10.5061/DRYAD.K67J5
Gavinet, Jordane
Aix-Marseille University
Prévosto, Bernard
Mediterranean Institute of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity and Ecology
Fernandez, Catherine
Aix-Marseille University
Data from: Introducing resprouters to enhance Mediterranean forest
resilience: importance of functional traits to select species according to
a gradient of pine density
Dryad
dataset
2017
Seedling establishment
functional strategy
Leaf traits
2017-05-20T00:00:00Z
2017-05-20T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12716
582901 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Resprouter species are important for Mediterranean ecosystem resilience,
but they are scarce in landscapes dominated by pioneer pines. Sound
knowledge of resprouter seedling functional responses and establishment
success across different pine habitats would help guide forest restoration
efforts. Four broadleaved resprouter species, that is two shrubs – Arbutus
unedo and Pistacia terebinthus – and two trees – Fraxinus ornus and Sorbus
domestica – were planted under an experimentally created gradient of pine
cover from totally open conditions to dense pine cover. Seedling survival
and growth were monitored for 5 years. Phenological, physiological and
morphological traits were measured to gain insight into the mechanisms of
pine–seedling interaction. Interaction outcomes varied according to
species identity, pine cover treatment and time. Light-to-moderate pine
cover induced greater height growth and little or no effects on diameter
and survival of the two trees. Competition was always detected for shrubs,
whereas competition and facilitation were noted for trees. Within pine
stands, negative interactions increased with tree cover, making dense
stands the most limiting. Interactions were only detectable after 2–3
years, but increased in intensity with time. Functional responses to
increasing pine cover indicated a seedling strategy of carbon gain
optimization in the shade (increased specific leaf area and leaf area,
decreased leaf dry matter content), particularly in tree species
seedlings. Increasing pine cover induced higher water stress, but lower
photochemical stress. The deciduous species had a longer vegetation season
under pine canopies, whereas the evergreen shrub Arbutus unedo showed a
lower polycyclism rate and flower production. Synthesis and applications.
Moderate pine cover facilitates the establishment of deciduous trees at
the expense of shrubs. This pattern can be attributed to a higher shade
tolerance of the trees than the shrubs combined with a low tolerance of
trees to photoinhibition. We therefore recommend using evergreen shrubs
for the restoration of open land and high-specific-leaf-area deciduous
trees for pine stand diversification. However, in dense forests, thinning
is needed to increase light availability prior to seedling introduction.
Survival and traits according to the different species and treatmentsExcel
sheet composed of 5 tables. Table 1: descriptors used. Table 2: Survival
data. Table 3: Growth data. Table 4. Phenological data. Table 5. Leaf
traits dataDataset JAE.xlsx
Southern France