Sprouting ecology and woody plants: A research review

Sprouting is an efficient regeneration means of woody plants to regain their biomass loss after disturbances. This paper reviewed the biological characteristics of sprouting, and its consequences on woody plants individual life history, dynamics of population and community, and biogeography. Many achievements have been obtained on the researches of sprouting strategy and its relationships with disturbances, but less is known about the ecological significances of sprouting, and especially, its effects on the structure and dynamics of woody plants population and community. As in China, both the basic and the applied research of sprouting ecology and vegetation restoration should be strengthened.