Tree species diversity and composition relationship to biomass, understory community, and crown architecture in intensively managed plantations of the coastal Pacific Northwest, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Austin Himes ◽  
Klaus Puettmann
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Crown Length ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Intensively Managed

Trends in land cover and the demand for ecosystem services suggest that plantation forests will be expected to provide a larger quantity and diversity of ecosystem services. We identified three measures indicative of diverse ecosystem services (aboveground biomass, understory biodiversity, and crown length) and compared their relationships to tree species composition in intensively managed forest plantations of the Coast Range mountains of the Pacific Northwest, United States. This study was conducted in stands of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), as well as in mixtures of the three species that were 35–39 years old. In this operational setting, we did not observe the positive relationship between species diversity and productivity observed in other studies, which we attributed to management practices that minimize interspecific interaction during most of the rotation. Crown length and understory species diversity were greater in mixtures of tree species than in (monospecific) monocultures. When multiple ecosystem components were considered simultaneously, mixtures of tree species outperformed monocultures. The observed relationships of the three responses to tree species composition and diversity are likely explained by differences in tree phenology, shade tolerance, disease susceptibility, and management interventions. Based on the results, management that is solely fixated on wood production homogeneously throughout the plantation may miss opportunities to provide other ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Nitrogen deposition and climate change effects on tree species composition and ecosystem services for a forest cohort

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. e01345 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Van Houtven ◽  
Jennifer Phelan ◽  
Christopher Clark ◽  
Robert D. Sabo ◽  
John Buckley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Climate Change Effects

scholarly journals Stand structure indices as tools to support forest management: an application in Trentino forests (Italy)

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Pastorella ◽  
A. Paletto
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Mutual Position ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
North East

Stand structure and species diversity are two useful parameters to provide a synthetic measure of forest biodiversity. The stand structure is spatial distribution, mutual position, diameter and height differentiation of trees in a forest ecosystem and it highly influences habitat and species diversity. The forest stand and species diversity can be measured through indices that provide important information to better address silvicultural practices and forest management strategies in the short and long-term period. These indices can be combined in a composite index in order to evaluate the complex diversity at the stand level. The aim of the paper is to identify and to test a complex index (S-index) allowing to take into account both the tree species composition and the stand structure. S-index was applied in a case study in the north-east of Italy (Trentino province). The results show that the Norway spruce forests in Trentino province are characterized by a medium-low level of complexity (S-index is in a range between 0.14 and 0.46) due to a low tree species composition rather than to the stand structure (diametric differentiation and spatial distribution of trees).  

scholarly journals Diversity and Structure of an Arid Woodland in Southwest Angola, with Comparison to the Wider Miombo Ecoregion

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Godlee ◽  
Francisco Maiato Gonçalves ◽  
José João Tchamba ◽  
Antonio Valter Chisingui ◽  
Jonathan Ilunga Muledi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Miombo Ecoregion

Seasonally dry woodlands are the dominant land cover across southern Africa. They are biodiverse, structurally complex, and important for ecosystem service provision. Species composition and structure vary across the region producing a diverse array of woodland types. The woodlands of the Huíla plateau in southwest Angola represent the extreme southwestern extent of the miombo ecoregion and are markedly drier than other woodlands within this ecoregion. They remain understudied, however, compared to woodlands further east in the miombo ecoregion. We aimed to elucidate further the tree diversity found within southwestern Angolan woodlands by conducting a plot-based study in Bicuar National Park, comparing tree species composition and woodland structure with similar plots in Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We found Bicuar National Park had comparatively low tree species diversity, but contained 27 tree species not found in other plots. Plots in Bicuar had low basal area, excepting plots dominated by Baikiaea plurijuga. In a comparison of plots in intact vegetation with areas previously disturbed by shifting-cultivation agriculture, we found species diversity was marginally higher in disturbed plots. Bicuar National Park remains an important woodland refuge in Angola, with an uncommon mosaic of woodland types within a small area. While we highlight wide variation in species composition and woodland structure across the miombo ecoregion, plot-based studies with more dense sampling across the ecoregion are clearly needed to more broadly understand regional variation in vegetation diversity, composition and structure.

Interactive influences of distance from seed source and management practices on tree species composition in conifer plantations

2012 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 48-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuo Nagaike ◽  
Taku Fujita ◽  
Seiichi Dejima ◽  
Tsunehide Chino ◽  
Seiji Matsuzaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Seed Source ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Conifer Plantations

scholarly journals Tree Species Composition and Diversity of Ipinu-Igede Sacred Forest in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
E. T. Ikyaagba ◽  
J. I. Amonum ◽  
S. Okwoche
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Species Evenness ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Sacred Forest ◽  
Sacred Forests

The role of sacred forest/sacred groves in the conservation of biodiversity is well recognised and documented. Despite the importance of sacred forests in conservation, data of flora species composition and diversity in many sacred forests still remain scanty.  The study was conducted to provide baseline data on tree species composition and diversity of Ipinu-Igede sacred forest with a view to promote the role of sacred forest in flora conservation in the area. Systematic sampling technique was adopted for the study. A base line transect of 2 km long was established and five (5) other transects 2 km long were laid at regular interval of 500 km apart. On each transect, 4 sampling plots of 50 mx50 m were established at a regular interval of 500m apart. Within the         50 m x50 m plots, trees with diameter at breast height (DBH)≥10 cm were identified and enumerated. Species Important Value Index (IVI), species richness, species evenness and species diversity were estimated. A total number of 50 tree species in 19 families were recorded. Cola gigantea was the most important tree species with IVI of 14.56, this was followed by Harungana madagascariensis with 13.14. Caesalpinioideae was the dominant family with 6 species, 48.15% of the families were represented by only one species. The species richness was D=9.436, Species Evenness was E´=0.7668 and species diversity was H=3.646. Thirty percent (30%) of the tree species were in the DBH class of 1-40cm indicating good regeneration status of the sacred forest. Acknowledgement of the traditional practices by scientists and other actors in natural resources conservation will help in promoting forest conservation.

scholarly journals Die Zürcher Wälder um 1823 – Betriebsformen und Baumarten

2015 ◽  
Vol 166 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Mirjam Bader ◽  
Urs Gimmi ◽  
Matthias Bürgi
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
19Th Century ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Early 19Th Century ◽  
Coppice With Standards

The forests in the Canton of Zurich around 1823 – forest types and tree species Based on early forest management plans from 1823, this paper analyses forest management practices and tree species composition in the public forests of the Canton of Zurich in the early 19th century. Forest type distribution across the canton is reconstructed and detailed tree species composition is shown for 31 communities in the north-western part of the canton. For these communities, we compared the historical tree species composition with modern data from a regional forest inventory. The results show that coppice with standards was the most important forest type in the early 19th century. Tree species composition largely depends on the forest types. The highest diversity in tree species can be found in coppice and coppice-with-standards forests. The analyses reveal no clear relationship between tree species composition and environmental factors such as climate, topography and soil. This leads to the conclusion that in the early 19th century already management had a stronger influence on tree composition than natural conditions. During the last 200 years, tree species composition in the Canton of Zurich changed profoundly. Whereas today's forests are more natural in terms of species composition, they are less diverse in species. Knowing the tree species composition in the past can thus be helpful in conservation projects, e.g. in establishing coppice and coppice-with- standards forests in order to promote rare light-demanding plant and animal species.

scholarly journals Effects of forest disturbance and regeneration on tree species composition and traits in DR Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Depecker ◽  
Justin Anio Asimonyio ◽  
Ronald Miteho ◽  
Yves Hatangi ◽  
Jean-Leon Kambale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
The Impact

Despite their key role in biodiversity conservation, forests of the Congo Basin are increasingly threatened by human activities. Whereas deforestation is very conspicuous, it remains challenging to monitor the impact of forest degradation under a more or less intact canopy. Likewise, the outcomes of forest regeneration following agricultural abandonment remain poorly studied in the Congo Basin. Here, we surveyed 125 vegetation quadrats across 25 forest inventory plots in the Yangambi region, and based on historical land-use maps. We aimed to assess both the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and forest recovery on tree species diversity, tree functional traits, community composition, canopy cover, and forest structure, as compared to undisturbed old-growth forest. We found that undisturbed old-growth forest harboured more tree individuals, particularly individuals with a smaller diameter, as well as species with a higher wood density when compared to both disturbed old-growth and regrowth forest. Moreover, species diversity was highest in disturbed old-growth forest. Tree species composition was significantly different between undisturbed old-growth forest and the other two forest categories. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic disturbance results in a degraded forest structure and may reduce the forest's ability to store carbon. Whereas species diversity recovered 60 years after agricultural abandonment, species composition remained different from undisturbed old-growth forest. Our study illustrates the need for more extensive vegetation surveys in the Congo Basin in order to quantify the effects of human disturbance under a closed canopy.

scholarly journals Canopy Disturbances Catalyse Tree Species Shifts in Swiss Forests

Ecosystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Scherrer ◽  
Davide Ascoli ◽  
Marco Conedera ◽  
Christoph Fischer ◽  
Janet Maringer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Castanea Sativa ◽  
National Forest Inventory ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Insect Outbreaks ◽  
Tree Species Composition

AbstractWidely observed inertia of forest communities contrasts with climate change projections that suggest dramatic alterations of forest composition for the coming decades. Disturbances might be a key process to catalyse changes in tree species composition under environmental change by creating opportunities for ‘new’ species to establish. To test this assumption, we compared two assessments (1993–1995, 2009–2017) from the Swiss National Forest Inventory to evaluate which forests were opened by natural canopy disturbance (that is, wind, insect outbreaks, fire and drought) and if these disturbances altered tree species composition both in terms of species-specific basal area and recruitment densities. Natural disturbances affected 14% of the Swiss forests within 25 years, with wind and insect outbreaks being the most frequent (75%) and fire and drought being rare (< 1.5%). Disturbances led to a shift from conifer to broadleaf tree species at low elevation, in particular in dense Picea abies stands, but no change was observed at higher elevations. The composition of undisturbed sites persisted during the same period. Our results demonstrate that undisturbed forests widely resist changes in tree species composition as an effect of direct ingrowth by stand-forming species. Disturbance events seem necessary to create opportunities for climatically ‘better suited and site-adapted’ species to (re-)establish and therefore potentially catalyse tree species turnover under environmental changes. We detected a reduction of tree species that were—centuries ago—cultivated outside their primary natural range, in particular P. abies, or depended on traditional management practices (Pinus sylvestris, Castanea sativa), which may inform us on how the projected increase in disturbance frequency and severity might filter tree species composition and hereby alter forest structure.

scholarly journals National Forest Inventories capture the multifunctionality of managed forests in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja K. Simons ◽  
María R. Felipe-Lucia ◽  
Peter Schall ◽  
Christian Ammer ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
National Level ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Tree Species Composition

Abstract Background Forests perform various important ecosystem functions that contribute to ecosystem services. In many parts of the world, forest management has shifted from a focus on timber production to multi-purpose forestry, combining timber production with the supply of other forest ecosystem services. However, it is unclear which forest types provide which ecosystem services and to what extent forests primarily managed for timber already supply multiple ecosystem services. Based on a comprehensive dataset collected across 150 forest plots in three regions differing in management intensity and species composition, we develop models to predict the potential supply of 13 ecosystem services. We use those models to assess the level of multifunctionality of managed forests at the national level using national forest inventory data. Results Looking at the potential supply of ecosystem services, we found trade-offs (e.g. between both bark beetle control or dung decomposition and both productivity or soil carbon stocks) as well as synergies (e.g. for temperature regulation, carbon storage and culturally interesting plants) across the 53 most dominant forest types in Germany. No single forest type provided all ecosystem services equally. Some ecosystem services showed comparable levels across forest types (e.g. decomposition or richness of saprotrophs), while others varied strongly, depending on forest structural attributes (e.g. phosphorous availability or cover of edible plants) or tree species composition (e.g. potential nitrification activity). Variability in potential supply of ecosystem services was only to a lesser extent driven by environmental conditions. However, the geographic variation in ecosystem function supply across Germany was closely linked with the distribution of main tree species. Conclusions Our results show that forest multifunctionality is limited to subsets of ecosystem services. The importance of tree species composition highlights that a lack of multifunctionality at the stand level can be compensated by managing forests at the landscape level, when stands of complementary forest types are combined. These results imply that multi-purpose forestry should be based on a variety of forest types requiring coordinated planning across larger spatial scales.

Langfristige Entwicklung von zwei Waldgesellschaften im Białowieża-Urwald

2008 ◽  
Vol 159 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Brzeziecki ◽  
Feliks Eugeniusz Bernadzki
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Strong Trend ◽  
Long Term Study

The results of a long-term study on the natural forest dynamics of two forest communities on one sample plot within the Białowieża National Park in Poland are presented. The two investigated forest communities consist of the Pino-Quercetum and the Tilio-Carpinetum type with the major tree species Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula sp., Quercus robur, Tilia cordata and Carpinus betulus. The results reveal strong temporal dynamics of both forest communities since 1936 in terms of tree species composition and of general stand structure. The four major tree species Scots pine, birch, English oak and Norway spruce, which were dominant until 1936, have gradually been replaced by lime and hornbeam. At the same time, the analysis of structural parameters indicates a strong trend towards a homogenization of the vertical stand structure. Possible causes for these dynamics may be changes in sylviculture, climate change and atmospheric deposition. Based on the altered tree species composition it can be concluded that a simple ≪copying≫ (mimicking) of the processes taking place in natural forests may not guarantee the conservation of the multifunctional character of the respective forests.

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