Value of selectively cut deciduous forest for understory herb conservation: an experimental assessment
Published source details Reader R. & Bricker B. (1992) Value of selectively cut deciduous forest for understory herb conservation: an experimental assessment. Forest Ecology and Management, 51, 317-327.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link |  |
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A replicated, controlled study in 1985-1988 in boreal forest in Ontario, Canada (Reader & Bricker 1992) found that thinninging decreased the number of herbaceous species and the frequency of occurrence of each species. In large plots (0.05 and 0.2 ha), the percentage of herbaceous species that decreased in frequency was higher in uncut (34%-36%) than in 33% tree removal (16-18%) and 66% tree removal plots(18-21%). In contrast, in small plots (0.1 ha), figures were higher in uncut (37%) and 33% tree removal plots (36%) than 66% tree removal plots (12%). The percentage of herbaceous species lost was similar between treatments (uncut: 9-13%; 33% removal: 4-12%; 66% removal: 8-12%). Three plots (0.01, 0.05 and 0.20 ha) of each treatment were replicated five times: uncut, 33% tree removal and 66% tree removal (0%, 33%, and 66% of basal area removed). Treatments were applied in 1985-1986. Data were collected two years after treatments.
