Above-ground production in cleared and thinned stands of semiarid tropical woodland, Brazil
Published source details Schacht W.H., Long J.N. & Malechek J.C. (1988) Above-ground production in cleared and thinned stands of semiarid tropical woodland, Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management, 23, 201-214.
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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, controlled study in 1984-1985 in dry tropical forest in Ceara state, Brazil (Schacht, Long & Malacheck 1988) found that thinning decreased woody biomass. Woody biomass (kg/ha) was the highest in unthinned compared to thinned plots (0% cover-retention: 966; 25% cover-retention: 1,058; 55% cover-retention: 1,003; unthinned: 1,891). Four treatment plots (0.1 ha), three thinned (0%, 25% and 55% woody cover retained) and unthinned (95% woody cover) plots were established in 1984 in each of two sites. Data were collected in May 1985 in a subplot protected from grazing (40×50 m) in each plot.
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants
A replicated, controlled study in 1984-1985 in dry tropical forest in Ceara state, Brazil (Schacht, Long & Malechek 1988) found that thinning trees increased herbaceous plant biomass. Biomass of herbaceous species that matured late in the season was the lowest in unthinned plots (0% tree cover: 1,649; 25% cover: 1,593; 55% cover: 1,600; unthinned: 221), while total herbaceous biomass was similar between treatments (0% cover: 1,981; 25% cover: 1,845; 55% cover: 1,926; unthinned: 259). Four treatment plots (0.1 ha) were established in 1984 in each of two sites: three thinned (0%, 25% and 55% woody cover retained) and one unthinned (95% woody cover). Data were collected in May 1985 in a subplot protected from grazing (40 × 50 m) in each plot.
