Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment
IntroductionTropical montane forests are diverse ecosystems increasingly threatened by land-use change and frequent uncontrolled fires caused by humans. After these fires, affected areas are often dominated by ferns of the genus Pteridium (bracken), delaying the rate of forest regeneration. This stu...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1534920/full |
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| author | Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Andrea Soliz Isabell Hensen Isabell Hensen Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos |
| author_facet | Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Andrea Soliz Isabell Hensen Isabell Hensen Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos |
| author_sort | Cecilia L. López |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionTropical montane forests are diverse ecosystems increasingly threatened by land-use change and frequent uncontrolled fires caused by humans. After these fires, affected areas are often dominated by ferns of the genus Pteridium (bracken), delaying the rate of forest regeneration. This study examined the facilitative and competitive roles of bracken fronds and litter on seedling establishment, recruitment success, and growth after 36 months, and the extent to which these effects depend on seed size in early plant development processes.MethodsAt eight sites, we conducted seed addition and seedling-transplant experiments in plots established in bracken-dominated areas, using the following treatments: (a) fronds and litter intact (F+L+); (b) fronds intact and litter removed (F+L−); (c) fronds removed and litter intact (F−L+); and (d) fronds and litter removed (F−L−).ResultsA total of 46,640 seeds from 24 tree species were sown and 1,070 nursery-raised seedlings transplanted. In treatments with fronds and litter, seedling establishment and recruitment success increased with seed size. In contrast, in the treatment without fronds and litter all the species had low performance. Fronds proved to be highly beneficial for all seed sizes and for all early development processes. Litter, on the other hand, had negative effects on small-seeded species during establishment, but had neutral to positive effects on the recruitment and growth of all species.DiscussionThe disadvantage of small seeds under bracken litter may be related to the high light requirements of seedlings, as litter accumulation reduces light transmission. Species with large seeds and shade tolerance benefit from bracken frond cover, suggesting that restoration strategies in bracken-dominated areas should prioritize these species. Moreover, planting seeds or seedlings shortly after fire, in the presence of bracken fronds and before litter accumulation would be most beneficial for tree species. Additionally, seed dispersers play a crucial role in transporting large seeds into bracken-dominated areas, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach that considers biotic and abiotic factors for effective forest recovery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9bc22ba034b147218d1aebf98fa8155a |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-9bc22ba034b147218d1aebf98fa8155a2025-08-20T02:16:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2025-05-011310.3389/fevo.2025.15349201534920Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitmentCecilia L. López0Cecilia L. López1Cecilia L. López2Cesar Mayta3Cesar Mayta4Cesar Mayta5Andrea Soliz6Isabell Hensen7Isabell Hensen8Silvia C. Gallegos9Silvia C. Gallegos10Silvia C. Gallegos11Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanyHerbario Nacional de Bolivia, Instituto de Ecología, Carrera de Biología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, BoliviaSantiago de Chirca Biological Station, La Paz, BoliviaInstitute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanyHerbario Nacional de Bolivia, Instituto de Ecología, Carrera de Biología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, BoliviaSantiago de Chirca Biological Station, La Paz, BoliviaCarrera de Biología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, BoliviaInstitute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanyGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanyInstitute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanyHerbario Nacional de Bolivia, Instituto de Ecología, Carrera de Biología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, BoliviaSantiago de Chirca Biological Station, La Paz, BoliviaIntroductionTropical montane forests are diverse ecosystems increasingly threatened by land-use change and frequent uncontrolled fires caused by humans. After these fires, affected areas are often dominated by ferns of the genus Pteridium (bracken), delaying the rate of forest regeneration. This study examined the facilitative and competitive roles of bracken fronds and litter on seedling establishment, recruitment success, and growth after 36 months, and the extent to which these effects depend on seed size in early plant development processes.MethodsAt eight sites, we conducted seed addition and seedling-transplant experiments in plots established in bracken-dominated areas, using the following treatments: (a) fronds and litter intact (F+L+); (b) fronds intact and litter removed (F+L−); (c) fronds removed and litter intact (F−L+); and (d) fronds and litter removed (F−L−).ResultsA total of 46,640 seeds from 24 tree species were sown and 1,070 nursery-raised seedlings transplanted. In treatments with fronds and litter, seedling establishment and recruitment success increased with seed size. In contrast, in the treatment without fronds and litter all the species had low performance. Fronds proved to be highly beneficial for all seed sizes and for all early development processes. Litter, on the other hand, had negative effects on small-seeded species during establishment, but had neutral to positive effects on the recruitment and growth of all species.DiscussionThe disadvantage of small seeds under bracken litter may be related to the high light requirements of seedlings, as litter accumulation reduces light transmission. Species with large seeds and shade tolerance benefit from bracken frond cover, suggesting that restoration strategies in bracken-dominated areas should prioritize these species. Moreover, planting seeds or seedlings shortly after fire, in the presence of bracken fronds and before litter accumulation would be most beneficial for tree species. Additionally, seed dispersers play a crucial role in transporting large seeds into bracken-dominated areas, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach that considers biotic and abiotic factors for effective forest recovery.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1534920/fullPteridiumrestoration strategiesseed additiontree early developmenttropical montane forest |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cecilia L. López Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Cesar Mayta Andrea Soliz Isabell Hensen Isabell Hensen Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos Silvia C. Gallegos Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Pteridium restoration strategies seed addition tree early development tropical montane forest |
| title | Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| title_full | Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| title_fullStr | Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| title_short | Facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| title_sort | facilitative and competitive effects of bracken fronds and litter on tree seedling recruitment |
| topic | Pteridium restoration strategies seed addition tree early development tropical montane forest |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1534920/full |
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