Influence of precommercial thinning on understory vegetation of young-growth Sitka spruce forests in southeastern Alaska
Published source details Cole E.C., Hanley T.A. & Newton M. (2010) Influence of precommercial thinning on understory vegetation of young-growth Sitka spruce forests in southeastern Alaska. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 40, 619-628.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees Action Link |  | |
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link | |
Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1998-2005 in boreal forest in south eastern Alaska, USA (Cole, Hanley & Newton 2013) found that thinning decreased canopy cover of conifers. Canopy cover of conifers was similarly lower in all thinning treatments (50-67%) than in unthinned plots (95%). Two 0.2 ha plots of each of four conifer thinning treatments (retaining 250, 370, 500, and 750 trees/ha) and unthinned plots were replicated in seven 16-18 year old forest sections. Treatments were applied in 1999, data were collected in 2005.
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1998-2005 in boreal forest in south eastern Alaska, USA (Cole, Hanley & Newton 2013) found that thinning trees increased the cover of understory vegetation. The total cover of understory plants was similarly higher in all thinning treatments (62-72%) than in unthinned plots (30%). Two 0.2 ha plots of each of four conifer thinning treatments (retaining 250, 370, 500, and 750 trees/ha) and unthinned plots were replicated in seven 16-18 year old forest sections. Treatments were applied in 1999, data was collected in 2005.
