Vegetation relationships among some seral ecosystems in southwestern British Columbia

1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Klinka ◽  
A. M. Scagel ◽  
P. J. Courtin
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Site Types

A new classification scheme is proposed for managed second-growth forests, which is based upon ecologically equivalent sites rather than purely floristic or structural characteristics of vegetation. For demonstration purposes, six structural (developmental) stages were sampled and classified. The seral stages, listed in increasing age after harvesting are as follows: initial, regeneration, early immature, late immature, mature, and old growth. The results of numerical and tabular analyses suggested the presence of two major floristic groups (seral associations) of the above seral stages: (i) Epilobium – Polytrichum (initial and regeneration seral stages) and (ii) Pseudotsuga – Hylocomium (early immature to old growth seral stages). The Epilobium – Polytrichum seral association was found to represent seral vegetation of regeneration stages on four different site types, all of which are common in southwestern British Columbia.

The temporal development of old-growth structural attributes in second-growth stands: a chronosequence study in the Coastal Western Hemlock zone in British Columbia

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 1534-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gerzon ◽  
Brad Seely ◽  
Andy MacKinnon
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Growth Structure ◽  
Second Growth

One of the key issues facing forest resource planners is the conservation and recruitment of old-growth characteristics in managed forests. The paucity of long-term data sets in many regions has limited our ability to project the temporal patterns of structural development in second-growth forests. Age-based thresholds have been employed in some jurisdictions, but these lack flexibility and are arbitrary in nature. Here we conduct a chronosequence study consisting of second-growth and old-growth stands in the coastal forests of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to identify structural attributes that are suitable for quantifying and monitoring the progressive development of old-growth characteristics. The following structural attributes were identified and evaluated in the chronosequence analysis: volume and density of large live stems, standard deviation of stem DBH, density of large-diameter snags, volume of woody debris, and understory vegetation cover. The rate at which old-growth structural characteristics developed in second-growth stands varied considerably, with the earliest reaching levels observed in old-growth stands within 112 years, while most requiring 200 to greater than 250 years. The use of quantifiable measures of old-growth structure will help forest managers plan for the continued protection and recruitment of old-growth structure within managed forest landscapes.

Macrofungi from six habitats over five years in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 1518-1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Roberts ◽  
Oluna Ceska ◽  
Paul Kroeger ◽  
Bryce Kendrick
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
The Other ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Clayoquot Sound

Over 5 years, macrofungi from six habitats in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were documented. Habitats were categorized as dune, spruce fringe, old-growth rainforest, second-growth forest, bog, or estuarine. All but the second-growth forest are natural ecosystems. A total of 551 taxa of macrofungi were recorded. Between 17% and 36% of the species in any one habitat were found only in that habitat. The most frequently encountered and ubiquitous species was Craterellus tubaeformis (Fr.) Quel., found in all years, habitats, and sites. Of the 551 taxa, only 28 were found every year, and 308 were found in only 1 year. Rare species that were recorded include Cordyceps ravenelii Berkeley & Curtis, Hygrophorus inocybiformis Smith, and Tricholoma apium Schaeffer in the dunes and Stereopsis humphreyi (Burt) Redhead in the spruce fringe. Similarities between habitats based on taxa in common showed that bog and estuarine habitats had only 9%–17% in common with each other and the other habitats, whereas dune, spruce fringe, and the two forest types shared 21%–31% of their species. Old-growth rainforest yielded approximately 4 times as many species as bog and estuarine habitats, and approximately 1.5 times as many as the other three habitats.Key words: Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, macrofungi, habitats, biodiversity.

Contrasting terrestrial lichen, liverwort, and moss diversity between old-growth and young second-growth forest on two soil textures in central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel S. Botting ◽  
Arthur L. Fredeen
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Age ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Moss Species ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Dominant Soil ◽  
Lichen Cover ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Terrestrial Lichen ◽  
Woody Substrates

The diversity and abundance of terrestrial lichens, mosses, and liverworts were examined and compared between two ages of forest (old-growth and young second-growth) on two dominant soil types (fine- and coarse-textured soils) in subboreal spruce forests in central British Columbia. Major differences in species composition were found between forest ages, with 30% of species found only in old-growth forest and 21% found only in young second-growth forest. Liverworts were much more common in old-growth sites with half the liverwort species found exclusively in old-growth, and 90% of the recorded liverwort observations occurring there. Different moss species assemblages dominated old-growth and second-growth sites, with much of the terrestrial cover of second-growth sites composed of Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. Young second-growth forest had higher cover of lichen species than old-growth forest. Lichens and bryophytes used different terrestrial substrates in each forest age, with higher cover of mosses and lichens occurring on woody substrates in old-growth, irrespective of substrate availability. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination clearly separated plots by forest age and also showed soil texture to be a defining variable. Though not statistically significant, there was increased bryophyte diversity on coarse-textured soils and increased lichen cover on fine-textured soils.

scholarly journals Managing second-growth forests as caribou habitat

Rangifer ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests

Habitat management for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in southeastern British Columbia has generally focussed on protecting old-growth forests from logging. As that strategy becomes more difficult to maintain, biologists are beginning to explore opportunities to manage second-growth stands to provide arboreal lichens and other habitat resources important to caribou. Special harvesting and stand management practices are being developed and formulated into strategies for maintaining caribou populations in managed stands.

Activity levels of Marbled Murrelets in different inland habitats in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Rodway ◽  
Heidi M. Regehr ◽  
Jean-Pierre L. Savard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Marbled Murrelet ◽  
Queen Charlotte Islands ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Marbled Murrelets

We compared Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) activity levels in May, June, and July 1990 in four habitats in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia: alpine, old-growth forest at high elevation, old-growth forest at low elevation, and second-growth forest. The number of Marbled Murrelet detections was highest in old-growth forests. In alpine areas, small numbers of murrelet detections were mostly of distant birds flying over low-elevation forest. Numbers of detections were higher in low-elevation than in high-elevation old-growth forests in May and July, but not in June. Proportions of detections within smaller radii of survey stations were higher in low elevation forest in all months. The highest activity levels were associated with old-growth forest stands of large Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). The few detections that occurred in second-growth forests were mostly of distant birds. Stations in second-growth forest close to stands of old-growth forest had more frequent detections than stations with no old-growth forest nearby. Our results support the association of Marbled Murrelets with old-growth forests. Limitations of the survey methodology are discussed.

Long-term recovery of vegetation communities after harvesting in the coastal temperate rainforests of northern British Columbia

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 3098-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Banner ◽  
Philip LePage
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Terrestrial Vegetation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Young Forests ◽  
Logging Disturbance

We sampled second-growth forests ranging in age from 28 to 98 years and compared them with old-growth forests to quantify rates of terrestrial vegetation recovery following harvesting on the northcentral coast of British Columbia. Species richness approximately doubles, while Simpson’s index of diversity increases from 0.81 to 0.91 from young to old forests. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations showed differentiation, with some overlap, of old-growth and second-growth forests and a fairly strong correlation of stand age with plot scores, driven by plant species presence and cover. Vegetation succession following logging disturbance is driven primarily by predisturbance species composition; most species found in the young forests are present in old forests and the higher species richness typical of old growth is largely due to the establishment of additional cryptogam and herb species of low cover and constancy. Significantly higher cover of shrub, herb, and bryophyte species differentiates old forests from second-growth forests. Forests 41–100 years old average 63%–73% similarity (depending on site type) to old-growth forests based on species presence–absence and 53%–58% similarity based on species cover. The scarcity of western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) in second-growth stands is of particular concern because of the high ecological, cultural, and economic importance of this tree species.

Comparison of Presettlement, Second-growth and Old-growth Forest on Six Site Types in the Illinois Shawnee Hills

1991 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Fralish ◽  
Fred B. Crooks ◽  
Jim L. Chambers ◽  
Francis M. Harty
Keyword(s):  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Site Types

Structure de sapinières aménagées et anciennes du massif des Laurentides (Québec) et diversité des plantes invasculaires

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2077-2093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireille Desponts ◽  
André Desrochers ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Jean Huot
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Uniform Structure ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests ◽  
Mature Stands

This study was undertaken to determine the contribution of old-growth and senescent forest stands regenerated through clear-cutting to the biodiversity of wet boreal fir stands in eastern Quebec because overmature stands are becoming scarce in that region. The study area was located in the Laurentian Mountains north of the city of Québec. The structure and composition of nonvascular plant communities (mosses, hepatica, lichens, and saprophytic fungi) of old-growth forests were compared with those of mature or senescent fir stands harvested 60 years ago. Nonvascular plants have a more uniform structure and a lower diversity in mature than in senescent or old-growth forests. A variety of specialized soil- and wood-inhabiting species and many rare species not observed in mature stands regenerated through clear-cutting are found in the latter. Structural diversity of senescent second-growth fir stands becomes similar to that of old-growth stand because of mortality within the overstory. These structural characteristics favour the development of diversified nonvascular plant communities, especially wood-inhabiting species found on slightly decomposed woody debris and soil-inhabiting species that colonize disturbed soils.[Journal translation]

Comparison of coniferous forest carbon stocks between old-growth and young second-growth forests on two soil types in central British Columbia, Canada

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1411-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur L Fredeen ◽  
Claudette H Bois ◽  
Darren T Janzen ◽  
Paul T Sanborn
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
C Stocks

Carbon (C) stocks were assessed for hybrid interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.)-dominated upland forests within the Aleza Lake Research Forest in central British Columbia, Canada. Four old-growth (141–250 years old) and four young second-growth (<20 years old) forest plots were established on the two dominant soil texture types, coarse and fine, for a total of 16 plots. Mean total C stocks for old-growth stands ranged from 423 Mg C·ha–1 (coarse) to 324 Mg C·ha–1 (fine), intermediate between Pacific Northwest temperate forests and upland boreal forests. Total C was lower in second-growth stands because of lower tree (mostly large tree stem), forest floor, and woody debris C stocks. In contrast, old-growth forest-floor C stocks ranged from 78 Mg C·ha–1 (coarse) to 35 Mg C·ha–1 (fine), 2.9- and 1.2-fold higher than in corresponding second-growth stands, respectively. Woody debris C stocks in old-growth stands totaled 35 Mg C·ha–1 (coarse) and 31 Mg C·ha–1 (fine), 2.7- and 3.4-fold higher than in second-growth stands, respectively. Mineral soil C to 1.07 m depth was similar across soil type and age-class, with totals ranging from 115 to 106 Mg C·ha–1. Harvesting of old-growth forests in sub-boreal British Columbia lowers total C stocks by 54%–41%.

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