Short-term effects of selection and clear cutting on the shrub and herb layer vegetation during the conversion of even-aged Norway spruce stands into mixed stands
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Published source details
Heinrichs S. & Schmidt W. (2009) Short-term effects of selection and clear cutting on the shrub and herb layer vegetation during the conversion of even-aged Norway spruce stands into mixed stands. Forest Ecology and Management, 258, 667-678.
Published source details Heinrichs S. & Schmidt W. (2009) Short-term effects of selection and clear cutting on the shrub and herb layer vegetation during the conversion of even-aged Norway spruce stands into mixed stands. Forest Ecology and Management, 258, 667-678.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity Action Link |
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Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity
A replicated, controlled study in 2003-2007 in temperate coniferous forest in Germany (Heinrichs & Schmidt 2009) found that clearcutting increased species richness and cover of understory vegetation. Species richness (species/100 m2) of herbaceous species (clearcut: 26-41; selection cutting: 26-32; control: 20-25) and cover of shrubs (clearcut: 14-21%; selection cutting: 13-20%; control: 0-3%) was similar between cutting treatments, but lower in control plots. Species richness of shrubs was higher in clearcut (8-9) than selection cutting plots (4-6) and lowest in control plots (2). Cover of herbaceous species was higher in clearcut (46-64%) than in control plots (18-48%) and similar to both those treatments in selection cutting plots (25-59%). In 2003, two plots (1 ha) of each treatment: clearcut (removing all trees), selection cutting (removing trees >45 cm DBH) and control (untreated) were established in each of two sites. Data were collected in 2007 in 20 subplots (100 m2) in each plot.
