Physical damage by litterfall to canopy tree seedlings in two temperate New Zealand forests

摘要

The importance of litterfall as an agent of physical damage and mortality to canopy tree seedlings was investigated in two New Zealand forests: Huapai Scientific Reserve, a warm temperate forest and Pureora Forest Park, a coot temperate forest. 200 natural seedlings within the 10-30 cm height class and 200 artificial seedlings, made from plastic straws and wire. were monitored at 4-6 week intervals over two years in each forest, Litterfall was the cause of a significant proportion of seedling mortality in each forest ( 11-18%).