Tree establishment and microhabitat relationships in north Swedish peatlands

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
• Main Authors: Ohlson, Mikael, Zackrisson, Olle
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1992
• Subjects: Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x92-244; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/x92-244

We sowed seeds of Pinussylvestris L., Pinuscontorta Dougl, Piceaabies (L.) Karst., and Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P. at five different virgin peatland sites in northern Sweden. Seeds were sown in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. The seeds were sown in three different types of microhabitat, viz Pleurozium, Sphagnumfuscum, and Sphagnumangustifolium. Germination and seedling mortality were monitored each year. Both germination and mortality were significantly affected by the micro-habitat. Sphagnumangustifolium microhabitats were most favourable and Pleurozium microhabitats were least favourable for germination of all tree species. In contrast, the mortality for all tree species was highest in Sphagnumangustifolium microhabitats and lowest in Pleurozium microhabitats. Lowest average mortality was found among the nonindigenous Pinuscontorta and Piceamariana. The coniferous tree species had a species-specific relationship with the microhabitat. Pinussylvestris seeds were the most able to germinate in the Pleurozium microhabitats, and seedling mortality was strongly affected by the microhabitat. Piceaabies was the least affected by the microhabitat, and seedling mortality was high irrespective of microhabitat.