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Gregarious bamboo flowering opens a window of opportunity for regeneration in a temperate forest of Patagonia
Author(s) -
Giordano Carla V.,
Sánchez Rodolfo A.,
Austin Amy T.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02708.x
Subject(s) - bamboo , regeneration (biology) , temperate climate , forest regeneration , temperate forest , window (computing) , temperate rainforest , biology , natural regeneration , agroforestry , window of opportunity , botany , ecology , geography , ecosystem , computer science , microbiology and biotechnology , real time computing , operating system
Summary• Rare gregarious flowering of understorey bamboo species occurs in temperate and subtropical forests around the world, but the ecological consequences of this phenomenon for forest regeneration are not well understood. • Field experiments were conducted in an old‐growth temperate forest in Patagonia, Argentina after a massive bamboo flowering event, to examine whether light quality and other changes in microhabitats could affect seed germination and growth of overstorey species. • Germination of southern beech ( Nothofagus obliqua ) was positively correlated with red:far red (R:FR) ratios in a range of microhabitats generated by the death of the understorey bamboo ( Chusquea culeou ). Experimental modification of understorey R:FR ratios to mimic alternative light environments reversed this germination response in plots with senescent understorey, but not in plots with live bamboo. Laboratory incubations demonstrated a significant interaction between R:FR ratios and thermal amplitude in promoting seed germination. Microhabitats also significantly affected the growth of emerged seedlings. • Microenvironmental changes generated by this flowering event appear to have opened a window of opportunity for germination and growth of overstorey species. We demonstrate that natural gradients in light quality associated with this ecological phenomenon are a major component affecting forest regeneration in this ecosystem.