Multivariate path analysis of the relationships between seedling regeneration and environmental factors beneath a dwarf bamboo understory.

ABSTRACT: Seedling emergence and establishment are fragile processes that determine the direction and structure of forest succession and regeneration. However, seedling emergence and establishment are easily affected by biotic and abiotic (environmental) factors. A dense and expanding understory of dwarf bamboo is one such important factor that can seriously hinder the seedling regeneration. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the emergence and establishment of canopy tree seedlings under artificially controlled densities of dwarf bamboo. We found that understory dwarf bamboo obstructed seedling emergence but reduced the death of seedlings. Although understory dwarf bamboo reduced the median retention time of seedlings, dense bamboo increased the mean survival time of seedlings. Our resul

SUBMITTER: Qian F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6787829 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature