2024-10-22 ペンシルベニア州立大学(PennState)
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/deer-seedlings-and-soil-ph-influence-local-forest-regeneration
- https://cdnsciencepub.com/eprint/SBMHWKKPAVNK4AWEBQQY/full
米国ペンシルベニア州中央部におけるオークとヒッコリー林の樹木再生は、シカの草食、土壌化学、競合植生の複雑な相互作用によって説明される Complex interactions of deer herbivory, soil chemistry, and competing vegetation explain oak–hickory forest tree regeneration in central Pennsylvania, USA
Danielle Begley-, Duane R. Diefenbach, Emily J. Domoto, Patrick J. Drohan, Phillip Jones, Marc E. McDill, Christopher S. Rosenberry, Autumn E. Sabo, and Bret D. Wallingford
Canadian Journal of Forest Research Published:15 October 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2024-0034
Abstract
The root causes of forest tree regeneration failure are difficult to resolve, although numerous studies show ungulate herbivory, soil conditions, and competition from undesirable vegetation as likely contributors. To better understand the relative importance of each issue, we conducted a 7-year manipulative experiment to assess the interactive effects of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory, soil acidity, and competing vegetation on tree regeneration in oak–hickory forests of central Pennsylvania, USA. Outcomes depended on initial tree seedling abundance, and all three factors had significant interactions. At low initial seedling abundance, fencing resulted in the greatest increase, but all treatments had a positive effect on seedling growth and abundance. At higher initial seedling abundance, abundance failed to recover 7 years after herbicide treatment and soil pH was an important predictor. When soil pH was >4.6 from lime application, seedling growth and abundance in unfenced controls with high initial abundance was comparable to the fenced-only treatment. Competing vegetation, assumed to be a symptom of excessive, long-term deer herbivory, does not seem to be the primary factor limiting tree regeneration in our study area. Ameliorating acid deposition warrants greater consideration as a management action because it could provide long-lasting benefits compared to short-term fence installations.
