Abstract
• Key messageLitter trap is considered the most effective method to quantify seed production, but it is expensive and time-consuming. Counting fallen seeds using a quadrat placed on the ground yields comparable estimates to the litter traps. Ground quadrat estimates derived from either visual counting in the field or image counting from quadrat photographs are comparable, with the latter being also robust in terms of user sensitivity.• ContextAccurate estimates of forest seed production are central for a wide range of ecological studies. As reference methods such as litter traps (LT) are cost- and time-consuming, there is a need of fast, reliable, and low-cost tools to quantify this variable in the field.• AimsTo test two indirect methods, which consist of counting the seeds fallen in quadrats.• MethodsThe trial was performed in three broadleaved (beech, chestnut, and Turkey oak) tree species. Seeds are either manually counted in quadrats placed at the ground (GQ) or from images acquired in the same quadrats (IQ) and then compared against LT measurements.• ResultsGQ and IQ provide fast and reliable estimates of seeds in both oak and chestnut. In particular, IQ is robust in terms of user sensitivity and potentially enables automation in the process of seed monitoring. A null-mast year in beech hindered validation of quadrats in beech.• ConclusionQuadrat counting is a powerful tool to estimate forest seed production. We recommend using quadrats and LT to cross-calibrate the two methods in case of estimating seed biomass. Quadrats could then be used more routinely on account of their faster and simpler procedure to obtain measurements at more spatially extensive scales.
Highlights
Mast seeding, called masting, is the variable, intermittent production of large seed crops, which is a typical reproductive strategy of many wind-pollinated species
Seeds are either manually counted in quadrats placed at the ground (GQ) or from images acquired in the same quadrats (IQ) and compared against litter traps (LT) measurements
The relatively high standard deviations were due to a high number of records without seeds: the proportion of zeros was 34.4% for IQ, 26.8% for ground quadrats (GQ), and 44.4% for LT
Summary
Called masting, is the variable, intermittent production of large seed crops, which is a typical reproductive strategy of many wind-pollinated species. Extended author information available on the last page of the article cascading effects on the overall ecosystem functioning. The associated resource pulses are relevant for the population dynamics of seed consumers like rodents (Elkinton et al 1996; Zwolak et al 2016), roe deer and wild boar (Bisi et al 2016; Canu et al 2015; Cutini et al 2013; Jackson, 1980), brown bear (Ciucci et al 2014; Tattoni et al 2015), many bird species (Degange et al 1989; Hannon et al 1987; Szymkowiak and Kuczyński 2015; Czeszczewik and Walankiewicz 2016; Soler et al 2017; Tattoni et al 2019; Fležar et al 2019; Szymkowiak and Thompson 2019), and insects (Bogdziewicz et al 2018). As masting determines seedling establishment and recruitment, it plays a key role in forest management
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