Effects of single-tree and group selection harvesting on the diversity and abundance of spring forest herbs in deciduous forests in southwestern Ontario
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Published source details
Falk K.J., Burke D.M., Elliott K.A. & Holmes S.B. (2008) Effects of single-tree and group selection harvesting on the diversity and abundance of spring forest herbs in deciduous forests in southwestern Ontario. Forest Ecology and Management, 255, 2486-2494.
Published source details Falk K.J., Burke D.M., Elliott K.A. & Holmes S.B. (2008) Effects of single-tree and group selection harvesting on the diversity and abundance of spring forest herbs in deciduous forests in southwestern Ontario. Forest Ecology and Management, 255, 2486-2494.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use group-selection harvesting Action Link |
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Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link |
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Use group-selection harvesting
A replicated, controlled, before-and-after trial in 2004-2005 in temperate broadleaf forest in Ontario Canada (Falk et al. 2006) found that group-selection harvesting increased the diversity of early spring herbaceous species and decreased the percent of plant species lost. The increase in the diversity (Shannon's index) of early spring herbaceous species was higher in group-selection (0.15 to 0.25) than in unharvested plots (0.32 to 0.34). Overall, the percentage of plant species lost was higher in unharvested (15%) compared to the group-selection treatment (8%). The percentage of plant species gained was similar (unharvested: 29%; group-selection: 35%). Two replicates (average 33 ha) of each group-selection harvest (creating five 400 m2, four 700 m2 and three 1,400 m2 gaps) and unharvested plots, were established between November 2004 and April 2005. Sampling was in April 2004 (pre-harvesting) and in April-May 2005 (post-harvesting) in 4 m2 regeneration growth plots (45×2 in control and 112×2 in group-selection).
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Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A replicated, controlled, before-and-after trial in 2004-2005 in temperate broadleaf forest in Ontario Canada (Falk et al. 2008) found that thinning increased the species richness of herbs. The increase in number of herbaceous species/plot was higher in thinned (3.6 to 4.5) than in unthinned plots (4.3 to 4.8). Overall percent of plant species lost (15% and 11% unthinned and thinned respectively) and of plant species gained (29% and 42%) was similar among treatments. Two thinned (leaving basal area of 20 m2/ha) and two unthinned blocks (average 33 ha) were established between November 2004 and April 2005. Sampling of herbs that grew mid-spring was in April 2004 (pre-harvesting) and in April-May 2005 (post-harvesting) in 45 regeneration growth plots (4 m2) in each block.
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