Growth and Physiological Responses of Oak, Pine and Shrub Seedlings to Edge Gradients in a Fragmented Mexican Montane Oak Forest

Abstract

Recovery of dry deciduous oak forests in highly fragmented landscapes in the Mixteca Alta, where much of the original forest cover had been converted to agricultural crops or pasture production for long time periods prior to abandonment in recent decades, will likely occur extremely slowly because of the severe climatic constraints on oak regeneration. Conservation efforts should target the protection of areas that are recovering from grazing and other chronic human disturbances, in order to maximize the potential of oak seedlings to successfully establish during favorable periods with adequate rainfall. Recovery of oak forests on the landscape may be enhanced through more active management practices such as planting oak seedlings having well-developed root systems, and targeting open areas of sparse tree and shrub cover.