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

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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Fuel succession in a western hemlock/Douglas-fir forest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x87-112 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 697-704 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

James K. Agee ◽

Mark H. Huff

Keyword(s):

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Fire Behavior ◽

Herb Layer ◽

Old Growth ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Surface Fire ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Tree Component ◽

Natural Stands ◽

Over Time

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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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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Structural Diversity in a Mixed Spruce-Fir-Beech Old-Growth Forest Remnant of the Western Carpathians

Forests ◽

10.3390/f9070379 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 379 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Zuzana Parobeková ◽

Ján Pittner ◽

Stanislav Kucbel ◽

Milan Saniga ◽

Michal Filípek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Diversity ◽

Western Carpathians ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Forest Remnant

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Évolution de la structure diamétrale et de la composition des peuplements mixtes de sapin baumier et d'épinette rouge de la forêt primitive après une coupe à diamètre limite sur l'Aire d'observation de la rivière Ouareau

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x02-205 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 691-704 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mathieu Fortin ◽

Jean Bégin ◽

Louis Bélanger

Keyword(s):

Large Diameter ◽

Group Analysis ◽

Red Spruce ◽

Balsam Fir ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Betula Alleghaniensis ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Diameter Structure

Using data from 41 plots, the diameter structure and composition of old-growth mixed stands composed mainly of balsam fir (Abies basalmea (L.) Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) were characterized. The stand table was organized in five groups of diameter classes, and we characterized the basal area of four tree species in each group. Analysis showed that diameter structure tends toward a reverse J-shaped curve. Red spruce and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) were more abundant among large diameter trees while balsam fir was more abundant among saplings. A comparison with 18 permanent plots from a diameter-limit cutting showed that plots had come back to a structure similar to that of the old-growth forest 47 years after cutting. However, spruce ratios had decreased while those of balsam fir and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) had increased. Red spruce decrease is not due to a lack of regeneration but to overcutting. Single-tree selection method would be a suitable treatment if aimed at protecting red spruce trees up to a given diameter.

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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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Improving trapping methods for buprestid beetles to enhance monitoring of native and invasive species

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1093/forestry/cpz071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 93 (2) ◽

pp. 254-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zoltán Imrei ◽

Zsófia Lohonyai ◽

György Csóka ◽

József Muskovits ◽

Szabolcs Szanyi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Native Species ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Emerald Ash Borer ◽

Host Finding ◽

Agrilus Planipennis ◽

Male Mating ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Flight Behaviour ◽

Bronze Birch Borer

Abstract Most of the current understanding of the orientation and communication of jewel beetles arose from research on the Asian emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, which has become one of the most destructive invasive forest insect pests in history following its introduction to North America and European Russia. From a European perspective, a number of jewel beetles have a high invasive risk similar to that of the emerald ash borer, including the potential threat of the bronze birch borer Agrilus anxius, the goldspotted oak borer Agrilus auroguttatus, and the twolined chestnut borer Agrilus bilineatus. Native jewel beetles expanding their geographic range include the cypress jewel beetle Ovalisia festiva and the black-banded oak borer Coraebus florentinus. Other native species are increasing in their importance, including the flathead oak borer Coraebus undatus, the two-spotted oak borer Agrilus biguttatus, the flatheaded beech borer Agrilus viridis and Agrilus cuprescens. Commonly used prism and multi-funnel trap designs and other promising experimental trap designs have been tested and compared in the US and in Europe. One factor considered has been colouration, typically purple and green. Another is olfactory attraction, both to plant volatiles and extracts such as (Z)-3-hexenol, Manuka oil, Phoebe oil and Cubeb oil, and also to pheromones such as (Z)-3-lactone, for emerald ash borer. Field observations have been made of mating and host-finding behaviours of oak buprestids based upon visual stimuli in North America and Europe. By using pinned dead EAB models, visual mating approaches have been observed by males of Agrilus biguttatus, Agrilus sulcicollis and Agrilus angustulus, which is a behaviour similar to that previously observed in EAB. Green plastic-covered branch-traps significantly out-performed other trap designs and caught more Agrilus jewel beetles if an artificial visual decoy that copies a beetle body was included. A higher fidelity decoy offered the same distinctive light-scattering pattern as real resting EAB females and elicited the full sequence of stereotypical male mating flight behaviour of EAB and A. biguttatus from up to 1 m away. An optimization of visual, olfactory and other possible stimuli has likely not yet been achieved. More sophisticated trap designs could lead to more sensitive detection capabilities with increased selectivity.

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Composition and Structure of an Old-Growth Forest Remnant in Unglaciated Southwestern Illinois

The American Midland Naturalist ◽

10.2307/2423684 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 46 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

George T. Weaver ◽

William C. Ashby

Keyword(s):

Old Growth ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

Forest Remnant

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Macrofungi in the secondary succession on the abandoned farmland near the Białowieża old-growth forest

Monographiae Botanicae ◽

10.5586/mb.2009.001 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 99 ◽

pp. 1-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Izabela Kałucka

Keyword(s):

Secondary Succession ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Permanent Plots ◽

Old Growth ◽

Vegetation Development ◽

Abandoned Farmland ◽

Old Growth Forest

The paper deals with the succession of basidiomycete macrofungi on abandoned farmland. The research was carried out in the unique complex of old fields of different age located on the southwest edge of the Białowieża old-growth forest (NE Poland). These lands undergo spontaneous secondary succession leading to formation of a continental fresh pine forest. Regular observations of basidiomata in 16 permanent plots (11 plots of 1000 m2, 5 plots of 400 m2) representing initial, optimal and terminal stage of vegetation development from psammophilous grassland to a pine forest with 100-year-old tree stand were conducted for three years. Soil and vegetation analyses were also carried out as well as quantitative examination of ectomycorrhizae in root samples. The series yielded 300 species of macromycetes (including 6 collective taxa) found in permanent plots plus 18 species outside the plots. The species composition, spatial distribution of sporocarps, and quantitative structure of fungal communities changed along the successional gradient. Increasing diversity of fungi resulted from persistence of species typical of open areas and species associated with younger trees, as well as accumulation of species associated with older trees and more developed stands. Some species typical of younger phases were replaced with species arriving later in the chronosequence. Species usually occurred long before and after attaining maximum abundance and frequency. Species associated with certain periods of vegetation development could be distinguished, as well as species accompanying the phytocoenoses regardless of their developmental stage. Patterns in structural changes of the fungal community, e.g., in number of species, abundance, frequency and production of carpophores, could also be recognised. They were different in ectomycorrhizal and in saprotrophic fungi. The occurrence of the former was influenced mainly by the presence of symbiotic trees and their age, stand structure and soil properties, while occurrence of the latter was affected by microclimatic factors and by diversity of accessible substrates. Changes in fungal communities were consistent with vegetation changes, but were also specific to this group of organisms.

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