Project Number: WVA00092
CRIS Number: 0189580
Biotic and abiotic mechanisms in the establishment of northern red oak seedlings
Investigators: Gribko, L. S.
Performing Department: Forestry -- 1240
Start Date: 07/01/2001
Termination Date: 06/30/2006
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
In 2001, plot establishment and data collection were initiated on study sites in Monongalia/Preston Counties (the WVU Forest) and Tucker County (USDA Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest). First, graduate student Dawn Washington began investigations into the effects of fungal infection on northern red oak acorn viability and seedling establishment at the WVU Forest. She is documenting the fungi associated with both surface-sown and buried acorns that are either intact or subjected to simulated small mammal damage. Data were collected one month after sowing and will be collected again in late May 2002 after germination is completed. In this region, an early thaw followed by a return to freezing temperatures usually occurs sometime between late January and early March. As a result, northern red oak acorns often germinate prematurely, further exposing them to fungal infection. Therefore, data also will be collected two weeks subsequent to any period of unseasonably warm weather. At the same plot locations, additional acorns were sown in investigations of the impacts of small and large vertebrates and insects on acorn crops. Work also began at the Fernow site where the effects of prescribed fire on acorn crops, acorn arthropods, and small mammals are being investigated. Insect emergence traps, vertebrate exclusion devices, and acorn traps were built and installed during summer and autumn. Black bear damage to the acorn traps precluded their use to enumerate the crop, so acorn cap counts will be conducted. Everything else is in place for spring data collection prior to a preliminary prescribed fire in April. In addition to the collection of new data, related data from previous years was analyzed and reported in 2001. A manuscript titled "Intensity of small mammal predation on northern red oak acorns in years of crop failure and success" was prepared and submitted to Forest Ecology and Management. The paper recently was accepted by the journal with minor revision. A review paper based on the literature review prepared for this project was accepted for publication in 2002 by the USDA Forest Service.
Publications:
Gribko, L. S., and Michael, E. D. (Accepted with revision 2001). Itensity of small mammal predation on northern red oak acorns in years of crop failure and success. For. Ecol. Man.
Gribko, L. S., Schuler, T. M., and Ford, W. M. (Accepted without revision 2001). Biotic and abiotic mechanisms in the establishment of northern red oak seedlings: a review. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep.
Impact:
The results of this research should aid in our understanding of the mechanisms by which northern red oak seedlings are established and the factors limiting their establishment in the central hardwoods region. The knowledge gained through this research could be used to help forest managers predict years of natural seedling establishment and aid them in the planning of silvicultural treatments (such as shelterwood removal harvests) to take advantage of cohorts of advanced regeneration. A more complete understanding of the impediments to seedling establishment also could lead to new or refined forest management techniques to enhance seedling establishment.