The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies
Boreal forests are characterized by an extensive moss layer, which may have both competitive and facilitative effects on forest regeneration. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate how variation in moss species and biomass, in combination with precipitation frequency, affect Pinus sylve...
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MDPI AG
2014-08-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/8/1931 |
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| author | Babs M. Stuiver David A. Wardle Michael J. Gundale Marie-Charlotte Nilsson |
| author_facet | Babs M. Stuiver David A. Wardle Michael J. Gundale Marie-Charlotte Nilsson |
| author_sort | Babs M. Stuiver |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Boreal forests are characterized by an extensive moss layer, which may have both competitive and facilitative effects on forest regeneration. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate how variation in moss species and biomass, in combination with precipitation frequency, affect Pinus sylvestris seedling growth. We found that moss species differed in their effects on seedling growth, and moss biomass had negative effects on seedlings, primarily when it reached maximal levels. When moss biomass was maximal, seedling biomass decreased, whereas height and above- relative to below-ground mass increased, due to competition for light. The effect that moss biomass had on seedling performance differed among the moss species. Hylocomium splendens and Polytrichum commune reduced seedling growth the most, likely because of their taller growth form. Seedlings were not adversely affected by Sphagnum girgensohnii and Pleurozium schreberi, possibly because they were not tall enough to compete for light and improved soil resource availability. Reduced precipitation frequency decreased the growth of all moss species, except P. commune, while it impaired the growth of seedlings only when they were grown with P. commune. Our findings suggest that changes in moss species and biomass, which can be altered by disturbance or climate change, can influence forest regeneration. |
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| id | doaj.art-b81d5577606c4af0b7a4a237868fac9b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T03:00:07Z |
| publishDate | 2014-08-01 |
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| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-b81d5577606c4af0b7a4a237868fac9b2022-12-22T03:05:28ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072014-08-01581931195110.3390/f5081931f5081931The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation FrequenciesBabs M. Stuiver0David A. Wardle1Michael J. Gundale2Marie-Charlotte Nilsson3Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 901 83 Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 901 83 Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 901 83 Umeå, SwedenDepartment of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 901 83 Umeå, SwedenBoreal forests are characterized by an extensive moss layer, which may have both competitive and facilitative effects on forest regeneration. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate how variation in moss species and biomass, in combination with precipitation frequency, affect Pinus sylvestris seedling growth. We found that moss species differed in their effects on seedling growth, and moss biomass had negative effects on seedlings, primarily when it reached maximal levels. When moss biomass was maximal, seedling biomass decreased, whereas height and above- relative to below-ground mass increased, due to competition for light. The effect that moss biomass had on seedling performance differed among the moss species. Hylocomium splendens and Polytrichum commune reduced seedling growth the most, likely because of their taller growth form. Seedlings were not adversely affected by Sphagnum girgensohnii and Pleurozium schreberi, possibly because they were not tall enough to compete for light and improved soil resource availability. Reduced precipitation frequency decreased the growth of all moss species, except P. commune, while it impaired the growth of seedlings only when they were grown with P. commune. Our findings suggest that changes in moss species and biomass, which can be altered by disturbance or climate change, can influence forest regeneration.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/8/1931boreal forestbryophyteclimate changecompetitiondroughtfacilitationforest regenerationinteractionsmoss depthScots pine |
| spellingShingle | Babs M. Stuiver David A. Wardle Michael J. Gundale Marie-Charlotte Nilsson The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies Forests boreal forest bryophyte climate change competition drought facilitation forest regeneration interactions moss depth Scots pine |
| title | The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies |
| title_full | The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies |
| title_short | The Impact of Moss Species and Biomass on the Growth of Pinus sylvestris Tree Seedlings at Different Precipitation Frequencies |
| title_sort | impact of moss species and biomass on the growth of pinus sylvestris tree seedlings at different precipitation frequencies |
| topic | boreal forest bryophyte climate change competition drought facilitation forest regeneration interactions moss depth Scots pine |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/5/8/1931 |
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