Designing acorn protection for direct seeding of quercus species in high predation areas

  • José A. Reque Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute (University of Valladolid—INIA) Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Palencia.
  • Eduardo Martin Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta Castilla y León. Palencia.

Abstract

Aim of the study: a) To present the trial-and-error approach followed in the design and patent of a manufactured seed and seedling protector effective against mice and voles, rabbits, wild boar and deer (http://bopiweb.com/elemento/829172/). b) To assess the viability of direct oak seeding with and without protection in the complex acorn predation reality of post fire restoration and underplanting in existing pine afforestations.

Study area: Northern Plateau of Spain, in an area of extreme acorn predation.

Material and methods: We followed a classical trial-and-error approach for problem solving. Different modifications to a wire mesh screen cylinder were tested in subsequent trials aiming to evaluate the effects on acorn predation and early emerging plant survival and growth. The final protector is based on a thin wire mesh cylinder with three innovations: a truncated cone, a circular crown and a sphere compartment. Further we assessed the viability of direct oak seeding with and without protection in the complex acorn predation reality of post fire restoration and underplanting in existing pine afforestations.

Main results: The manufactured seed protector was found to be effective against synergic attacks of mice, rodents, wild boars and herbivores. Survival of protected oak was 77% under canopies and 32% in open light conditions two years after sowing.

Research highlights: Our results confirm the viability of direct oak seeding for woodland restoration if seed predation is controlled.      

Keywords: sowing; underplanting; trial-and-error; seed protector; afforestation; oak.

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Author Biographies

José A. Reque, Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute (University of Valladolid—INIA) Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Palencia.

 

Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA,
Avda de Madrid 44, 3004 Palencia, Spain

Eduardo Martin, Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta Castilla y León. Palencia.
Servicio Territorial de Medio Ambiente de Palencia

References

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Published
2015-06-12
How to Cite
Reque, J. A., & Martin, E. (2015). Designing acorn protection for direct seeding of quercus species in high predation areas. Forest Systems, 24(1), e018. https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2015241-05632
Section
Resource communications