Pithecellobium clypearia

Nurse Plant Theory and its Application in Ecological Restoration in Lower Subtropics of China

background

This study examines the mechanisms of the nurse tree effect and ecological factors that influence tree nursing and its relationship to ecological restoration.

Research Goals & Methods

The authors list different pairs of nurse and target tree species, including the broad description of such pairs and research findings of case studies in several locations in lower subtropical China. They also examine the positive and negative feedback loops between nurse trees and target species and explain why the nursing effect occurs.