European white elm: potential for wetlands reforestation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) for wetland reforestation across the Europe. For this purpose, seed was collected from 13 maternal European white elm trees on Veliko ratno ostrvo island near Belgrade, Serbia. Seeds were used to produce bareroot seedlings (1+2) that were planted at Veliko ratno ostrvo (20˚25ʹ40ʹʹ E; 44˚50ʹ18ʹʹ N) on fall (689 seedlings) and at Manid-Bostanište (20˚25ʹ02ʹʹ E; 44˚30ʹ54ʹʹ N) on spring (260 seedlings). After the first growing season in the field, seedlings survival was estimated and seedling growth was measured. Survival was relatively similar and high on both sites (~90%). Wildlife was the most common reason for seedling mortality and damage (100% of dead seedlings at Manid-Bostanište). Seedling growth was strongly influenced by time of planting and site conditions. Seedlings planted on autumn at Veliko ratno ostrvo island showed approximately double growth compared to seedlings planted at spring at ManidBostanište. The highest value of diameter increment (24 mm), total diameter (39 mm), height increment (252 cm) and total height (432 cm) were recorded on the site Veliko ratno ostrvo, while the lowest values of total diameter (9,29 mm) and total height (65 cm) were recorded at Manid-Bostanište, also as the absence of growth in some plants. Due to high survival rate and large growth at both sites, European white elm can be considered a species with high potential for reforestation of wetlands for conservation and productive purposes.