Canopy vs. soil effects of shrubs facilitating tree seedlings in Mediterranean montane ecosystems
Title | Canopy vs. soil effects of shrubs facilitating tree seedlings in Mediterranean montane ecosystems |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2005 |
Authors | Gómez-Aparicio, LORENA., Gómez J. M., Zamora R., & Boettinger J. L. |
Journal | Journal of Vegetation Science |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 191 - 198 |
Date Published | 2005/// |
Keywords | Nurse shrub, Positive interaction, Potassium, Removal experiment, shade |
Abstract | Abstract. Question: Is the facilitative effect of nurse shrubs on early recruitment of trees mediated by a ‘canopy effect’(microclimate amelioration and protection from herbivores), a ‘soil effect’(modification of soil properties), or both? Location: Two successional montane shrublands at the Sierra Nevada Protected Area, SE Spain. Method: Seedlings of Quercus and Pinus species were planted in four experimental treatments: (1) under shrubs; (2) in open interspaces without vegetation; (3) under shrubs where the canopies were removed; (4) in open interspaces but covering seedlings with branches, mimicking a shrub canopy. Results: Both effects benefited seedling performance. However, microclimatic amelioration due to canopy shading had the strongest effect, which was particularly pronounced in the drier site. Below-ground, shrubs did not modify soil physical characteristics, organic matter, total N and P, or water content, but significantly increased available K, which has been shown to improve seedling water-use efficiency under drought conditions. Conclusions: We propose that in Mediterranean montane ecosystems, characterised by a severe summer drought, pioneer shrubs represent a major safe site for tree early recruitment during secondary succession, improving seedling survival during summer by the modification of both the above-and below-ground environment. |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2005.tb02355.x |