Silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst.) seedfall patterns in the Takitimu Range, South Island, New Zealand

Abstract

Silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) seedfall was monitored in the Takitimu Range, South Island. Over an 18-year period heavy seeding (>2000 seeds/m²) occurred in 6 years. In all other years total annual seedfall was <750 seeds/m². The percentage of seeds viable increased with increasing total seedfall to a maximum of c. 60%. Seasonal seedfall peaked in April and May and to a lesser extent in September. Total and viable annual seedfall were similar on east and west aspects at the same altitude. Seedfall and proportion of seeds viable decreased with increasing altitude so that the sexual reproductive potential for silver beech should decline accordingly.

Keywords:

• Nothofagus menziesii
• silver beech
• Southland
• periodicity
• seedfall
• mast
• altitudinal gradient
• aspect