Survival and growth of tree seedlings as a function of seed size in a gallery forest under restoration

Abstract

Seed size is commonly related to higher rates of emergence and survival, and biomass of seedlings when introduced by direct seeding. However, few studies have evaluated whether this relationship persists when species are reintroduced as seedlings or if this eff ect persists after seed reserves decline. Th is study evaluated the eff ect of seed size (mass) on the probability of survival and growth of seedlings of nine native tree species introduced into a pasture area, which was originally a gallery forest in the state of São Paulo in Southeastern Brazil. Th e experiment occurred over the course of 24 months, in which was divided into three separate time intervals: 14 to 61 days, 61 days to 12 months, and 12 to 24 months. Seedling survival in the fi eld was high for all three time-intervals. Seed mass positively infl uenced the probability of seedling survival throughout all three time-intervals after planting, but the intensity of this eff ect decreased with time. Species with smaller seeds exhibited higher relative growth rates (height), but only until the end of the fi rst year. Our results suggest that seed mass is a functional trait that can predict the probability of the establishment of individual trees during forest restoration.

Review on Factors Affecting Early Survival of Tree /Shrub Seedlings and it’s Remedy in Restoration Sites of Ethiopia

“…Since seedlings from populations with longer roots, larger seeds, and earlier emergence are significantly more likely to survive the first growing season (Leger et al, 2019). Macera et al (2017), also shows that seed mass is a functional trait that can predict the probability of the establishment of individual trees during forest restoration because seed mass can positively influence the probability of seedling survival.…”

Establishment of native seedlings species as an indicator of ecological restoration of riparian forest, Cerrado, DF, Brazil

“…For this reason, there should be silvicultural management actions before and after planting and seedlings ought to be planted in the rainy season. The survival rate can be negatively influenced by the intensity of the physical degradation of the soil in the area (Macera et al, 2017), by the pervasiveness of exotic species and by the absence of native species of flora and fauna in the restoration area (Rodrigues et al, 2009;Albuquerque et al, 2013).…”

Growth-survival trade-offs and the restoration of non-forested open ecosystems

“…At the level of individual plant, most restoration studies have focused on phanerophyte species and selected plant growth and survival (also referred to by the complementary concept of mortality) as attributes to quantify establishment effectiveness (Bruel et al, 2010;Zamith and Scarano, 2006;Anton et al, 2015;Bayen et al, 2016;Macera et al, 2017). Current knowledge of growth and survival has been shown to be essential for understanding phanerophyte species dynamics and forest functioning (Fan et al, 2022).…”