SURVIVAL, GROWTH AND BIOMASS OF ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS AND SCHIMA SUPERBA SEEDLINGS in different FOREST RESTORATION phases IN NAN’AO ISLAND, SOUTH CHINA

Accelerating the succession of degraded ecosystems to regional natural forests has become a key goal in restoration ecology and forest management. Three plant communities (a degraded hilly land, an artificial Acacia plantation and a secondary forest) representing three restoration phases were used on Nan’ao Island in south China. Seedlings of the exotic Acacia auriculiformis and the native Schima superba were transplanted into each community. Leaf area index, litter stock, soil moisture and soil fertility were higher in the Acacia plantation and secondary forest than in the degraded hilly land. However, light transmission was much greater in the degraded hilly land than in the other two communities. Survival and growth of A. auriculiformis were greatest in the degraded hilly land but survival and growth of S. superba were greatest in the Acacia plantation. Growth responses of the transplanted seedlings were related to soil water content and light transmission rate. To accelerate the vegetation restoration of the islands, the existing secondary forest should be protected and the plantations should be improved by introducing native tree seedlings. As a possible two-stage restoration scheme, Acacia could be planted in degraded hilly land to serve as nurse plant for S. superba.