Post-Fire Demography, Growth, and Control of Eucalyptus globulus Wildlings

Several eucalypt species are known for their capacity to massively regenerate through seeds in recently burned areas, becoming an ecological problem regions where the is not native. Here we study demography and development of highly dense Eucalyptus globulus wildling populations established one year after a fire test two methods control these populations. We monitored five mixed E. stands across year, Central Portugal. set plots each stand, with three treatments: mechanical cutting, herbicide spraying no disturbance (control plots). Herbicide was applied four concentrations. tagged randomly selected plants monitor growth. The initial mean density 322,000 ha?1, highest ever recorded introduced range. Wildling significantly dependent on surrounding adult trees. decreased 30% although showing positive variations over time because new recruitment. Despite seasonal growth differences, wildlings showed high rate throughout reaching 15.6 cm month?1 summer. wildings positively affected by solar radiation negatively evapotranspiration maximum temperature. Mechanical cutting reduced 97% while treatment between 80% (for lowest concentration) 99% concentration). Herbicide-treated were more likely resprout than cut plants. Regardless method adopted (cutting or herbicide), management strategies should include follow-up treated detect establishment recruits resprouting.