Tree Mast Production in Pinyon-Juniper-Oak Forests at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1997- )

The purpose of this study is to monitor the fruit production of three woody tree species that occur on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Two monoecious species, Pinus edulis and Quercus turbinella, are assessed, as is a dioecious species, Juniperus monosperma. In August, fruit production is estimated for the three species at five sites within the Sevilleta NWR. For each of the species different protocols are used for estimating fruit production: P. edulis estimates are made using the number of cones per mature tree, Q. turbinellla estimates utilize the number of acorns per 0.1m2 of canopy surface area, and J. monosperma estimates use the number of berries per twig on female trees. In addition, the age and/or size of each individual tree was assessed at the beginning of the study. For P. edulis and J. monosperma, distinctions continue to be made between young, medium, old, and very old trees; for Q. turbinella, canopy surface area is estimated.

本研究旨在监测塞维利塔国家野生动物保护区（Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge，NWR）内三种木本树种的结实量情况。本次评估涵盖两种雌雄同株物种：单叶松（Pinus edulis）与陀螺栎（Quercus turbinella），以及一种雌雄异株物种单籽桧（Juniperus monosperma）。研究于8月在塞维利塔NWR内的5个样地中，对上述三个物种的结实量开展估算。针对各物种采用差异化的结实量估算方案：单叶松以每成熟植株的球果数量作为估算依据；陀螺栎通过每0.1平方米冠幅表面积的橡子数量进行估算；单籽桧则统计雌株小枝上的浆果数量以完成估算。此外，研究启动初期对每株树木的树龄及/或个体大小进行了评估。其中，针对单叶松与单籽桧，仍延续幼树、中龄树、老龄树及极老龄树的分类标准；针对陀螺栎，则开展冠幅表面积的估算工作。