University of Athens Faculty of Biology Department of Ecology and Systematics

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1 University of Athens Faculty of Biology Department of Ecology and Systematics Post-fire seeds dispersal of the Greek fir (Abies cephalonica Loudon) in the mountain Parnitha National Park: the importance of the population s unburned patches Christopoulou Anastasia Antalya April 2009 Under the supervision of Arianoutsou Margarita

2 Abies cephalonica Greek endemic species Was first found in Mt. Ainos National Park (Loudon, 1838)

3 New branches Abies cephalonica L. Mature individual with cones Leaves and buds

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5 Masting Reproductive pattern with annual variability of cone and seeds production. Production of large seed crops has been recorded every 2-4 years. Although the production of cones and seeds vary the period of dispersal remains the same.

6 Fir forest

7 Parnitha after the megafire (27/06/07) Almost 9221,1 ha were burned 2049 ha were Abies cephalonica forests (almost 70% of the total)

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9 Problems with fires in Greece Most of the cases are results of human negligible and illegal activities Lack of fire prevention strategy Lack of financial resources for the protection of forests Insufficient management (protected areas, etc) Mismanagement of burned areas (grazing etc.)

10 Post-fire management practices Cutting down of trees and construction of an extended network of log barriers (for the minimization of soil erosion and flood risk). Reforestation measures

11 The importance of Greek fir s unburned patches in the post fire regeneration through seeds dispersal. Aim

12 Methods 2 areas/sites 10 transects starting from the edge of the unburned patch to the burned area. Along each transect plots of 1 m² every 3 m. Transects established in the unburned population.

13 Seed quality 10% sound seeds insect damaged/ consumed seeds 90%

14 Seed quality 10% sound seeds insect damaged/ consumed seeds 90%

15 Sound & damaged seeds The ability to separate sound from damaged seeds with a naked eye is a particularly difficult task. The following year we collected cones, separated the seeds and applied the cutting test procedure.

16 Cutting test 11% 89% with embryo without embryo

17 Dispersal curve μέσος Average όρος αριθμού number σπερμάτων of seeds απόσταση Distance from από τον the άκαφτο unburntπυρήνα patch (m)

18 Average seed density Abies sachalinensis Abies balsamea Abies cephalonica Abies cephalonica Japan Quebec (burnt area) (unburnt area) Μean density of seeds/m² Standard deviation 140,4 92,5 1,05 16,97 ±105,8 ±7,0 ±0,51 ±13,05 Low density because of: Post-dispersal predation Reproductive pattern etc.

19 Seedlings No seedling was recorded. The only seed that was found on germination state.

20 Saplings Most of them were found in areas with partially closed canopy. Many were under the canopy of Juniperus oxycedrus. 5,81% in areas with open canopy.

21 Conclusion 1 Re-establishment will initiate from sites which are closer to the unburnt population, or from sites where the conditions are more favorable for the germination and later seedling establishment. Re-establishment will probably be affected by the reproductive pattern of the species.

22 Conclusion 2 The natural post-fire regeneration of Abies cephalonica is expected to be extremely slow. However, the presence of seeds in long distances from the unburnt population, allows the assumption that in the long run, with the absence of further disturbance, the species will have the potential to re-establish.

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25 Thank you for your attention