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Negligible structural development and edge influence on the understorey at 16–17‐yr‐old clear‐cut edges in black spruce forest
Author(s) -
Harper Karen A.,
Drapeau Pierre,
Lesieur Daniel,
Bergeron Yves
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/avsc.12226
Subject(s) - understory , transect , black spruce , abundance (ecology) , boreal , taiga , ecology , enhanced data rates for gsm evolution , geography , forestry , biology , canopy , telecommunications , computer science
Questions What is the distance of edge influence on the structure and understorey composition at 16–17‐yr‐old cut edges in black spruce boreal forest? How do these edges compare with more recent 2–5‐yr‐old cut edges in the same region? Location Northwestern Quebec, Canada. Methods Forest structure and understorey composition were sampled along transects perpendicular to ten 16–17‐yr‐old clear‐cut edges, and compared to published results from 2–5‐yr‐old cut edges. We used randomization tests to assess the magnitude and distance of edge influence, and to compare edge influence between different edge ages. Results Black spruce forest next to the 16–17‐yr‐old cut edges was structurally and compositionally very similar to interior forest, with little edge influence from harvesting beyond 5 m into the forest. Edge influence on the understorey was weak (low magnitude) and not very extensive (short distance) at these edges, with no significant edge influence on the abundance of individual species. Logs peaked in abundance on the forest side of the edge, with values higher than in either adjacent ecosystem. Conclusions Overall, 16–17‐yr‐old cut edges in black spruce forest showed little evidence of further structural change compared to the 2–5‐yr‐old cut edges. Structural development of these edges as well as regeneration of the disturbed areas also resulted in reduced edge influence on the understorey. Instead, clear‐cut edges in black spruce forest may experience more forest influence on the regenerating disturbed area.