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Research Article
Fernando Silla
University of Salamanca
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9943-2572
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Aims
We studied the regeneration dynamics of woodlands and abandoned old fields in a landscape dominated by Quercus suber in its lower limits for rainfall and temperature. Two hypotheses were established: (1) recruitment of Q. suber is restricted more by abiotic variations than other species adapted to more extreme Mediterranean conditions; and (2) decreases in precipitation reduce growth, but temperature positively affects growth in the leading cold edge of this species distribution area.
Methods
We selected nine sites containing forest stands and old fields with and without tree remnants, and analyzed stand structure, soil parameters and tree growth.
Results
Succession was arrested in plots without tree remnants after cultivation abandonment. By contrast, remnant trees were accelerators of forest recovery. Tree cover played a fundamental role in Quercus recruitment throughout seed dispersal and facilitation effects that ameliorate summer drought. However, soil variables also significantly explained much of the variance observed and are important for understanding differences in regeneration. Winter and spring precipitation exerted a positive effect on tree growth, as well as temperatures during winter/spring and September.
Conclusions
Regeneration dynamics are modeled by the density of tree cover in the cold and dry edge of the distribution area of Q. suber where Q. ilex is increasing in abundance. Although temperature has a positive effect on the tree growth of Q. suber, when demographic processes are considered, decreases in water availability likely play a critical role in Q. ilex recruitment. This in turn changes dominance hierarchies, especially in abandoned areas with little or no tree cover.
Keywords
Quercus suber, recruitment dynamics, edge distribution, secondary succession, growth-climate relationships
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 11 Mar, 2021
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Review #? received
Received 02 Mar, 2021
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Editor invited
On 28 Feb, 2021
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This preprint is under consideration at Plant and Soil. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Fernando Silla
University of Salamanca
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9943-2572
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 11 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #? received
Received 02 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 02 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 28 Feb, 2021
Editor invited
On 28 Feb, 2021
First submitted
On 25 Feb, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Aims
We studied the regeneration dynamics of woodlands and abandoned old fields in a landscape dominated by Quercus suber in its lower limits for rainfall and temperature. Two hypotheses were established: (1) recruitment of Q. suber is restricted more by abiotic variations than other species adapted to more extreme Mediterranean conditions; and (2) decreases in precipitation reduce growth, but temperature positively affects growth in the leading cold edge of this species distribution area.
Methods
We selected nine sites containing forest stands and old fields with and without tree remnants, and analyzed stand structure, soil parameters and tree growth.
Results
Succession was arrested in plots without tree remnants after cultivation abandonment. By contrast, remnant trees were accelerators of forest recovery. Tree cover played a fundamental role in Quercus recruitment throughout seed dispersal and facilitation effects that ameliorate summer drought. However, soil variables also significantly explained much of the variance observed and are important for understanding differences in regeneration. Winter and spring precipitation exerted a positive effect on tree growth, as well as temperatures during winter/spring and September.
Conclusions
Regeneration dynamics are modeled by the density of tree cover in the cold and dry edge of the distribution area of Q. suber where Q. ilex is increasing in abundance. Although temperature has a positive effect on the tree growth of Q. suber, when demographic processes are considered, decreases in water availability likely play a critical role in Q. ilex recruitment. This in turn changes dominance hierarchies, especially in abandoned areas with little or no tree cover.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
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