Study

Understory plant species composition 30–50 years after clearcutting in southeastern Wyoming coniferous forests

  • Published source details Selmants P.C. & Knight D.H. (2003) Understory plant species composition 30–50 years after clearcutting in southeastern Wyoming coniferous forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 185, 275-289.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Log/remove trees within forests: effects on understory plants

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Log/remove trees within forests: effects on understory plants

    A replicated, controlled study in 1951-1998 in coniferous montane and subalpine forest in Wyoming, USA (Selmants & Knight 2003) found that harvesting increased species richness but not cover of understory plants. The number of species/forest unit was higher in harvested than control plots in both montane (harvested: 26; unharvested: 19) and subalpine forest units (harvested: 32; unharvested: 12). Total cover of understory plants was similar between treatments in both montane (harvested: 25%; unharvested: 23%) and subalpine units (harvested: 58%; control: 55%). Data were collected in 1997-1998 using 50 frames (50 × 100 cm) at each of 30 harvested (in 1951-1969) and 24 unharvested forest units (< 0.5 ha).

     

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