Seedling Dynamics Research Articles

Extreme cold consistently reduces seedling growth but has species-specific effects on browse tolerance in summer.

Extreme weather events can injure plants, causing decreased survival. However, we may underestimate the ecological importance of extreme events if they have strong sublethal effects that manifest after several months. We tested the hypothesis that late-winter extreme-cold events decrease the ability of woody plants to grow and tolerate stem removal in summer. Seedlings from four temperate tree species (Abies balsamea, Pinus resinosa, P. strobus, Quercus rubra) were acclimated to winter conditions in growth chambers, and experienced 1 week of warm temperatures before being exposed to one of three 24-h extreme-cold events (minimum temperature: 8°C control, -8°C, or -16°C). Seedlings were then transferred to a greenhouse where we monitored survival and growth. Three months after the extreme-cold event, we mimicked an herbivore attack by removing either 25% or 75% of new stem growth from seedlings of two species (P. resinosa, Q. rubra). While extreme cold had no immediate effect on seedling survival, the coldest temperature treatment reduced stem growth 51% relative to controls. Stem removal decreased P. resinosa survival in the -16°C treatment, but stem removal treatment had no effect on P. resinosa survival in the intermediate -8°C treatment or 8°C control. Stem removal did not alter Q. rubra survival. Ephemeral late-winter cold temperatures can have unappreciated effects on growing-season seedling dynamics, including growth and herbivory. For predicting how extreme-cold events might alter large-scale patterns of tree distribution, seedlings should be monitored throughout the growing season following extreme late-winter frosts.

Growth dynamics of endemic Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. of Socotra Island suggest essential elements for a conservation strategy

Dragon’s blood tree, a flagship endemic species of Socotra, is threatened with extinction due to lack of natural regeneration, likely because of goat herbivory and/or climatic factors. Loss of dragon’s blood tree would result in loss of other native flora, heightening the importance of formulating a conservation strategy for it. Although artificial afforestation might be used to offset the lack of natural regeneration, it would have to overcome the same threats faced by naturally occurring seedlings. Moreover, there is no published information on the growth dynamics of seedlings in plantations in situ on Socotra. To fill this information gap, we compared seedling growth (total plant height, leaves number, stem height, stem diameter) over an 8-year period after planting at three sites that differed in the degree to which goats were excluded and in whether they were watered regularly over the period. In addition to developing a new classification of the growth stages, which will enable better tracking of population dynamics, we found that continuous goat exclusion was necessary to prevent seedling mortality. Also, although seedling growth overall was slow, growth parameters of regularly irrigated seedlings ranged from 156% to 446% of those not regularly watered, suggesting that this treatment can speed seedlings’ escape from goat browsing. For the dragon’s blood tree and likely for other taxa within this group, extremely slow growth and long generation times suggest that conservation and restoration efforts will require a commitment to active management that will last decades, rather than a short-term approach.

Seedling Dynamics and Population Structure of InvasiveHeracleum sosnowskyi(Apiaceae) in Lithuania

We studied seedling dynamics and population structure of the invasive, monocarpic perennial Heracleum sosnowskyi (Apiaceae) in different habitats. The lowest seedling density was found in the managed anthropogenic herb stand, whereas in the unmanaged anthropogenic herb stand, mean seedling density was the highest and significantly different from that at the other studied sites. In all populations, a small fraction of the individuals were generative. In the managed anthropogenic herb stands, mature vegetative and generative individuals dominated in the population, whereas the unmanaged anthropogenic herb stands were dominated by immature vegetative plants. Our study confirmed that long-term abandonment of mesic meadows promotes development of denser stands of H. sosnowskyi. A short-time extensive management can reduce the density of monocarpic invasive species populations, especially their seedlings and immature vegetative plants. Significant reduction in seedling numbers occurred between April and May, with high seedling mortality rates in the following months until September. The mean seedling survival rate was 4.15%.

Survival and growth dynamics of red spruce seedlings planted under different forest cover densities and types

Advance regeneration of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) is scarce in many forest stands, due to past clearcuts and heavy harvesting of large seed trees in partial cuts. Understory enrichment planting has been proposed as a means to reintroduce the species in managed stands in which regeneration is deficient. Here, we present 5-year results regarding survival and growth dynamics of red spruce seedlings planted under hardwood, mixedwood, and coniferous forest covers following various cuts (each made on 0.5–1.2 ha square area): hybrid single-tree and group-selection, irregular shelterwood (two variants: continuous cover and extended irregular shelterwood), uniform regular shelterwood, harvesting with advance regeneration protection (HARP), and careful logging around advanced growth (hereafter referred to as ‘patch clearcut’). Five-year seedling survival did not vary among cuts except under the coniferous cover, where it was better in the heavier cuts (HARP and patch clearcut; 67%) than under continuous cover shelterwood cuts (24%), in which browsing occurrence was high (around 80%). Under the hardwood cover, height, diameter and biomass growth were greater in the extended irregular shelterwood cut than in other treatments. Under the mixedwood and coniferous covers, seedling growth was greater in patch clearcut, likely because transmitted light (90–100% full sunlight) was higher than in other cuts (around 30%). Results suggest that red spruce could be reintroduced using enrichment planting under a partial forest cover, but that additional treatments could be necessary to manage light and to limit browsing pressure in order to optimize long-term survival and growth performance.

Canopy openness and topographic habitat drive tree seedling recruitment after snow damage in an old-growth subtropical forest

We investigated the relative and combined effect of topography and light environment on the recruitment of seedlings in a subtropical forest after snow damage to the canopy. The tree seedling community in an old-growth subtropical forest was monitored using 500 2 m × 2 m seedling plots at six-month intervals for 2 years. With a focus on recruitment following canopy damage, we related abiotic and biotic environmental variables to seedling dynamics, and we tested if significant topographic and light habitat associations were present for seedlings recruiting via a torus translation test. Then, we used variance partitioning to examine the relative effects of spatial, topographic and light variables on the temporal assemblages of seedlings. A total of 3047 seedlings from 58 species recruited in the first 2 years following snow damage. At the community level, increases in seedling abundance and richness were positively correlated with canopy openness and negatively correlated with elevation. At the species level, both pioneer and late-successional tree species had more recruits in high light environment than in low light environment. 84.3% of the recruiting seedlings were significantly associated to either light environment (35.7%), topography (26.5%) or both (22.1%). Despite this, at the plot level, spatial variables (PCNM) explained the majority of the variability in seedling composition over time. Our results suggest that snow damage to the canopy increases species richness and abundance via light-facilitated seedling recruitment, and that the composition of recruiting seedlings was largely spatially dependent. Topographic habitat filtering acts as a persistent force in determining the recruitment of seedlings and increases in strength with increased light-facilitated seedling recruitment. Our results highlight that, in this subtropical forest, both light requirement and topographic specialization interact over time to play a key role in promoting coexistence of tree species through selection of individuals at the seedling stage. We also suggest exploring the possibilities of management intervention to speed up the recovery of this forest.

Comparative analysis on seedling growth dynamics and physiological indices of Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium and B. scorzonerifolium

With Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium and B. scorzonerifolium as test objects, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and domestication of B. smithii var. parvifolium, the growth and development dynamics of seedlings, biomass accumulation, the content of malonaldehyde(MDA), the activity of antioxidase such as SOD, POD, CAT and APX between them were comparatively analyzed by direct sowing culture in the open field. The results indicated that the morphological index and the biomass accumulation of B. smithii var. parvifolium such as root diameter, root length, plant height and leaf number were inferior to B. scorzonerifolium, the antioxidase SOD and POD activity of B. smithii var. parvifolium was significantly inferior to B. scorzonerifolium (P<0.05), the antioxidase CAT and APX activity of B. smithii var. parvifolium was inferior to B. scorzonerifolium but the difference wasn't significant, while MDA content was superior to B. scorzonerifolium(P<0.05). Thus, compared with cultivated B. scorzoneri folium, the plant growth velocity of wild B. smithii var. parvifolium was relatively slower and its resistance was relatively weaker after introduction and domestication.

Identifying differences in carbohydrate dynamics of seedlings and mature trees to improve carbon allocation in models for trees and forests

Carbohydrates play a central role in plant functioning because they are building blocks and energy carriers for plant metabolic processes. Because plants are sessile organisms and cannot escape stressful environments they acclimate to unfavourable conditions by strategically allocating carbohydrate resources to overcome stress and promote survival, and build reserves for later use when demand is greater than supply from photosynthesis, like after defoliation. A mechanistic understanding of how plants and, in particular, long-lived organisms like trees allocate and remobilize stored carbohydrates is still very poor. Without such an understanding, however, integration of carbon dynamics from trees to ecosystems and to the globe becomes highly uncertain, especially under ongoing climate change.Studies of carbohydrate dynamics in trees are often carried out on tree seedlings due to logistical and technical constraints and criticism has been raised whether results can be extrapolated to mature trees. Here we combine a literature review with a critical evaluation of using seedling studies on carbohydrate dynamics to infer mature tree responses that can subsequently be integrated at ecosystem level and beyond. Despite obvious differences between seedlings and mature trees with respect to carbohydrate dynamics, we propose that a combination of approaches, including seedling studies in controlled environments, measurements on mature trees in the field and ecosystem flux measurements, may provide sound estimates of carbohydrate dynamics at larger scales. We show how sensitive predictions of vegetation responses to disturbance are to changes in available reserves and argue that the implementation of more realistic representations of storage dynamics will likely improve simulations of vegetation responses to environmental stress.

Microspatial ecotone dynamics at a shifting range limit: plant–soil variation across salt marsh–mangrove interfaces

Ecotone dynamics and shifting range limits can be used to advance our understanding of the ecological implications of future range expansions in response to climate change. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, the salt marsh-mangrove ecotone is an area where range limits and ecotone dynamics can be studied in tandem as recent decreases in winter temperature extremes have allowed for mangrove expansion at the expense of salt marsh. In this study, we assessed aboveground and belowground plant-soil dynamics across the salt marsh-mangrove ecotone quantifying micro-spatial patterns in horizontal extent. Specifically, we studied vegetation and rooting dynamics of large and small trees, the impact of salt marshes (e.g. species and structure) on mangroves, and the influence of vegetation on soil properties along transects from underneath the mangrove canopy into the surrounding salt marsh. Vegetation and rooting dynamics differed in horizontal reach, and there was a positive relationship between mangrove tree height and rooting extent. We found that the horizontal expansion of mangrove roots into salt marsh extended up to eight meters beyond the aboveground boundary. Variation in vegetation structure and local hydrology appear to control mangrove seedling dynamics. Finally, soil carbon density and organic matter did not differ within locations across the salt marsh-mangrove interface. By studying aboveground and belowground variation across the ecotone, we can better predict the ecological effects of continued range expansion in response to climate change.

Composition and interannual dynamics of tree seedlings in a secondary forest in montane region of eastern Liaoning Province, China

Composition and interannual dynamics of tree seedlings in a secondary forest in montane region of eastern Liaoning Province, China

Influence of integrated use of microbial inoculants and inorganic fertilizers on growth and nutrient dynamics of oil palm seedlings

Nurseryexperiment was conducted to observe influence ofmicrobial fertilizers on growth and nutrient dynamics of oil palm (Elaeis guineencies Jacq.) seedlings for two years. Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus megaterium, Frateuria aurantia and Glomus aggregatum were used individually, combinedly and integrated with chemical fertilizers. Promising results for seedling height, leaves, root volume and dry matter were recorded under microbial fertilizers+25% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. Maximum availability of organic carbon, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and boron with microbial fertilizers+25% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, potassiumin Frateuria aurantia and calciumand magnesiuminAzospirillum brasilense were observed in potting mixture. Similarly, significant enhancement in total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc by seedlings with microbial fertilizers+25% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. Integrated use of microbial fertilizers with lower dose of chemical fertilizers played a significant role in enhancing growth, soil fertility and nutrient uptake.

Growth dynamics of indigenous seedlings planted by a dense and mixed method in the Nairobi city, Kenya.

Growth dynamics of indigenous seedlings planted by a dense and mixed method in the Nairobi city, Kenya.

Regeneration dynamics of mixed stands of Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus pinea L. in Central Spain

The dynamics of mixed stands are more complex and less studied than those of monospecific stands. The objective of this work was to analyze the variables involved in seedling occurrence and seedling survival in mixed stands of Pinus pinaster and P. pinea in Mediterranean areas. From 2011 to 2016, regeneration of both species was monitored at two sites located in Central Spain. We installed 72 regeneration plots where seedling dynamics were monitored. All the trees in the study areas were measured and mapped. Additionally, we took hemispherical photographs in each regeneration plot. The average density of P. pinea seedlings over the study period was almost 20 times larger than that of P. pinaster. Our results indicate that the seedlings of both species grow under moderate light conditions. In addition, we found that the occurrence of seedlings of both species was related to the structure of the stand. P. pinea seedlings grew where the density and size of P. pinaster trees were low and where P. pinea trees provided moderately sheltered conditions, whereas the number of P. pinaster seedlings was related to under intermediate densities of P. pinaster trees. Furthermore, seedling survival was positively associated with age of the seedlings and negatively with the August average maximum temperature. The temporal continuity of mixed stands of P. pinea and P. pinaster in the study area is compromised by the observed lack of regeneration of P. pinaster.

Mangrove microclimates alter seedling dynamics at the range edge.

Recent climate warming has led to asynchronous species migrations, with major consequences for ecosystems worldwide. In woody communities, localized microclimates have the potential to create feedback mechanisms that can alter the rate of species range shifts attributed to macroclimate drivers alone. Mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh in many areas is driven by a reduction in freeze events, and this encroachment can further modify local climate, but the subsequent impacts on mangrove seedling dynamics are unknown. We monitored microclimate conditions beneath mangrove canopies and adjacent open saltmarsh at a freeze-sensitive mangrove-saltmarsh ecotone and assessed survival of experimentally transplanted mangrove seedlings. Mangrove canopies buffered night time cooling during the winter, leading to interspecific differences in freeze damage on mangrove seedlings. However, mangrove canopies also altered biotic interactions. Herbivore damage was higher under canopies, leading to greater mangrove seedling mortality beneath canopies relative to saltmarsh. While warming-induced expansion of mangroves can lead to positive microclimate feedbacks, simultaneous fluctuations in biotic drivers can also alter seedling dynamics. Thus, climate change can drive divergent feedback mechanisms through both abiotic and biotic channels, highlighting the importance of vegetation-microclimate interactions as important moderators of climate driven range shifts.

Distance- and density-dependent leaf dynamics of seedlings of a tropical rainforest tree.

Parental distance and plant density dependence of seedling leaf turnover and survival was examined to investigate predictions of the Janzen-Connell hypothesis. The focal study species, Shorea macroptera is a canopy tree species in a lowland rain forest in peninsular Malaysia. We found that the peak of the distribution of plants shifted from 3-6m to 6-9m during the course of the change from seedling to sapling stage. The leaf demography of the seedlings was influenced by their distance from the adult tree and also by the seedling density. Although significant density- and distance dependence in leaf production was not detected, seedling leaf loss decreased with distance from the parent tree and with seedling density. Similarly, leaf damage was not found to be distance- or density-dependent, but net leaf gain of seedlings increased with distance from the parent tree. Although no significant distance- or density-dependence was evident in terms of leaf damage, significant distance dependence of the net leaf gain was found. Thus, we concluded that positive distance dependence in the leaf turnover of seedlings may gradually contribute to a shift in the distribution pattern of the progeny through reductions in growth and survivorship.

The secondary invasion of giant African land snail has little impact on litter or seedling dynamics in rainforest

AbstractIn the absence of empirical evidence, invasive species are often assumed to have negative impacts because of their conspicuously high abundance. The giant African land snail Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica is one such invader where its impact in natural ecosystems remains completely untested. On Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), A. fulica has become established across large tracts of rainforest following the impacts of invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) in mutualism with non‐native scale insects. Yellow crazy ants facilitate the secondary invasion of A. fulica by extirpating native red land crabs (Gecarcoidea natalis) that are normally effective predators of A. fulica. We used a multifaceted approach to investigate some potential impacts of abundant A. fulica in invaded rainforest. Over the course of a wet season, diel activity transects showed that A. fulica consumed detrital material almost exclusively. However, stable isotope analysis did not confidently identify A. fulica as a predominantly detritivorous species. We found no statistically significant treatment effects of A. fulica exclusion on standing leaf litter and seedling recruitment processes during a 6‐month manipulative field study. However, litter cover and biomass did remain slightly higher where A. fulica were excluded, albeit with overlapping confidence intervals with control plots. Our study constitutes the first empirical test for impact of A. fulica in a natural ecosystem and suggests that for Christmas Island rainforest, this species is not a damaging invader. Other studies will need to assess the impacts of A. fulica in other natural areas before these findings could be considered broadly applicable.

Conspecific density dependence and community structure: Insights from 11years of monitoring in an old-growth temperate forest in Northeast China.

Forest community structure may be influenced by seedling density dependence, however, the effect is loosely coupled with population dynamics and diversity in the short term. In the long term the strength of conspecific density dependence may fluctuate over time because of seedling abundance, yet few long‐term studies exist. Based on 11 years of seedling census data and tree census data from a 25‐ha temperate forest plot in Northeast China, we used generalized linear mixed models to test the relative effects of local neighborhood density and abiotic factors on seedling density and seedling survival. Spatial point pattern analysis was used to determine if spatial patterns of saplings and juveniles, in relation to conspecific adults, were in accordance with patterns uncovered by conspecific negative density dependence at the seedling stage. Our long‐term results showed that seedling density was mainly positively affected by conspecific density, suggesting dispersal limitation of seedling development. The probability of seedling survival significantly decreased over 1 year with increasing conspecific density, indicating conspecific negative density dependence in seedling establishment. Although there was variation in conspecific negative density dependence at the seedling stage among species and across years, a dispersed pattern of conspecific saplings relative to conspecific adults at the local scale (<10 m) was observed in four of the 11 species examined. Overall, sapling spatial patterns were consistent with the impacts of conspecific density on seedling dynamics, which suggests that conspecific negative density dependence is persistent over the long term. From the long‐term perspective, conspecific density dependence is an important driver of species coexistence in temperate forests.

Effects of local biotic neighbors and habitat heterogeneity on seedling survival in a spruce-fir valley forest, northeastern China.

Seedlings are vulnerable to many biotic and abiotic agents, and studying seedling dynamics helps understand mechanisms of species coexistence. In this study, the relative importance of biotic neighbors and habitat heterogeneity to seedling survival was examined by generalized linear mixed models for 33 species in a spruce‐fir valley forest in northeastern China. The results showed that the relative importance of these factors varied with species and functional groups. Conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) was important to the survival of Abies nephrolepis and Picea koraiensis seedling, whereas phylogenetic negative density dependence (PNDD) was critical to Pinus koraiensis and Betula platyphylla, as well as functional groups of tree, deciduous, and shade‐intolerant seedlings. For shrubs and Acer ukurunduense, habitat heterogeneity was significant. Despite of the significance of CNDD, PNDD, and habitat heterogeneity on seedling survival, large proportions of the total variance were not accounted for by the studied variables, suggesting the needs to examine the influences of other factors such as pests, diseases, herbivores, forest structure, species functional traits, and microclimatic conditions on seedling survival in the future.

Quantifying micro-environmental variation in tropical rainforest understory at landscape scale by combining airborne LiDAR scanning and a sensor network

We combined aerial LiDAR and ground sensors to map the spatial variation in micro-environmental variables of the tropical forest understory. We show that these metrics depend on forest type and proximity to canopy gaps. Our study has implications for the study of natural forest regeneration. Light impacts seedling dynamics and animals, either directly or through their effect on air temperature and relative humidity. However, the micro-environment of tropical forest understories is heterogeneous. We explored whether aerial laser scanning (LiDAR) can describe short-scale micro-environmental variables. We also studied the determinants of their spatial and intra-annual variation. We used a small-footprint LiDAR coverage combined with data obtained from 47 environmental sensors monitoring continuously understory light, moisture and temperature during 1 year over the area. We developed and tested two models relating micro-environmental conditions to LiDAR metrics. We found that a volume-based model predicts empirical light fluxes better than a model based on the proportion of the LiDAR signal reaching the ground. Understory field sensors measured an average daily light flux between 2.9 and 4.7% of full sunlight. Relative seasonal variation was comparable in the understory and in clearings. In canopy gaps, light flux was 4.3 times higher, maximal temperature 15% higher and minimal relative humidity 25% lower than in the forest understory. We found consistent micro-environmental differences among forest types. LiDAR coverage improves the fine-scale description of micro-environmental variables of tropical forest understories. This opens avenues for modelling the distribution and dynamics of animal and plant populations.

Recruitment of riparian plants after restoration of geomorphic complexity in northern Sweden

AbstractQuestionRestoration of channelized streams increases geomorphic complexity but it remains unclear how this interacts with processes that drive future vegetation changes (dispersal, germination and establishment). This study asks if increased geomorphic complexity increases recruitment conditions of sown seeds or affects post‐dispersal natural seedling densities.LocationVindel River catchment, northern Sweden.MethodsWe selected seven study streams with paired reaches that differed in the degree to which geomorphic complexity was restored. Basic reaches used simple restoration methods while enhanced reaches additionally added large boulders and woody debris. We sowed seeds of six species at ten locations in each reach in 2014 and counted the number of seedlings after 8 wk and the number of naturally occurring seedlings in a plot adjacent to the sowing locations in 2013 and 2014. Using factor analysis based on 34 complexity measurements, overall geomorphic complexity was quantified for eight of the 14 reaches.ResultsTotal numbers of sown (2014) and natural seedlings (2013 and 2014) summed per reach did not differ between restoration types when tested pair‐wise. Enhanced restoration did not always significantly increase geomorphic complexity, which differed considerably between the streams. More complex reaches were steeper, had larger size sediment and more nutrient‐poor soils. Total recruitment of sown species significantly decreased with increasing complexity. Numbers of natural seedlings differed considerably from 2013 to 2014, but were not related to complexity. In 2014, a potential parent plant of the same species occurred within the same plot for 71.8% of the natural seedlings that could be identified.ConclusionsThe recruitment of sown seeds was affected by overall geomorphic complexity rather than by the enhanced restoration. The absence of a correlation between geomorphic complexity and natural seedlings could indicate that natural seedling dynamics are not solely determined by recruitment conditions, but also by dispersal.

Biotic vs abiotic drivers of seedling persistence in a tropical karst forest

AbstractQuestionQuantifying the duration and drivers of seedling persistence is critical for understanding seedling dynamics and species co‐existence in plant communities. In this study, we incorporated data from multiple seedling censuses to characterize patterns of seedling persistence in a tropical karst forest. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of density dependence, habitat heterogeneity and recruitment timing on seedling persistence.LocationA tropical karst forest in Taiwan.MethodsUsing data from 144 seedling plots censused every 3 mo from 2007 to 2012, we examined persistence times of 6399 seedlings of 36 species. Seedling survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Mixed effects Cox models were used to identify significant biotic (i.e. initial height, conspecific and heterospecific seedling and adult densities) and abiotic (i.e. mean elevation, convexity, slope, effective soil depth and recruitment time) drivers of seedling persistence at the community, guild and species levels.ResultsAt the community level, newly recruited seedlings had a median survival time of 6 mo. Median survival time was higher for seedlings in the shade‐tolerant guild compared to seedlings in the shade‐intolerant guild (9 vs 3 mo). When all species were analysed together, seedling persistence significantly increased with increasing initial size and soil depth and significantly decreased with increasing density of conspecific and heterospecific seedling neighbours. Drivers of seedling persistence tended to be guild and species specific, however negative effects of conspecific seedling neighbours were consistently detected in all models, indicating strong and pervasive conspecific negative density dependence. Significant effects of recruitment time, soil depth and convexity were revealed by guild‐ and species‐specific models, suggesting abiotic niche differences.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of multiple ecological processes for seedling persistence. Both abiotic and biotic factors may play an important role in species co‐existence in this forest via niche partitioning and negative density dependence. Among these factors, negative conspecific density dependence had the strongest and most consistent effect. In addition, soil depth played a key role in shaping seedling regeneration, likely through effects of soil moisture. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the ecology of karst forests. Analysing seedling persistence in karst forest expands our general understanding of forest dynamics and species co‐existence in tropical forests as a whole, especially at sites with high spatial heterogeneity.