Microhabitat conditions for germination and establishment of two tree species in the Mexican Montane cloud forest

Mixed plantations of Carpinus caroliniana and Liquidambarstyraciflua are appropriate for rehabilitation in the cloud forestregion of Veracruz, México. To determine whether direct sowingof seed could be managed in ecological restoration activities, someabiotic and biotic conditions were studied for g...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rosa A. Pedraza Pérez, Guadalupe Williams Linera
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:México
Institución:Universidad Veracruzana
Repositorio:Redalyc-UV
OAI Identifier:oai:redalyc.org:30239410
Acceso en línea:https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=30239410
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Agrociencias
sowing
seed germination
Carpinus caroliniana
seedling establishment
Liquidambar styraciflua
Descripción
Sumario:Mixed plantations of Carpinus caroliniana and Liquidambarstyraciflua are appropriate for rehabilitation in the cloud forestregion of Veracruz, México. To determine whether direct sowingof seed could be managed in ecological restoration activities, someabiotic and biotic conditions were studied for germination andestablishment of these species. The effects of microhabitat (forestinterior, edge and clearing), watering, and herbivore exclusion onseed germination and seedling performance were evaluated. Inlaboratory conditions, Carpinus and Liquidambar differed ingermination capacity (33 and 90%, respectively; p<0.001), in fieldconditions, they showed lower, but again different germinationpercentages (26% and 18%, respectively, p&#8804;0.001), but theygerminated in the three microhabitats. Exclusion of herbivoresenhanced germination percentages of both species, particularlyCarpinus (52%), whereas Liquidambar had 36%. Results suggestthat seedling survival and relative growth rate are high at the edgeand clearing, but they are higher in the clearings when water isavailable and herbivores are excluded. The direct seeding methodshould be done during the wet season (or watering) and seedsshould be protected from herbivores.