Influences of thinning, chipping, and fire on understory vegetation in a Sierran mixed conifer stand

Published source details Walker R.F., Fecko R.M., Frederick W.B., Miller W.W. & Johnson D.W. (2012) Influences of thinning, chipping, and fire on understory vegetation in a Sierran mixed conifer stand. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 31, 493-517.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link
	Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants Action Link

Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants

A before-and-after study in 2003-2005 in temperate coniferous forest in California, USA (Walker et al. 2012) found no effect of thinning on understory vegetation cover. The changes (after minus before) in cover (thinned: 0%; unthinned: -2%) were similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2003 (before) and 2005 (after) in five plots (0.04 ha) in each of two thinned (thinned to retain 30 m²/ha basal area with debris mulched in June 2003) and two unthinned treatment units (~1 ha).
Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

A before-and-after study in 2003-2005 in temperate coniferous forest in California, USA (Walker et al. 2012) found that prescribed fire decreased the cover of understory vegetation. The change (after minus before) in understory vegetation cover was more negative in burned (-19%) than unburned plots (-2%). Data were collected in 2003 (before) and 2005 (after) in five plots (0.04 ha) in each of two burned (in June 2004) and two control (unburned) treatment units of approximately 1 ha.