Initial response of a mixed-conifer understory plant community to burning and thinning restoration treatments

Published source details Wayman R.B. & North M. (2007) Initial response of a mixed-conifer understory plant community to burning and thinning restoration treatments. Forest Ecology and Management, 239, 32-44.
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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 replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2000-2003 in temperate mixed forest in California, USA (Wayman & North 2007) found no effect of thinning on understory plant species richness and cover. Numbers of species/10 m² plot (unthinned: 4; understory thinning: 4; canopy thinning: 3) and cover (unthinned: 8%; understory thinning: 5%; canopy thinning: 6%) were similar among treatments. Three replicates of unthinned, understory thinning (removing trees 25–76 cm DBH, retaining at least 40% canopy cover) and canopy thinning (removing trees >25 cm DBH leaving 22 large trees/ha) treatment units (4 ha) were established in 2000-2001. Data were collected in 2003 in 9-49 plots (10 m²) in each treatment unit.
Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2000-2003 in temperate mixed forest in California, USA (Wayman & North 2007) found no effect of prescribed burning on understory plant species richness and cover. Numbers of species (burned: 3; unburned: 4/10 m²) and cover (burned: 9%; unburned: 8%) were similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2003 in 9-49 plots (10 m²) in each of three control (unburned) and three burned (prescribed fire in 2001) treatments units (4 ha).