We tested the hypothesis that litter indirectly enhances the establishement of woody seedlings in oldfields, because litter reduces the intensity of herb competition. We counted and measured the woody seedlings growing in experimental plots with different amounts of litter of Solidago sp., or leaves of Quercus alba, and in plots with the dominant herb removed. We also conducted a factorial experiment in a green-house to test the effect of water availability, litter, and competition on the growth of seedlings of Ailanthus altissima. The results showed a strong negative effet of herb competition and a positive indirect of litter on woody seedling establishment
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Facelli et al. (1991) studied this question.
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