Germination and survival of tree species in disturbed forests of the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico

Germination and seedling survival of native tree species were studied in a nursery during June-November 1998 and in forest stands with varying dominance by pines in the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico during June 1998 - November 1999. Species used are regarded as typical of mid- and late-successional habitats: Cornus disciflora, Cornus excelsa, Drimys granadensis var. mexicana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Persea americana, Quercus laurina, and Ternstroemia lineata ssp. chalicophyla. Nursery treatments included presence and composition of litter collected from replicated plots of three forest types: old-growth forest, mixed pine-oak forest and pine-dominated forest. Germination and seedling emergence of P. americana in the nursery were complete for all factor combinations. C. disciflora and L. styraciflua showed highest germination (p<0.05) when sown in soil from old-growth forest and covered with litter of oak-broad-leaved species. In the field, differences (p<0.05) among forest types (degree of pine dominance) were observed for C. disciflora (lowest germination in pinelands, 17%), D. granadensis (highest survival in old-growth forest, 23%), and Q. laurina (highest survival in pinelands, 54%). Natural recruitment and survival of seedlings were higher in old-growth forests. We conclude that oak litter may favour germination and early establishment of the studied species. However, the reintroduction of some of the studied species (C. excelsa, Q. laurina, and T. lineata) may be attempted with direct sowing on the forest floor of severely disturbed and species-poor pinelands.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	González Espinosa, Mario 1950- Doctor 5462, Camacho Cruz, Angélica Maestra autor/a 15939, Wolf, Jan Hendrik Diederik Doctor autor/a 20017, De Jong, Bernardus Hendricus Jozeph Doctor autor/a 2038
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Árboles forestales, Liquidambar, Persea, Cornus, Robles, Pinos, Germinación, Semillas de árboles, Artfrosur,
Online Access:	http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/b00-103#.WcQGQTVrwY0
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