Disturbance history of a swamp forest refuge in northern Sweden

Segerström, Ulf; Bradshaw, Richard; Hörnberg, Greger; Bohlin, Elisabet

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(94)90350-6

Cited by 64 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…However if previous forest clearance is further back in time, it can be harder to detect and the effects of clearance may therefore be effectively reversible (Willis, Gillson et al 2004). Segerström et al (1994) found that a northern Swedish boreal forest that had been cleared by human activities between AD 1500-1700, was today indistinguishable in overall species content from unmanaged primary forest. By contrast, Dambrine et al (2007) found a significant legacy in the ground flora from a 2000 year old clearance of temperate forest in northern France.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

et al. 2014

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Abstract:Long forest continuity has often been linked with high conservation value in western European Quercus and Fagus woodlands, but this assumption of long continuity has rarely been tested. Birks (1993) discussed the antiquity of bryophyte-rich Quercus woodland in western United Kingdom presenting evidence that the modern plant communities developed during the late Holocene influenced by human activities. We use pollen data from forest hollows to show that the modern communities within ancient woodlands are all significantly influenced by recent human disturbance. A short period of deforestation in Johnny's Wood, Cumbria, UK dates from the late nineteenth century and is not of Viking age as previously thought. The brief opening of the forest is associated with the local loss of Tilia cordata and Taxus baccata, but a rich bryophyte community exists today. Rich lichen floras of high conservation interest growing on Fagus sylvatica in southwestern Sweden occur despite a recent history of human disturbance and local immigration of Fagus as recently as the ninth century AD. Wistman's Wood, Cornwall, UK had a diverse tree flora until the eleventh century AD and then experienced heavy browsing and grazing until AD 1850, after which time the present Quercus woodland developed with its associated flora of high conservation value. Most western European forests today have long and diverse histories of anthropogenic disturbance and current conservation values incorporate both natural and cultural features. Pollen studies with high spatial resolution demonstrate that simple temporal concepts like 'natural baselines' and the continuity of forest cover underestimate the complexity of the past. Long forest continuity may be of importance for the local survival of higher plants, but for the insects, fungi, lichens and bryophytes that are so valued in contemporary European temperate and boreal forests, habitat diversity maintained by dynamic processes would appear to be of greater significance. spatial resolution demonstrate that simple temporal concepts like 'natural baselines' and the continuity of forest cover underestimate the complexity of the past. Long forest continuity may be of importance for the local survival of higher plants, but for the insects, fungi, lichens and bryophytes that are so valued in contemporary European temperate and boreal forests, habitat diversity maintained by dynamic processes would appear to be of greater significance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

et al. 2014

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“…In general, fi re is considered to be the most important natural forest-renewing factor in the boreal zone (Rowe andScotter 1973, Goldammer andFuryaev 1996). Several studies have shown that even peatlands can burn fairly frequently (Tolonen 1985, Segerström et al 1994, Pitkänen et al 1999. Nevertheless, some studies indicate that there are forested sites, which have not been burnt for very long periods (Steijlen and Zackrisson 1987, Zackrisson et al 1995, Kuuluvainen et al 1998.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest age distribution and traces of past fires in a natural boreal landscape dominated by Picea abies

Wallenius¹

2002

Silva Fenn.

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Forest age distribution and occurrence of traces of past fi res was studied in a natural Picea abies -dominated landscape in the Onega peninsula in north-west Russia. Forest age (maximum tree age) was determined and charcoal and fi re scars were searched for in 43 randomly located study plots. In 70% of the study plots (30/43) trees older than 200 years existed. The largest 50-year age class consisted of plots with 251-300 year old forests. Traces of fi res were found in all types of study plots, in forests on mineral soil as well as on peatlands. However, fi re has been a rare disturbance factor, as traces of fi res could not be found in 35% of the study plots (15/43). Estimated from the forest age class distribution, the fi re rotation time for the whole area has been at least 300 years, but possibly considerably longer. This fi re rotation time is much longer than fi re history studies (largely based on examination of fi re scars) commonly have reported for the average time between successive fi res in Fennoscandia and Northwest Russia. The results suggest that the often stated generalisations about the importance and natural frequency of fi re disturbance in boreal forests do not apply in landscapes dominated by Picea abies.

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“…Summary pollen diagram from the Långrumpskogen peat core (redrawn fromSegerströ m et al, 1994). Grey shading represents 10Â exaggeration of the percentage values (black).…”

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confidence: 99%