Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) Regeneration in Experimental Canopy Gaps

摘要: Restoration of giant sequoia populations is a high priority for managers, but few experimental studies have examined the efficacy restoration treatments. To inform treatment options, we assessed response regeneration (germination, mortality, and growth) to gaps within native grove. We created gaps, ranging in size from 0.05 0.4 ha. Following gap creation, sowed seeds planted seedlings along north-south transects across gaps. Transects were on paired burned unburned substrates. The seed-sowing did not result cohort established seedlings, although amount was far short potential released during intense fires. Mortality vary with (average 25% mortality). However, there distinct relationship between second year seedling growth. best modeled an asymptotic curve both Relative growth more than doubled as increased 0.2 ha, then increases diminished. Growth rates saturated above 70% light availability while increasing linearly belowground resource availability. Long-lived pioneer species such require treatments that involve relatively severe disturbances facilitate establishment recruitment.