Am. J. Bot. Subscribe to E-TOCs
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (11)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Meiners, S. J.
Right arrow Articles by Handel, S. N.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Meiners, S. J.
Right arrow Articles by Handel, S. N.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Meiners, S. J.
Right arrow Articles by Handel, S. N.
(American Journal of Botany. 2002;89:466-471.)
© 2002 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

Ecology

Probability of tree seedling establishment changes across a forest–old field edge gradient1

Scott J. Meiners2,5, Steward T. A. Pickett3 and Steven N. Handel4

2Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920-3099 USA; 3Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, New York 12545-0129 USA; 4Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University, 1 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1582 USA

Forest edges affect many aspects of plant communities, causing changes in microclimate, species composition, and community structure. However, the direct role of edges in regulating forest regeneration is relatively unknown. The pattern of tree establishment across a forest–old field edge was experimentally examined to determine the response of three tree species to the edge gradient. We placed 100 1-m2 plots in a 90 x 90 m grid that began 30 m inside the forest, extended across the edge, and ended at 60 m into the old field. Into each plot, we planted seeds of Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, and Quercus palustris. Emergence increased with distance into the field for both A. saccharum and Q. palustris. Emergence for A. rubrum increased from forest to field, reaching a maximum near 20 m into the field, and then declined with further distance. Nearly all A. rubrum seedlings died shortly after emergence. Survival of A. saccharum increased with distance into the old field, while survivorship of Q. palustris did not respond to the edge gradient. Establishment probabilities increased with distance into the old field for both A. saccharum and Q. palustris. Growth of Q. palustris and allocation patterns of A. saccharum also varied across the edge gradient. These results suggest that edges have complex, species-specific effects on tree establishment and growth that can influence the spatial pattern and species composition of regenerating forests.

Key Words: Acer rubrum • Acer saccharum • edge effects • establishment probabilities • Quercus palustris • root : shoot ratio






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2002 by the Botanical Society of America, Inc.