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- Title
The recurring role of site challenges contemporary theories about regeneration under selection systems in northern hardwoods.
- Authors
Premer, M.I.; Froese, R.E.
- Abstract
In naturally regenerated managed forests, silvicultural methods leverage timing and intensity of harvesting activities to align with species-specific reproduction mechanisms. With contemporary emphasis on complex stand structure and diverse composition, there is uncertainty in the continued use of timber-oriented management practices in meeting evolving objectives. In the northern hardwood region of North America, contemporary theory is that selection regeneration systems result in homogenization of structure and composition through increasing dominance of Acer saccharum Marsh. Given the coupling of soils and vegetation in northern hardwoods, trends in site conditions that may be more resilient and (or) facilitative to community diversity may be of value to silviculturists. Remote-sensing products and inventory records were integrated to assess tree communities across site variables in northern Michigan, USA. The results reveal that composition is stabilized by local landforms and that diversity increases with hydrologic catchment area. Time since treatment (1–54 years) appeared negatively correlated with catchment area, reflecting lowlands with high diversity not managed or harvested infrequently, due to equipment access and operational logistics. Broad interpretations of selection regeneration systems may be invalidated by the influence of site conditions not previously accounted for, and the results highlight a novel technique to capture the effect of topography on species assemblages.
- Subjects
MICHIGAN; HARDWOODS; WATERSHEDS; SUGAR maple; LANDFORMS; TOPOGRAPHY
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2022, Vol 52, Issue 4, p463
- ISSN
0045-5067
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/cjfr-2021-0179