Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China
Larix principis-rupprechtii is an important and widely distributed species in the mountains of northern China. However, it has inefficient natural regeneration in many stands and difficulty recruiting seedlings and saplings. In this study, we selected six plots with improved naturally-regenerated L....
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PeerJ Inc.
2021-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/12327.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827608258598141952 |
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| author | Weiwen Zhao Wenjun Liang Youzhi Han Xi Wei |
| author_facet | Weiwen Zhao Wenjun Liang Youzhi Han Xi Wei |
| author_sort | Weiwen Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Larix principis-rupprechtii is an important and widely distributed species in the mountains of northern China. However, it has inefficient natural regeneration in many stands and difficulty recruiting seedlings and saplings. In this study, we selected six plots with improved naturally-regenerated L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings. A point pattern analysis (pair-correlation function) was applied to identify the spatial distribution pattern and correlation between adult trees and regenerated seedlings mapped through X/Y coordinates. Several possible influencing factors of L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings’ natural regeneration were also investigated. The results showed that the spatial distribution patterns of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings were concentrated 0–5 m around adult trees when considering the main univariate distribution type of regeneration. There was a positive correlation at a scale of 1.5–4 m between seedlings and adult trees according to bivariate analyses. When the scale was increased, these relationships were no longer significant. Generally, adult trees raised regenerated L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings at a scale of 1.5–4 m. Principal component analysis showed that the understory herb diversity and litter layer had a negative correlation with the number of regenerated seedlings. There was also a weak relationship between regenerated numbers and canopy density. This study demonstrated that the main factors promoting natural regeneration were litter thickness, herb diversity, and the distance between adult trees and regenerated seedlings. Additionally, these findings will provide a basis for the late-stage and practical management of natural regeneration in northern China’s mountain ranges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:08:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c41f7f018d841779da684165e2d48dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:08:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-8c41f7f018d841779da684165e2d48dd2023-12-03T09:18:29ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592021-10-019e1232710.7717/peerj.12327Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern ChinaWeiwen Zhao0Wenjun Liang1Youzhi Han2Xi Wei3College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, ChinaLarix principis-rupprechtii is an important and widely distributed species in the mountains of northern China. However, it has inefficient natural regeneration in many stands and difficulty recruiting seedlings and saplings. In this study, we selected six plots with improved naturally-regenerated L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings. A point pattern analysis (pair-correlation function) was applied to identify the spatial distribution pattern and correlation between adult trees and regenerated seedlings mapped through X/Y coordinates. Several possible influencing factors of L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings’ natural regeneration were also investigated. The results showed that the spatial distribution patterns of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings were concentrated 0–5 m around adult trees when considering the main univariate distribution type of regeneration. There was a positive correlation at a scale of 1.5–4 m between seedlings and adult trees according to bivariate analyses. When the scale was increased, these relationships were no longer significant. Generally, adult trees raised regenerated L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings at a scale of 1.5–4 m. Principal component analysis showed that the understory herb diversity and litter layer had a negative correlation with the number of regenerated seedlings. There was also a weak relationship between regenerated numbers and canopy density. This study demonstrated that the main factors promoting natural regeneration were litter thickness, herb diversity, and the distance between adult trees and regenerated seedlings. Additionally, these findings will provide a basis for the late-stage and practical management of natural regeneration in northern China’s mountain ranges.https://peerj.com/articles/12327.pdfNatural regenerationLarix principis-rupprechtiiSpatial point patternHerb diversityLitter thickness |
| spellingShingle | Weiwen Zhao Wenjun Liang Youzhi Han Xi Wei Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China PeerJ Natural regeneration Larix principis-rupprechtii Spatial point pattern Herb diversity Litter thickness |
| title | Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China |
| title_full | Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China |
| title_short | Characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii seedlings in northern China |
| title_sort | characteristics and factors influencing the natural regeneration of larix principis rupprechtii seedlings in northern china |
| topic | Natural regeneration Larix principis-rupprechtii Spatial point pattern Herb diversity Litter thickness |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/12327.pdf |
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