Relationship of seed microsite to germination and survival of lodgepole pine on high-elevation clearcuts in northeastern Utah

Deborah S. Page-Dumroese; Kas Dumroese; Connie Carpenter; David L. Wenny

doi:10.2737/RMRS-RN-14

Treesearch

Relationship of seed microsite to germination and survival of lodgepole pine on high-elevation clearcuts in northeastern Utah

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, Kas Dumroese, Connie Carpenter, David L. Wenny

Year:

2002

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-RN-14

Source:

Res. Note RMRS-RN-14. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 6 p.

Download (PDF 551 KB)

Download (PDF 551 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/4809.pdf

Abstract

On two high-elevation sites (~3,000 m) in northeastern Utah, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) seeds germinated best (53 percent) on large mineral microsites (5 x 5 m), and percentage survival of germinating seeds was best on microsites covered with forest floor material. Seed predation was severe at both study sites; protecting seeds increased germination three to ten times. On harvested sites dependent on natural regeneration for seedling establishment, some predation control may be necessary to achieve rapid and complete stocking. After harvesting, maintenance of a combination of mineral soil and forest floor is critical for long-term seedling success.

Keywords

lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var latifolia, microsites

Citation

Page-Dumroese, Deborah S.; Dumroese, R. Kasten; Carpenter, Connie M.; Wenny, David L. 2002. Relationship of seed microsite to germination and survival of lodgepole pine on high-elevation clearcuts in northeastern Utah. Res. Note RMRS-RN-14. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 6 p.