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Ecology of Nothofagus menziesii in the catlins ecological region, South-east Otago, New Zealand (II) seedling establishment

1987; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 25; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0028825x.1987.10409954

1175-8643

R. B. Allen,

Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Abstract Nothofagus menziesii seedling establishment in the Catlins Ecological Region was investigated with respect to microsite preference and the physical characteristics and vegetation of the surrounding site. The mycorrhizal status of wild seedlings was recorded. The germination and establishment of N. menziesii in different forest soils, which were sterilised and provided with mycorrhizal inoculum, were investigated. Site physical characteristics, and density and cover of woody plants, had little effect on N. menziesii seedling establishment. Raised, bryophyte-covered microsites provide optimum moisture and light conditions for N. menziesii establishment in the wild. Nothofagus seedlings can form effective mycorrhizal associations within both Nothofagus and other forest types in the Catlins. Under experimental conditions, seedling growth was best on relatively fertile podocarp forest soil, intermediate on Nothofagus forest soil, and poor on Weinmannia-Metrosideros forest soil. Performance on the last soil was due at least in part to the failure of seedlings to form mycorrhizal associations, despite provision of mycorrhizal inoculum and success in mycorrhizal establishment under similar conditions in the other two soils.