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Oaks enhance early life stage longleaf pine growth and density in a subtropical xeric savanna.

Authors :
Magee, Lukas
Lapalikar, Sairandhri
Cayetano, Denver T.
Machado, Siddarth
Pandit, Karun
Trentin, Bruna
Wood, Derek
Leite, Rodrigo V.
Cosenza, Diogo N.
Mintz, Jeffrey
Valle, Denis
Crandall, Raelene M.
Lichstein, Jeremy W.
Montero, Nicolle
Cherro, Caitlyn
Barreto, Ross
Bohlman, Stephanie
Johnson, Daniel J.
Source :
Oecologia. Jun2024, Vol. 205 Issue 2, p411-422. 12p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The interplay of positive and negative species interactions controls species assembly in communities. Dryland plant communities, such as savannas, are important to global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Sandhill oaks in xeric savannas of the southeastern United States can facilitate longleaf pine by enhancing seedling survival, but the effects of oaks on recruitment and growth of longleaf pine have not been examined. We censused, mapped, and monitored nine contiguous hectares of longleaf pine in a xeric savanna to quantify oak-pine facilitation, and to examine other factors impacting recruitment, such as vegetation cover and longleaf pine tree density. We found that newly recruited seedlings and grass stage longleaf pines were more abundant in oak-dominated areas where densities were 230% (newly recruited seedlings) and 360% (grass stage) greater from lowest to highest oak neighborhood densities. Longleaf pine also grew faster under higher oak density. Longleaf pine recruitment was lowest under longleaf pine canopies. Mortality of grass stage and bolt stage longleaf pine was low (~1.0% yr−1) in the census interval without fire. Overall, our findings highlight the complex interactions between pines and oaks—two economically and ecologically important genera globally. Xeric oaks should be incorporated as a management option for conservation and restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00298549
Volume :
205
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Oecologia
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178656412
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-024-05579-y