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The seed bank dynamics of Cornus controversa and their rote in regeneration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

Takashi Masaki ,
Hiroshi Tanaka ,
Mitsue Shibata  and
Tohru Nakashizuka
Takashi Masaki*
Affiliation:
Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Morioka, Iwate 020–01, Japan
Hiroshi Tanaka
Affiliation:
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Mitsue Shibata
Affiliation:
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Tohru Nakashizuka
Affiliation:
Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Ohtsu, Shiga 520–01, Japan
*
*Correspondence Fax +81 19 641 6747 E-mail [email protected]
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Abstract

Seed-bank dynamics of C. controversa, a common tree in Japanese temperate forests, were investigated at Ogawa Forest Reserve by direct measurement of seed input, soil seed density, and seedling output (germination of soil seeds), together with two field experiments on postdispersal seed mortality. Soil seed density varied from 4 to 233 m−2 in the site near conspecific adults (<5 m horizontally from crown edge), and 0 to 18 m−2 in far sites (≥5 m) during the 1988–92 period. Seed input occurred only in 1988 and 1990: 190–740 m−2 at the sites near conspecific adults, and 4–20 m−2 at the far sites. Seedling output was observed every year and accounted for 0–15% of the loss from the seed bank, occasionally 30–60%. Seeds buried at 5-cm depth suffered moderate mortality (c. 0.2 year−1) by fungal pathogens. In contrast, seeds experimentally placed on the ground suffered higher mortality (0.5–1 year−1) through predation by ground mammals, probably wood mice. In the experiment, seeds whose mesocarp was removed survived much better. On the other hand, distance itself did not appear to affect post-dispersal mortality of seeds. Seeds in canopy gaps also tended to suffer higher mortality. Current spatial pattern and mode of seed dispersal should decrease the potential ability of the seed bank of this species to colonize safe sites. Rare and unpredictable events might increase the contribution of the seed-bank strategy to regeneration in this forest.

Keywords

Cornus controversaOgawa Forest Reserve (OFR)postdispersal mortalityseed bankseed dispersal
Type
Ecology
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 1998 , pp. 53 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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