Five year results from a mixed-species spacing trial with six subtropical rainforest tree species

Grant, John C.; Nichols, J. Doland; Pelletier, Marie-Chantale; Glencross, Kevin S; Bell, R.W.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.05.027

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Differential species performance has been reported in other plantations in Costa Rica, some species growing better in pure stands and others in mixtures (Montagnini and Porras 1998, Stanley and Montagnini 1999, Piotto et al 2003, Petit and Montagnini 2006, Redondo-Brenes and Montagnini 2006. Results from Australian studies reported positive (Erskine et al 2006), species-specific (Grant et al 2006), or negative (Firn et al 2007) biodiversity effects. Accordingly, a clear picture of the role of biodiversity in plantations is yet to emerge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Neighborhood effects and size‐asymmetric competition in a tree plantation varying in diversity

Potvin

Dutilleul

2009

Ecology

128

118

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Abstract. A plantation of native trees was established in Panama in 2001 to study the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Five years later, mixed-species plots had experienced enhanced tree growth compared with monocultures. Searching for underlying mechanisms, we developed a neighborhood model isolating size and identity effects. We found that the size of neighbors is, by far, the largest source of variation in individual-tree diameter and height. Size-asymmetric competition appears as a structuring factor in the plantation. The relative growth rate of small trees was significantly lower than that of large trees, and their height and basal diameter were most variable. The 50 smallest trees of the plantation suffered a disproportionate amount of death, and the proportion of small trees was highest in monoculture. Increased biomass allocation to branches for trees growing in three-species plots suggests that competition for light might be taking place. Clearly, local neighborhood plays a central role in determining productivity, suggesting that scale needs to be incorporated in the theoretical development and analysis of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Neighborhood effects and size‐asymmetric competition in a tree plantation varying in diversity

Potvin

Dutilleul

2009

Ecology

128

118

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“…Species-specific responses to competition, competitive reduction and facilitation effects can be regarded as dominating factors influencing survival, productivity and overall yield of trees within the first years after establishment (Forrester et al 2006;Jose et al 2006;Kelty 2006). Although rarely tested experimentally, initial spacing of trees and varying neighborhood-effects affected by either nitrogen-fixing or non-nitrogen-fixing companion trees should have strong effects on the abovementioned interactions during tree establishment (Grant et al 2006;Potvin and Dutilleul 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do multipurpose companion trees affect high value timber trees in a silvopastoral plantation system?

et al. 2010

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Establishment of native timber trees on deforested land may contribute to the livelihood of farmers, to improved ecosystem services and to increased greenhouse gas uptake. Here, we present a new silvopastoral planting design to assess species performance and interspecific competition or facilitation effects among native timber and multipurpose trees in Central America. Two timber species, Tabebuia rosea and Cedrela odorata, were established in three low-density planting regimes allowing combined tree and future livestock production: (1) solitary planting, (2) companion planting with Guazuma ulmifolia, and (3) companion planting with the nitrogen-fixing Gliricidia sepium. We quantified survival, growth and reforestation potential of the two timber species subjected to the different planting regimes for the first 2 years after establishment. Nitrogen concentration as well as stable nitrogen and carbon isotope composition (d 15 N, d 13 C) of leaves of the timber saplings were determined. T. rosea showed higher survival and better growth than C. odorata under varying environmental conditions (soil, concomitant vegetation). Performance of the timber saplings was unaffected by either companion species. Planting regimes had no effect on foliar nitrogen concentration and d 15 N of the two timber species, although d 15 N values indicated nitrogen fixation activity in G. sepium trees. Planting regimes affected foliar d 13 C values in T. rosea. d 13 C values were significantly higher in solitarily growing individuals, suggesting lower exposition to water stress conditions in saplings surrounded by companion species. As we found positively correlated growth traits among timber and multipurpose trees, a combined planting may benefit farmers by providing additional goods and services.

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“…However, MAESTRA only simulates canopy photosynthetic rates that may not necessarily correlate to overall tree growth as this depends on carbon allocation patterns of each species (Medlyn 2004). In addition, the current model simulation reflects the wide (4 3 4 m) spacing of the studied plantation, and rates of photosynthesis for all species under the different model scenarios may be reduced if stocking densities were increased to the 2 3 2 m or 2 3 3 m spacing of many recently established mixed-species plantations (Grant et al 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary resource use by tree species in a rain forest tree plantation

Richards

Schmidt

2010

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. Mixed-species tree plantations, composed of high-value native rain forest timbers, are potential forestry systems for the subtropics and tropics that can provide ecological and production benefits. Choices of rain forest tree species for mixtures are generally based on the concept that assemblages of fast-growing and light-demanding species are less productive than assemblages of species with different shade tolerances. We examined the hypothesis that mixtures of two fast-growing species compete for resources, while mixtures of shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species are complementary. Ecophysiological characteristics of young trees were determined and analyzed with a physiology-based canopy model (MAESTRA) to test species interactions. Contrary to predictions, there was evidence for complementary interactions between two fast-growing species with respect to nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and nutrient cycling. Fast-growing Elaeocarpus angustifolius had maximum demand for soil nutrients in summer, the most efficient internal recycling of N, and low P use efficiency at the leaf and whole-plant level and produced a large amount of nutrient-rich litter. In contrast, fast-growing Grevillea robusta had maximum demand for soil nutrients in spring and highest leaf nutrient use efficiency for N and P and produced lownutrient litter. Thus, mixtures of fast-growing G. robusta and E. angustifolius or G. robusta and slow-growing, shade-tolerant Castanospermum australe may have similar or even greater productivity than monocultures, as light requirement is just one of several factors affecting performance of mixed-species plantations. We conclude that the knowledge gained here will be useful for designing large-scale experimental mixtures and commercial forestry systems in subtropical Australia and elsewhere.

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Five year results from a mixed-species spacing trial with six subtropical rainforest tree species

Cited by 28 publications

References 20 publications

Neighborhood effects and size‐asymmetric competition in a tree plantation varying in diversity

Neighborhood effects and size‐asymmetric competition in a tree plantation varying in diversity

Do multipurpose companion trees affect high value timber trees in a silvopastoral plantation system?

Complementary resource use by tree species in a rain forest tree plantation

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