Abstract
Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBLF) is a widespread vegetation type throughout East Asia that has suffered extensive deforestation and fragmentation. Selection and successful propagation of native tree species are important for improving ecological restoration of these forests. We carried out a series of experiments to study the propagation requirements of indigenous subtropical tree species in Southwest China. Seeds of 21 tree species collected from the natural forest were materials for the experiment. This paper examines the seed germination and seedling growth performance of these species in a nursery environment. Germination percentages ranged from 41% to 96% and were ≥50% for 19 species. The median length of germination time (MLG) ranged from 24 days for Padus wilsonii to 144 days for Ilex polyneura. Fifteen species can reach the transplant size (≥15 cm in height) within 12 months of seed collection. Nursery-grown seedlings for each species were planted in degraded site. Two years after planting, the seedling survival rate was >50% in 18 species and >80% in 12 species. Based on these results, 17 species were recommended as appropriate species for nursery production in forest restoration projects. Our study contributes additional knowledge regarding the propagation techniques for various native subtropical tree species in nurseries for forest restoration.
Highlights
Deforestation and forest degradation have led to widespread biodiversity loss and environmental destruction in China [1]
The median length of germination time (MLG) ranged from 24 days for Padus wilsonii to 144 days for Ilex polyneura (Table 3)
Germination was defined as rapid if the MLG was less than 30 days, and slow if the MLG was more than 90 days based on local conditions
Summary
Deforestation and forest degradation have led to widespread biodiversity loss and environmental destruction in China [1]. Through nationwide afforestation programs, China has one of the highest percentages of plantation forests anywhere in the world [3]. Most forest cover increases are a result of the increase in monoculture plantations, such as fruit trees, pine, poplar, rubber, and Eucalyptus spp., but not through the recovery of natural forests [4,5]. These new plantation-style forests may only provide short-term economic benefits, with limited ecosystem service and biodiversity conservation benefits in the long term [1,3]. The study of more appropriate native tree species for region-specific and biodiversity-based restoration is urgently needed to move beyond the “one-size-fits-all” approach that China has used far [3,6]
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