The bigger the tree the better the seed – effect of Sessile oak tree diameter on acorn size, insect predation, and germination

Authors

  • Jovan Dobrosavljevic a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:43:"University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry";}
  • Jovana Devetaković University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry
  • Branko Kanjevac University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.14.04.99

Keywords:

Sessile oak, Quercus petraea, Forest regeneration, acorn lenght, acorn diameter

Abstract

Sessile oak is one of the ecologically and economically most important tree species in Europe. Recently, the importance of this species has been particularly highlighted in the context of climate change, where it is expected that these species will play a significant role within their natural range and beyond. To regenerate and expand the range of the sessile oak forests, a large amount of healthy acorns is needed. The acorn production and the acorns themselves are endangered by a large number of abiotic and biotic factors. As oak trees of different sizes do not produce the same amount of seed of the same quality, we investigated how the sessile oak tree diameter affects the acorn size, insect infestation, and germination rate. On the other side, as the acorn size influences the attack rates of the most significant acorn pest – Curculio glandium (Marsham, 1802), and the germination rates of both the damaged and healthy acorns we also investigated how the acorn dimensions influence the insect damage and germination rates, and how the insect damage influences the germination rates. We determined that the oak tree size influences some oak seed characteristics that are important for forest regeneration, while it does not affect others. A greater acorn yield was recorded on the bigger oak trees. The tree dimensions also had a significant influence on the acorn size. Greater average length, as well as greater average acorn diameter, were recorded on bigger trees. Although the tree size affects the acorn size, it does not influence the acorn insect predation rates or its germination rates. These parameters are affected by the acorn size itself. Bigger acorns had a greater germination rate. Insects preferred smaller acorns and had a significantly negative influence on the germination rate.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alonso-Crespo IM, Silla F, del Nogal PJ, Fernández MJ, Martinez-Ruiz C, Fernández-Santos B (2020) Effect of the mother tree age and acorn weight in the regenerative characteristics of Quercus faginea. European J For Res 139:513–523 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-020-01266-8

Annighöfer P, Beckschäfer P, Vor T, Ammer C (2015) Regeneration Patterns of European Oak Species (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L.) in Dependence of Environment and Neighborhood. PLoS ONE 10(8):e0134935. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134935 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134935

Arsić J, Stojanović M, Petrovičová L, Noyer E, Milanović S, Světlík J, Horáček P, Krejza J (2021) Increased wood biomass growth is associated with lower wood density in Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. saplings growing under elevated CO2. Plos One 16(10):e0259054. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259054

Axer M, Schlicht R, Wagner S (2021) Modelling potential density of natural regeneration of European oak species (Quercus robur L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) depending on the distance to the potential seed source: Methodological approach for modelling dispersal from inventory data at forest enterprise level. For Ecol Manag 482: 118802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118802 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118802

Bechtold WA (2003) Crown-diameter prediction models for 87 species of stand-grown trees in the eastern United States. South J Appl For 27:269–278 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/27.4.269

Bolte A, Ammer C, Lóf M, Madsen P, Nabuurs GJ, Schall P, Spathelf P, Rock J (2009) Adaptive forest management in central Europe: climate change impacts, strategies and integrative concept. Scand J For Res 24:473–482. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580903418224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580903418224

Clark SL, Schlarbaum SE (2018) Efects of acorn size and mass on seedling quality of northern red oak (Quercus rubra). New Forests 49:571–583 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-018-9641-9

Csóka G, Hirka A (2006) Direct Effects of Carpophagous Insects on the Germination Ability and Early Abscission of Oak Acorns. Acta Silvatica et Lignaria Hungarica 2:57–68 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37045/aslh-2006-0005

Dobrosavljevic J, Markovic C, Milanovic S, Vujicic P, Srbulovic B, Bojic S (2018) Influence of Curculio glandium (Marsham, 1802) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) on Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L., 1753) (Fagales, Fagaceae) acorn germination. Proceedings of the IX International Agricultural Symposium “Agrosym 2018” 1014-1018

Fernández-Santos B, Moro D, Martínez-Ruiz C, Fernández MJ, Martín FJ (2013) Efectos del peso de la bellota y de la edad del árbol productor en las características regenerativas de Quercus ilex subsp. ballota. In: Martínez-Ruiz C, Lario Leza FJ, Fernández-Santos B (eds) Avances en la restauración de sistemas forestales. Técnicas de implantación. SECF-AEET, Madrid, pp 198–202

Forrester GJ (1990) The population ecology of acorn weevils and their influence on natural regeneration of oak. Dissertation, University of London, Imperial College, UK, London. 124pp

Girard Q, Ducousso A, de Gramont CB, Louvet JM, Reynet P, Musch B, Kremer A (2022) Provenance variation and seed sourcing for sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in France. Ann For Sci 79:27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-022-01140-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-022-01140-0

Gradečki-Poštenjak M, Novak Agbaba S, Licht R, Posarić D (2011) Dynamics of acorn production and quality of English oak acorn (Quercus robur L.) in disrupted ecological conditions. Šumar. list 135(13):169-180

Hanewinkel M, Cullmann DA, Schelhaas MJ, Nabuurs GJ, Zimmermann NE (2013) Climate change may cause severe loss in the economic value of European forest land. Nat Clim Chang 3:203–207. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1687 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1687

Hirka A (2003) Investigation on carpophagous insects of oaks in Hungary. Dissertation, University of West Hungary, Sopron. 143 pp

Hou X, Yi X, Yang Y, Liu W (2010) Acorn germination and seedling survival of Q. variabilis: Effects of cotyledon excision. Ann For Sci 67(7):711. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010036

Kanjevac B, Dobrosavljević J, Babić V (2017) Contribution to study of the yield abundance and quality of sessile oak acorn in northeastern Serbia. Šumarstvo 3-4:65–76.

Kanjevac B, Krstić M, Babić V, Govedar Z. (2021) Regeneration Dynamics and Development of Seedlings in Sessile Oak Forests in Relation to the Light Availability and Competing Vegetation. Forests 12(4):384. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12040384 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f12040384

Kohler M, Pyttel P, Kuehne C, Modrow T, Bauhus J (2020: On the knowns and unknowns of natural regeneration of silviculturally managed sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) forests—a literature review. Ann For Sci 77:101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-020-00998-2

Leishman MR, Wright IJ, Moles AT, Westoby M (2000) The evolutionary ecology of seed size. In M. Fenner (ed), Seeds: The Ecology of Regeneration in Plant Communities, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 2nd edition, pp 31–57 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851994321.0031

Ligot G, Balandier P, Fayolle A, Lejeune P, Claessens H (2013) Height competition between Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica natural regeneration in mixed and uneven-aged stands. For Ecol Manag 304:391–398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.05.050

Löf M, Brunet J, Filyushkina A, Lindbladh M, Skovsgaard JP, Felton A (2016) Management of oak forests: striking a balance between timber production, biodiversity and cultural services, International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 12:59-73, https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2015.1120780 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2015.1120780

Lombardo JA, McCarthy BC (2009) Seed germination and seedling vigor of weevil damaged acorns of red oak. Can J For Res 39:1600–1605. https://doi.org/10.1139/X09-079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/X09-079

Mihajlovic, Lj. (2008). Forest Entomology. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry, Belgrade

Mölder A, Sennhenn-Reulen H, Fischer C, Rumpf H, Schönfelder E, Stockmann J, Nagel RV (2019) Success factors for high-quality oak forest (Quercus robur, Q. petraea) regeneration. For Ecosyst 6:49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-019-0206-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-019-0206-y

Perry RW, Thill RE (2003) Effects of reproduction cutting treatments on residual hard mast production in the Ouachita Mountains. South J Appl For 27:253–258 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/27.4.253

Petritan AM, Biris I., Merce O, Turcu DO, Petritan IC (2012) Structure and diversity of a natural temperate sessile oak (Quercus petraea L.) – European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest. For Ecol Manag 280:140-149 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.06.007

Popović V, Lučić A, Rakonjac Lj (2018) Effect of acorn size on morphological characteristics of one-year-old seedlings of common oak (Quercu robur L.) in seedling nursery. Šumarstvo 1-2:91-98

Popović V, Lučić, A, Jovanović S, Rakonjac Lj (2021) Variability of morphometric characteristics of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (matt.) Liebl) acorn. Proceedings of the XII International Scientific Agricultural Symposium “Agrosym 2021” 1414-1426

Ramos S, Vázquez FM, Ruiz T (2013) Ecological Implications of Acorn Size at the Individual TreeLevel in Quercus suber L. ISRN Botany, 2013:310828 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/310828

Reif A, Gärtner S (2007) Die natürliche Verjüngung der laubabwerfenden Eichenarten Stieleiche (Quercus robur L.) und Traubeneiche (Quercus petraea Liebl.) - eine Literaturstudie mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Waldweide. Waldoekologie 5:79-116

Rose AK, Greenberg CH, Fearer TM (2012: Acorn Production Prediction Models for Five Common Oak Species of the Eastern United States. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76(4):750–758; https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.291

Roth V, Dekanić S, Dubravac T (2011) Effect of acorn size on morphological development of one-year-old seedlings of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in differing light conditions. Šumar. list 135(13):159-167

Shaw MW (1968) Factors Affecting the Natural Regeneration of Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) in North Wales: I. A Preliminary Study of Acorn Production, Viability and Losses. J Ecol 56(2):565-583 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2258251

Schröder T, Kehr R, Procházková Z, Sutherland JR (2004) Practical methods for estimating the infection rate of Quercus robur acorn seedlots by Ciboria batschiana. Forest Pathol 34:187–196. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0329.2004.00357.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0329.2004.00357.x

Viglas JN, Brown CD, Johnstone JF (2013) Age and size effects on seed productivity of northern black spruce. Can J Forest Res 43(6):534-543 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2013-0022

Wolgast LJ, Stout BB (1977) The effects of relative humidity at the time of flowering on fruit set in bear oak (Quercus ilicifolia). Am J Bot 64:159–160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1977.tb15714.x

Downloads

Published

2022-12-29

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

“The Bigger the Tree the Better the Seed – Effect of Sessile Oak Tree Diameter on Acorn Size, Insect Predation, and Germination”. REFORESTA, no. 14 (December 29, 2022): 36–45. Accessed November 2, 2024. https://journal.reforestationchallenges.org/index.php/REFOR/article/view/167.

Most read articles by the same author(s)