Phytometric assessment of alder seedling establishment in fen and bog: implications for forest expansion mechanisms in mire ecosystems

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 369; no. 1/2; pp. 365 - 375
• Main Authors: Nakamura, T., Uemura, S., Yabe, K., Yamada, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.08.2013; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Alnus japonica; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bogs; Ecology; Environmental aspects; Fens; Forest ecosystems; Forest habitats; Forest soils; Forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Germination; Life Sciences; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plants; Regular Article; Seedling growth; Seedlings; Seeds; Soil fertility; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil water; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Water; Japan; pH; Seedling establishment; Water level; Seed sowing; Seedling transplantation; Evaluation; Forests; Bogs; Plant juvenile growth stage; Transplantation; Mechanism; Fen; Sowing; Ecosystem; Developmental stage; Expansion; Wetland; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1573-0

Aims Rapid forest expansion as a result of anthropogenic activities has been observed in many mires. However, it is unclear which environmental factors are driving this expansion because there have been no systematic investigations into mire-specific tree seedling establishment. This study investigated factors affecting the establishment of common alder (Alnus japonica) in a mire. Methods We performed seed sowing and seedling transplantation field experiments to examine the factors influencing germination rate, seedling survival, and seedling growth of A. japonica. Results Germination rate and seedling survival period decreased with increasing water level, and seedling dry weight was reduced at pH <6.0. Germination rate was also lower in the fen, whereas seedling dry weight was lower in the bog, which could be reasonably explained by the higher water level in the fen and the lower pH in the bog. Conclusions Our results showed that germination and seedling growth in the fen and bog were each inhibited by different mire-specific conditions: high water level and low pH, respectively. Therefore, seedling establishment could be improved by either lowering the water level in fens, to increase germination rate and survival, or raising the pH in bogs, to increase growth.