Fuel succession in a western hemlock/Douglas-fir forest

Fuel succession was quantified for a 515-year chronosequence in a Tsugaheterophylla/Pseudotsugamenziesii forest. Postfire stand ages selected were 1, 3, 19, 110, 181, and 515. After initial reductions due to mortality from fire in the first 3 years, live aboveground biomass in the tree component increased over time to over 1100 t/ha. Shrub and herb layer biomass was highest in year 19 and year 515. Dead aboveground biomass had different trends for different fuel size classes; normalized fuel loadings of five dead and down fuel categories peaked at four different stand ages: 1-h and 10-h timelag (TL) fuels, age 1; 100-h TL fuels, age 19; 1000-h TL fuels, age 110; >1000-h TL fuels, age 515. Surface fire behavior was highest early in the sere and lowest at ages 110–181. Old-growth forest patches appear to be best buffered against forest fire by mature forest patches rather than old growth or recently burned natural stands.

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Herb-Layer Dynamics in an Old-Growth Forest: Vegetation–Environment Relationships and Response to Invasion-Related Perturbations

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11101069 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 1069

Author(s):

Taylor M. Buskey ◽

Margaret E. Maloney ◽

Julia I. Chapman ◽

Ryan W. McEwan

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Native Species ◽

Alliaria Petiolata ◽

Agrilus Planipennis ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Individual Species ◽

Herb Layer ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Forest Remnant

Temperate forests of eastern North America are subject to multiple invasions from non-native species that have the potential to drive long-term dynamics in biodiversity. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande) is an invasive plant in many deciduous forests, and management efforts often focus on removing this species to initiate native species restoration. Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (emerald ash borer; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a non-native insect pest that has caused substantial loss of ash trees (Fraxinus spp. L.) in North America. Our goal was to understand how the herbaceous layer in an old-growth forest responded to the removal of a significant invasion of A. petiolata and the loss of Fraxinus spp. due to A. planipennis. Herbaceous diversity and environmental parameters were measured in 32 permanent plots (1 m2 each) from 2012 to 2020 in an old-growth forest remnant that had experienced A. petiolata invasion and subsequent removal as well as mortality of Fraxinus spp. due to A. planipennis. Near-total loss of Fraxinus spp. as a canopy tree was not associated with changes in the understory light environment, possibly due to rapid canopy closure by adjacent trees not susceptible to the insect. Alliaria petiolata removal was associated with changes in herbaceous species richness and possibly shifts in individual species importance. Vegetation–environment relationships remained stable throughout the sampling period, suggesting that resource-related factors that structure the herb layer prevailed throughout the changes associated with Fraxinus spp. mortality and A. petiolata management. From a natural area management perspective, our data offer support for the idea that A. petiolata removal influences herb-layer diversity and indicate that in stands with a diverse tree community, the loss of Fraxinus spp. may not directly influence understory biodiversity.

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Long-term performance and herbivory of tree seedlings planted into primary and secondary forests of Central Amazonia

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s026646741300031x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 301-311 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julieta Benítez-Malvido ◽

Miguel Martínez-Ramos

Keyword(s):

Secondary Forest ◽

Tree Seedlings ◽

Secondary Forests ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Central Amazonia ◽

One Year ◽

Term Performance ◽

Over Time

Abstract:Plant survival and growth in tropical rain forest are affected by different biotic and abiotic forces. As time elapses and plants grow the relative importance of such forces as regeneration inhibitors and/or facilitators may change according to habitat and species. To detect within- and among-species divergences in performance over time in different habitats we followed, for nearly a decade, the survival, growth and herbivory of seedlings of the native tree species: Chrysophyllum pomiferum, Micropholis venulosa and Pouteria caimito. In Central Amazonia, young seedlings were planted into old-growth and secondary forests dominated by Vismia spp. One year after planting, C. pomiferum ranked first (i.e. fast growth, fewer dead and less herbivory) for both habitats, followed by M. venulosa and P. caimito. Initial trends changed over time. In the long term, M. venulosa ranked first for both habitats, followed by C. pomiferum and P. caimito ranked consistently lowest. Within-species divergences in growth and herbivory were greater in secondary forest. Initial seedling responses cannot always be used to predict species persistence in the long term. Contrary to previous estimations, old-growth-forest species can persist under Vismia spp. stands, at least when planted.

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Aboveground biomass dynamics of subalpine old-growth forest in the upper reach of the Minjiang River

Acta Ecologica Sinica ◽

10.1016/s1872-2032(08)60067-0 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 28 (7) ◽

pp. 3176-3184 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zhang Guobin ◽

Liu Shirong ◽

Zhang Yuandong ◽

Miao Ning ◽

Wang Hui

Keyword(s):

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Minjiang River ◽

Biomass Dynamics

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Bryophyte Conservation in Managed Boreal Landscapes: Fourteen-Year Impacts of Partial Cuts on Epixylic Bryophytes

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change ◽

10.3389/ffgc.2021.674887 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Jeffrey Opoku-Nyame ◽

Alain Leduc ◽

Nicole J. Fenton

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Coarse Woody Debris ◽

Black Spruce ◽

Woody Debris ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Old Growth ◽

Clear Cut ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Old Growth Forests ◽

Over Time

Clear cut harvest simplifies and eliminates old growth forest structure, negatively impacting biodiversity. Partial cut harvest has been hypothesized (1) to have less impact on biodiversity than clear cut harvest, and (2) to encourage old growth forest structures. Long-term studies are required to test this hypothesis as most studies are conducted soon after harvest. Using epixylic bryophytes as indicators, this study addresses this knowledge gap. Fourteen years after harvest, we examined changes in epixylic bryophyte community composition richness and traits, and their microhabitats (coarse woody debris characteristics and microclimate) along an unharvested, partial cuts and clear cuts harvest treatment in 30 permanent plots established in the boreal black spruce (Picea mariana) forests of northwestern Quebec, Canada. Our results were compared to those of an initial post-harvest study (year 5) and to a chronosequence of old growth forests to examine species changes over time and the similarity of bryophyte communities in partial cut and old growth forests. Coarse woody debris (CWD) volume by decay class varied among harvest treatments with partial cuts and clear cuts recording lower volumes of early decay CWD. The epixylic community was richer in partial cuts than in mature unharvested forests and clear cuts. In addition, species richness and overall abundance doubled in partial and clear cuts between years 5 and 14. Species composition also differed among treatments between years 5 and 14. Furthermore, conditions in partial cut stands supported small, drought sensitive, and old growth confined species that are threatened by conditions in clear cut stands. Lastly, over time, species composition in partial cuts became more similar to old growth forests. Partial cuts reduced harvest impacts by continuing to provide favorable microhabitat conditions that support epixylic bryophytes. Also, partial cut harvest has the potential to encourage old growth species assemblages, which has been a major concern for biodiversity conservation in managed forest landscapes. Our findings support the promotion of partial cut harvest as an effective strategy to achieve species and habitat conservation goals.

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Aboveground biomass increments over 26 years (1993–2019) in an old-growth cool-temperate forest in northern Japan

10.1101/2021.07.02.450668 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mahoko Noguchi ◽

Kazuhiko Hoshizaki ◽

Michinari Matsushita ◽

Daiki Sugiura ◽

Tsutomu Yagihashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Local Scale ◽

Small Scale ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Mean Temperature ◽

Cool Temperate ◽

Northern Japan

Assessing long-term changes in biomass of old-growth forests is critical in evaluating forest ecosystem functions under a changing climate. Long-term biomass changes are the result of accumulated short-term changes, which can be affected by endogenous processes such as gap filling in small-scale canopy openings. Here, we used 26 years (1993–2019) of repeated tree census data in an old-growth, cool-temperate, deciduous mixed forest that contains three topographic units (riparian, denuded slope, and terrace) in northern Japan to document decadal changes in aboveground biomass (AGB) and their processes in relation to endogenous processes and climatic factors. AGB increased steadily over the 26 years in all topographic units, but different tree species contributed to the increase among the topographic units. AGB gain within each topographic unit exceeded AGB loss via tree mortality in most of the measurement periods despite substantial temporal variation in AGB loss. At the local scale, variations in AGB gain were partially explained by compensating growth of trees around canopy gaps. Climate affected the local-scale AGB gain: the gain was larger in the measurement periods with higher mean temperature during the current summer but smaller in those with higher mean temperature during the previous autumn, synchronously in all topographic units. The decadal climate trends of warming are likely to have contributed to the steady increase in AGB in this old-growth forest.

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Birds in patches of old-growth ash forest, in a matrix of younger forest

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc980111 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 111 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Richard H. Loyn

Keyword(s):

Forest Structure ◽

Patch Size ◽

Forest Birds ◽

Old Growth ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Generalized Linear Modelling ◽

Mountain Ash ◽

Context Variables

Birds were studied at 57 sites in Mountain Ash forests in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia in spring and summer 1995/96. The sites represented 41 patches of old-growth forest (up to 390 ha in size) in a matrix of regrowth mostly from severe fires in 1939 (57 years previously), with multiple sites in the four largest patches of old-growth and eight sites in 1939 regrowth. Relative bird abundance was assessed by an area-search technique. Generalized linear modelling was used to develop predictive models by regressing abundance of groups of bird species against patch size, isolation and some basic habitat and context variables. Total bird abundance (of all species combined) tended to be higher in old-growth patches than in 1939 regrowth, but not significantly. There was no trend in total abundance with patch size or isolation. Fruit-eating birds tended to be commonest in small patches. Bark-foragers and uncommon birds favoured large patches, though the latter were most common in 1939 regrowth. More variation was explained by habitat and context variables such as aspect, altitude and forest structure. Unevenaged forest structure was often associated with small patches. It was concluded that old-growth forest patches can have similar values per hectare for forest birds whether they are large or small. The regrowth forest matrix appears to protect small patches from factors which reduce densities of forest birds in small forest patches in farmland. The data support the current policy of retaining all old-growth ash forest patches. A range of factors should be considered in selecting regrowth stands of various sizes to regrow as old forest of the future, including their intrinsic potential to develop particular habitats and produce a mix of forest stuctures in the landscape.

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Relations between tree canopy composition and understorey vegetation in a European beech-sessile oak old growth forest in Western Romania

Biologia ◽

10.1515/biolog-2017-0165 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 72 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michaela Dölle ◽

Any Mary Petritan ◽

Iovu Adrian Biris ◽

Ion Catalin Petritan

Keyword(s):

European Beech ◽

Tree Canopy ◽

Herb Layer ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Canopy Layer ◽

Old Growth ◽

Understorey Vegetation ◽

Sessile Oak ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Western Romania

AbstractThe diversity relationship between tree and herb layer has often been investigated, but the results are contradictory. Moreover, few studies of deciduous European species have been conducted to date in natural or near-natural forests, while such studies in old-growth forest with considerable co-dominance of oak are missing.In one of the best preserved natural European beech-sessile oak forests (Runcu-Grosi Natural Reserve, Western Romania) we investigated whether there is a correlation between canopy-layer diversity and herb-layer diversity. Structural diversity, vegetation composition, ecological and functional traits were evaluated. Our results show that the herb-layer diversity is higher under canopy with greater tree-layer diversity, and the diversity of both layers depend on whether the overstorey is dominated by beech or sessile oak. Herb layers of plots with oak co-dominance showed higher indicator values for light and temperature, and a higher proportion of graminoides and shrub species. In contrast, herb-layer in beech plots is dominated by juvenile trees, mainly beech and competitive herb species. Oak plots are characterised by a generally more evenly distributed herb-layer composition. Species richness of herb-layer was higher under a diversely structured overstorey, which was mainly achieved when oak was present in the canopy, and correlated negatively with litter thickness, which was highest in beech plots. We conclude that the identity of the dominant canopy species is most important for herb layer species composition and diversity. Furthermore, the plots with oak occurrence in the overstorey even with weak proportion (around 20% of stand basal area) features a higher biodiversity of species in the understorey.

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Marbled Murrelets Select Distinctive Nest Trees within Old-Growth Forest Patches

Avian Conservation and Ecology ◽

10.5751/ace-00462-060203 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael P. Silvergieter ◽

David B. Lank

Keyword(s):

Old Growth ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Marbled Murrelets

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Twenty-Five Years of Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Accumulation Following Extreme Wind Damage in an Old-Growth Forest

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10030289 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 289

Author(s):

Chris Peterson

Keyword(s):

Temporal Resolution ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Temperate Forests ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Carbon Accumulation ◽

Wind Disturbance ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Undisturbed Forest

Modeling of carbon dynamics at the landscape, regional, and continental scales is currently limited by few empirical studies of biomass and carbon accumulation after some types of disturbances. For temperate forests of North America, only three previous studies described biomass and carbon accumulation after wind disturbances, and those were limited by either coarse temporal resolution of the first several decades, or limited time span. Here, 25 years of aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation following severe wind disturbance of an old-growth hemlock-northern hardwoods forest of northwestern Pennsylvania are documented to characterize the temporal trends with fine temporal resolution and extend into the third decade post-disturbance. Mature undisturbed forest at the site supported roughly 296 Mg ha−1 live aboveground biomass and 148 Mg ha−1 of carbon. The disturbance reduced the aboveground woody biomass to ~7 Mg ha−1, and carbon to ~3.5 Mg ha−1. During regrowth, biomass and carbon accumulated slowly at first (e.g., 2–4 Mg ha−1 year−1 for biomass and 1–2 mg ha−1 year−1 for carbon), but at increasing rates up through approximately 17 years post-disturbance, after which accumulation slowed somewhat to roughly 3.4 Mg ha−1 year−1 of biomass and 1.7 Mg ha−1 year−1 of carbon. It appears that the rates reported here are similar to rates observed after wind disturbance of other temperate forests, but slower than accumulation in some tropical systems. Notably, in tropical forests, post-windthrow accumulation is often very rapid in the first decade followed by decreases, while in the results reported here, there was slow accumulation in the first several years that increased in the second decade and then subsequently slowed.

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