Study

Understorey plant and soil responses to disturbance and increased nitrogen in boreal forests

  • Published source details Manninen O., Stark S., Kytöviita M., Lampinen L. & Tolvanen A. (2009) Understorey plant and soil responses to disturbance and increased nitrogen in boreal forests. Journal of Vegetation Science, 20, 311-322.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use fertilizer

Action Link
Forest Conservation

Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Use fertilizer

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2000-2002 in boreal forest in Finland (6) found that fertilizing increased the relative weight of grasses (out of total weight of all plant) but not the total weight. Relative weight of grass was higher in plots treated with 40 and 80 kg/ha of nitrogen (N) than unfertilized plots (unfertilized: 5%; 20 kg N/ha: 7%; 40 kg N/ha: 15%; 80 kg N/ha: 16%). Relative weight of evergreen shrubs (25-40%), deciduous shrubs (53-67%) and herbaceous species (1-7%) and total above ground weight of all plants (12-190 g/m2) were similar in all treatments. Data were collected in 2002 in eight replicates of four treatments (3 × 3 m):  unfertilized, 20, 40 and 80 kg N/ha in a year in 1998-2002, in each of two sites.

     

  2. Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2000-2002 in boreal forest in Finland (Manninen et al. 2009) found that clearcutting decreased total plant biomass and the relative biomass of evergreen shrubs, but not deciduous shrubs, grasses or herbaceous species. Total above ground biomass (clearcut: 12-20 g/m2; control: 140-190 g/m2) and relative biomass of evergreen shrubs (clearcut: 20-25%; control: 30-40%) were lower in clearcut. However, relative biomass of deciduous shrubs (53-67%) grasses (1-17%) and herbaceous species (1-7%) was similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2002 in 32 pairs of 0.5 × 0.5 m clearcut plots (biomass above the moss layer clipped each year 2002-2002) and 0.25 × 0.25 m control plots in each of two sites.

     

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