A comparative study of the regeneration of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in Kent and Cornwall

摘要

In a previous paper on woodland change in a plateau of beechwood of the Weald of Kent (SE England) dendrochronological data from Fagus sylvatica (beech) gave some historical perspectives on the growth and regeneration of the species (same author, Arboricultural Journal (1996) 20 (1) 79-93). Data on the regenerative status of F. sylvatica and of Quercus petraea (sessile oak) collected in this area of Kent prior to the 'hurricane' of 1987 are compared with data from two woodlands on similar soils inCornwall (SW England); the data record total numbers of seedling progeny in 50 quadrats of 20 cm2, in relation to ground vegetation density and type. Regeneration was poor in all the surveys. Regeneration of Q. petraea was most abundant in areas of Vaccinium cover or where cover was provided by taller vegetation (even bracken). F. sylvatica seedlings occurred most frequently in areas devoid of vegetation, with leaf litter and often on slopes where mineral soil was exposed; a light Vaccinium cover seemedto aid regeneration. Seedlings and saplings of both species occurred together within woodland gaps and showed an equivalent regeneration niche. Regeneration of the 2 species did not seem to be related to the number of seed trees present, and heavy vegetation cover seemed to inhibit seed germination and/or seedling development.