The effect of mining and vegetation scarification on the survival and establishment of Pinus rotundata Link. and P. sylvestris L. in contrasting peat bog habitats

The survival and establishment of tree seedlings represents a critical step in the process of forest stand regeneration. In this study, we evaluated the effect of peat mining and vegetation scarification (removal of understorey vegetation and peat moss layer up to depth of 15 cm) on seedling survival and establishment of two congenerous tree species, P. rotundata and P. sylvestris, under different moisture and light conditions. Two long-term experiments with planted and sown seedlings were conducted on three peat bogs in the Bohemian Forest and the Trebon Basin (Czech Republic). Significant differences in seedling survival and establishment for both pine species were found. The positive effect of lower groundwater level and shading was the best predictor for survival and establishment of planted seedlings of both pine species in a mined peat bog, especially for P. rotundata. Nevertheless, low groundwater level and vegetation scarification had negative effect on P. rotundata seedling survival and establishment in pristine peat bogs. P. rotundata seems to be more adaptable to newly appearing conditions in both environments of abandoned mined peat bog and of vegetation scarification. Our results suggest that it is more reasonable to use seedlings of P. rotundata than seedlings of P. sylvestris to restore mined peat bogs.