scholarly journals Group selection harvesting supports diversity of forest specialist carabids

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bela Tóthmérész ◽  
Tibor Magura ◽  
Szabolcs Mizser ◽  
David D. Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Specialist Species ◽  
Selection Harvesting

Increased fragmentation and considerable environmental changes in native forests caused by the timber-oriented forest managements are threatening the biodiversity of forests. As a remediation, uneven-aged approach is recommended during forest management, because this is less intensive and could be less harmful than even-aged practices. We tested the effects of clear-cutting (as even-aged method) and group selection harvesting (as uneven-aged method) on carabids in lowland oak forests. Pitfall traps and litter sifting were used during the study. We found that the total number of species was significantly higher in the gaps harvested by group selection and in the clear-cut than in the mature forests (control area). The species richness of forest specialist species was significantly lower in the clear-cuts than in the other area. Our findings demonstrated that the conventional clear-cutting caused a decrease in the number of forest specialist species. Therefore, group selection method should be favoured during forest management to maintain diversity.

scholarly journals Impacts of Clear-Cutting of a Boreal Forest on Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 961
Author(s):  
Patrik Vestin ◽  
Meelis Mölder ◽  
Natascha Kljun ◽  
Zhanzhang Cai ◽  
Abdulghani Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
N2o Fluxes ◽  
Ch4 And N2o ◽  
Ghg Fluxes

The 2015 Paris Agreement encourages stakeholders to implement sustainable forest management policies to mitigate anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). The net effects of forest management on the climate and the environment are, however, still not completely understood, partially as a result of a lack of long-term measurements of GHG fluxes in managed forests. During the period 2010–2013, we simultaneously measured carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes using the flux-gradient technique at two clear-cut plots of different degrees of wetness, located in central Sweden. The measurements started approx. one year after clear-cutting, directly following soil scarification and planting. The study focused on robust inter-plot comparisons, spatial and temporal dynamics of GHG fluxes, and the determination of the global warming potential of a clear-cut boreal forest. The clear-cutting resulted in significant emissions of GHGs at both the wet and the dry plot. The degree of wetness determined, directly or indirectly, the relative contribution of each GHG to the total budgets. Faster establishment of vegetation on the wet plot reduced total emissions of CO2 as compared to the dry plot but this was partially offset by higher CH4 emissions. Waterlogging following clear-cutting likely caused both plots to switch from sinks to sources of CH4. In addition, there were periods with N2O uptake at the wet plot, although both plots were net sources of N2O on an annual basis. We observed clear diel patters in CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes during the growing season at both plots, with the exception of CH4 at the dry plot. The total three-year carbon budgets were 4107 gCO2-equivalent m−2 and 5274 gCO2-equivalent m−2 at the wet and the dry plots, respectively. CO2 contributed 91.8% to the total carbon budget at the wet plot and 98.2% at the dry plot. For the only full year with N2O measurements, the total GHG budgets were 1069.9 gCO2-eqvivalents m−2 and 1695.7 gCO2-eqvivalents m−2 at the wet and dry plot, respectively. At the wet plot, CH4 contributed 3.7%, while N2O contributed 7.3%. At the dry plot, CH4 and N2O contributed 1.5% and 7.6%, respectively. Our results emphasize the importance of considering the effects of the three GHGs on the climate for any forest management policy aiming at enhancing the mitigation potential of forests.

Water table response to harvesting and simulated emerald ash borer mortality in black ash wetlands in Minnesota, USA

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 961-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Slesak ◽  
Christian F. Lenhart ◽  
Kenneth N. Brooks ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Brian J. Palik
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Forested Wetland ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Black Ash

Black ash wetlands are seriously threatened because of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB). Wetland hydrology is likely to be modified following ash mortality, but the magnitude of hydrological impact following loss via EAB and alternative mitigation harvests is not clear. Our objective was to assess the water table response to simulated EAB and harvesting to determine if management actions will be needed to maintain ecosystem functions following EAB infestation. We applied four replicated treatments to 1.6 ha plots as follows: (1) control, (2) girdling of all black ash trees to simulate loss via EAB mortality, (3) group selection harvests (20% of stand in 0.04 ha gaps), and (4) clear-cut harvest. Water table (WT) elevations were monitored for 1 year pre-treatment and two years post-treatment. Clear-cutting delayed WT drawdown in both years of the study, and the WT was significantly higher than the control treatment, predominantly when WT depth was below 30 cm. The effect of the group selection treatment on WT response was muted compared to clear-cutting and also limited to periods when the WT depth was below 30 cm. These responses were attributed to establishment of shallow-rooted vegetation in cut areas, which would have limited influence on WT dynamics as depth increased. There was little effect of girdling on the WT in the first year post-treatment, but effects on the WT were very similar to clear-cutting in the second year and more pronounced when the WT was within 30 cm of the soil surface. These effects were attributed to reduced transpiration coupled with the presence of a partial canopy following girdling, which would have reduced vegetation establishment and evaporation compared to clear-cutting. Given the large influence of WT depth on vegetation dynamics and associated feedbacks to altered hydrology, these early results indicate a greater risk of ecosystem alteration following EAB mortality compared to clear-cut harvesting. Depending on local hydrologic regime, variation in precipitation patterns, and time for complete canopy loss, it may be necessary for managers to implement active mitigation strategies (e.g., group selection coupled with planting of alternative species) prior to EAB infestation to maintain ecosystem processes in these forested wetland systems.

scholarly journals Continuous-cover management and attractiveness of managed Scots pine forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 819-828
Author(s):  
Matti Koivula ◽  
Harri Silvennoinen ◽  
Hanna Koivula ◽  
Jukka Tikkanen ◽  
Liisa Tyrväinen
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Forest Ownership ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Gap Cutting ◽  
Intensively Managed

Forest management, characterized in many northern countries by the predominance of clear cutting and growing even-aged and -sized trees, has simplified the structure of boreal forests. Consequences include alterations in cultural ecosystem services such as forest attractiveness, i.e., combined aesthetic and recreational values. Continuous-cover forestry might mitigate these effects through the use of selection and gap cutting, but these methods have been little studied, particularly from the attractiveness viewpoint. We used photo surveys to assess Finnish citizens’ perceptions of attractiveness of in-stand scenery of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests logged using different methods. (i) The attractiveness scores, given by respondents, declined steadily from unharvested forest through continuous-cover methods to seed-tree and clear-cut methods. (ii) Respondents with a negative attitude to forest management gave lower scores than respondents with a positive attitude, but the declining slopes of attractiveness against logging intensity were similar. (iii) In unharvested and less intensively managed stands, summer photos received higher scores than corresponding winter photos. (iv) Background variables (gender, education, living environment, memberships in recreational or nature NGOs, forestry profession, and forest ownership) had negligible effects on the scores. We recommend the use of continuous-cover logging methods in settlement and recreational areas.

An alternative to clear-cutting in the boreal forest of Alaska: a 27-year study of regeneration after shelterwood harvesting

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
T L Wurtz ◽  
J C Zasada
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Seed Crop ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
All Treatment

We present 27-year results from a comparison of clear-cutting and shelterwood harvesting in the boreal forest of Alaska. Three patch clear-cut and three shelterwood units were harvested in 1972; about 100 dispersed white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) leave trees per hectare were retained in the shelterwoods. Units were mechanically scarified and an exceptionally large seed-crop was dispersed that year. Shelterwood trees were removed after 15 years. After 27 years, overstory treatment had no effect on the density or growth of the species we studied, while scarification had highly significant effects. In 1999, scarified areas were densely populated with white spruce seedlings and saplings (118 000 – 129 000 stems/ha, with spruce in 100% of plots). Unscarified areas had far fewer spruce stems but were nevertheless well stocked (11 000 – 15 000 stems/ha, with 87% frequency). Initially, spruce grew best on scarified surfaces, but by 27 years, growth of the tallest spruce saplings was significantly greater on unscarified than scarified surfaces. By 27 years, cover of the grass Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Nutt. had returned to preharvest levels in all treatment types. Because criteria for evaluating forest management practices have changed since this study was begun, partial overstory retention systems for the management of Alaska's boreal forest deserve further study.

Changes in radiative forcing due to clear-cutting in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Mužić ◽  
Patrik Vestin ◽  
Anders Lindroth ◽  
Meelis Mölder ◽  
Tobias Biermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Climatic Effect ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Release ◽  
Albedo Effect

<p>Land cover conversion affects climate by imposing perturbations in the surface properties and greenhouse gas fluxes. Forest management systems often disregard that modification in surface albedo influences the exchange of energy and greenhouse gases. In this study, we examine the net climatic effect of clear-cutting in high-latitude regions by comparing the importance of biogeophysical (albedo) and biogeochemical (carbon dioxide release) changes in Sweden. The hypothesis is that the albedo effect of high-latitude clear-cutting can reduce climate warming.</p><p>Data on incoming and reflected shortwave radiation was obtained from four-component net radiometers installed in the forest and neighbouring clear-cut sites, in southern (56°N), central (60°N) and northern (64°N) Sweden. The study site pairs along a latitudinal gradient were chosen to account for different climatic conditions. Data at these station pairs covered a continuous period of three (2016-2018), five (2014-2018) and one year (2014), respectively. Due to lack of clear-cut measurement stations in close vicinity to the northernmost forest site, the shortwave radiation data was retrieved from an open mire, where albedo and its temporal dynamics are similar to a clear-cut. All the forest stations and the mire station are part of ICOS Sweden network. Data on carbon dioxide release from clear-cutting was estimated as a difference in the aboveground carbon stock of the standing biomass between forest and clear-cut sites. The estimated carbon dioxide release was translated into an equivalent change in absorbed shortwave radiation and compared to the radiative forcing by albedo difference between forest and clear-cut sites.</p><p>Our results underline results from previous studies showing that the magnitude of the net radiative forcing by clear-cutting varies considerably depending on the latitudinal position of the examined sites. Based on available data, clear-cutting in southern and central Sweden had a warming effect on the climate while in northern Sweden clear-cutting had a net cooling effect. However, large inter-annual variability (central Sweden) and lack of available continuous data (northern Sweden) resulted in high uncertainty of the climatic effects of changes in net radiative forcing due to clear-cutting. Our study indicates that the albedo effect has an essential role in the estimation of the climatic effect of clear-cutting and should thus be incorporated in future forest management strategies.</p>

Influence of cutting methods on natural and artificial regeneration of yellow birch in Quebec northern hardwoods

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Roberge
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Artificial Regeneration ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Artificial Seeding

This is an interim assessment of a thinning and of a group-selection cutting associated with various treatments to increase yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britton) regeneration and production. Ten years after cutting, improved quality, health, and growth rate of trees were observed where thinning had been carried out with a very abundant regeneration which was growing well in clear-cut patches. Ground scarification with or without artificial seeding stimulated yellow birch establishment, but the effects of stimulation did not last and had disappeared 5 years after scarification. Only planting resulted in a notable increase in stocking of dominant yellow birch still conspicuous 5 and 10 years after clear-cutting and in a percentage of yellow birch stems in the main story superior to that of the original stand.

scholarly journals Assessment of Pollution Sources and Contribution in Urban Dust Using Metal Concentrations and Multi-Isotope Ratios (13C, 207/206Pb) in a Complex Industrial Port Area, Korea

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 840
Author(s):  
Min-Seob Kim ◽  
Jee-Young Kim ◽  
Jaeseon Park ◽  
Suk-Hee Yeon ◽  
Sunkyoung Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Residential Area ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Urban Dust ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Mn Ore

The metal concentrations and isotopic compositions (13C, 207/206Pb) of urban dust, topsoil, and PM10 samples were analyzed in a residential area near Donghae port, Korea, which is surrounded by various types of industrial factories and raw material stockpiled on empty land, to determine the contributions of the main pollution sources (i.e., Mn ore, Zn ore, cement, coal, coke, and topsoil). The metal concentrations of urban dust in the port and residential area were approximately 85~112 times higher (EF > 100) in comparison with the control area (EF < 2), especially the Mn and Zn ions, indicating they were mainly derived from anthropogenic source. These ions have been accumulating in urban dust for decades; furthermore, the concentration of PM10 is seven times higher than that of the control area, which means that contamination is even present. The isotopic (13C, 207/206Pb) values of the pollution sources were highly different, depending on the characteristics of each source: cement (−19.6‰, 0.8594‰), Zn ore (−24.3‰, 0.9175‰), coal (−23.6‰, 0.8369‰), coke (−27.0‰, 0.8739‰), Mn ore (−24.9‰, 0.9117‰), soil (−25.2‰, 0.7743‰). As a result of the evaluated contributions of pollution source on urban dust through the Iso-source and SIAR models using stable isotope ratios (13C, 207/206Pb), we found that the largest contribution of Mn (20.4%) and Zn (20.3%) ions are derived from industrial factories and ore stockpiles on empty land (Mn and Zn). It is suggested that there is a significant influence of dust scattered by wind from raw material stockpiles, which are stacked near ports or factories. Therefore, there is evidence to support the idea that port activities affect the air quality of residence areas in a city. Our results may indicate that metal concentrations and their stable isotope compositions can predict environmental changes and act as a powerful tool to trace the past and present pollution history in complex contexts associated with peri-urban regions.

Current plant ecological features reflect historical forest management systems in semi-arid oak forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 167 ◽  
pp. 106268
Author(s):  
Mehdi Heydari ◽  
Sina Attar Roshan ◽  
Reza Omidipour ◽  
Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja ◽  
Bernard Prévosto
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Plant Ecological ◽  
Historical Forest ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Diverging consequences of past forest management on plant and soil attributes in ancient oak forests of southwestern Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 494 ◽  
pp. 119360
Author(s):  
Mehdi Heydari ◽  
Sina Attar Roshan ◽  
Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja ◽  
Reza Omidipour ◽  
Bernard Prévosto
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Soil Attributes ◽  
Southwestern Iran

Changes in small mammal communities after logging in north-central Ontario

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 970-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
North Central ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Community ◽  
Mammal Communities

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.

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