeneration of pine did not rebound.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that wildlife declines are reversible in the short-term, but long-term forest ecosystem stability is likely only if pine seed harvesting is either stopped or dramatically reduced on a permanent basis within CMNR.
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Acknowledgment
This project was funded by the Forestry Bureau of Jilin Province, P.R. China.
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Handling Editor: Guofan Shao
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Piao, Z., Tang, L., Swihart, R.K. et al. Human–wildlife competition for Korean pine seeds: vertebrate responses and implications for mixed forests on Changbai Mountain, China. Annals of Forest Science 68, 911–919 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0097-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-011-0097-8