TY - JOUR
T1 - A Comparison of Seed Predation, Seed Dispersal, and Seedling Herbivory in Oak and Hickory
T2 - Species with Contrasting Regenerating Abilities in a Bluegrass Savanna-Woodland Habitat
AU - Cilles, Sara E.
AU - Coy, Garnett
AU - Stieha, Christopher R.
AU - Cox, John J.
AU - Crowley, Philip H.
AU - Maehr, David S.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Quercus (oak) regeneration failure threatens many forest and savanna communities worldwide, where preservation of vegetation structure and composition depends on acorns germinating and surviving into adulthood. However, predation on the acorns and browsing of seedlings limits oak regeneration. To better understand the effects of these 2 mechanisms on oak recruitment in the endangered Bluegrass savanna-woodland of Kentucky, we compared seed predation and herbivory on Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinquapin Oak) with Carya laciniosa (Shellbark Hickory), a successfully regenerating tree species. Compared to hickory nuts, acorns were predated more, cached less, and dispersed shorter distances. Neither the distribution of the seedlings under the parent canopy nor browse damage differed between the 2 species. Our results suggest that seed-predation prevents regeneration of oaks in this endangered community.
AB - Quercus (oak) regeneration failure threatens many forest and savanna communities worldwide, where preservation of vegetation structure and composition depends on acorns germinating and surviving into adulthood. However, predation on the acorns and browsing of seedlings limits oak regeneration. To better understand the effects of these 2 mechanisms on oak recruitment in the endangered Bluegrass savanna-woodland of Kentucky, we compared seed predation and herbivory on Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinquapin Oak) with Carya laciniosa (Shellbark Hickory), a successfully regenerating tree species. Compared to hickory nuts, acorns were predated more, cached less, and dispersed shorter distances. Neither the distribution of the seedlings under the parent canopy nor browse damage differed between the 2 species. Our results suggest that seed-predation prevents regeneration of oaks in this endangered community.
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U2 - 10.1656/045.023.0404
DO - 10.1656/045.023.0404
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85006850826
SN - 1092-6194
VL - 23
SP - 466
EP - 481
JO - Northeastern Naturalist
JF - Northeastern Naturalist
IS - 4
ER -