scholarly journals Nutrient deposition enhances post-fire survival in non-N-fixing savanna tree seedlings

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Varma ◽  
Mahesh Sankaran
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Tree Seedling ◽  
Nutrient Deposition

AbstractNutrient deposition can modify plant growth rates and potentially alter the susceptibility of plants to disturbance events, while also influencing properties of disturbance regimes. In mixed tree-grass ecosystems, such as savannas and tropical dry forests, tree seedling growth rates strongly influence the ability of seedlings to survive fire (i.e. post-fire seedling survival), and hence, vegetation structure and tree community composition. However the effects of nutrient deposition on the susceptibility of recruiting trees to fire are poorly quantified. In a field experiment, seedlings of multiple N-fixing and non-N-fixing tropical dry forest tree species were exposed to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisation, and fire. We quantified nutrient-mediated changes in a) mean seedling growth rates; b) growth rates of the fastest growing individuals and c) post-fire seedling survival. N-fixers had substantially higher baseline post-fire seedling survival, that was unaffected by nutrient addition. Fertilisation, especially with N, increased post-fire survival probabilities in non-N-fixers by increasing the growth rates of the fastest growing individuals. These results suggest that fertilisation can lead to an increase in the relative abundance of non-N-fixers in the resprout community, and thereby, alter the community composition of tropical savanna and dry forest tree communities in the long-term.

scholarly journals Supervivencia y crecimiento de plántulas de Jacaratia mexicana inoculadas con hongos micorrícico arbusculares dentro de un bosque tropical seco

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Zulueta-Rodríguez ◽  
Luis G. Hernandez-Montiel ◽  
Bernardo Murillo-Amador ◽  
Miguel V. Córdoba-Matson ◽  
Liliana Lara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Carica Papaya ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Growth And Survival

Jacaratia mexicana is not only an endemic and typical tropical dry forest tree of Mexico, it is considered as a direct ancestor of the papayo (Carica papaya). Locally it is mainly used in traditional medicine, for human food or for feeding backyard animals (forage plant), but its use value is very restricted or even unknown. Nevertheless, various abiotic and anthropogenic pressures in its Mexican habitat are causing populations of this tree to decline alarmingly. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are microorganisms that have an important role for the regeneration of tree species by increasing their ability to absorb water and nutrients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of AMF on growth and survival of seedlings of J.mexicana transplanted within a fragmented area of the remaining dry forest located in the central portion of the state of Veracruz. We measured height, stem diameter, number of leaves, percent seedling survival and mycorrhizal colonization. Results showed increases in all growth-related variables when seedlings were inoculated with AMF. The results suggest that micosymbionts can play a critical role for the regeneration of J.mexicana and possibly other species of tree within the dry forest, especially helping this endemic species that is currently surviving in a fragmented environment under unfavorable conditions of low availability of water and nutrients.Supervivencia y crecimiento de plántulas de Jacaratia mexicana inoculadas con hongos micorrícico arbusculares dentro de un bosque tropical secoJacaratia mexicana no es solo un árbol endémico y típico de los bosques tropicales secos de México, sino que se le considera como ancestro evolutivo del papayo (Carica papaya). Se le aprecia en la medicina tradicional, para alimentación del ser humano o cría de animales de traspatio (planta forrajera), pero su valor de uso es muy restringido o incluso desconocido. Sin embargo, presiones abióticas y antropogénicas de su hábitat natural están causando una alarmante reducción de las poblaciones naturales de esta Caricaceae. Los hongos micorrízicos arbusculares (HMA) son microorganismos que juegan un papel importante en la regeneración de especies debido al aumento de su capacidad para absorber agua y nutrientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de los HMA sobre el crecimiento y supervivencia de plántulas de J. mexicana trasplantadas dentro de un área fragmentada del bosque tropical seco ubicado en la parte central del estado de Veracruz. Se determinó en este estudio la altura, diámetro, número de hojas, porcentaje de supervivencia y colonización micorrízica. Los resultados muestran incrementos en todas las variables relacionadas con el crecimiento cuando las plántulas fueron inoculadas con HMA. Los resultados sugieren que estos micosimbiontes pueden desempeñar un papel fundamental para el establecimiento de árboles como J. mexicana y posiblemente de otros componentes dentro del bosque tropical seco, los cuales actualmente sobreviven en un entorno fragmentado y bajo condiciones desfavorables de baja disponibilidad de agua y nutrientes.

scholarly journals Effects of soil type and light on height growth, biomass partitioning, and nitrogen dynamics on 22 species of tropical dry forest tree seedlings: Comparisons between legumes and nonlegumes

2017 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Smith-Martin ◽  
Maria G. Gei ◽  
Ellie Bergstrom ◽  
Kristen K. Becklund ◽  
Justin M. Becknell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Nitrogen Dynamics ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Biomass Partitioning ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tree Seedlings

scholarly journals Fire suppression and seed dispersal play critical roles in the establishment of tropical forest tree species in southeastern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Forest Tree Species ◽  
Seed Deposition ◽  
Syzygium Guineense

AbstractThis study examined the mechanisms of facilitation and importance of seed dispersal during establishment of forest tree species in an Afrotropical woodland. Seedling survival of Syzygium guineense ssp. afromontanum was monitored for 2.5 years at four different microsites in savannah woodland in Malawi (southeastern Africa) under Ficus natalensis (a potential nurse plant), Brachystegia floribunda (a woodland tree), Uapaca kirkiana (a woodland tree), and at a treeless site. The number of naturally established forest tree seedlings in the woodland was also counted. Additionally, S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seed deposition was monitored at the four microsites. Insect damage (9% of the total cause of mortality) and trampling by ungulates (1%) had limited impact on seedling survival in this area. Fire (43%) was found to be the most important cause of seedling mortality and fire induced mortality was especially high under U. kirkiana (74%) and at treeless site (51%). The rate was comparatively low under F. natalensis (4%) and B. floribunda (23%), where fire is thought to be inhibited due to the lack of light-demanding C4 grasses. Consequently, seedling survival under F. natalensis and B. floribunda was higher compared with the other two microsites. The seedling survival rate was similar under F. natalensis (57%) and B. floribunda (59%). However, only a few S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seedlings naturally established under B. floribunda (25/285) whereas many seedlings established under F. natalensis (146/285). These findings indicate that the facilitative mechanism of fire suppression is not the only factor affecting establishment. The seed deposition investigation revealed that most of the seeds (85%) were deposited under F. natalensis. As such, these findings suggest that in addition to fire suppression, dispersal limitations also play a role in forest-savannah dynamics in this region, especially at the community level.

scholarly journals Seedling Survival and Growth of Tree Species: Site Condition and Seasonality in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration

2014 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 313
Author(s):  
CLAUDIA ALVAREZ-AQUINO ◽  
GUADALUPE WILLIAMS-LINERA
Keyword(s):  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Cedrela Odorata ◽  
Guazuma Ulmifolia ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Tabebuia Rosea ◽  
Dry Forest Restoration ◽  
Ceiba Aesculifolia

La restauración del bosque tropical seco es prioritaria por ser el bosque más amenazado. En Veracruz, el bosque seco se ha reducido al 7% de su cobertura original. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar el efecto de la condición del sitio a restaurar y la estacionalidad en la supervivencia y tasa de crecimiento relativo en altura y diámetro de especies de árboles nativos. Estudiamos el desempeño de plántulas durante dos estaciones secas y dos lluviosas, y el efecto de la vegetación leñosa existente > 1 m de altura. Se trasplantaron 960 plantas: 40 individuos de seis especie (Cedrela odorata, Ceiba aesculifolia, Guazuma ulmifolia, Ipomoea wolcottiana, Luehea candida, Tabebuia rosea) en cuatro sitios abandonados. La supervivencia y la tasa de crecimiento relativo se registraron cada cuatro meses durante dos años. La mayor supervivencia se observó en sitios con mayor riqueza de especies arbóreas y la tasa de crecimiento relativo en altura estuvo positivamente correlacionada con la altura de la vegetación existente. La mayor tasa de crecimiento relativo para especies y sitios se registró durante la estación lluviosa. En el sitio con menos vegetación, el desempeño de las plántulas fue pobre y sólo Guazuma sobrevivió. Ceiba mostró la mayor supervivencia (82-90%) pero una tasa de crecimiento relativo baja; Guazuma presentó una supervivencia elevada (20-94%) y la mayor tasa de crecimiento relativo; Cedrela mostró la menor supervivencia (3-7%) y tasa de crecimiento relativo alta. Los resultados sugieren que la vegetación del sitio, la estacionalidad y las especies afectan el desempeño de las plántulas durante el establecimiento temprano. La implicación en términos de la restauración ecológica es la importancia de aprovechar la vegetación existente aunque ésta sea escasa.

Effect of forest fragmentation on fruit and seed predation of the tropical dry forest tree Ceiba aesculifolia

2008 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Herrerías-Diego ◽  
Mauricio Quesada ◽  
Kathryn E. Stoner ◽  
Jorge A. Lobo ◽  
Yared Hernández-Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fragmentation ◽  
Seed Predation ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Ceiba Aesculifolia

scholarly journals Effects of Initial Soil Properties on Three-Year Performance of Six Tree Species in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Plantings

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Carrasco-Carballido ◽  
Cristina Martínez-Garza ◽  
Héctor Jiménez-Hernández ◽  
Flavio Márquez-Torres ◽  
Julio Campo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
Slow Growing ◽  
Fast Growing Species

Deforestation of tropical dry forest reduces soil fertility, with negative effects on future restoration intervention. To evaluate the effect of initial soil properties on three-year performance of six tree species in restoration settings, we measured C, N, and P contents in topsoils of 48 plots under minimal (exclusions of livestock grazing) and maximal (plantings of six native species) restoration intervention during two years in tropical dry forest in central Mexico. Survival and height and diameter relative growth rates were evaluated by species and by growth rank (three fast- and three slow-growing species). After two years, organic C and the C:N ratio increased early during natural succession; these increases might be related to high density of N2-fixing recruits at both intervention levels. Changes in N availability for plants (i.e., NO3− and NH4+ contents) occurred after cattle exclusion. After 40 months, the fast-growing legume Leucaena esculenta (DC.) Benth. had the highest survival (65.55%) and relative growth rate in both height (3.16%) and diameter (5.67%). Fast-growing species had higher survival and diameter growth rates than slow-growing species. Higher diameter growth rates for fast-growing species may be associated with a higher ability to forage for soil resources, whereas similar height growth rates for slow and fast-growing species suggested low competition for light due to slow natural succession at the site. Planted seedlings had higher survival possibly due to initial high NO3− content in the soil. Also, fast-growing species seem to benefit from initially higher pH in the soil. Both soil properties (i.e., pH and NO3−) may be augmented to favor the performance of fast-growing species in restoration plantings and to further accelerate soil recovery in tropical dry forests.

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