Effects of fuels reductions on plant communities and soils in a piñon-juniper woodland
Published source details Ross M., Castle S. & Barger N. (2012) Effects of fuels reductions on plant communities and soils in a piñon-juniper woodland. Journal of Arid Environments, 79, 84-92.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Remove woody debris after timber harvest Action Link |  | |
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link | |
Remove woody debris after timber harvest
A controlled study in 2007-2009 in Piñon-juniper woodland in Utah, USA (Ross, Castle & Barger 2012) found that shredding woody debris (mulching) increased understory vegetation cover. Cover of understory plants was higher in mulched (66%) than control plots (4%). Two treatment sites (0.4-0.9 km2) were established in 2007: mulching (using a tractor with an attached brush-cutter) and control (untreated). Data were collected in 2009 along ten transects (35 m) in each site.
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A controlled study in 2007-2009 in Piñon-juniper woodland in Utah, USA (Ross, Castle & Barger 2012) found that thinning increased understory vegetation cover. Cover of understory plants was higher in the two thinning treatments (piled and burned: 16%; woody debris: 21%) than control plots (4%). Three treatment sites (0.4-1 km2): piled and burned (trees manually cut with debris placed in discrete piles that were later burned), woody debris (trees manually removed and debris scattered across the site) and control (untreated) were established in 2007. Data were collected in 2009 along 10 transects (35 m) in each site.
