Differential seed removal, germination and seedling growth as determinants of species suitability for forest restoration by direct seeding – A case study from northern Thailand

Naruangsri, Khuanphirom; Tiansawat, Pimonrat; Elliott, Stephen

doi:10.1016/j.fecs.2023.100133

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This study underscored the importance of appropriate tree-species selection for direct seeding to restore forest ecosystems, emphasizing the need to select species with a combination of attributes, including rapid and high seed germination, which contribute to high seedling yield, and rapid seedling growth. This study was consistent with previous ones [14,17,18,36,48].…”

Section: Relative Performance Index (Rpi)supporting

confidence: 94%

“…However, the results of this study contrasted with those of a predator-exclusion experiment performed at the same Mon Cham plot on 29 July 2015-26 July 2016, during which up to 100% removal was recorded. Large seeds were lost to rodents, but small seeds remained untouched [14]. The fact that the seeds in the present study were more widely spaced and buried deeper than in the previous study might explain the contrasting results.…”

Section: Seed Removalcontrasting

confidence: 88%

“…Species with high seedling yields tended to have rapid and high seed germination. Rapid germination is highly advantageous, as it reduces the amount of time available for seed predation [14]. It also maximizes the time for root growth before the start of the dry season [48].…”

Section: Seedling Survival and Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is easier to carry bags of seeds onto steep or remote sites than to haul baskets of containerized saplings. Moreover, seedlings from direct seeding often grow better in the field than nursery-produced saplings because they develop better root systems in situ and transplantation shock is avoided [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Silva et al [16] reported an average emergence of around 52% for mixed species of tree seeds sown into neotropical savannas, whilst Grossnickle and Ivetić [11] reported 17% establishment, following direct seeding of tropical forest tree species. In Thailand, the potential of direct seeding for forest restoration was tested in northern seasonally dry forests (e.g., Woods and Elliott [12], Tunjai [17], Hossain et al [18], Naruangsri et al [14], Waiboonya [19]) and in southern evergreen forests (e.g., Tunjai [17]), with average seedling establishment ranging from 0 up to 89%. Success appears to be highly species-specific.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Selecting Suitable Tree Species for Direct Seeding to Restore Forest Ecosystems in Northern Thailand

Naruangsri,

Pathom-aree,

Elliott

et al. 2024

Forests

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To upscale restoration of tropical forest ecosystems, direct seeding—sowing seeds directly into the ground—is potentially a more cost-effective technique than tree planting. However, its success is limited by seed predation, the harshness of environmental conditions on restoration sites and particularly by a lack of information about suitable tree species. Therefore, this study tested the suitability of 23 native forest tree species for direct seeding, to restore a biodiversity-rich, upland, evergreen forest in northern Thailand. Three replicate seed batches of each species were sown randomly in two degraded sites and in a tree nursery under controlled conditions. Seed removal and germination were monitored weekly until no further germination had occurred for more than a month. Subsequently, seedling yield, growth and species performance score were also monitored at appropriate intervals. Nine months after sowing, seed removal differed significantly among species but was generally low, with a cross-species average of 3.4% (±0.5 SE). Seed size was negatively correlated with seed removal. Eight species failed to germinate. Seed germination percentage varied widely among species. Cross-species average germination of the 15 species that germinated was 25% (±6.2 SE). Two species (Adenanthera microsperma and Alangium kurzii) were ranked as having high germination (>50%), five species (Choerospondias axillaris, Spondias pinnata, Diospyros glandulosa, Melia azedarach and Phyllanthus emblica) had medium germination (20–50%) and eight species had low germination (<20%). Following the first dry season, two of the fifteen germinated species failed to establish. Germination and establishment were influenced by seed size, seed storage behavior and successional status. A. microsperma, S. pinnata and C. axillaris are recommended for direct seeding based on their high species performance index values. This study further concluded that selecting desiccation-tolerant seeds, particularly those with medium-to-large sizes, could increase the chances of successful seedling establishment.

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