Coarse woody debris and forest floor respiration in an old-growth coniferous forest on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1811-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Marra ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Class 1

Carbon dioxide evolution rates for downed logs (coarse woody debris) and the forest floor were measured in a temperate, old-growth rain forest in Olympic National Park, Washington, using the soda lime trap method. Measurements were taken every 4 weeks from October 22, 1991, to November 19, 1992. Respiration rates for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), logs were determined for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 in two diameter classes. Overall, western hemlock logs respired at a rate 35% higher (4.37 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Respiration rates for decay class 1–2 logs of both species were similar to decay class 5 logs (4.46 and 4.07 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), but decay class 3 logs respired at a lower rate (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Seasonal patterns of respiration rates occurred, particularly for decay class 1 and 2 western hemlock logs where monthly averages ranged from a low of 2.67 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in February 1992 to a high of 8.30 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in September 1992. Rates for decay class 1–2 western hemlock logs were greater than those from the forest floor, which ranged from 3.42 to 7.13 g CO2•m−2•day−1. Respiration rates were depressed in late July and August compared with fall and spring owing to the summer drought characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Large-diameter western hemlock logs in decay class 1–2 had higher respiration rates than small-diameter logs, whereas large-diameter decay class 3 western hemlock logs had lower respiration rates than small-diameter logs.

Coarse woody debris and soil respiration in a clearcut on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, U.S.A.

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1337-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Marra ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Olympic Peninsula ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Growth Site ◽  
Respiration Rates

Coarse woody debris (CWD) and soil respiration rates were measured using soda lime traps on a clearcut site in the Hoh River Valley on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. The influence of species of CWD (western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco)), decay class, and log diameter on respiration rates was determined. CWD and soil respiration were measured every 4 weeks from October 1991 to November 1992 along with CWD and soil temperature and moisture contents. Western hemlock logs respired at a significantly higher rate (4.05 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (2.94 g CO2•m−2•day−1). There were no significant differences between respiration rates for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 logs (4.47, 3.69, and 4.28 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), and there was no strong relationship between CWD respiration rate and log diameter. The highest average respiration rate was from the soil in the clearcut (5.22 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Averaged for the year, log and soil respiration rates in the clearcut site were similar to those in an adjacent old-growth forested site. However, seasonal fluctuations were greater on the clearcut site. Higher summer respiration rates and lower winter rates observed on the clearcut relative to the old-growth site appeared to be driven more by temperature than by moisture. Clear-cutting also resulted in higher summer CWD and soil temperatures and lower winter temperatures compared with the old-growth site.

Distribution and abundance of coarse woody debris in a managed forest landscape of the central Appalachians

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1317-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. McCarthy ◽  
Ronald R. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Moderate Amount ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Central Appalachians ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Commercial Thinning

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is integral to the functioning and productivity of forested ecosystems. Standing snags and large logs on the forest floor affect soil processes, soil fertility, hydrology, and wildlife microhabitat. Few data are available pertaining to the distribution and abundance of CWD in the managed hardwood forests of the central Appalachians. We surveyed 11 stands, at various stages of development (succession) after clear-cutting (<2, 15–25, 65–90, >100 years old), to evaluate the density, volume, and biomass of trees, snags, and logs under the local forest management regime. As expected, density, volume, and biomass of CWD (stems ≥2.5 cm diameter) were greatest in young stands (<2 years old) immediately following clear-cutting; the vast majority of CWD existed as relatively labile, small-diameter, low decay state logging slash. Young stands retained a few large logs in advanced decay states but observations suggest that these elements were often disturbed (i.e., crushed) by logging equipment during the harvest process. Crushed logs do not function ecologically in the same capacity as large intact logs. A marked decline in CWD was observed in young pole stands (15–25 years old) as slash decomposed. These stands were characterized by a high density of young hardwood stump sprouts in the overstory while maintaining a moderate amount of CWD in middle size and decay states on the forest floor. More mature hardwood stands (65–90 years old) generally exhibited a decrease in live-stem density and an increase in basal area, accompanied by a slight increase in CWD. Commercial thinning presumably limits the contribution of large CWD to the forest floor. This was most clearly evident in the oldest stands (>100 years old) where large CWD was not widely observed. A striking feature across all stands was the near absence of logs in large size classes (>65 cm diameter) and a paucity of logs in mid to late decay stages. We discuss our data in the context of hardwood forest structure and management in the central Appalachians.

Occurrence of Piloderma fallax in young, rotation-age, and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the Cascade Range of Oregon, U.S.A.

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 995-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Smith ◽  
R Molina ◽  
M MP Huso ◽  
M J Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Rotation Age

Yellow mycelia and cords of Piloderma fallax (Lib.) Stalp. were more frequently observed in old-growth stands than in younger managed stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Piloderma fallax frequency and percent cover data were collected from 900 plots in three replicate stands in each of three forest age classes over 2 years in both spring and fall. Piloderma fallax is strongly associated with stand age; it occurred in 57% of plots in old-growth, 6% of rotation-age, and 1% of young stands. Presence of Piloderma fallax was related to the percent cover of coarse woody debris (CWD) in decay class 5. Piloderma fallax was approximately 2.5 times more likely to occur in a plot with CWD decay class 5 present than in plots without. The probability that it would occur in a plot increased by approximately 20% for every 10% increase in percent cover of CWD decay class 5. However, the percent cover of Piloderma fallax was not strongly related to the percent cover of CWD in decay class 5. Frequency of occurrence did not differ among sampling times. Occurrence of Piloderma fallax may indicate suitable substrate for ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with CWD and may be important in forest management for the maintenance of biodiversity and old-growth components in young managed stands.Key words: Piloderma fallax, coarse woody debris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, forest management, ectomycorrhizal fungi, biodiversity.

Establishment of tree seedlings and water-soluble nutrients in coarse woody debris in an old-growth Picea-Abies forest in Hokkaido, northern Japan

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1148-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masamichi Takahashi ◽  
Yoshimi Sakai ◽  
Reiko Ootomo ◽  
Masao Shiozaki
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Tree Seedling ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Tree Seedling Establishment ◽  
Northern Japan

Forest floor microsite conditions and tree seedling establishment were studied at an old-growth Picea-Abies forest in Hokkaido Island, northern Japan. Tree seedlings were established abundantly on coarse woody debris (CWD) from decay class III, a class indicating moderate decay, to class V, the most advanced decay class. The height-class distribution of tree seedlings indicates that the recruitment of Picea glehnii (Fr. Schm.) Masters and Picea jezoensis (Sieb. et Zucc.) Carr. seedlings on CWD started on decay class II and was mostly restricted to CWD decay class III. Seedlings of Abies sachalinensis (Fr. Schm.) Masters also favored establishment on CWD but had a wide adaptability to most of the microsites. Although CWD functioned as a suitable seedbed, water extracts from CWD were acidic and had quite low mineral nutrient concentrations. Tree seedling establishment did not necessarily require high levels of nutrient content in microsites. Although the forest floor was largely covered by CWD, with 2056 m2·ha-1 of the total projected area covered by CWD, CWD decay class III covered only 366 m2·ha-1 of the forest floor, indicating that CWD as a functioning seedbed is limited by time and space on the forest floor.

Dynamics of coarse woody debris following gap harvesting in the Acadian forest of central Maine, U.S.A.

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2094-2105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Fraver ◽  
Robert G Wagner ◽  
Michael Day
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Acadian Forest ◽  
Mechanical Crushing

We examined the dynamics of down coarse woody debris (CWD) under an expanding-gap harvesting system in the Acadian forest of Maine. Gap harvesting treatments included 20% basal area removal, 10% basal area removal, and a control. We compared volume, biomass, diameter-class, and decay-class distributions of CWD in permanent plots before and 3 years after harvest. We also determined wood density and moisture content by species and decay class. Mean pre-harvest CWD volume was 108.9 m3/ha, and biomass was 23.22 Mg/ha. Both harvesting treatments increased the volume and biomass of non-decayed, small-diameter CWD (i.e., logging slash), with the 20% treatment showing a greater increase than the 10% treatment and both treatments showing greater increases than the control. Post-harvest reduction of advanced-decay CWD due to mechanical crushing was not evident. A mean of 18.48 m3 water/ha (1.85 L/m2) demonstrates substantial water storage in CWD, even during an exceptionally dry sampling period. The U-shaped temporal trend in CWD volume or biomass seen in even-aged stands may not apply to these uneven-aged stands; here, the trend is likely more complex because of the superimposition of small-scale natural disturbances and repeated silvicultural entries.

Mass and nutrient content of woody debris and forest floor in western red cedar and western hemlock forests on northern Vancouver Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1052-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney J. Keenan ◽  
Cindy E. Prescott ◽  
J.P. Hamish Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Western Red Cedar

Biomass and C, N, P, and K contents of woody debris and the forest floor were surveyed in adjacent stands of old-growth western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn)–western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) (CH type), and 85-year-old, windstorm-derived, second-growth western hemlock–amabilis fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) (HA type) at three sites on northern Vancouver Island. Carbon concentrations were relatively constant across all detrital categories (mean = 556.8 mg/g); concentrations of N and P generally increased, and K generally decreased, with increasing degree of decomposition. The mean mass of woody debris was 363 Mg/ha in the CH and 226 Mg/ha in the HA type. The mean forest floor mass was 280 Mg/ha in the CH and 211 Mg/ha in the HA stands. Approximately 60% of the forest floor mass in each forest type was decaying wood. Dead woody material above and within the forest floor represented a significant store of biomass and nutrients in both forest types, containing 82% of the aboveground detrital biomass, 51–59% of the N, and 58–61% of the detrital P. Forest floors in the CH and HA types contained similar total quantities of N, suggesting that the lower N availability in CH forests is not caused by greater immobilization in detritus. The large accumulation of forest floor and woody debris in this region is attributed to slow decomposition in the cool, wet climate, high rates of detrital input following windstorms, and the large size and decay resistance of western red cedar boles.

Short-term effect of thinning on carbon storage in soil, forest floor and coarse woody debris ofQuercusspp. stand in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do, Korea

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 168-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
A-Ram Yang ◽  
Nam Jin Noh ◽  
Sue Kyoung Lee ◽  
Tae Kyung Yoon ◽  
Choonsig Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effect

Comparison of decomposition models using wood density of Douglas-fir logs

1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1092-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Means ◽  
Kermit Cromack Jr ◽  
Paul C. MacMillan
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Exponential Model ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Decomposition Models ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Single Exponential

Logs of Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco that had been on the ground for up to 313 years were grouped into five decay classes that ranged from 1, essentially undecayed, to 5, soft and incorporated into the forest floor but still identifiable. The mean residence times on the forest floor were 7, 17, 33, 82, and 219 years for decay classes 1 through 5, respectively. The single-exponential model of litter decomposition was fitted to the density of these logs. The summation-exponential model was constructed by summing single-exponential models fitted to lignin, cellulose, and the acid detergent soluble fraction. Both models gave virtually identical, statistically significant fits to the data. Wood density of these Douglas-fir logs decreased more slowly than that of most species other researchers have studied. The single-exponential model gave mineralization rates (k) of 0.0063 and 0.0070 year−1 when residence time and decay class age (mean residence time of the decay class), respectively, were used as the independent variable. Lignin decayed more slowly than cellulose or the fraction soluble in hot acid detergent, both of which decayed at rates that were not significantly different; thus, the summation-exponential model is recommended when these constituents are of interest.

Coarse Woody Debris in Douglas-Fir Forests of Western Oregon and Washington

Ecology ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1689-1702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Spies ◽  
Jerry F. Franklin ◽  
Ted B. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Douglas Fir

scholarly journals Epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity, and composition vary with coarse woody debris decay class and substrate species in boreal forest

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
Han Y.H. Chen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas ◽  
Chander Shahi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Wide Range

Although the importance of coarse woody debris (CWD) to understory species diversity has been recognized, the combined effects of CWD decay and substrate species on abundance and species diversity of epixylic vegetation have received little attention. We sampled a wide range of CWD substrate species and decay classes, as well as forest floors in fire-origin boreal forest stands. Percent cover, species richness, and evenness of epixylic vegetation differed significantly with both CWD decay class and substrate species. Trends in cover, species richness, and evenness differed significantly between nonvascular and vascular taxa. Cover, species richness, and species evenness of nonvascular species were higher on CWD, whereas those of vascular plants were higher on the forest floor. Epixylic species composition also varied significantly with stand ages, overstory compositions, decay classes, substrate species, and their interactions. Our findings highlight strong interactive influences of decay class and substrate species on epixylic plant communities and suggest that conservation of epixylic diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse range of CWD decay classes and substrate species. Because stand development and overstory compositions influence CWD decay classes and substrate species, as well as colonization time and environmental conditions in the understory, our results indicate that managed boreal landscapes should consist of a mosaic of different successional stages and a broad suite of overstory types to support diverse understory plant communities.

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