scholarly journals Longleaf Pine Patch Dynamics Influence Ground-Layer Vegetation in Old-Growth Pine Savanna

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mugnani ◽  
Robertson ◽  
Miller ◽  
Platt
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Ground Layer ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Pine Savanna

Old-growth longleaf pine savannas are characterized by diverse ground-layer plant communities comprised of graminoids, forbs, and woody plants. These communities co-exist with variable-aged patches containing similar-aged trees of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.). We tested the conceptual model that physical conditions related to the cycle of longleaf pine regeneration (stand structure, soil attributes, fire effects, and light) influence plant species’ composition and spatial heterogeneity of ground-layer vegetation. We used a chrono-sequence approach in which local patches represented six stages of the regeneration cycle, from open areas without trees (gaps) to trees several centuries old, based on a 40-year population study and increment cores of trees. We measured soil characteristics, patch stand structure, fuel loads and consumption during fires, plant productivity, and ground-layer plant species composition. Patch characteristics (e.g., tree density, basal diameter, soil carbon, and fire heat release) indicated a cyclical pattern that corresponded to the establishment, growth, and mortality of trees over a period of approximately three centuries. We found that plants in the families Fabaceae and Asteraceae and certain genera were significantly associated with a particular patch stage or ranges of patch stages, presumably responding to changes in physical conditions of patches over time. However, whole-community-level analyses did not indicate associations between the patch stage and distinct plant communities. Our study indicates that changes in composition and the structure of pine patches contribute to patterns in spatial and temporal heterogeneity in physical characteristics, fire regimes, and species composition of the ground-layer vegetation in old-growth pine savanna.

scholarly journals Dynamics of the ground layer communities of tropical eucalypt woodlands of northern Queensland

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
V. J. Neldner ◽  
D. W. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Ground Layer ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Annual Variability ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Directional Change

This paper presents insights from long-term monitoring into the dynamics of savanna plant species composition, specifically on the ground layer. Key questions are (1) how much variation is there from year to year in plant species abundance and composition? And (2) is there evidence of directional change in community composition? Five sites were located near Mareeba, north-eastern Australia, and sampled 18 times with fixed 500-m2 plots at the annual peak of plant species richness over 23 years. The sites were located in eucalypt communities across an altitudinal range of 460 m. Sampling involved systematic searching of all plant species visible above ground. The results show variation from year to year among satellite herbaceous species, with more than 50% of grasses and forbs observed at a given site only being detected at half or fewer of the 18 samplings. Herbaceous composition did not show clear signs of directional change relative to inter-annual variability. Over the 23 years, there were three very dry periods and 4 very wet years. Rainfall variation affected total cover more than plant species composition or richness. Several fires and episodes of grazing affected ground cover but did not have a lasting impact on cover or diversity. The cover and composition of the ground layer is consistently dominated by the core perennial grasses Themeda triandra Forssk. and Heteropogon triticeus (R.Br.) Stapf, with many species collectively contributing minimally to the overall cover but significantly to richness. Many herb species are persistent long-lived perennials which do not appear above ground every year. The number of naturalised plants in the ground layer was consistently low. Overall, the ground layer communities appear to be very stable in these woodlands that have been burnt 3–5 times in 23 years. High inter-annual variability of subdominant species is consistent with other studies, and emphasises the need for replication in time in ecological sampling.

Comparison of structural and compositional characteristics in old-growth and mature, managed hardwood forests of Minnesota, U.S.A.

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1479-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Hale ◽  
J Pastor ◽  
K A Rusterholz
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forests

Extended rotation of managed temperate hardwood forests is sometimes presumed to provide the important compositional and structural features of old-growth hardwood forests. However, the features of temperate hardwood old-growth and managed stands of extended rotation age have not been fully quantified and compared. This study compared quantitative parameters (density and volume of logs and snags, coarse woody debris volume (volume of logs + volume of snags), the proportion of hollow logs, basal area and tree, sapling, large seedling and small seedling densities), distributional patterns (diameter class and rot class of live trees, decay class of logs), and vascular plant species composition and diversity in old-growth and mature, managed sugar maple (Acer saccharum L.) - basswood (Tilia americana L.) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) stands. Old-growth forests had higher coarse woody debris volumes and higher proportions of hollow logs, of live trees in large diameter classes, of logs in decay classes 1 and 2, and of live trees in rot classes 3-5 than the mature, managed forests. Old-growth and mature, managed forests did not differ significantly in plant species composition. These results indicate that, while older extended-rotation, managed stands can be very similar compositionally to old-growth forests, they differ quantitatively in structural features.

Drivers of plant species composition of ecotonal vegetation in two fishpond management types

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateřina Francová ◽  
Kateřina Šumberová ◽  
Andrea Kučerová ◽  
Michal Šorf ◽  
Stanislav Grill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Fishpond Management
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