Hybridization among dominant tree species correlates positively with understory plant diversity

Plantations have been claimed to be "monocultures", or "biological deserts". We investigated these claims in the context of a long-term study on plant diversity within plantations with different indigenous tree species, spacings, and soil types that were compared with 410 native stands. Soil type had no influence on plantation species diversity or abundance, and wider spacing resulted in higher richness, lower woody plant abundance, slightly higher cover of herbaceous plants, and large increases in cryptogam cover. We also found a canopy species × spacing interaction effect, where the impact of increased spacing on understory vegetation was more pronounced in spruce than in pine plantations. The dynamic community interactions among species of feathermoss appear to be in response to the physical impediment from varying amounts of needle rain from the different tree species. High light interception and needle fall were negatively correlated with understory plant diversity, as was lack of structural diversity. This study indicates that through afforestation efforts agricultural lands can be restored to productive forests that can harbour nearly one-half of the plant species found in equivalent natural forests within the same geographic region in as little as 50 years. We recommend applying afforestation using indigenous conifer species as a first step towards rehabilitating conifer forests that have been converted to agriculture and subsequently abandoned.

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Evaluating different harvest intensities over understory plant diversity and pine seedlings, in a Pinus pinaster Ait. natural stand of Spain

Plant Ecology ◽

10.1007/s11258-008-9490-2 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 201 (1) ◽

pp. 211-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

J. González-Alday ◽

C. Martínez-Ruiz ◽

F. Bravo

Keyword(s):

Plant Diversity ◽

Pinus Pinaster ◽

Natural Stand ◽

Pine Seedlings ◽

Pinus Pinaster Ait ◽

Understory Plant

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The impact of forest roads on understory plant diversity in temperate hornbeam-beech forests of Northern Iran

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-017-6105-1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 189 (8) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Azade Deljouei ◽

Ehsan Abdi ◽

Matteo Marcantonio ◽

Baris Majnounian ◽

Valerio Amici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Diversity ◽

Beech Forests ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Forest Roads ◽

Understory Plant ◽

The Impact

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Plant Diversity, Ethnobotany and Conservation Issues at Swoyambhu World Heritage, Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.3126/njst.v7i0.583 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 123 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Keshab Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forest ◽

Exotic Species ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Tree Species ◽

Human Population ◽

Northern Slope ◽

Pinus Roxburghii ◽

Total Plant ◽

Pristine Forest

Lying at western corner of the Kathmandu city, the Swoyambhu hillock (1403.76m) represents a surviving pristine forest in the metropolitan capital of Nepal. Once an extension of Jamaca (2096m) with luxuriant sub-tropical forest is now invaded by dense human population and other developmental activities. This hillock is still rich with a total plant species of 319. Of them, 65 are trees, 43 shrubs, 194 herbs and 17 climbers. Northern slope of the hillock is rich in tree species with scattered patches of under-growing bushes and ferns, whereas southern, western and eastern slopes are much disturbed with exotic species of plants, creating challenges to the norms of the heritage standard. Domination by Pinus roxburghii (chire pine) and Eucalyptus, Jacaranda and Callistemon, etc are altering the indigenous nature of the hillock. And also the forested hillock has been randomly utilized for refreshment, yoga, ayurbedic remedy and food. Due to growing constructions and exploitations, the forested hillock is now facing a threat to maintain its pristine ecosystem. <i>Nepal Journal of Science and Technology</i> Vol. 7, 2006

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