A comparison of mature with recently clear-cut and scarified lodgepole pine forests in the Lower Foothills of Alberta

1976 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian G. W. Corns ◽  
George H. La Roi

Mature, even-aged lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var latifolia Engelm.) forests on upland sites with Orthic Gray Luvisols in the Lower Foothills of Alberta have been clear-cut for pulpwood and scarified by bulldozer since 1958. Undisturbed stands had weak shrub strata, well developed herb – dwarf shrub strata, and continuous feather moss strata.In 25 clear-cut stands 6–12 years old, the average cover of vascular plants was 54% and did not change significantly during the sampled age interval. Cover of tree 'regeneration' (immature size classes) was 5%, increasing slowly, and codominated by lodgepole pine and aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.). Shrub cover was also 5% and dominated by prickly rose (Rosaacicularis Lindl.). Herb – dwarf shrub cover was 44% and dominated by nine species of the mature forest. Bryoid cover was 13 %.The density of young trees stabilized within 6 years after clear-cutting, and the above-ground biomass of both pine and aspen increased rapidly during the sampled age interval.An ordination of the clear-cut stands showed that the distribution and abundance of several important plant species were well correlated with soil moisture on two gravimetric sampling dates in summer.A comparison of dominance–diversity curves and indices for mature and clear-cut stands revealed that the clear-cut community was richer in vascular species (100 cf. 57) and had a more even distribution of cover among species.The early stages of secondary succession after clear-cutting and scarification of lodgepole pine forest are discussed.

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-368
Author(s):  
J. R. McClenahen ◽  
R. J. Hutnik

Survival, height growth, and abundance of Prunusserotina Ehrh. and other species of tree reproduction were studied during two growing seasons after the trees were cut to residual basal areas of 0 (clear-cut), 16 (partial cut), and 28 (uncut) m2/ha. Portions of each cutting treatment were fenced to exclude deer and (or) amended with 0.91 t/ha of dolomitic limestone. Survival of advance P. serotina seedlings was best among initially older, taller stems. Mortality among 1st-year P. serotina seedlings was higher on clear-cut and uncut plots than on partially cut plots, but cutting had no effect on survival of seedlings older than 2 years. Acersaccharum Marsh, survival was poorest on clear-cuttings. The intermediate level of cutting initially favored a greater abundance of more species than either clear-cutting or no cutting. Rates of height growth of dominant P. serotina seedlings were greatest on clear-cuttings, less on partially cut plots, and lowest in uncut plots. Browsing by deer had a large but statistically nonsignificant effect on height of dominant reproduction after 6 years. Slash generally reduced abundance but enhanced height growth of seedlings. Overall, partial (shelterwood) cutting appeared to be a viable alternative to clear-cutting as a means for regenerating even-aged Allegheny hardwood stands.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 970-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell

Changes in small mammal communities following logging were monitored in clear-cut and strip-cut upland black spruce (Picea mariana) stands and in selectively cut mixed wood stands in north-central Ontario. Clear-cutting and subsequent scarification essentially eliminated the vegetative cover. Much of the ground cover recovered within 5 years and shrubs within 12 years, but mosses and lichens took much longer. The small mammal community in both clear-cut and strip-cut stands changed over the first three years after logging from one dominated by southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) to one dominated by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and then remained relatively stable for up to 13 years after harvest. That shift was not apparent in selectively cut mixed wood stands where the composition of the small mammal community was similar between uncut stands and stands 4–23 years after harvest. There was relatively little change in total numbers of small mammals after logging. In general, the diversity and evenness of small mammals increased or remained stable in the first 1–3 years following harvest, decreased on older (3–16 years) cuts, and then increased to values similar to those in uncut stands on the oldest (19–23 years) cuts.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1542
Author(s):  
Nadezhda V. Genikova ◽  
Viktor N. Mamontov ◽  
Alexander M. Kryshen ◽  
Vladimir A. Kharitonov ◽  
Sergey A. Moshnikov ◽  
...  

Bilberry spruce forests are the most widespread forest type in the European boreal zone. Limiting the clear-cuttings size leads to fragmentation of forest cover and the appearance of large areas of ecotone complexes, composed of forest (F), a transition from forest to the cut-over site under tree canopy (FE), a transition from forest to the cut-over site beyond tree canopy (CE), and the actual clear-cut site (C). Natural regeneration of woody species (spruce, birch, rowan) in the bilberry spruce stand—clear-cut ecotone complex was studied during the first decade after logging. The effects produced by the time since cutting, forest edge aspect, and the ground cover on the emergence and growth of trees and shrubs under forest canopy and openly in the clear-cut were investigated. Estimating the amount and size of different species in the regeneration showed FE and CE width to be 8 m—roughly half the height of first-story trees. Typical forest conditions (F) feature a relatively small amount of regenerating spruce and birch. The most favorable conditions for natural regeneration of spruce in the clear-cut—mature bilberry spruce stand ecotone are at the forest edge in areas of transition both towards the forest and towards the clear-cut (FE and CE). Clear-cut areas farther from the forest edge (C) offer an advantage to regenerating birch, which grows densely and actively in this area.


Beskydy ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-186
Author(s):  
D. Dušek ◽  
J. Novák ◽  
D. Kacálek ◽  
M. Slodičák

In order to evaluate weight and nutrients content in dwarf pine biomass, sample trees were taken for destructive analysis in the formerly air-polluted Orlické Hory Mountains. Investigated stand of dwarf pine was planted in 1988–1989 within clear-cut at elevation 1060–1110 m (NW aspect, Sorbeto - Piceetum). Totally 29,000 kg.ha-1 of dry biomass was accumulated in the stand. Above-ground biomass accounts for 27,000 kg (needles 8,000 kg and wood 19,000 kg) and main root biomass represents ca 2,000 kg.ha-1. The biomass of dwarf pine stand contained following amounts of nutrients per hectare: 153 kg of Nitrogen (from this 64 % in needles, 27 % in wood and 8 % in roots), 14.5 kg of Phosphorus (52 % in needles), 46 kg of Potassium (52 % in needles), 22 kg of Calcium (45 % in needles) and 15 kg of Magnesium (40 % in needles and 44 % in wood).


1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 758-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Y. Bernier
Keyword(s):  

A survey carried out in 13-year-old circular openings of 1, 2, 4, and 6 tree heights (H) in diameter, in a 1H east–west strip, and in a 20-ha clear-cut of similar ages shows that regeneration of lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) in the 4H and 6H cuts is comparable with that of the larger clear-cut. Regeneration is poor in the 2H opening and nonexistent in the 1H circular openings. The 1H east–west strip shows good regeneration.


Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Pelz ◽  
Charles Rhoades ◽  
Robert Hubbard ◽  
Frederick Smith

The severity of lodgepole pine mortality from mountain pine beetle outbreaks varies with host tree diameter, density, and other structural characteristics, influencing subcanopy conditions and tree regeneration. We measured density and leader growth of shade-intolerant lodgepole pine, shade-tolerant Engelmann spruce, and very shade-tolerant subalpine fir regeneration beneath stands that experienced moderate and high overstory lodgepole pine mortality (average 40% and 85% of total basal area) a decade earlier. Lodgepole comprised >90% of the overstory basal area and mature spruce and fir were present in both mortality levels, though live basal area and disturbance history differed. Post-beetle outbreak recruitment was high in both mortality levels, but there were more lodgepole in high than moderate mortality plots (1140 stems ha−1 vs. 60 stems ha−1) and more subalpine fir in moderate than high mortality plots (4690 stems ha−1 vs. 2870 stems ha−1). Pine advance regeneration, established prior to outbreak, was more dense in high mortality than moderate mortality sites (930 stems ha−1 vs. 310 stems ha−1), but the trend was generally the opposite for the other conifers. Lodgepole recruitment increased and subalpine fir decreased with greater forest floor light availability. All species grew faster in high mortality areas than their counterparts in moderate mortality areas. However, in high mortality areas pine grew faster than the more shade tolerant species, and in moderate mortality areas spruce and fir grew faster than pine. These species-specific responses to the degree of overstory mortality will influence future stand composition and rate of forest recovery after mountain pine beetle outbreaks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 608-614
Author(s):  
Ronei Baldissera ◽  
Suiane Oliveira de Quadros ◽  
Gabriela Galeti ◽  
Everton Nei Lopes Rodrigues ◽  
Luan M.V. Lazzarotto ◽  
...  

Habitat loss is one of the main consequences of landscape transformation by humans. Monitoring biodiversity changes in areas under different management strategies is fundamental for species conservation. Our study is the first to assess the role of forest disturbance history on spider (Araneae) biodiversity in the westernmost portion of the Atlantic Forest. We analyzed taxonomic and functional aspects of spider assemblages in understories in a large forest fragment in southwestern Brazil. Spiders were sampled in five 30 m × 5 m plots over three seasons in three areas with different management histories: clear-cutting, selective logging, or native plots. We also characterized tree basal area, tree density, and canopy openness. The clear-cut plots showed more canopy openness and low habitat heterogeneity due to the high density of one pioneer native tree species. Forest structure in selective logging and native plots was similar. Spider richness, abundance, and functional richness were affected only by the season. Species composition also differed among the areas depending on the season. The abundance of web-building species was mainly associated with clear-cut areas in winter and spring. These results highlight the importance of natural regeneration in the Atlantic Forest after disturbance for the conservation of regional spider biodiversity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laima ČESONIENĖ ◽  
Remigijus DAUBARAS ◽  
Paulius KAŠKONAS ◽  
Vilma KAŠKONIENĖ ◽  
Audrius Sigitas MARUŠKA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sille Rebane ◽  
Kalev Jõgiste ◽  
Andres Kiviste ◽  
John A. Stanturf ◽  
Marek Metslaid

A large area of Estonian hemiboreal forest is recovering from clear-cut harvesting and changing carbon (C) balance of the stands. However, there is a lack of information about C- source/sink relationships during recovery of such stands. The eddy covariance technique was used to estimate C-status through net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 in two stands of different development stages located in southeast Estonia in 2014. Measured summertime (June–September) mean CO2 concentration was 337.75 ppm with mean NEE −1.72 µmol m−2 s−1. June NEE was −4.60 µmol m−2 s−1; July, August, and September NEE was −1.17, −0.77, and −0.25 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively. The two stands had similar patterns of CO2 exchange; measurement period temperature drove NEE. Our results show that after clear-cutting a 6-year-old forest ecosystem was a light C-sink and 8-year-old young stand demonstrated a stronger C-sink status during the measurement period.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Aisah Shamsuddin ◽  
Zulkifli Yusop ◽  
Shoji Noguchi

A study was conducted on the impact of forest clearance on discharge from newly established Hopea odorata plantations catchment (14.4 ha). The stands were two years old when this study commenced in year 2006 and the data collection was carried out for two years. The forested catchment (C3) was clear-cut during the preparation of the forest plantation and catchment C1 was left undisturbed. Discharge and rainfall were measured continuously for two years. The discharge measured from years 1997 to 2003 was used also to determine the water yield before and after forest clear-cut. This study showed that the plantation catchment is more responsive to storm with higher total water yield than in the forested catchment. The effect of forest clear cutting to discharge was clearly shown by the increment in the amount following the clear-cut activities and time taken for the recovery of the discharge back to its original state was almost three years. The peak discharge in C3 also was affected in which the biggest change was obtained during the forest clear-cutting period compared with during calibration and after clearing periods. This study is useful as basis for improving the existing guidelines on forest plantation establishment.


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