scholarly journals Spatial structure of semi-natural and plantation stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in northern Scotland

2007 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Mason ◽  
T. Connolly ◽  
A. Pommerening ◽  
C. Edwards
2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 739-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M Gómez ◽  
José A Hódar ◽  
Regino Zamora ◽  
Jorge Castro ◽  
Daniel García

The spatial structure of plant communities as well as the quality and abundance of neighbours can strongly influence the intensity of herbivory suffered by a plant. In this paper, we study the effect of the association with shrubs on the ungulate herbivory suffered by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. nevadensis Christ., Pinaceae) saplings in two isolated, fragmented populations in southeastern Spain. For this, we monitored herbivory on saplings with regard to the microhabitat in which they grew. We distinguished pines growing in open interspaces, on the edge of shrubs and within the canopy of shrubs, and also we distinguished four functional types of shrubs: thorny shrubs, nonthorny shrubs, thorny scrubs, and nonthorny scrubs. Our results show that association with shrubs increases the damage inflicted on Scots pine saplings. In fact, saplings growing in the open patches, far from the shrubs, escaped from herbivory more frequently and incurred less damage than did saplings growing close to shrubs. However, herbivory was also reduced when pine saplings were completely surrounded by shrubs, since then they served as a mechanical barrier. The type of neighbouring shrub did not affect the overall damage suffered by pines, despite the fact that the ungulates damaged the nonthorny scrubs more intensely than the other kinds of shrubs. Consequently, saplings have an advantage when growing within the canopy of shrubs; these constitute key microsites for pine recruitment in these Mediterranean forests.Key words: associational resistance, associational susceptibility, mammalian herbivory, Mediterranean high mountain, neighbouring effects, Pinus sylvestris var. nevadensis.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Halarewicz ◽  
Antoni Szumny ◽  
Paulina Bączek

In temperate European forests invaded by Prunus serotina Ehrh. (black cherry), a reduction in the spontaneous regeneration capacity of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) is observed. It could be caused by various factors, including allelopathic properties of this invasive plant. In this study the phytotoxic effect of P. serotina volatile compounds on P. sylvestris and the seasonal variation in this effect were assessed. Simple assays showed that volatiles emitted from P. serotina leaves significantly inhibited root growth of P. sylvestris seedlings. Their negative effect on stem growth was much weaker. The strongest phytotoxic effect on Scots pine seedlings was caused by the volatiles emitted from the youngest black cherry leaves. In fresh foliage of P. serotina, nineteen volatile organic compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The dominant compound was benzaldehyde. On the basis of tests of linalool alone, it was found that this monoterpene present in the volatile fraction has a strong allelopathic potential and inhibits germination, root elongation and shoot elongation of pine seedlings. The results of our research suggest that volatile compounds from P. serotina leaves could limited survival of P. sylvestris individuals in the seedling phase.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Downie ◽  
Andy F. S. Taylor ◽  
Glenn Iason ◽  
Ben Moore ◽  
Jonathan Silvertown ◽  
...  

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