Acorn removal and seedling age determine oak (Quercus ilex L. and Q. suber L.) restoration outcome in ungulate-dominated Mediterranean environments
Key message
We test the potential benefits of planting 2-year vs. 1-year-old seedlings to restore Mediterranean oak-dominated systems. Planting 2-year-old Quercus suber L. seedlings is recommended for improved survival and resilience against wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and drought in dry sandy soils. The removal of acorns in seedlings did not apparently influence leaf biochemical traits and could reduce wild boar damage, particularly in 1-year-old seedlings.
Keywords
Sus scrofa L.; Quercus; Assisted regeneration; Herbivory; Seed predation; Climate change
Publication
Peláez, M., Carranza, G., Gambra-Caravantes, D. et al. Acorn removal and seedling age determine oak (Quercus ilex L. and Q. suber L.) restoration outcome in ungulate-dominated Mediterranean environments. Annals of Forest Science 81, 38 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-024-01249-4
Data and/or Code availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the e-cienciaDatos—UPM repository, https://doi.org/10.21950/VF8MWV.
Handling Editor
Aurelien Sallé