Annual variation in predation and dispersal of Arolla pine (Pinus cembra L.) seeds by Eurasian red squirrels and other seed-eaters

Zong, Cheng; Wauters, Lucas A.; Dongen, Stefan Van; Mari, Veronica; Romeo, Claudia; Martinoli, Adriano; Preatoni, Damiano; Tosi, Guido

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.05.014

Cited by 39 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Our results showed that predation reduced the Pinus pinaster below-ground seed bank, corroborating what had previously been reported for other Pine species in the Mediterranean basin (Castro et al 1999;Ordóñez and Retana 2004;Zong et al 2010;Lucas-Borja et al 2010). Predation was low during the seed rain period, when temperatures were higher, and increased during autumn, as Manso et al (2014) observed for Pinus pinea in the same study area (Northern Castilian plateau).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Seed predation has been studied for other Pinus species such as Pinus pinea L. (Manso et al 2014) or Pinus nigra Arn. (Ordóñez and Retana 2004;Lucas-Borja et al 2010) in Spain; Pinus sylvestris L. in Spain (Castro et al 1999) and Scotland (Worthy et al 2006) or Pinus cembra L. in Italy (Zong et al 2010); but there is scarce knowledge about the effects of predation on the Pinus pinaster below-ground seed bank. Seed predation is usually analysed using the same number of seeds throughout the experiment (Castro et al 1999;Walters et al 2005;Lucas-Borja et al 2010;Manso et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Post-dispersal predation of Pinus pinaster Aiton seeds: key factors and effects on belowground seed bank

2014

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Seed bank dynamics constitute a pool of natural regeneration, a complex and key process for stand persistence. The present work analyses post-dispersal predation on a density. These results demonstrate how seed rain, summer drought and micro-site conditions are crucial to understanding the effects of predation on the below-ground seed bank. Though greater than null, the final seed bank might be insufficient for successful natural regeneration due to high mortality caused by difficult germination and establishment conditions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-dispersal predation of Pinus pinaster Aiton seeds: key factors and effects on belowground seed bank

2014

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“…Despite the low seed deposition at high elevations, juvenile pines occurred in our study area at elevations up to 2,200 m a.s.l. An explanation for this high elevation occurrence could be the synchronous production of above‐average seed‐crops every few years, which is typical for Swiss stone pine (Zong et al., ), but which we did not encounter in our study period. Animals have been shown to disperse seeds in mast years more frequently and farther compared to typical seed‐production years (Vander Wall, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Biotic interactions and seed deposition rather than abiotic factors determine recruitment at elevational range limits of an alpine tree

et al. 2017

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Abiotic factors, biotic interactions and dispersal ability determine the spatial distribution of species. Theory predicts that abiotic constraints set range limits under harsh climatic conditions and biotic interactions set range limits under benign climatic conditions, whereas dispersal ability should limit both ends of the distribution. However, empirical studies exploring how these three components jointly affect species across environmental gradients are scarce. Here, we present a study that jointly examines these factors to investigate the constraints of the recruitment of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) at and beyond its upper and lower elevational range limits in the Swiss Alps. We investigated the natural recruitment of pines and additionally conducted seed transplant experiments to test how much abiotic factors (mean summer and winter temperatures, soil moisture), biotic interactions (understorey vegetation cover, canopy cover, seed predation) and/or seed deposition by the spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) affect pine establishment. We found significant effects of biotic interactions and seed deposition by spotted nutcrackers on the recruitment of Swiss stone pine at both the upper and lower elevational range, but could not detect significant effects of abiotic factors. Importantly, dispersal limitation rather than temperature and soil moisture restricted the recruitment of pines at the upper elevational range. Synthesis. Our study highlights the importance of biotic interactions and dispersal ability in setting the upper range limits of species that have been regarded as mainly controlled by climate. This suggests that potential range shifts of plants in response to climate warming may strongly depend on seed dispersal and biotic interactions and not only on climatic factors.

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“…Among birds, the Eurasian nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes is a highly effective agent influencing the tree distribution pattern of stone pine Pinus cembra and the dynamics of treeline ecotones in central and eastern European mountain areas due to its seed-caching activities (Zong et al 2010, Holtmeier 2012. Surplus stored seeds (i.e.…”

Section: Animal Impact In Treeline Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity to environmental change of the treeline ecotone and its associated biodiversity in European mountains

Wielgolaski¹,

Hofgaard²,

Holtmeier³

2017

Clim. Res.

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Transition zones between mountain forests and treeless tundra, i.e. treeline ecotones, are characterized by great regional variety. In this paper, we discuss the biodiversity in various trophic levels in treeline ecotones throughout Europe, with particular focus on recent changes in land use and climate in northern and central mountains. In northernmost Europe, mountain birch prevails, while conifers (spruce, pine, larch) are the dominating species further south. While at continent-wide to global scales, the ecotone position is largely controlled by heat deficiency, it depends on a multitude of partly interacting abiotic and biotic factors other than climate at smaller scales. Climate change is a driving factor in treeline ecotone change, including physiognomic structure and biodiversity, although the effects of climate and other factors often overlap. Historical legacy plays an important role in this respect, and human impacts are particularly important. The recent decline in pastoral use of many European treeline areas often strongly influences plant diversity and re-growth of trees and other woody species. Climate change together with changing tree cover may influence snow cover, moisture regime, and nutrient conditions. Subsequently changed site conditions influence plant−plant interactions, favoring some species and disfavoring others, and plant−animal interactions. Native animals may cause widespread or local disturbances in treeline ecotone areas. Mass outbreaks of leaf-eating insects, for example, usually affect comparatively large forested areas whereas mammalian herbivores and birds have more local impact. However, high numbers of wild or domestic mammalian herbivores may challenge the carrying capacity of treeline ecotone areas at the same time as they preserve an open pasture character. This calls for cross-disciplinary study approaches, addressing the complexity of the ecotone regarding both causal background and biogeographic diversity.

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Annual variation in predation and dispersal of Arolla pine (Pinus cembra L.) seeds by Eurasian red squirrels and other seed-eaters

Cited by 39 publications

References 43 publications

Post-dispersal predation of Pinus pinaster Aiton seeds: key factors and effects on belowground seed bank

Post-dispersal predation of Pinus pinaster Aiton seeds: key factors and effects on belowground seed bank

Biotic interactions and seed deposition rather than abiotic factors determine recruitment at elevational range limits of an alpine tree

Sensitivity to environmental change of the treeline ecotone and its associated biodiversity in European mountains

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