We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Natural tree regeneration and vegetation dynamics across harvest gaps in Norway spruce dominated forests in southern Finland.
- Authors
Downey, Margot; Valkonen, Sauli; Heikkinen, Juha
- Abstract
We analysed the impact of forest gap characteristics and understory vegetation on the natural regeneration patterns of Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and birch ( Betula spp.). The gaps were located in spruce-dominated forests in southern Finland and had been established by harvesting four to five growing seasons earlier. Their diameters ranged from 30 to 60 m. To analyze the complex patterns of multiple factors simultaneously, we analysed the data using generalized additive models. The models included gradients related to distance from gap (forest) edge, cardinal position in the gap, understory vegetation, microsite types, and microtopography. The high number of seedlings inside the gaps suggests promising regeneration potential - some 20.3 spruce and 6.8 birch seedlings·m-2. The zone 0-15 m into the gap supported the greatest seedling abundance. Gap centers (15+ m) fostered a highly competitive environment and hosted much lower seedling densities. Northern gap positions varied most significantly, supporting fewer birch seedlings and greater cover of grasses and dwarf shrubs. The results indicate that harvested forest gaps should have diameters of less than 40 m (at least initially) to prevent excessive proliferation of understory vegetation and to facilitate seedling emergence across the gaps under similar conditions.
- Subjects
FORESTS &; forestry; FOREST regeneration; VEGETATION &; climate; SEEDLINGS; SHRUBS
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2018, Vol 48, Issue 5, p524
- ISSN
0045-5067
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/cjfr-2017-0358