Restortation ecology: reintroduction trials of American chestnut, Castanea dentata, in a mixed oak forest ecosystem in Southeast Ohio. (Plant Ecology 02:00 PM, Saturday, April 5, 2003 Brewer/Frost Science 142 Dr. Cadance A. Lowell-Presiding).

McCament, Corinne ; McCarthy, Brian C.

3:30

Castanea dentata was once a major component of northeast forests before the arrival of the chestnut blight Cryphonectria parasitica in the early 1900's. A blight resistant variety of American chestnut is scheduled to be available for large scale restoration efforts within the next decade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the forest microenvironments best suited to C. dentata seed germination and seedling survival. Blight sensitive seeds were used to evaluate the best target environments for future plantings of blight resistant seeds. Blight sensitive seeds were used because resistant seeds are not available and young seedlings (one year old) were evaluated at an age when they are not sensitive to blight. One hundred seeds were planted in each of four silvicultural units (control, burn, thin, and thin and burn) in three forests (Raccoon Ecological Management Area, Tar Hollow State Forest, and Zaleski State Forest, Ohio) for a total of 1200 seeds. Germination and seedling survival percentages were observed throughout the months of June, July, August, and September. Results indicate that there was no significant difference in germination between forest type (H = 22.40, p > 0.0001) or between treatments (H = 2.21, p > 0.5). There was no significant difference in survival between forest type (H = 2.62, p > 0.2) or between treatments (H = 0.55, p > 0.9). There were no significant interactions between forest and units for any test. Results suggest that local site characteristics such as microenvironments, soil quality, or mycorrhizae may be more influential in determining seed germination and that seedlings will do well under a broad array of forest management conditions.

CORINNE MCCAMENT [email protected] AND BRIAN C. MCCARTHY [email protected], DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANT BIOLOGY, OHIO UNIVERSITY, ATHENS OH 45701