Study

Understory plant communities of boreal mixedwood forests in western Canada: natural patterns and response to variable-retention harvesting

  • Published source details Macdonald S.E. & Fenniak T.E. (2007) Understory plant communities of boreal mixedwood forests in western Canada: natural patterns and response to variable-retention harvesting. Forest Ecology and Management, 242, 34-48.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

    A replicated, controlled study in 1998-2001 in boreal forest in Alberta, Canada (Macdonald & Fenniak 2007) found that clearcutting decreased tree density, basal area and cover as well as herbaceous cover and species richness. Tree density (individuals/ha) (uncut: 568-1,069; thinned: 242-700; clearcutting: 26-52), basal area (m2/ha) (uncut: 87-140; thinned: 39-105; clearcutting: 6-12) and canopy cover (uncut: 44-49%; thinned: 38-78%; clearcutting: 9-13%) were higher in uncut than clearcut plots. Herbaceous cover (uncut: 72-78%; thinned: 26-74%; clearcutting: 34-36%) and number of species/1 m2 (uncut: 9-10; thinned: 7-9; clearcutting: 6) were higher in uncut than clearcut plots. Trees were monitored in 12 uncut, 18 thinned (20-75% retention) and nine clearcut (2% retention) plots (50 m2). Herbaceous species were monitored in 1 × 1 m subplot within each plot. Treatments were applied in 1998-1999, monitoring was two years after treatment.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust