An integrated model for snag and downed woody debris decay class transitions

2006 ◽  
Vol 234 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 48-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Vanderwel ◽  
Jay R. Malcolm ◽  
Sandy M. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Woody Debris ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

Contrasting downed woody debris dynamics in managed and unmanaged northern hardwood stands

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 2850-2861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Vanderwel ◽  
Hilary C. Thorpe ◽  
Jennifer L. Shuter ◽  
John P. Caspersen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Model ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Species Type ◽  
Downed Woody Debris ◽  
Cut Surface ◽  
Selection Silviculture

The reported effects of selection silviculture on downed woody debris (DWD) vary. To investigate the processes underlying potential management impacts on DWD stocks and fluxes, we conducted a repeated census of downed wood in selection-harvested, selectively harvested, and unmanaged (old-growth) stands in central Ontario. DWD was significantly more abundant in stands harvested within the last 20 years than in stands harvested earlier, and shifted towards more advanced decay classes over the first 20 years after harvest. These results are consistent with persistence of a harvest-related DWD pulse for up to two decades in managed stands. The transition of DWD from early and middle decay classes to more advanced decay classes proceeded more slowly in managed than unmanaged stands. Species type, identity of fungal fruiting bodies, presence of a cut surface, and plot moisture class were significant predictors of variation in decay dynamics within particular decay classes; however, these factors did not account for observed differences in decay-class transitions between managed and unmanaged stands. A decay class matrix model projected DWD half-lives of 19 years for unmanaged stands and 21 years for managed stands. Over the long term, slower decay dynamics may help somewhat in maintaining relatively high DWD abundances in stands managed under selection silviculture.

Contributions of harvest slash to maintaining downed woody debris in selection-managed forests

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1680-1685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Vanderwel ◽  
Hilary C. Thorpe ◽  
John P. Caspersen
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Projection Model ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Selection Harvesting ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

Harvest slash can represent a major source of downed woody debris (DWD) in selection-managed forests. In this study, we analyze the volume, cover, size distribution, and decay-class distribution of DWD input by selection harvesting in central Ontario, Canada. Selection harvesting input 23.9 m3 DWD·ha–1 (0.013 m2 DWD·m–2), with cut basal area explaining 46% and 30% of the respective within-stand variation in cover and volume, respectively. The size distribution of the slash was similar to that of DWD in permanent sample plots (including old-growth stands and stands that have not been recently harvested), countering a common assumption that harvesting inputs only small-sized material. Harvest-origin DWD was bimodally distributed across decay classes, with the first peak (decay class 1) associated with fresh harvest slash and a second smaller peak (decay class 3) likely representing dead trees and branches that were felled or broken during harvest operations. A matrix projection model showed that slash can maintain DWD levels in managed, uneven-aged stands comparable with those in unmanaged stands, but the mean decay class increases steadily over a 20-year period after harvest. Our results underline the importance of harvest inputs for maintaining DWD pools in selection-managed forests and provide baseline information against which to compare forests managed with higher utilization standards.

Estimates of downed woody debris decay class transitions for forests across the eastern United States

2013 ◽  
Vol 251 ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Russell ◽  
Christopher W. Woodall ◽  
Shawn Fraver ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

scholarly journals Post-fire recovery of ecosystem carbon pools in a tropical mixed pine-hardwood forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. e001
Author(s):  
Shatya Devi Quintero-Gradilla ◽  
Angelina Martínez-Yrizar ◽  
Felipe Gracía-Oliva ◽  
Ramón Cuevas-Guzmán ◽  
José Enrique Jardel-Peláez
Keyword(s):  
Woody Debris ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Hardwood Forest ◽  
Carbon Pools ◽  
Research Station ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Ecosystem Carbon ◽  
Sierra De Manantlán ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

Aim of the study: To analyze the recovery pattern of carbon pools in terms of size and the relative contribution of each pool to total ecosystem C along a fire chronosequence of tropical mixed pine-hardwood forest.Area of the study: Las Joyas Research Station (LJRS), core zone of Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (SMBR) in the state of Jalisco, central western Mexico.Materials and methods: Carbon stored in aboveground plant biomass, standing dead trees, downed woody debris, forest floor, fine roots and mineral soil, was compared with a nested analysis of variance (ANOVA) in post-fire stands of eight-year-old, 28- and 60-year-old stands of mixed Pinus douglasiana-hardwood forest.Main results: The total ecosystem carbon in eight-year-old stands was 50% lower than that of 60-year-old stands. Carbon content in the biomass and mineral soil increased with stand age. The carbon in the biomass recovered to the undisturbed forest in the 28 years of succession. The main C storage in the eight-year-old stands were the mineral soil (64%) and downed woody debris (18%), while in the 28- and 60-year-old stands, live tree biomass and mineral soil were the two largest components of the total C pool (43% and 46%, respectively).Research highlights: We found a significant effect of high-severity fire events on ecosystem C storage and a shift in carbon distribution. The relatively fast recovery of C in ecosystem biomass suggests that mixed Pinus douglasiana hardwood forest possess functional traits that confer resilience to severe fire events.Key words: chronosequence; carbon dynamics; mineral soil; Pinus douglasiana; fire effects.Abbreviations used: LJRS, Las Joyas Research Station; DBH, diameter at breast height; DL, duff layer; LL, litter layer; DWD, downed woody debris; ANOVA, analysis of variance; CO2, carbon dioxide; SMBR, Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve; C, carbon. AGV, above ground vegetation.

scholarly journals Epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity, and composition vary with coarse woody debris decay class and substrate species in boreal forest

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
Han Y.H. Chen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas ◽  
Chander Shahi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Wide Range

Although the importance of coarse woody debris (CWD) to understory species diversity has been recognized, the combined effects of CWD decay and substrate species on abundance and species diversity of epixylic vegetation have received little attention. We sampled a wide range of CWD substrate species and decay classes, as well as forest floors in fire-origin boreal forest stands. Percent cover, species richness, and evenness of epixylic vegetation differed significantly with both CWD decay class and substrate species. Trends in cover, species richness, and evenness differed significantly between nonvascular and vascular taxa. Cover, species richness, and species evenness of nonvascular species were higher on CWD, whereas those of vascular plants were higher on the forest floor. Epixylic species composition also varied significantly with stand ages, overstory compositions, decay classes, substrate species, and their interactions. Our findings highlight strong interactive influences of decay class and substrate species on epixylic plant communities and suggest that conservation of epixylic diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse range of CWD decay classes and substrate species. Because stand development and overstory compositions influence CWD decay classes and substrate species, as well as colonization time and environmental conditions in the understory, our results indicate that managed boreal landscapes should consist of a mosaic of different successional stages and a broad suite of overstory types to support diverse understory plant communities.

Essais de jardinage sans martelage dans des peuplements irréguliers de sapin baumier et d’épinette noire

2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Cimon-Morin ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Marcel Darveau ◽  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Philippe Meek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Simplified Approach ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Quadratic Mean Diameter ◽  
Downed Woody Debris ◽  
Index Tree

It is increasingly accepted that silviculture must now try to maintain complex stands. In this context, selection cutting has been suggested as an option for irregular boreal stands. However, selection cutting in virgin stands could prove difficult to apply at a reasonable cost. In an attempt to reduce harvesting costs, two selection cutting patterns were implemented, avoiding tree marking. The efficacy of this approach was evaluated by comparing the results of plots harvested without tree marking to those with tree marking. To proceed in the absence of tree marking, silvicultural types were defined as well as a rule for the selection of stems to harvest; the final choice of stems to fell was therefore left to the operator upon harvesting. The effects of the different silvicultural and tree marking treatments were examined in relation to their ability to maintain the main structural and functional attributes of irregular boreal stands. A follow-up was conducted with regards to structure, composition, residual stand basal area, abundance of woody debris and mortality. The absence of marking did not affect the performance of selection cutting treatments in terms of basal area, quadratic mean diameter and Shannon index. Tree vigour was not modified by harvesting, both with and without tree marking. Stand composition was not influenced by the absence of marking. Snag abundance was reduced to similar levels regardless of marking. Tree marking did not influence the abundance of downed woody debris. As a consequence, it seems possible to apply a simplified approach of selection cutting, without compromising the success of the treatment in these stands.Key words: black spruce, Picea mariana, balsam fir, Abies balsamea, irregular stand, selection cutting, ecosystem management, forest attributes

Biomass Harvesting Guidelines affect downed woody debris retention

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 382-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.R. Fritts ◽  
C.E. Moorman ◽  
D.W. Hazel ◽  
B.D. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Woody Debris ◽  
Biomass Harvesting ◽  
Downed Woody Debris

Coarse woody debris and forest floor respiration in an old-growth coniferous forest on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1811-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Marra ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Class 1

Carbon dioxide evolution rates for downed logs (coarse woody debris) and the forest floor were measured in a temperate, old-growth rain forest in Olympic National Park, Washington, using the soda lime trap method. Measurements were taken every 4 weeks from October 22, 1991, to November 19, 1992. Respiration rates for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), logs were determined for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 in two diameter classes. Overall, western hemlock logs respired at a rate 35% higher (4.37 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Respiration rates for decay class 1–2 logs of both species were similar to decay class 5 logs (4.46 and 4.07 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), but decay class 3 logs respired at a lower rate (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Seasonal patterns of respiration rates occurred, particularly for decay class 1 and 2 western hemlock logs where monthly averages ranged from a low of 2.67 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in February 1992 to a high of 8.30 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in September 1992. Rates for decay class 1–2 western hemlock logs were greater than those from the forest floor, which ranged from 3.42 to 7.13 g CO2•m−2•day−1. Respiration rates were depressed in late July and August compared with fall and spring owing to the summer drought characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Large-diameter western hemlock logs in decay class 1–2 had higher respiration rates than small-diameter logs, whereas large-diameter decay class 3 western hemlock logs had lower respiration rates than small-diameter logs.

The effects of variable retention forestry on coarse woody debris dynamics and concomitant impacts on American marten habitat after 27 years

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 925-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Farnell ◽  
Ché Elkin ◽  
Erica Lilles ◽  
Anne-Marie Roberts ◽  
Michelle Venter
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
American Marten ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Retention Forestry ◽  
The Impact

Coarse woody debris (CWD) in the form of logs, downed wood, stumps and large tree limbs is an important structural habitat feature for many small mammal species, including the American marten (Martes americana). At a long-term experimental trial in northern temperate hemlock-cedar forests of British Columbia, Canada, we analysed the impact of varying amounts of overstory basal area retention: 0% (clearcut), 40%, 70%, and 100% (unharvested) on CWD volume, decay class, and inputs from windthrow over 27 years. We used CWD attributes (diameter, length, decay class, and height above the ground) known to be favourable for martens to create an index for assessing the impact of harvesting intensity on CWD habitat features. Stands with 70% retention had CWD attributes that resulted in CWD habitat features similar to unharvested stands. Clearcuts contained pieces that were smaller, more decayed, and closer to the ground, which contributed to a habitat that was less valuable, compared with stands that had higher retention. Over the 27-year period, windthrown trees were the majority of CWD inputs, and volume change was positively related to percent retention. Our results highlight that forest management influences CWD size and input dynamics over multiple decades, and the need for consideration of these impacts when undertaking long-term multiple-use forestry planning.

Occurrence of Piloderma fallax in young, rotation-age, and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the Cascade Range of Oregon, U.S.A.

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 995-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Smith ◽  
R Molina ◽  
M MP Huso ◽  
M J Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Rotation Age

Yellow mycelia and cords of Piloderma fallax (Lib.) Stalp. were more frequently observed in old-growth stands than in younger managed stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Piloderma fallax frequency and percent cover data were collected from 900 plots in three replicate stands in each of three forest age classes over 2 years in both spring and fall. Piloderma fallax is strongly associated with stand age; it occurred in 57% of plots in old-growth, 6% of rotation-age, and 1% of young stands. Presence of Piloderma fallax was related to the percent cover of coarse woody debris (CWD) in decay class 5. Piloderma fallax was approximately 2.5 times more likely to occur in a plot with CWD decay class 5 present than in plots without. The probability that it would occur in a plot increased by approximately 20% for every 10% increase in percent cover of CWD decay class 5. However, the percent cover of Piloderma fallax was not strongly related to the percent cover of CWD in decay class 5. Frequency of occurrence did not differ among sampling times. Occurrence of Piloderma fallax may indicate suitable substrate for ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with CWD and may be important in forest management for the maintenance of biodiversity and old-growth components in young managed stands.Key words: Piloderma fallax, coarse woody debris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, forest management, ectomycorrhizal fungi, biodiversity.

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