Changes in Ponderosa Pine Site Productivity following Removal of Understory Vegetation

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The understory fern Dicranopteris dichotoma facilitates the overstory Eucalyptus trees in subtropical plantations

“…In agreement with previous research in temperate forests and subtropical plantation forests, our results indicate that understory plants increase soil water retention, moderate soil temperature and help maintain soil quality (Busse et al 1996. Experiments in boreal forests, in contrast, showed that understory and overstory species compete for nutrients and water (Nilsson and Wardle 2005).…”

Effects of wildfires on flora, fauna and physico-chemical properties of soil-An overview

“…Fire encouraged fire-tolerant tree species and discouraged fire-sensitive species as reported by Ivanauskas et al (2003). Fires may also play a significant role in regulating ecosystem productivity and diversity by promoting mineralization of nutrients stored in organic matter and allowing the invasion of rapid growing early successional species (Busse et al, 1996;DeBano et al, 1998;Boerner et al, 2009). Soil provides numerous essential ecosystem services such as primary production (including agricultural and forestry products); regulation of biogeochemical cycle (with consequences of the climate); water filtration, resistance to diseases and pests and regulation of above ground biodiversity .…”

Release potential of giant sequoia following heavy suppression: 20-year results

“…5 Measurements of various morphological traits were collected prior to shrub removal, then 6 sapling height growth response was measured periodically after the release treatment. In general, 7 giant sequoia responded quickly to the removal of competing shrubs, growing steadily for 20 8 years following treatment. Among the morphological traits considered, live crown ratio alone 9 was the most important factor in predicting relative height growth following treatment.…”

“…Maclaren 2004). 8 Closer to its native range consisting of disjunct groves on the western slopes of the Sierra 9…”

“…23 Further, initial height can be assumed to be correlated with later height and is not a variable of Where RELGRO is relative growth and t is the number of years since the release treatment. 7 Given the objective of quantifying each variable's potential as an indicator of release, we 8 chose a technique that could help quantify the relative contributions of each variable in 9 explaining the observed data. In essence, the objective is to know which traits-or certain 10 combinations of traits, are reasonable to consider when judging release potential in the field.…”