Germination and survival of valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis) seedlings in the field

A number of natural and man-caused factors have affected all forest Mediterranean ecosystems, and specifically the Greek ones, for the past millennia. This resulted in degradation or even elimination of several of them including those of valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis). This research examines the germination and survival of valonia oak seedling during a one-year field experiment. The factors examined and related to germination rates and seedlings characteristics, were acorn source and acorns characteristics. It appears that acorn source affects germination rates whereas no correlation was found between acorn size and germination rate or survival for acorns derived from the same source. Middle and big sized acorns had the greatest germination rate and survival. Acorn size was related to seedlings morphological characteristics with the greatest acorns resulting in seedlings with the best characteristics. These results are of great importance for reforestation and afforestation work in degraded xerothermic areas where valonia oak constitutes a very good choice for forest plantations.