Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Large-Scale Patterns of Quercus ilex, Quercus suber, and Quercus pyrenaica Regeneration in Central-Western Spain

  • Published:
Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Central-Western Spain, forests and woodlands composed of Quercus sp. support outstanding levels of biodiversity, but there is increasing concern about their long-term persistence due to a lack of regeneration. We hypothesize that this regenerative lack is operating on a large geographic scale; that there are differences in the abundance of regeneration between three oak species; that oak regeneration is governed mainly by forest management and structure; and that shrubs act as important physical protectors of seedlings and saplings. We analyzed whether densities of oak seedlings and saplings in several size classes were related to stand-structure, understory, and physiographic variables potentially affecting regeneration. Data collected at a regional level (1 km × 1 km grid) by the Spanish Forest Inventory were evaluated from 2,816 plots. Results revealed that regeneration failure was common for all size categories, from small seedlings to large saplings, and for the three oak species studied, especially the evergreens. Of the Quercus ilex, Q. suber, and Q. pyrenaica plots studied, 49%, 62%, and 20% were lacking any small seedlings, and 82%, 96%, and 56% did not have any large saplings, respectively. Regeneration was positively correlated with tree cover and density, especially of small and medium-sized trees, and negatively correlated with the presence of large trees, indicating that regeneration failure is mostly associated with more open, uniform, and/or aged woodlands. Regeneration densities of Q. ilex and Q. suber were positively correlated with all understory variables, suggesting that the presence of pioneer shrubs represent a major safe site for early tree recruitment, independent from specific shrub species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acacio V, Holmgren M, Jansen PA, Schrotter O. 2007. Multiple recruitment limitation causes arrested succession in Mediterranean cork oak systems. Ecosystems 10:1220–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alias S, Bianchi L, Calamini G, Gregori E, Sioni S. 2010. Shrub facilitation of Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens regeneration in a wooded pasture in central Sardinia (Italy). iForest Biogeosciences For 3:16–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aronson J, Pereira JS, Pausas JG, Eds. 2009. Cork oak woodlands on the edge, ecology, adaptive management, and restoration. Washington (DC): Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbour MG, Sanchez-Mata D, Rodriguez-Rojo P, Barnhart S, Ugurlu E, Llamas F, Loidi J. 2007. Age structure of young- and old-growth Quercus pyrenaica stands in Spain. Phytocoenologia 37:583–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blondel J, Aronson J. 1999. Biology and wildlife of the Mediterranean region. Oxford, New York (NY): Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brudvig LA. 2008. Large-scale experimentation and oak regeneration. For Ecol Manag 255:3017–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bugalho MN, Lecomte X, Pile S, Caldeira MC. 2006. Efeitos do pastoreio por cervídeos na regeneração arbórea e composição florística de uma pastagem. Revista de Ciências Agrárias 29:145–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callaway RM. 1995. Positive interactions among plants. Bot Rev 61:306–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canadell J, Djema A, López B, Lloret F, Sabaté S, Siscart D, Gracia CA. 1999. Structure and dynamics of the root system. In: Rodà F, Gracia C, Retana J, Bellot J, Eds. The ecology of Mediterranean evergreen oak forests. Berlin: Springer. p 47–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter SR. 1990. Large-scale perturbations—opportunities for innovation. Ecology 71:2038–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro J, Zamora R, Hódar JA, Gómez JM, Gómez-Aparicio L. 2004. Benefits of using shrubs as nurse plants for reforestation in Mediterranean mountains: a 4-year study. Restor Ecol 12:352–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cierjacks A, Hensen I. 2004. Variation of stand structure and regeneration of Mediterranean holm oak along a grazing intensity gradient. Plant Ecol 173:215–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corcuera L, Camarero JJ, Gil-Pelegrín E. 2002. Functional groups in Quercus species derived from the analysis of pressure-volume curves. Trees Struct Funct 16:465–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dufour-Dror JM. 2007. Influence of cattle grazing on the density of oak seedlings and saplings in a Tabor oak forest in Israel. Acta Oecol Int J Ecol 31:223–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espelta JM, Riba M, Retana J. 1995. Patterns of seedling recruitment in West-Mediterranean Quercus ilex forests influenced by canopy development. J Veg Sci 6:465–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gea-Izquierdo G, Cañellas I, Montero G. 2006. Acorn production in Spanish holm oak woodlands. Investigación Agraria Sistemas y Recursos Forestales 15:339–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gómez JM. 2003. Spatial patterns in long-distance dispersal of Quercus ilex acorns by jays in a heterogeneous landscape. Ecography 26:573–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez JM, Hódar JA. 2008. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) affect the recruitment rate and spatial distribution of holm oak (Quercus ilex). For Ecol Manag 256:1384–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Aparicio L, Zamora R, Gómez JM, Hódar JA, Castro J, Baraza E. 2004. Applying plant facilitation to forest restoration: a meta-analysis of the use of shrubs as nurse plants. Ecol Appl 14:1128–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Aparicio L, Valladares F, Zamora R, Quero JL. 2005. Response of tree seedlings to the abiotic heterogeneity generated by nurse shrubs: an experimental approach at different scales. Ecography 28:757–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graetz RD, Tongway DJ. 1986. Influence of grazing management on vegetation, soil structure and nutrient distribution and the infiltration of applied rainfall in a semi-arid chenopod shrubland. Austral Ecol 11:347–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson PS, Shifley SR, Rogers R. 2002. The ecology and silviculture of oaks. New York: CABI Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kabrick JM, Zenner EK, Dey DC, Gwaze D, Jensen RG. 2008. Using ecological land types to examine landscape-scale oak regeneration dynamics. For Ecol Manag 255:3051–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kobe RK. 1996. Intraspecific variation in sapling mortality and growth predicts geographic variation in forest composition. Ecol Monogr 66:181–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leiva MJ, Fernández-Alés R. 2003. Post-dispersive losses of acorns from Mediterranean savannah-like forests and shrublands. For Ecol Manag 176:265–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lookingbill TR, Zavala MA. 2000. Spatial pattern of Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens recruitment in Pinus halepensis dominated woodlands. J Veg Sci 11:607–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maestre FT, Valladares F, Reynolds JF. 2005. Is the change of plant–plant interactions with abiotic stress predictable? A meta-analysis of field results in arid environments. J Ecol 93:748–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maltez-Mouro S, García LV, Marañón T, Freitas H. 2007. Recruitment patterns in a Mediterranean oak forest: a case study showing the importance of the spatial component. For Sci 53:645–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manning A, Fischer J, Lindenmayer D. 2006. Scattered trees are keystone structures—implications for conservation. Biol Conserv 132:311–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCreary DD. 2001. Regenerating rangelands oaks in California. Publication #21601. Oakland: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCreary DD, George MR. 2005. Managed grazing and seedling shelters enhance oak regeneration on rangelands. Calif Agric 59:217–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministerio de Fomento (1999) Modelo Digital del Terreno 1: 25000. Madrid: Dirección General del Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica

  • Mitchell-Olds T. 1987. Analysis of local variation in plant size. Ecology 68:82–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MMARM (2006) Estadística forestal. Madrid: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Rural y Marino de España. http://www.mma.es/portal/secciones/biodiversidad/montes_politica_forestal/estadisticas_forestal/pdf/6_2006.xls.

  • Moreno G, Cubera E. 2008. Impact of stand density on water status and leaf gas exchange in Quercus ilex. For Ecol Manag 254:74–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno G, Pulido FJ. 2009. The function, management and persistence of dehesas. In: Rigueiro A, Mosquera MR, McAdam J, Eds. Agroforestry systems in Europe, current status and future prospects. Berlin: Springer. p 127–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno G, Obrador JJ, García E, Cubera E, Montero MJ, Pulido F, Dupraz C. 2007. Driving competitive and facilitative interactions in oak dehesas through management practices. Agrofor Syst 70:25–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz A, Bonal R, Díaz M. 2009. Ungulates, rodents, shrubs: interactions in a diverse Mediterranean ecosystem. Basic Appl Ecol 10:151–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ninyerola M, Pons X, Roure JM. 2005. Atlas climático digital de la Península Ibérica. Metodología y aplicaciones en bioclimatología y geobotánica. Bellaterra: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. http://www.opengis.uab.es/WMS/iberia/index.htm.

  • Pausas JG, Ribeiro E, Dias SG, Pons J, Beseler C. 2006. Regeneration of a marginal Quercus suber forest in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. J Veg Sci 17:729–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pausas JG, Marañón T, Caldeira M, Pons J. 2009. Natural regeneration. In: Aronson J, Pereira JS, Pausas JG, Eds. Cork oak woodlands on the edge, ecology, adaptive management, and restoration. Washington (DC): Island Press. p 115–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng CYJ, Lee KL, Ingersoll GM. 2002. An introduction to logistic regression analysis and reporting. J Educ Res 96:3–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira HM, Domingos T, Vicente L, Eds. 2004. Portugal millennium ecosystem assessment: state of the assessment report. Lisbon: Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plieninger T. 2006. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and alteration—quantifying the impact of land-use changes on a Spanish dehesa landscape by use of aerial photography and GIS. Landsc Ecol 21:91–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plieninger T. 2007. Compatibility of livestock grazing with stand regeneration in Mediterranean holm oak parklands. J Nat Conserv 15:1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plieninger T, Pulido FJ, Konold W. 2003. Effects of land use history on size structure of holm oak stands in Spanish dehesas: implications for conservation and restoration. Environ Conserv 30:61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plieninger T, Pulido FJ, Schaich H. 2004. Effects of land-use and landscape structure on holm oak recruitment and regeneration at farm level in Quercus ilex L. dehesas. J Arid Environ 57:345–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons J, Pausas JG. 2006. Oak regeneration in heterogeneous landscapes: the case of fragmented Quercus suber forests in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. For Ecol Manag 231:196–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons J, Pausas JG. 2008. Modelling jay (Garrulus glandarius) abundance and distribution for oak regeneration assessment in Mediterranean landscapes. For Ecol Manag 256:578–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulido FJ, Díaz M. 2005. Regeneration of a Mediterranean oak: a whole cycle approach. Ecoscience 12:92–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulido FJ, Díaz M, Hidalgo de Trucios S. 2001. Size-structure and regeneration of Spanish holm oak Quercus ilex forests and dehesas: effects of agroforestry use on their long-term sustainability. For Ecol Manag 146:1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulido F, García E, Obrador JJ, Moreno G. 2010. Multiple pathways for oak regeneration in anthropogenic savannas: integrating the effects of biotic and abiotic drivers. (Submitted manuscript)

  • Ramírez JA, Díaz M. 2008. The role of temporal shrub encroachment for the maintenance of Spanish holm oak Quercus ilex dehesas. For Ecol Manag 255:1976–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Retana J, Espelta JM, Gracia M, Riba M. 1999. Seedling recruitment. In: Rodà F, Gracia C, Retana J, Bellot J, Eds. The ecology of Mediterranean evergreen oak forests. Berlin: Springer. p 89–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rooney TP, Waller DM. 1998. Local and regional variation in hemlock seedling establishment in forests of the upper Great Lakes region, USA. For Ecol Manag 111:211–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rooney TP, McCormick RJ, Solheim SL, Waller DM. 2000. Regional variation in recruitment of hemlock seedlings and saplings in the upper Great Lakes, USA. Ecol Appl 10:1119–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos T, Tellería JL. 1997. Vertebrate predation on holm oak, Quercus ilex, acorns in a fragmented habitat: effects on seedling recruitment. For Ecol Manag 98:181–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smit C, den Ouden J, Díaz M. 2008. Facilitation of Quercus ilex recruitment by shrubs in Mediterranean open woodlands. J Veg Sci 19:193–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smit C, Díaz M, Jansen P. 2009. Establishment limitation of holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) in a Mediterranean savanna–forest ecosystem. Ann For Sci 66:511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tárrega R, Calvo L, Taboada A, García-Tejero S, Marcos E. 2009. Abandonment and management in Spanish dehesa systems: effects on soil features and plant species richness and composition. For Ecol Manag 257:731–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terradas J. 1999. Holm oak and holm oak forests: an introduction. In: Rodà F, Gracia C, Retana J, Bellot J, Eds. The ecology of Mediterranean evergreen oak forests. Berlin: Springer. p 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiver F, Andrew MH. 1997. Relative effects of herbivory by sheep, rabbits, goats and kangaroos on recruitment and regeneration of shrubs and trees in eastern South Australia. J Appl Ecol 34:903–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tragsatec. n.d. Tercer Inventario Nacional Forestal. Descripción de los Códigos de la Base de Datos de Campo. Madrid: Tragsatec. http://www.mma.es/secciones/biodiversidad/banco_datos/info_disponible/pdf/Documen_bdcampo_ifn3.pdf.

  • Tyler CM, Kuhn B, Davis FW. 2006. Demography and recruitment limitations of three oak species in California. Q Rev Biol 81:127–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler CM, Davis FW, Mahall BE. 2008. The relative importance of factors affecting age-specific seedling survival of two co-occurring oak species in southern California. For Ecol Manag 255:3063–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walters CJ, Holling CS. 1990. Large-scale management experiments and learning by doing. Ecology 71:2060–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welker JM, Menke JW. 1990. The influence of simulated browsing on tissue water relations, growth and survival of Quercus douglasii (Hook and Arn.) seedlings under slow and rapid rates of soil drought. Funct Ecol 4:807–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Fernando J. Pulido, Mario Díaz, and three anonymous referees for reviewing an earlier version of the manuscript. We also thank Chris Hank for improving the language of this paper. TP’s contribution was funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ 01UU0904A). VR was awarded a grant from the Regional Government of Extremadura. GM’s contribution was funded by the Spanish Research Program (AGL2006-09435).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Ecosystem Services Research Group, Jägerstr. 22/23, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Tobias Plieninger

  2. Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099, Berlin, Germany

    Tobias Plieninger

  3. Forestry School, University of Extremadura, Plasencia, 10600, Spain

    Víctor Rolo & Gerardo Moreno

Authors
  1. Tobias Plieninger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Víctor Rolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gerardo Moreno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tobias Plieninger.

Additional information

Author Contributions

TP and GM contributed to the design of the study, performed the research, analyzed data, and wrote the article. VR helped to collect and process the data, as well as write the article.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOC 55 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Plieninger, T., Rolo, V. & Moreno, G. Large-Scale Patterns of Quercus ilex, Quercus suber, and Quercus pyrenaica Regeneration in Central-Western Spain. Ecosystems 13, 644–660 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-010-9345-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-010-9345-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation