Responses of Baldcypress and Pondcypress Seedlings to Multiple Stresses and Reforestation Implications for Riparian Zones of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China

Abstract

Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) and pondcypress (T. ascendens) seedlings less than 3-year-old are susceptible to multiple stresses such as drought, salinity, alkalinity, pollution and diseases, although the two species are widely recognized adaptable and/or tolerant to flooding. However, 3-year-old or older, or stronger baldcypress and pondcypress saplings may perform better than the younger ones when subjected to multiple stresses, and thus could be selected for reforestation. The hybrids of Taxodium ”zhongshansa 302” and T. ”zhongshansa 401” could be used for reforestation under high salinity and alkalinity environments. In general, baldcypress and pondcypress are promising candidates for reforestation in riparian zones of the Three Gorges Reservoir region. However, more researches, such as responses of baldcypress and pondcypress to deep submergence and two or more stresses combination, still needs to be done.