Exotic afforestation can provide suitable conditions for native shade-tolerant species restoration without threatening native forests. This study analyzes the impact of different thinning intensities of the canopy of an exotic
Pinus radiata stand on the asexual regeneration response of
Ilex canariensis, a
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Exotic afforestation can provide suitable conditions for native shade-tolerant species restoration without threatening native forests. This study analyzes the impact of different thinning intensities of the canopy of an exotic
Pinus radiata stand on the asexual regeneration response of
Ilex canariensis, a native laurel forest species in the Canary Islands, Spain. The results provide useful indications for how to manage
P. radiata stands to promote recovery of native plant communities. For different stand treatments were selected: stand clear cut, low intensity thinning (10–15%), high intensity thinning (25%), and a control. The stand clear cut management revealed
Ilex canariensis individuals with a higher number of sprouts and more leaf cover; however, the height of these sprouts two years after the cut did not reach the values of individuals prior to this management. Consequently, the vitality index following clear cut management is significantly lower with respect to the other treatments. Thinning management is shown not to be so useful to promote the growth and vitality of
Ilex canariensis individuals. The results suggest that thinning over 50% could be more appropriate in the case of
Pinus radiata, allowing resprouting of
Ilex canariensis in the understory and improvement in the vitality index.
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