Mast seeding in Abies balsamea, Acer saccharum and Betula alleghaniensis in an old growth, cold temperate forest of north‐eastern North America

摘要: 1 Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the phenomenon of masting or mast seeding, i.e. supra-annual, periodic production a large number seeds in long-lived plants. Some these deal with proximate causes (e.g. climate hypothesis) but others are concerned mostly ultimate, evolutionary explanations pollination efficiency hypothesis). 2 The seed three tree species, Abies balsamea, Acer saccharum and Betula alleghaniensis, was followed over 7-year period an old-growth, cold temperate forest north-eastern North America. main objectives were determine extent interannual variations production, investigate relationship between viable potential crop efficiency, explore effects on production. 3 Potential varied significantly among years for all species. However, timing dispersal remained same regardless level production. 4 Seed rain spatially less heterogeneous high suggesting that most trees reproducing such years. 5 Over period, there significant concordance species their not crop. Crop positively correlated Betula, Acer. 6 High related warm, dry conditions spring previous year (i.e. at reproductive bud initiation) moist summer maturation. 7 Masting thus appears be controlled by several factors, including efficiency.