The influence of coarse woody debris on soil carbon and nutrient pools 15 years after clearcut harvesting in black spruce—dominated stands in northwestern Ontario, Canada

Ecoscience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Wiebe ◽  
Dave M. Morris ◽  
Nancy J. Luckai ◽  
Douglas E. B. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Clearcut Harvesting

Changes in DOC and DON fluxes in response to harvest intensity of black-spruce-dominated forest ecosystems in northwestern Ontario

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave M Morris
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Type ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Clearcut Harvesting ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Forest Floors ◽  
Source Sink ◽  
Site Types

The current study was conducted to quantify and compare dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) fluxes through black-spruce-dominated forests, to compare the source/sink characteristics of sphagnum- versus feathermoss-dominated forest floors, and to identify changes in DOC and DON flow patterns occurring as a result of clearcut harvesting. After 2 yr of pre-harvest monitoring, replicated, experimental harvests of varying intensities of biomass removals were conducted followed by 4 yr of post-harvest sampling. Prior to harvest, the upland site type, dominated by feathermoss, was a significant source of DOC and DON, whereas, the wet-sphagnum-dominated sites exported minor amounts of these solutes. After harvest, DOC and DON fluxes peaked in the second year, but then dropped off significantly to at or below pre-harvest levels. On the upland site type, chipper debris appeared to be a major source of DOC and DON generating fluxes well above the pre-harvest levels. On the wetter site types, it appeared that microclimate differences between harvest treatments had a stronger influence on DOC and DON production than did the amount or type of harvest residue. Full-tree harvesting did not significantly alter the production of DOC and DON when compared with stem-only harvesting on the sites included in this study. Key words: DOC, DON, forest floor leachate, black spruce, harvesting response

Influence of habitat and microhabitat on carabid (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in four stand types

2003 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Pearce ◽  
L.A. Venier ◽  
J. McKee ◽  
J. Pedlar ◽  
D. McKenney
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Litter Layer ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Disturbed Habitat ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Important Habitat

AbstractStudies based on presence/absence of a species may provide insight into habitat associations, allowing the distribution of species to be predicted across the landscape. Our objective was to characterize the carabid fauna in three mature boreal forest types (conifer, mixedwood, and deciduous) and a disturbed habitat (clearcut) to provide baseline data on the carabid species inhabiting the major forest types of boreal northwestern Ontario. Only spring-active carabids were considered for logistical reasons. We further identified the coarse woody debris structure and microhabitat characteristics within these stand types to try to refine our ability to predict the within-stand occurrence of carabids. We found the carabid composition of deciduous stands (mixedwood and aspen) similar and typical of the carabid fauna found in mixedwood forest in other nearby studies. The important feature of these forest types may be the presence of a deciduous leaf litter layer. In contrast, spruce stands contained fewer species and individuals and a distinct carabid fauna. As predicted, the clearcut habitats were dominated by open habitat species, although the fauna was dissimilar to what was recorded in clearcut habitats in other studies within northwestern Ontario. Coarse woody debris appeared to be an important habitat attribute for several carabid species in clearcut habitats.

The importance of beaver lodges in structuring littoral communities in boreal headwater lakes

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1009-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. France
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Rocky Shore ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Benthic Macroinvertebrate ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Headwater Lakes ◽  
Littoral Zones ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Macrophyte Growth ◽  
Important Habitat

The littoral zones of many boreal headwater lakes in northwestern Ontario are composed of rocks, boulders, and sand, with sparse macrophyte growth. This study investigated the possibility that abandoned beaver lodges might structure littoral communities in these systems through providing accumulations of coarse woody debris and entrapped sediment. The richness and abundance of 10 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, 6 species of small fishes, and 2 species of amphibians were found to be significantly elevated near beaver lodges compared with areas of sand and rocks otherwise characteristic of the littoral zones in these lakes. Beaver in Ontario are generally regarded as a nuisance or a resource; wildlife managers therefore encourage extensive trapping before large populations can become established. The results of this study suggest that beaver provide an important habitat resource for littoral communities in boreal headwater lakes. As a result, endorsement of limiting beaver populations through increased trapping should be reexamined for regions containing macrophyte-impoverished lakes with a rocky shore.

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.

Postfire dynamics of black spruce coarse woody debris in northern boreal forest of Quebec

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1770-1780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Boulanger ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Asymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Study Sites

In this study, postfire coarse woody debris (CWD) dynamics in northern Quebec, Canada, were assessed using a 29-year chronosequence. Postfire woody-debris storage, decomposition rates, and variation of nitrogen and carbon contents of black spruce CWD (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) are estimated. The decomposition rate for postfire snags is exceptionally slow (k = 0.00), while the decomposition rate for logs (k = 0.019–0.021) is within previously recorded values for the boreal forest. The low decomposition rate for snags could be related to low moisture content associated with the position of debris and fast bark shedding. Given the low CWD decomposition rates and CWD storage (21.3–66.8 m3·ha–1), carbon losses from postfire CWD are relatively low, varying between 35.5 and 128.8 kg·ha–1·year–1 at the study sites. The nitrogen content in CWD drops quickly between living trees and snags and increases slightly with time since fire in logs. Nitrogen content is not related to wood density or to moisture content of deadwood. Rapid loss of nitrogen is associated with fast decomposition of subcortical tissues, leaching, and insect comminution. The increase in nitrogen content at the oldest site could result from asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, although a longer time span in the chronosequence would probably have revealed a greater nitrogen gain in increasingly decayed CWD.

Sphagnum establishment and expansion in black spruce (Picea mariana) boreal forests

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Fenton ◽  
Catherine Béland ◽  
Sylvie De Blois ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Control Factor ◽  
Canopy Openness

Boreal forest bryophyte communities are made up of distinct colonies of feathermosses that cover the forest floor. In some black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) boreal forests, Sphagnum spp. establish colonies on the forest floor 30–40 years after the feathermosses, and ultimately expand to dominate the community. The mechanisms that permit the Sphagnum spp. to establish and expand are unknown. The objectives of this study were to examine the establishment and expansion substrates of Sphagnum spp., and the conditions correlated with colony expansion. Forty colonies, in six stands, of Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw. were dissected to determine their substrates, and the environmental conditions in which all colonies present were growing were measured. Coarse woody debris was the dominant establishment and early expansion substrate for Sphagnum capillifolium colonies. With age as the control factor, large colonies showed a significant partial correlation with canopy openness, and there were fewer individuals per cm3 in large colonies than there were in small colonies. These results suggest that Sphagnum establishment in these communities is dependent on the presence of coarse woody debris, and expansion is linked to the stand break-up, which would allow an increase in light intensity, and rainfall to reach the colony. Consequently the community change represented by Sphagnum establishment and expansion is initially governed by a stochastic process and ultimately by habitat availability and species competition.

Environmental controls on carbon dioxide flux from black spruce coarse woody debris

Oecologia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuankuan Wang ◽  
Ben Bond-Lamberty ◽  
Stith T. Gower
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Flux ◽  
Environmental Controls

scholarly journals Change in Soil and Forest Floor Carbon after Shelterwood Harvests in a New England Oak-Hardwood Forest, USA

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayanna L. Warren ◽  
Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Significant Difference

There has been effort worldwide to quantify how much carbon forests contain in order to designate appropriate offset credits to forest carbon climate mitigation. Carbon pools on or immediately below the soil surface are understood to be very active in response to environmental change but are not well understood. Our study focused on the effects of shelterwood regeneration harvests in New England on the carbon stored in litter, woody debris, and surface soil carbon. Results demonstrate significant difference in surface (0–10 cm) soil carbon between control (nonharvested) and harvested sites, with higher carbon percentage on control sites. Results showed a significant difference in coarse woody debris with higher amounts of carbon per area on harvested sites. No significant difference in litter mass was recorded between harvested and control sites. When coarse woody debris and litter are included with soil carbon, total carbon did not have a significant decline over 20 years following shelterwood treatment to the forest to secure regeneration, but there was considerable variability among sites. When taking all surface soil carbon measurements together, our results suggest that for accounting purposes the measurement of below-ground carbon after shelterwood harvests is not necessary for the southern New England region.

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