Growth Of Native Tree Species Research Articles

Potencial Simbiótico de Microrganismos do Solo na Promoção do Crescimento de Espécies Arbóreas da Mata Atlântica

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of topsoil obtained from a natural forest fragment in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to serve as a source of symbiotic microorganisms capable of promoting the growth of native tree species in ecological restoration projects. In greenhouse conditions, 14 experiments in a completely randomized design were conducted in 1,700 cm³ pots filled with sterilized substrate. The effect of adding 80 g of topsoil, either in natura or sterilized, to the substrate was tested on the growth of 14 tree species. Plant height, stem diameter, mycorrhizal colonization and dry masses of shoot, roots, and nodules of tree species were measured. Applying the topsoil to the pots generally resulted in significant increases in height and stem diameter of seedlings compared to the control group during the four to six-month evaluation period. This effect was particularly greater in the nodulating species Plathymenia reticulata, Dalbergia nigra and Mimosa bimucronata, with increases in height and stem diameter of up to 328% and 484%, respectively. Forest topsoil also had a positive impact on the growth of shoot, roots, and nodules of the plants, significantly differing from the control groups. Only the plants that received the topsoil in natura exhibited mycorrhizal colonization and the formation of nodules in nitrogen-fixing species. These plants that established mycorrhizas and nodules presented higher concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen in their biomass, respectively. Under controlled conditions, the use of forest topsoil proved to be a promising strategy for the introduction of microorganisms that can enhance the growth of tree species, thereby holding potential for implementation in nurseries and field settings.
 

Tropical Forest Restoration in the Eastern Himalaya: Evaluating Early Survival and Growth of Native Tree Species

Tropical Forest Restoration in the Eastern Himalaya: Evaluating Early Survival and Growth of Native Tree Species

Compatible Mycorrhizal Types Contribute to a Better Design for Mixed Eucalyptus Plantations.

Mixed-species forest plantation is a sound option to facilitate ecological restoration, plant diversity and ecosystem functions. Compatible species combinations are conducive to reconstruct plant communities that can persist at a low cost without further management and even develop into natural forest communities. However, our understanding of how the compatibility of mycorrhizal types mediates species coexistence is still limited, especially in a novel agroforestry system. Here, we assessed the effects of mycorrhizal association type on the survival and growth of native woody species in mixed-species Eucalyptus plantations. To uncover how mycorrhizal type regulates plant-soil feedbacks, we first conducted a pot experiments by treating distinct mycorrhizal plants with soil microbes from their own or other mycorrhizal types. We then compared the growth response of arbuscular mycorrhizal plants and ectomycorrhizal plants to different soil microbial compositions associated with Eucalyptus plants. We found that the type of mycorrhizal association had a significant impact on the survival and growth of native tree species in the Eucalyptus plantations. The strength and direction of the plant-soil feedbacks of focal tree species depended on mycorrhizal type. Non-mycorrhizal plants had consistent negative feedbacks with the highest survival in the Eucalyptus plantations, whereas nitrogen-fixing plants had consistent positive feedbacks and the lowest survival. Arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal plants performed varied feedback responses to soil microbes from distinct mycorrhizal plant species. Non-mycorrhizal plants grew better with Eucalyptus soil microbes while nitrogen-fixing plants grew worse with their own conspecific soil microbes. Different soil microbial compositions of Eucalyptus consistently increased the aboveground growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal plants, but the non-mycorrhizal microbial composition of the Eucalyptus soil resulted in greater belowground growth of ectomycorrhizal plants. Overall, Eucalyptus plants induced an unfavorable soil community, impeding coexistence with other mycorrhizal plants. Our study provides consistent observational and experimental evidence that mycorrhizal-mediated plant-microbial feedback on species coexistence among woody species. These findings are with important implications to optimize the species combinations for better design of mixed forest plantations.

Native and non-native trees can find compatible mycorrhizal partners in each other’s dominated areas

Biological invasions have historically been addressed mostly from an aboveground perspective, so little is known about the impacts of belowground invasions. We studied the impact of belowground invasions on growth of native tree species and test the possibility of novel interactions between native and non-native hosts and native and non-native belowground symbionts. We combined field and growth chamber studies. With a growth chamber bioassay we compared growth and root colonization percentage of native Nothofagus and non-native invasive pine species, both highly dependent on ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), growing in pine invaded and non-invaded soils from native Nothofagus forest. We evaluated the identity of EMF species associated with both hosts in the different soil sources from the bioassay and we performed an in situ root sampling in the field. We found that both hosts grew equally well in both soil sources in terms of biomass, with high percent of root colonization, and no cross-host colonization of symbiotic EMF except for one species of Sistotrema found on both hosts. Soil where invasive hosts are absent is already conditioned by the presence of non-native invasive EMF. Native trees may be able to remain in the invaded area due to the presence of native EMF. The presence of native hosts is not hindering the invasion of non-native hosts and the presence of native belowground fungal mutualists seems not to hinder the spread of their non-native counterparts.

“Soaked in rainwater” effect of Ageratina adenophora on seedling growth and development of native tree species in Nepal

Ageratina adenophora is considered as one of the most problematic invasive species spreading worldwide and replacing native vegetation. There is hardly any information of its effect on native dominant tree species. Many tests on its effect on native vegetation have used crushed and ground leaves to estimate chemical inhibition. The grinding affects the chemical composition and leads to exposure that does not exist on soil surface. To avoid these disadvantages, we simulated soaking of A. adenophora leaves in rainwater as it happens in nature at times of native tree seed germination in Nepal. Seedlings of two native trees (Schima wallichii and Alnus nepalensis) were exposed to entire A. adenophora leaves or extract made from the entire leaves in pots containing native soil. Seedling length and dry weight were inhibited by A. adenophora fresh leaves and leaf extract. The effects remained over the 7–12 weeks exposure periods. In conclusion, A. adenophora leaves can suppress growth of these native tree species. This may create problems in the establishment and survival of the native tree seedlings in invaded areas.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN YOUNG PLANTS OF Cordia trichotoma SUBMITTED TO THE APPLICATION OF PHOSPHORUS IN THE SOIL

ABSTRACT The application of phosphorus (P) doses in the soil can increase the growth of native tree species of economic and environmental interest, such as Cordia trichotoma. Thus, this research aims to evaluate the morphological and the physiological parameters in C. trichotoma seedlings, cultivated in soil with increased P content. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in pots with 2.5 dm-3 of soil, four doses of P (0, 150, 300 and 450 mg dm-3), and six replicates. P content in the soil, P concentrations in the leaves, morphological attributes (height, stem diameter, aerial dry matter, root dry matter, and leaf area) and physiological attributes (photosynthetic pigment content and chlorophyll α fluorescence) were determined 180 days after transplantation. The increase in the available P content in the soil allowed greater absorption of this element by the plant’s roots, increasing the concentration in the leaves, and therefore favoring the energetic metabolism of the plants. In addition, the higher influx and accumulation of P in the plant when 450 mg dm-3 was used, increased the concentration of the photosynthetic pigments and increased the photosynthetic capacity of the C. trichotoma seedlings. The highest use of the light energy by photosystem II (Fv/Fm = 0.76) was observed in the seedlings cultivated with 450 mg dm-3 of P, with a 95% increase when compared to seedlings without P. Thus, we observed that this tree species is demanding and responsive to the higher P content available in the soil.

Growth evaluation of native tree species planted on post coal mining reclamation site in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Lestari DA, Fiqa AP, Fauziah, Budiharta S. 2019. Growth evaluation of native tree species planted on post coal mining reclamation site in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 134-143. Mining activities affect environmental qualities including the loss of vegetation cover and the damages of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. As such, regulations enacted by the Indonesian Government state a legal obligation for mining companies to carry out reclamation on post coal mining site. Reclamation is an activity carried out to organize, restore and improve of environmental quality after mining operations to enhance the highly disturbed ecosystem of mined land into ecologically usable state. Yet, there is little body of knowledge on how to monitor the effectiveness of reclamation in improving environmental quality of ex-mining land. Aims of this study are to evaluate of the growth of native tree species planted on various types of reclamation sites in a mining concession in East Kalimantan, and to analyze the most influencing factor of their growth. Growth parameters measured in this research were plant height, stem diameter and branch-free stem height of the planted species. Micro-climatic factors and diversity of understorey plants were also measured as environmental parameters. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) analysis was conducted using PAST 4.0. statistical program. The results shows that reclamation area of post coal mining in the study site which is most suitable for local plant species, especially Shorea balangeran, has a sloping terrain. PCA shows that factor having maximum influence on growth of planted species on the reclamation site is pH of soil. The higher is the soil pH (i.e. less acid), the better is the species growth because the soil conditions in the post-coal mining area tend to be acidic. This research suggests that in post coal mining reclamation using native trees two key factors to enhance growth performance of planted species are sloping terrain so as water is not inundated and soil pH so as it is not too acid.

Effects of Eucalyptus litter and roots on the establishment of native tree species in Eucalyptus plantations in South China

Transforming plantation monocultures into sustainable, mixed-species forests that contain native species is an important goal in South China. The establishment of native species in Eucalyptus plantations is generally considered difficult, however, because of the potential allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus. In this study, a field trial with completely randomized block was conducted to determine the degree to which Eucalyptus litter and Eucalyptus roots limit the establishment of native trees in Eucalyptus plantations. Growth of seedlings of four native tree species (Schima superba, Michelia macclurei, Cinnamomum burmannii, Cinnamomum camphora) that were tested was inhibited by Eucalyptus roots. Seedling emergence was less sensitive than subsequent seedling growth to inhibition by Eucalyptus roots. In contrast, litter enhanced the emergence and growth of seedlings of most of the tested species (Castanopsis chinensis, Elaeocarpus sylvestris, S. superba, Liquidambar formosana, C. burmannii, and C. camphora), suggesting that retaining litter on the forest floor may promote the establishment and growth of native tree species in Eucalyptus plantations. We propose the following strategies for establishing native tree species in Eucalyptus plantations: (1) direct sowing of the native tree species C. chinensis, Castanea henryi, Erythrophleum fordii, and C. camphora; (2) transplanting of E. sylvestris, S. superba, and Tsoongiodendron odorum, which had low germination rates but high seedling establishment rates; and (3) the exclusion of Eucalyptus roots via inter-row trenching to enhance the establishment of S. superba, L. formosana, C. burmannii, and C. camphora.

Growth of native tree species planted in montane reforestation projects in the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes differs among site and species

The tropical Andes in Ecuador and Colombia are a biodiversity hotspot that has endured centuries of forest clearance and degradation. Forest restoration has been identified as a regional conservation priority; in recent decades, native species reforestation projects have proliferated, but little information exists on growth performance of commonly planted tree species in relation to site and soil nutrient status. This study analyzed growth of seven common native species (Alnus acuminata, Baccharis bogotensis, Cedrela montana, Myrica pubesens, Quercus humboltii, Sambucus nigra, Smallanthus pyramidalis) on 12 montane forest sites across the northern region of the tropical Andes. Andean alder (A. acuminata) was the most commonly planted species, and grows at a mean annual diameter increment (MAI-d) of 1.81 cm y−1 and a mean annual height increment (MAI-h) of 0.95 m y−1. S. pyramidalis, a short lived pioneer of the Asteraceae family, also exhibited fast growth rates of 1.64 cm MAI-d and 1.21 m MAI-h. Andean oak (Q. humboltii) was the second-most commonly planted species, growing with an MAI-d of 0.99 cm and MAI-h of 0.56 m. Soil magnesium and potassium were significant predictors of MAI-d and MAI-h for A. acuminata, while soil nitrogen, phosphorous, sodium, and calcium were negatively associated with growth (p < .001). We speculate that A. acuminata did not grow as well on soils richer in calcium and phosphorus because they were less conducive to nitrogen symbiosis common to this species. Soil magnesium and calcium were significant predictors (p < .05) of diameter growth for Q. humboltii. For both species, we attribute growth responses to soil nutrients as a result of the variable nature of fertility in the complex and variable soils that make up the volcanic and surficial geological landscape of the northern Andes. Results indicate that native species can grow in a variety of soil conditions, and exhibit growth rates comparable to non-native species. However, our results suggest native species are site restricted for best growth and should be planted on particular soils. We make recommendations for reforestation for the species in this study.

English

On a surface coal mine in southern West Virginia, the forestry reclamation approach was applied while quantifying the effects of substrate type and seeding prescription on survival and growth of native tree species and herbaceous vegetation. Four substrates were used: weathered sandstone (brown), unweathered sandstone/shale mix (gray), mixture of weathered and unweathered rock (mixed), and a mixture of the soil solum and unconsolidated soil parent material (soil). Each substrate treatment was split into two subplots; one seeded with a tree-compatible herbaceous seed mixture and one unseeded. Trees were planted in March 2012, measured for initial height in June 2012, and measured for height and survival in late October 2012. Herbaceous groundcover and species richness were measured during the growing season. After one growing season, mean percent survival and growth of planted trees differed among tree species and seeding treatments. There were no differences in tree survival among substrate treatments. Of planted tree species, survival was higher for hawthorn and black cherry (~85%) than for most other species and lowest for Eastern white pines (25.3%) and shagbark hickory (24.3%). Unseeded treatments had higher tree survival (70.4%) than seeded treatments (56.4%). Of the trees which survived the first growing season, black cherry, red oak, sugar maple, and white oak showed differences in height growth related to experimental treatments. Black cherry and red oak trees grew more in the unseeded treatment, compared to the seeded treatment. White oaks grew the most in the brown sandstone treatment. Sugar maples grew the most in the seeded mixed treatment. Gray and soil substrate treatments had the highest total herbaceous richness and the soil treatment had the highest volunteer richness. Seeded treatments had less bare ground and higher mean herbaceous species richness than unseeded subplots. Leaving the landscape unseeded facilitated tree establishment, but the impact of seeding on the future understory community remains unclear. Soil appears superior to rock spoils for re-establishing a diverse understory. We expect that the influence of substrate and seeding treatments will become clearer after additional growing seasons.

The exotic legume tree species, Acacia mearnsii, alters microbial soil functionalities and the early development of a native tree species, Quercus suber, in North Africa

Acacia mearnsii is one of the most planted Australian Acacia around the world but is known to be highly invasive, threatening native habitats by competing with indigenous vegetation. The introduction of this species in the Algerian El Kala Biosphere reserve led to the invasion of natural formations to the detriment of Quercus suber, a native tree species. We hypothesized that shifts in soil microbial functions and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community structure triggered by this exotic Acacia species might correlate with a decrease of the early growth of Q. suber. Soil samples were thus collected from 3 different sites where the exotic species was at different stages of invasion in the Algerian El Kala Biosphere reserve, (i) a Q. suber forest free of A. mearnsii (site S1), (ii) a Q. suber/A. mearnsii mixed forest where the Australian Acacia has been recently detected (site S2) and (iii) pure stands of A. mearnsii formed more than 20 years ago (site S3). Plant growth, EcM community structure associated with Q. suber roots and soil microbial functionalities were assessed for 6 month-old cultures of Q. suber in glasshouse conditions. The results clearly demonstrated a strong deleterious impact of A. mearnsii invasion level on soil chemical characteristics, microbial functions and EcM community structure and colonization, correlated to a decrease in the early growth of Q. suber seedlings. The current study gives new insights into both the negative impact of exotic species on soil functioning and their effect on indigenous vegetation growth. These results may be used as a basis for improving the conservation practices of native tree species in such degraded areas as a complement of ecological strategies using indigenous ectotrophic early-successional shrub species (eg. Cistus spp.) that our findings have shown to promote EcM multiplication and the early growth of native tree species.

Recovery of soil physical properties by green manure, liming, gypsum and pasture and spontaneous native species¹

Inadequate usage can degrade natural resources, particularly soils. More attention has been paid to practices aiming at the recovery of degraded soils in the last years, e.g, the use of organic fertilizers, liming and introduction of species adapted to adverse conditions. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the recovery of physical properties of a Red Latosol (Oxisol) degraded by the construction of a hydroelectric power station. In the study area, a soil layer about 8m thick had been withdrawn by heavy machines leading not only to soil compaction, but resulting in high-degree degradation. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with nine treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of: 1- soil mobilization by tilling (to ensure the effect of mechanical mobilization in all treatments) without planting, but growth of spontaneous vegetation; 2- Black velvet bean (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper &amp; Tracy); 3- Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) DC); 4- Liming + black velvet bean; 5-Liming + pigeonpea until 1994, when replaced by jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis); 6- Liming + gypsum + black velvet bean; 7- Liming + gypsum + pigeonpea until 1994, when replaced by jack bean; and two controls as reference: 8- Native Cerrado vegetation and 9- bare soil (no tilling and no planting), left under natural conditions and in this situation, without spontaneous vegetation. In treatments 1 through 7, the soil was tilled. Treatments were installed in 1992 and left unmanaged for seven years, until brachiaria (Brachiaria decumbens) was planted in all plots in 1999. Seventeen years after implantation, the properties soil macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, bulk density and aggregate stability were assessed in the previously described treatments in the soil layers 0.00-0.10; 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m, and soil Penetration Resistance and soil moisture in 0.00-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m. The plants were evaluated for: brachiaria dry matter and spontaneous growth of native tree species in the plots as of 2006. Results were analyzed by variance analysis and Tukey´s test at 5 % for mean comparison. In all treatments, except for the bare soil (no recovery measures), ongoing recovery of the degraded soil physical properties was observed. Macroporosity, soil bulk density and total porosity were good soil quality indicators. The occurrence of spontaneous native species indicated the soil recovery process. The best adapted species was Machaerium acutifolium Vogel, with the largest number of plants and most advanced development; the dry matter production of B. decumbens in recovering soil was similar to normal conditions, evidencing soil recovery.

Dendroanalysis of metal pollution from the Sydney Steel Plant in Sydney, Nova Scotia

The Sydney Steel Plant emitted toxic pollutants into the local area for almost 100 years. Although no paper record exists of the amount and spatial variability of the pollutants emitted, a natural record exists locked in the annual growth of native tree species in the region. Studies have shown that temperate trees can incorporate local metal pollution into their annual rings, creating a temporal and spatial record of the pollution. Two abundant species were sampled within a 5-km radius of the steel plant site. Using dendrochronology, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) on white birch, Betula papyrifera, and eastern larch, Larix laricina, a new methodology was developed to determine levels of pollutants in a given year. Atomic absorption spectroscopy did not produce accurate results with the small sample sizes we were able to process, but energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence determined that the hardwood birch better incorporated both lead and zinc into annual rings than the softwood larch. The technique provides an interesting area for further study, because it provides a time efficient and repeatable method of analyzing chemicals stored in wood tissue.

Non‐native grass alters growth of native tree species via leaf and soil microbes

Summary Non‐native plants can alter both native microbe communities and ecosystem processes. These changes may indirectly affect native plant communities. We tested whether an invasive plant influences other plant species through above‐ and below‐ground microbial associations. These factors have received less attention than direct competition for resources in research on plant invasions. Previous work in the mid‐western US revealed that the above‐ground fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) in non‐native tall fescue grass (Lolium arundinaceum) reduced establishment of native tree species, slowing plant succession from grassland to forest relative to communities lacking the symbiont. Here, we examined potential soil‐mediated mechanisms underlying these negative impacts on trees. We challenged nine tree species with soil conditioned by tall fescue grass either with (E+) or without (E–) the symbiotic endophyte. We collected field soil from replicated, experimental E+ and E– field plots, sterilized half to eliminate soil microbes, then conditioned the soil in the greenhouse with either E+ or E– tall fescue. Individual tree seeds received one of five soil treatments: E– live, E– sterile, E+ live, E+ sterile, or no tall fescue conditioning (control). Tree survival and biomass were assessed after approximately 80 days. Soil conditioning by E+ tall fescue reduced the biomass of three tree species (Elaeagnus umbellata, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Platanus occidentalis) and the survival of P. occidentalis relative to conditioning by E– tall fescue. However, decreased biomass occurred only in live soil, suggesting indirect effects of the endophyte via altered soil microbes. In addition, two species (F. pennsylvanica, Prunus serotina) grew larger in both unconditioned soils and E– live soil relative to all other soil treatments, and two species (Ailanthus altissima, P. occidentalis) performed poorly in all soil treatments relative to unconditioned soil. Finally, three species did not significantly respond to any soil treatment (Acer negundo, Quercus palustris, Cercis canadensis). Synthesis. Our results show that negative impacts of a non‐native grass on native trees can depend on both above‐ and below‐ground microbial associations. Because tree species responded divergently to soil conditioning, the endophyte symbiosis has the potential to alter plant succession and the future composition of forest communities.

Seedling survival and growth of native tree species in pastures: Implications for dry tropical forest rehabilitation in central Panama

Our study tested the effects of herbicide application and cattle removal on the survival and growth of three native tree species planted in pastures within a deforested, dry tropical region of Panama. We investigated whether enrichment planting may be a potential, complementing reforestation tool with natural regeneration. Three economically valuable tree species were chosen for the study; Cedrela odorata L., Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb, and Copaifera aromatica Dwyer. Planted seedlings were monitored for survival, root collar diameter and height growth in the presence or absence of two factors; (1) initial herbicide application and (2) cattle. After 16 months, subsamples of seedlings within each treatment were harvested and measured for dry masses and leaf areas. In the initial stages of development, C. odorata seedlings had the greatest growth rates with herbicide application whereas E. cyclocarpum seedlings had the greatest growth rates with cattle exclusion. The combination of these two factors yielded the best growth for both species. Of the three species, C. odorata had the lowest mortality rates (58%), and the greatest average dry mass ( μ = 403.7 g), leaf area ( μ = 169.3 m 2), diameter growth rate ( μ = 3.7 cm year −1) and height growth rate ( μ = 81.7 cm year −1) at 16 months. In addition, in the presence of cattle, C. odorata grew significantly better than E. cyclocarpum. To accelerate forest succession, herbicide should be applied initially and cattle removed before enrichment planting.

Rehabilitation of the native tree species in the forest plantations and denuded hills of Namlau commune in Sonla province, Vietnam

This study was conducted at the Acacia and Eucalyptus plantations and an unplanted area in Vietnam to firstly compare the appearance of native tree species between different plantations and an unplanted area, and secondly to examine the effect of planting densities and distances from the natural forest to plantations on the appearance and successful growth of native tree species. The area had previously suffered from many forest fires, grazing activity and shifting cultivation until 1990, and consequently had become degraded with low species diversity, low vegetation cover and low soil fertility. Circular plots of 200 m2 were used to collect data from January to April, 2004. Several diversity indices were recorded to evaluate the species diversity in the plantations and unplanted area. A total of 22 regenerated native tree species were found in the plantation of Acacia auriculiformis with a density of 860 trees per ha. In this plantation, the best planting density was 1,660 trees per ha. The lowest density was 467 trees per ha for a plantation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis with 12 regenerated native tree species. The number of regenerated native tree species and their density abundance in plantations at 300 m away from the natural forest were half of those at a distance of 50 m away.