Forest litter and shrubs act as an understory filter for the survival of Quercus mongolica seedlings in Mt. Kwan-ak, South Korea.

ABSTRACT: Forest succession from Pinus to Quercus has often been observed in temperate forest, although the succession mechanism is not clearly understood. This study investigated factors that affect the succession of forests from pine to oak, using forest vegetation inventory data at plots at Kwan-ak mountain in Korea. Analyses of understory canopy coverage, light intensity, and tree numbers and ages in P. densiflora forests indicate that Q. mongolica can only invade these forests before understory shrub establishment. The results from analyses of all environmental factors indicate that similar adverse effects from environmental factors occur in established P. densiflora and Q. mongolica forests that inhibit Q. mongolica seedling survival. However, the observed survival rate of Q. mongolica seedlin

SUBMITTER: Song U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6414525 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature