Effects of three gaps which are large (118 m2), medium (86 m2) and small (20 m2), respectively, and under canopy of Tsuga longibracteata forest on the seedling establishment of T. longibracteata were studied through seed burial experiments from December 2003 to January 2005 in Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve of Fujian, China. The results showed that the area of gap had an evident effect on the seedling establishment of T. longibracteata. The seedling emergence rates of T. longibracteata in plots of large gap, medium gap, small gap and under canopy were 10%, 10%, 4% and 6%, representing an increasing trend along with the gap size increasing without a significant difference. Rain eroding and insects feeding were two main factors leading to seedling death. The larger the gap size was, the more seedlings were killed by rain erosion and the fewer seedlings were killed by insects feeding. The emergence time of seedlings was almost same in all plots while their death time was different respectively. The gap size had a significant impact on seedling survival rate. The seedling survival rate was highest in the medium gap plot (27.0%) and next to the highest in large gap plot (7.3%), and seedling in small gap plot and under canopy plot died out after one growing season. Increased light supply in gaps was favorable for the seedlings growth and survival. Increased light supply in the large gap could enhance the growth of seedling leaf and root of T. longibracteata, and the seedling in turn allocated more dry mass to root and leaf, but it has little impact on the growth of stem. This research indicates that T. longibracteata is a pioneer species and its seedling establishment need a medium or large gap (>50 m2).
