Abstract
To examine the effects of frequent fires on species composition of the boreal forest in northern Mongolia, we investigated regeneration patterns, including reproductive pathways, post-fire seed sources, and site preferences, of four common tree species (Betula platyphylla, Larix sibirica, Picea obovata, and Pinus sibirica). Regeneration patterns differed among B. platyphylla, L. sibirica, and the two evergreen conifers. B. platyphylla regenerated vigorously only after fire irrespective of the presence/absence of nearby seed sources, whereas post-fire regeneration of L. sibirica was more dependent on the presence of nearby seed sources. These two species did not regenerate in mature stands where mature trees of these species were growing. In contrast, no post-fire recruitment of P. obovata and P. sibirica was observed, whereas continuous recruitment of these species was observed in mature stands. The frequent fires that accompany illegal logging may result in larger burned areas and increase the risk of local extinctions of seed sources. The enlargement of burned areas is likely to favor post-fire recruitment of B. platyphylla. Seed dispersal limitation seems to have less effect on B. platyphylla than on the other species because of the wider seed dispersal range and vegetative reproduction capability of this species. Consequently, fires in the northern Mongolian boreal forest likely promote the relative dominance of B. platyphylla and threaten the existence of the evergreen conifers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 246-255 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Forest Research |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2013 |
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Keywords
- Age structure
- Post-fire recruitment
- Regeneration strategy
- Succession
- Taiga forest
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Forestry
Cite this
Frequent fires may alter the future composition of the boreal forest in northern Mongolia. / Otoda, Takashi; Doi, Takahiro; Sakamoto, Keiji; Hirobe, Muneto; Nachin, Baatarbileg; Yoshikawa, Ken.
In: Journal of Forest Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 06.2013, p. 246-255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Frequent fires may alter the future composition of the boreal forest in northern Mongolia
AU - Otoda, Takashi
AU - Doi, Takahiro
AU - Sakamoto, Keiji
AU - Hirobe, Muneto
AU - Nachin, Baatarbileg
AU - Yoshikawa, Ken
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - To examine the effects of frequent fires on species composition of the boreal forest in northern Mongolia, we investigated regeneration patterns, including reproductive pathways, post-fire seed sources, and site preferences, of four common tree species (Betula platyphylla, Larix sibirica, Picea obovata, and Pinus sibirica). Regeneration patterns differed among B. platyphylla, L. sibirica, and the two evergreen conifers. B. platyphylla regenerated vigorously only after fire irrespective of the presence/absence of nearby seed sources, whereas post-fire regeneration of L. sibirica was more dependent on the presence of nearby seed sources. These two species did not regenerate in mature stands where mature trees of these species were growing. In contrast, no post-fire recruitment of P. obovata and P. sibirica was observed, whereas continuous recruitment of these species was observed in mature stands. The frequent fires that accompany illegal logging may result in larger burned areas and increase the risk of local extinctions of seed sources. The enlargement of burned areas is likely to favor post-fire recruitment of B. platyphylla. Seed dispersal limitation seems to have less effect on B. platyphylla than on the other species because of the wider seed dispersal range and vegetative reproduction capability of this species. Consequently, fires in the northern Mongolian boreal forest likely promote the relative dominance of B. platyphylla and threaten the existence of the evergreen conifers.
AB - To examine the effects of frequent fires on species composition of the boreal forest in northern Mongolia, we investigated regeneration patterns, including reproductive pathways, post-fire seed sources, and site preferences, of four common tree species (Betula platyphylla, Larix sibirica, Picea obovata, and Pinus sibirica). Regeneration patterns differed among B. platyphylla, L. sibirica, and the two evergreen conifers. B. platyphylla regenerated vigorously only after fire irrespective of the presence/absence of nearby seed sources, whereas post-fire regeneration of L. sibirica was more dependent on the presence of nearby seed sources. These two species did not regenerate in mature stands where mature trees of these species were growing. In contrast, no post-fire recruitment of P. obovata and P. sibirica was observed, whereas continuous recruitment of these species was observed in mature stands. The frequent fires that accompany illegal logging may result in larger burned areas and increase the risk of local extinctions of seed sources. The enlargement of burned areas is likely to favor post-fire recruitment of B. platyphylla. Seed dispersal limitation seems to have less effect on B. platyphylla than on the other species because of the wider seed dispersal range and vegetative reproduction capability of this species. Consequently, fires in the northern Mongolian boreal forest likely promote the relative dominance of B. platyphylla and threaten the existence of the evergreen conifers.
KW - Age structure
KW - Post-fire recruitment
KW - Regeneration strategy
KW - Succession
KW - Taiga forest
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84877635947&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84877635947&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10310-012-0345-2
DO - 10.1007/s10310-012-0345-2
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84877635947
VL - 18
SP - 246
EP - 255
JO - Journal of Forest Research
JF - Journal of Forest Research
SN - 1341-6979
IS - 3
ER -