Coarse woody debris in an old-growth deciduous forest on the Cumberland Plateau, southeastern Kentucky

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1567-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. Muller ◽  
Yan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Cumberland Plateau ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Regional Pattern ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Volume and mass of coarse woody debris (> 20 cm diameter) in an old-growth forest on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky averaged 66.3 m3/ha and 21.8 Mg/ha, respectively. Coarse woody debris was patchily distributed among 80 sample plots (0.04 ha each), with 10 plots containing 39% of the total mass. Coarse woody debris mass was inversely, although not strongly, related to plot basal area. While 23 species contributed to the accumulation of coarse woody debris, five accounted for 72% of the total mass. These included Quercusprinus L. (25% of the total), Fagusgrandifolia L. (16%), Quercusalba L. (12%), Castaneadentata (Marsh.) Borkh. (11%), and Quercusvelutina Lam. (9%). The few studies of coarse woody debris in old-growth deciduous forests of North America suggest a regional pattern of accumulation correlated with temperature. In warmer regions, old-growth deciduous forests accumulate a mass in the range of 22–32 Mg/ha, while in cooler ecosystems, coarse woody debris ranges from 34 to 49 Mg/ha.

Landscape patterns of change in coarse woody debris accumulation in an old-growth deciduous forest on the Cumberland Plateau, southeastern Kentucky

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 763-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N Muller
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Landscape Position ◽  
Cumberland Plateau ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Forest disturbance was evaluated in an old-growth forest on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky using a 10-year history of coarse woody debris (CWD) accumulation. CWD averaged 21.8 Mg/ha in 1989 and 29.6 Mg/ha (36% increase) in 1999. In both years, Quercus montana Willd. and Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. were the two dominant components of CWD; however, over the 10-year interval, Tilia heterophylla Vent., Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet, and Acer saccharum Marsh. increased significantly, while Quercus alba L. declined. CWD occurrence had a highly skewed frequency, which is consistent with the idea that gap dynamics dominate the disturbance patterns of temperate old-growth forests. However, CWD composition bore limited relationship to overstory species composition or to the dynamics of gap creation. Further, while CWD showed no relationship to forest community (i.e., landscape position) in 1989, it was strongly related to community in 1999. The increase in CWD mass and changing importance of landscape position appear to have occurred in the absence of extrinsic disturbance factors. Thus, in old-growth deciduous forests of the temperate region, autogenic disturbance appears to occur at two scales: (i) the patch dynamics of individual tree mortality and (ii) landscape-scale patterns of mortality that are determined by species composition and differing patterns of mortality among species.

Forest Regrowth on the Cumberland Plateau and Implications for Productive Management

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. Muller
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Cumberland Plateau ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Commercial Species

Abstract An old-growth forest and a 35-year-old, second-growth forest on the Cumberland Plateau were studied to compare species composition and structure. Species composition and total basal area of the two stands did not differ, although total stand density was 19 percent lower and basal area of commercial species was 25 percent higher in the old-growth than in the second-growth stand. Analysis of size-class distributions showed that both stands were best represented by an inverse J-shaped distribution, which best describes old-age stands. The rapid regeneration of the second-growth stand seems to be the result of minimal disturbance to accumulated nutrient pools in the soil. The importance of these accumulated nutrient pools and implications for forest management on the Cumberland Plateau are discussed.

scholarly journals Acumulación De Restos Lignino-Celulósicos (Necromasa) En Un Bosque Templado De Antiguo Crecimiento Dominado Por Nothofagus En El Centro- Sur De Chile

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Carlos Belezaca Pinargote ◽  
Darwin Salvatierra Piloso ◽  
Diana Delgado Campusano ◽  
Roberto Godoy Bórquez ◽  
Eduardo Valenzuela Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
National Park ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Decomposition Level ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Forest Density ◽  
South Central

Coarse woody debris (CWD) are the necromass in wooded environments and comply with various ecosystems functions, such as seedling nursery, habitat other organisms, store carbon (C) and nutrients, etc.. Volume, necromass, and decay states of CWD dead in an old-growth temperate (OGTF) forest in Puyehue National Park, South-Central Chile were evaluated. In 10 plots of 900 m2 CWD was quantified (≥ 10 cm diameter), whose necromass classified using a scale of five categories/stages of decay, necromass (1 = lowest and 5 = highest degradation). The average forest density was 299 trees ha-1, 112 m2 ha-1 of basal area, and 2.395 m3 of stem volume. The upper arboreal stratum was dominated by N. betuloides. The greatest amount of CWD belonged to N. betuloides (95,2%), where logs (52,7%) and branches (35%), plant structures were present in greater numbers. The bulk of necromass found in advanced states of decomposition (level 4 and 5) with 56,5% and 34,1%, respectively. It was determined that the CWD volume was 632 m3 ha-1, representing a necromass of 321.5 Mg ha- 1. These results demonstrate that the old-growth temperate forests of southern Chile are significant reserves of coarse woody debris, which contributes to the biogeochemistry of these complex and remote ecosystems.

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

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.

Dynamics of coarse woody debris and decomposition rates in an old-growth forest in lower tropical China

2010 ◽  
Vol 259 (8) ◽  
pp. 1666-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Fang Yang ◽  
Yue-Lin Li ◽  
Guo-Yi Zhou ◽  
K.O. Wenigmann ◽  
De-Qiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Tropical China

Gradient analysis of old spruce – fir forests of the Great Smoky Mountains circa 1935

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 951-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.T. Busing ◽  
P.S. White ◽  
M.D. MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Gradient Analysis ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Abies Fraseri ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Smoky Mountains

The response of old-growth spruce – fir vegetation to environmental gradients was investigated using 1930s plot data from the Great Smoky Mountains. Gradients related to forest composition and position of the ecotone with the deciduous forest were identified using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and their role in vegetation response to climate change was considered. The data were subsequently stratified into three elevation classes and ordinated separately using CCA to identify gradients at various elevations. The effect of elevation on tree stratum composition and structure was profound. Secondary gradients influencing the tree stratum included slope aspect, potential solar radiation, and topographic position. Abies fraseri basal area and density were high above 1800 m elevation. Comparable basal area levels of Picea rubens were attained at elevations ranging from 1400 to 1900 m. Total stand basal area and density increased with elevation. The importance of topographic position increased with elevation, while that of slope aspect and potential solar radiation decreased. Presumably, the increasing incidence of cloud cover with elevation diminished the effect of slope aspect and potential solar radiation at higher elevations. The transition from deciduous forest occurred in the 1300 – 1600 m elevation range. A substantial proportion (24%) of plots had mixed composition (30 – 70% spruce – fir by basal area), suggesting that the ecotone is not abrupt in old-growth forest. Environmental variables other than elevation did not have a strong effect on ecotone position. Attempts to infer long-term ecotone dynamics along the elevation gradient based on species size-class data were inconclusive. Key words: Abies fraseri, gradient analysis, Great Smoky Mountains, old-growth forest, Picea rubens, spruce – fir forest.

Effect of small-scale forest management on fungivorous Coleoptera in old-growth forest fragments in southeastern Ontario, Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Zeran ◽  
Robert S. Anderson ◽  
Terry A. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Species Analysis

AbstractFungivorous Coleoptera were sampled from old-growth and managed (selectively logged in 1999) hemlock–hardwood forests in southeastern Ontario to examine the effect of small-scale forest management on fungivore diversity in forest fragments. Sampling using flight-intercept traps and trunk-window traps for 22 weeks in 2003 yielded 11 888 beetles representing 73 species in 11 target families (Anthribidae, Cerylonidae, Endomychidae, Erotylidae, Leiodidae, Mycetophagidae, Scaphidiidae, Sphindidae, Tenebrionidae, Trogossitidae, and Zopheridae). The leiodid subfamily Leiodinae was the dominant taxon (10 386 individuals, 38 species). While old-growth stands had no recent logging and had higher volumes of coarse woody debris, species diversity and composition of fungivorous Coleoptera were similar between forest types, suggesting that the stand differences measured (recent logging history, volume of coarse woody debris) did not have a significant effect on beetle diversity in this study. Indicator species analysis showed that Triplax macra LeConte (Erotylidae) was strongly associated with old-growth stands, while Anisotoma blanchardi (Horn), Anogdus obsoletus (Melsheimer), Agathidium sp. 1 (Leiodidae), and Mycetina perpulchra (Newman) (Endomychidae) were associated with managed stands. The lack of difference observed between stand types may be related to the small size of the forest fragments or the relatively small scale of the disturbance.

Mass dynamics of coarse woody debris in an old-growth deciduous forest of Gwangneung, Korea

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Kyung Yoon ◽  
Nam Jin Noh ◽  
Rae-Hyun Kim ◽  
Kyung Won Seo ◽  
Sue Kyoung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Old Growth

Selected Nova Scotia old-growth forests: Age, ecology, structure, scoring

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 632-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce J Stewart ◽  
Peter D Neily ◽  
Eugene J Quigley ◽  
Lawrence K Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Old Growth

A study of four old-growth stands in Nova Scotia was conducted to document the ecological characteristics of these currently rare Acadian forest ecosystems. Stands were selected to represent the two dominant climax forest types, hemlock–red spruce–eastern white pine, and sugar maple–yellow birch–beech. Data include measurements of age structure, species composition, diameter distribution, basal area, height, coarse woody debris, snags, vertical structure, and canopy condition. All stands were determined to be uneven-aged. Old-growth reference ages calculated for the stands ranged from 164 to 214 years. All stands displayed broad diameter distributions that had peak basal area representation in the 40- to 50-cm diameter classes. Volumes of dead wood ranged from 111 to 148 m3/ha in the softwood stands and from 63 to 83m3/ha in the hardwood stands. Dead wood consisted of approximately one-third snags and two thirds downed coarse woody debris. Measurements from the stands were used to evaluate Nova Scotia's recently developed Old Forest Scoring System. Six stand attributes were rated for a maximum score of 100: stand age, primal value, number of large-diameter trees, length of large-diameter dead wood, canopy structure, and understorey structure. Based on the age attribute, three of the four stands were classed as Mature Old Growth and one was very close, indicating that all are in the shifting mosaic stage of late forest succession. The scores for all stands were relatively high, ranging from 75 to 85, as would be expected from some of the best old-growth stands in the province. Key words: old growth, climax, primal, late succession, uneven-aged, scoring, coarse woody debris, age structure, diameter, Acadian forest, northern hardwood, red spruce, eastern hemlock, white pine, sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech

Has canopy height and biomass recovered 78 years after an intense fire in south-western Australia's red tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) forests?

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant Wardell-Johnson ◽  
Liam Crellin ◽  
Casey Napier ◽  
Garrett Meigs ◽  
Alyssa Stevenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Canopy Height ◽  
High Carbon ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Stand Height ◽  
Carbon Stores

Tall eucalypt old-growth forests are notable for their large, old (i.e. venerable) trees and have both significant conservation value and high carbon stores. We investigated whether canopy height and biomass had recovered in an old-growth red tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) forest 78 years after a high-intensity fire. We recorded species, diameter, hollow butting and height of all 596 trees >10-cm diameter at breast height, as well as fine and coarse woody debris, in a 3.55-ha plot near Nornalup, south-western Australia. Pre-fire canopy height was estimated by allometrics derived from tree height and diameter, and diameter and length of recently fallen branches. Of the basal area (75.0 m2 ha–1), 92.7% was eucalypt (chiefly E. jacksonii), with regeneration accounting for only 8.5% of the total. Although canopy species composition apparently did not change following fire, stand height and biomass had not recovered to pre-1937 levels by 2015. Canopy height remained 5.06 m (11%) less and biomass 25% less, 78 years after the fire. The combination of intense fire and a warmer, drier climate appears to have prevented recovery of forest height and structure at this site. These findings indicate that ecologically important, venerable trees are increasingly vulnerable to canopy fire and climate change.

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