Supplemental planting of early successional tree species during bottomland hardwood afforestation

摘要: Reforestation of former bottomland hardwood forests that have been cleared for agriculture (i.e., afforestation) has historically emphasized planting heavy-seeded oaks (Quercus spp.) and pecans (Carya spp.). These species are slow to develop vertical forest structure. However, structure is key colonization afforested sites by birds. Although early-successional tree often enhance structure, few these invade distant from seed sources. Furthermore, many land mangers reluctant establish maintain stands fast-growing plantation trees. Therefore, on 40 sites, we supplemented heavyseeded seedlings with 8 patches trees: 4 12 eastern cottonwood (fopulus deltoides) stem cuttings American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) seedlings. To survival growth, were subjected weed control treatments: (1) physical barriers, (2) chemical herbicide, (3) both control, or (4) no control. Overall, first-year was 25 percent 47 percent, respectively. Second-year extant trees 52 77 sycamore. Physical barriers increased cottonwoods 30 versus 18 Similarly, 49 without 64 barriers. Chemical adversely impacted reduced 35 percent. Tree heights did not differ between among treatments. Girdling deer destroyed saplings. Thus, little increase in detected growing seasons. Application fertilizer protection via shelters improve development cottonwood. INTRODUCTION Throughout the world, specifically within sou theas te rn Un i ted S ta tes , fo res t lands lost (Turner others 1981, Noss 1995). Within Mississippi River floodplain, over 7 million ha bo tomland los (Knutson Klaas 1998, Twedt Loesch 1999). Most this now used agriculture, but continued intermittent flooding unfavorab le agr icu l tu ra p r ices o f ten resu marg ina profitability. The uncertainty financial return concur ren env ronmenta concerns assoc ia w th loss rompted conserva ion initiatives reverse forested wetlands throughout United States particularly Valley (Lower Joint Venture Management Board 1990, Creasman thers 1992, Muel 2000) . Spur red economic cons idera ions inc reased awareness eco log ica societal benefits afforded wetlands, >180,000 currently agricultural production anticipated be Alluvial 2005 (Stanturf 1998). logy ts revea ls succ success iona rogress luenced so hydro (Hodges 1997) h igh spec ies d ivers ty (A len 1997). Despite temporal taxonomic diversity a public private lands, through easements ca y emphas ized lan ing ings such as sowing seeds (acorns ) Indeed sweet pecan illinoensis) planted nearly 80 all afforestation (King Keeland P redominant ly s intended provide “jump-start” succession toward seasona wet oak-hardwood (Kennedy Nowack tha dominan canopy Th se lec jus ed because high value subsequent timber harvest, potential mast wildlife food, an assumpt gh -seeded wou ld na colonize sites. only requiring IO years emerge rom compet herbaceous vege Ver predictor breeding birds (Twedt Portwood 1997, Wilson In Press). ‘Wildlife Biologist Ecologist, USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 2524 South Frontage Road, Suite C, Vicksburg, MS 39180, Citation proceedings: Outcalt, Kenneth W., ed. 2002. Proceedings eleventh biennial southern skicultural research conference Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-48. Asheville, NC: US. Department Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Station. 622 p.