TITLE:
Effect of Forest Litter on the Regeneration of Larix sibirica: Insight from Aqueous Extract and Litter Coverage
AUTHORS:
Shanchao Zhao, Qiao Xu
KEYWORDS:
Litter Physical Barrier, Fire Burning, Seed Germination, Northwest China
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: The effect of litter on forest regeneration depends on the characteristics
of regional climate and also shows community specificity. The influences of plant
litter on seed germination and seedling growth of Larch Siberian forest in the Altai
Mountains were investigated through two simulated experiments including litter coverage
and litter aqueous extracts. In the litter coverage experiment, three litter coverage
methods including above (D), below (S) and in the middle (Z) of litter were set
with the litter coverage thickness of 0, 1, 2, and 4 cm, while two aqueous extract obtained methods using the
air-dried litter and litter ash after fir were used with the concentration of
10%, 40%, 80% and 100% in the present study. Results showed that: the aqueous
extracts obtained using the air-dried litter restrained the seed germination,
while the aqueous extracts obtained using litter ash improved the seed
germination. Compared with other litter concentration, the influences of 100%
concentration reach highest. The seed germination rate, seed germination
potential and vital index under the treatment of seeds above the litter
coverage were highest, which were significantly higher than other treatments. The
above-ground biomass was significantly higher and the inhibition index of
below-ground bio-mass was significantly lower under the treatment of seed above
the litter with thin litter cover-age (S1) compared to other litter coverage
treatments. These results indicated that the litter aqueous extract and the
litter coverage had a combined effect on the seed germination and seedling
growth of Siberian larch forest. Fire disturbance could promote seed
germination by modifying the adverse effects of litter aqueous extracts and litter
coverage, and thus plays an important role in the regeneration of Siberian larch
in the Altai Mountains.