Effects of competition, herbivory and substrate disturbance on growth and size structure in pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.) seedlings.

摘要: We examined separate and interactive effects of intraspecific competition, vertebrate browsing substrate disturbance on the growth size structure pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.) in first two seasons after clearcutting, a hardwoods forest New Hampshire, United States. Over 15-month study period, 97.5% 1801 individuals survived, mean plant height increased from 4-fold at high density to 5-fold low density. Relative was significantly lower higher densities three periods examined. Vertebrate browsers (moose deer) preferred taller plants. Browsed plants had relative following than unbrowsed (compensatory growth) intermediate densities. The degree compensation declined with not significant highest level. At densities, browsed early life regained dominance through compensatory growth; they failed regain Because tended offset size-selective browsing, there no difference inequality between plots. However, Substrate caused by logging either or inequality. slope relationship initial time, plots, suggesting that competition among size-asymmetric. Despite preference for large plants, clear net advantage size, when were combined. demonstrate importance multifactorial approach analysis individual performance population structure.