Understory plant communities of boreal mixedwood forests in western Canada: natural patterns and response to variable-retention harvesting
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Published source details
Macdonald S.E. & Fenniak T.E. (2007) Understory plant communities of boreal mixedwood forests in western Canada: natural patterns and response to variable-retention harvesting. Forest Ecology and Management, 242, 34-48.
Published source details Macdonald S.E. & Fenniak T.E. (2007) Understory plant communities of boreal mixedwood forests in western Canada: natural patterns and response to variable-retention harvesting. Forest Ecology and Management, 242, 34-48.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity Action Link |
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Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity
A replicated, controlled study in 1998-2001 in boreal forest in Alberta, Canada (Macdonald & Fenniak 2007) found that clearcutting decreased tree density, basal area and cover as well as herbaceous cover and species richness. Tree density (individuals/ha) (uncut: 568-1,069; thinned: 242-700; clearcutting: 26-52), basal area (m2/ha) (uncut: 87-140; thinned: 39-105; clearcutting: 6-12) and canopy cover (uncut: 44-49%; thinned: 38-78%; clearcutting: 9-13%) were higher in uncut than clearcut plots. Herbaceous cover (uncut: 72-78%; thinned: 26-74%; clearcutting: 34-36%) and number of species/1 m2 (uncut: 9-10; thinned: 7-9; clearcutting: 6) were higher in uncut than clearcut plots. Trees were monitored in 12 uncut, 18 thinned (20-75% retention) and nine clearcut (2% retention) plots (50 m2). Herbaceous species were monitored in 1 × 1 m subplot within each plot. Treatments were applied in 1998-1999, monitoring was two years after treatment.
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