Quercus ilex subsp. ballota Benefits from Juniperus oxycedrus

João P.F. Carvalho

Published May 2023 in International Oaks No. 34: 81–90

Abstract

Natural recruitment and survival of Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. is difficult largely due to degraded ecological conditions. A comparative study was undertaken in the northeast region of Portugal in order to evaluate the survival of Q. ilex subsp. ballota seedlings established in two contiguous areas, one inside and one outside a naturally regenerated young stand of Juniperus oxycedrus L. (prickly juniper). The environmental conditions in both the “inside” and the “outside” study areas were studied to further understand the assisted regeneration process. Over a growing season, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air and soil temperature (T_air , T_soil), relative humidity (RH), soil water content (SWC), andplant water potential (Ψ ) were measured. Maximum differences for these parameters were calculated. Higher mortality of Q. ilex subsp. ballota seedlings was observed in the outside area, where environment conditions are harsher. The J. oxycedrus canopy provides more favorable conditions, thus playing an important role in enabling and facilitating the establishment and survival of the oak seedlings. Natural dynamics and management implications regarding the importance of J. oxycedrus for the restoration of Q. ilex subsp. ballota stands are analyzed.

Keywords

regeneration, establishment conditions, facilitation

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