Abstract:Seedling recruitment has important influences on population stability and community succession. Cupressus funebris forest，a secondary community widely distributed in the Three Gorges area, China, plays an important role in environmental protection. Effects of soil and light on seed germination, seedling survival and seedling growth were investigated in C. funebris to elucidate the pattern of seedling recruitment in the Three Gorges area. Seeds began to germinate 20-30 days after seedling, and the germination peak appeared 35-45 days after seeds were seeded. The average germination percentage was 47.7%. Soil substrate had significant effects on seed germination. However, the effect of light on seed germination was not significant. The average mortality rate was 52.6% in seedlings. Both the soil type and light remarkably influenced seedling survival. The lowest mortality occurred in seedlings on forest soil and under 80% light condition. The stem growth of C. funebris seedling showed an “S” pattern, whereas leaves augment was in a linear pattern. The seedling growth and biomass accumulation were affected significantly by light. Seedling biomass increased with light intensity. The biomass allocation of C. funebris seedling was also analyzed to elucidate the relationship among different seedling parts.
