Abstract
Aim of the study: The aim of the research is to analyse the role of Quercus ilex advance regeneration in the stand regeneration of pine plantations after small-sized canopy openings, and to assess the influence of the forest stand and the canopy opening. The performance of the advance regeneration under the pine plantation is also examined.Area of study: A Pinus nigra plantation in dry Continental Mediterranean climate in eastern Spain.Materials and Methods: The tree regeneration of ten canopy openings of 0.17-0.43 ha was monitored during five years after treatment. It was also sampled in 0.12 ha-plots in the non-treated pine plantation surrounding the openings.Main results: An important increase in the height of Q. ilex regeneration was observed in the openings, unlike what was found in the intact pine plantation. In the pine plantation, stand density showed a moderate positive influence on the density of Q. ilex regeneration, whereas in the canopy gaps Q. ilex height was negatively influenced by stand density before the opening.Research highlights: The canopy opening triggered a response in Q. ilex advance regeneration, although height growth rates seemed to reduce over time. The results support the view that promoting Q. ilex in pine plantations may require different management strategies depending on the characteristics of the pine overstorey and on the density and size of the advance regeneration.Key words: Mediterranean forest; stand initiation; seedling resprout; group selection cutting; truffle
Highlights
The evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex L) forests represent the potential vegetation in more than half of Mediterranean Spain (Maldonado et al, 2002)
We analyse tree regeneration in a P. nigra plantation with Q. ilex advance regeneration during the five years after experimental small-sized canopy openings aimed to improve the habitat for T. melanosporum, and we focus on the role of the advance regeneration
Model averaging indicated that time from treatment was the only predictor whose effect on the density of Q. ilex regeneration was clearly supported by the data while showing a high relative importance (Σwi)
Summary
The evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex L) forests represent the potential vegetation in more than half of Mediterranean Spain (Maldonado et al, 2002). Their extension is nowadays much more limited, due to the historical spread of agriculture, abusive logging and overgrazing. Several alternative uses have been proposed to promote forest management, like hunting and mushrooms. In lands suitable for the growing of the prized black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vitt.) the experts propose to convert pine plantations and shrublands to understocked oak stands in order to improve the habitat for T. melanosporum and promote forest profitability (Reyna et al, 2004; Diette and Lauriac, 2005)
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