Seedling Regeneration of Two Cistus Species After Experimental Disturbances

Abstract

The regeneration process of two Cistus species (Cistus ladanifer and Cistus laurifolius) was compared during the first four years after cutting, burning and ploughing in experimental plots, in León province (NW Spain). In the burnt plots, a quicker germination, followed by a higher death rate, was observed, especially for Cistus laurifolius. The number of seedlings tended to stabilize after one year in all experimental plots. During the whole study period, the burnt plots showed a higher number of seedlings. The ploughed plot presented the lowest number, while the cut plots kept intermediate values. The differences in cover values were not so marked in the different plots and, in the fourth year, there is still a tendency to increase. Neither the cover nor the height of the seedlings have attained the values they had before disturbance. By comparing the two species for the same disturbance, we found that the cover and height values were similar, but the number of Cistus ladanifer seedlings was higher. This fact can probably not be considered as a direct consequence of disturbance, as this difference was also observed previously.