Ecophysiology of the Herbaceous Layer in Temperate Deciduous Forests

Neufeld, Howard S.; Young, Donald R.

doi:10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199837656.003.0003

Cited by 86 publications

(134 citation statements)

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“…Climate change is also associated with increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations, which may stimulate growth and productivity (Neufeld & Young 2003) and therefore increase canopy density. However, this only applies to regions where there is adequate moisture or growth is currently limited by cold (Chmura et al 2011;Wertin, McGuire & Teskey 2012).…”

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this only applies to regions where there is adequate moisture or growth is currently limited by cold (Chmura et al 2011;Wertin, McGuire & Teskey 2012). Moreover, higher growth would also increase competition for nutrients between established trees and understorey vegetation (Neufeld & Young 2003). Increasing temperatures also affect phenology; specifically, a significant advancement of spring has been observed (Menzel et al 2006).…”

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increasing temperatures also affect phenology; specifically, a significant advancement of spring has been observed (Menzel et al 2006). Prolonged spring growth activity may deplete soil moisture and therefore decrease moderating capacity in summer, besides other known risks of earlier phenology such as damage by late frost (Neufeld & Young 2003) and inappropriate root-to-shoot ratio to sustain dry summer periods (Richter et al 2012).…”

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, some studies also report closed stomata in herbaceous plants and tree seedlings even when there was ample soil moisture, if the air was considerably dry and VPD consequently elevated (Leuschner, 2002;Lendzion & Leuschner, 2008;Kupper et al, 2011). Stomatal control and therefore photosynthetic efficiency are also influenced by levels of CO 2 in the air (Kramer & Boyer 1995), which is additionally released from the forest floor by decomposition processes and root respiration (Neufeld & Young 2003), particularly when soils are moist and warm (Deng et al 2010;Lloyd & Taylor 1994;Raich & Tufekciogul 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

et al. 2013

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Summary1. Forest microclimate is crucial for the growth and survival of tree seedlings and understorey vegetation. This high ecological relevance contrasts with the poor functional and quantitative understanding of how the properties of forest ecosystems influence forest microclimate. 2. In a long-term (1998-2011) trial, we investigated how temporal patterns of microclimate below sparse and dense forest canopy related to those of nearby open areas and how this relationship was influenced by soil moisture and seasonality. Air temperature (T), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), soil matrix potential and leaf area index (LAI) were measured in a unique set-up of below-canopy and open-area meteorological stations at eleven distinct forest ecosystems, characteristic of subalpine and temperate climate zones. Data from these plots were analysed for the moderating capacity of the canopy, that is, the differences between below-canopy and open-area microclimate, with respect to (i) long-term means, (ii) dynamics within homogeneous moist-vs. dry-soil periods and (iii) diurnal patterns. 3. The long-term mean moderating capacity of the canopy was up to 3.3°C for daily T max and 0.52 kPa for daily VPD max , of which soil moisture status alone accounted for up to 1.2°C (T max ) and 0.21 kPa (VPD max ). Below dense canopy (LAI > 4), the moderating capacity was generally higher when soils were dry and increased during dry-soil periods, particularly in spring and somewhat less in summer. The opposite pattern was found below sparse canopy (LAI < 4). At the diurnal level, moderating capacity below dense canopy was strongest in mid-afternoon and during dry-soil conditions, whereas peak moderation below sparse canopy occurred in mid-morning and during moist-soil conditions. 4. Synthesis. Our results suggest a threshold canopy density, which is probably linked to sitespecific water availability, below which the moderating capacity of forest ecosystems switches from supportive to unsupportive for seedling establishment. Under supportive moderating capacity, we understand a stronger mitigation during physiologically most demanding conditions for plant growth. Such a threshold canopy density sheds new light on forest resilience to climate change. Climate change may alter forest canopy density in a way that precludes successful establishment of tree species and ultimately changes forest ecosystem structure and functioning.

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Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

et al. 2013

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“…Light is one of the most important explanatory 56 variables in forests (Whigham 2004, Neufeld andYoung 2014). Besides its amount and 57 quality, its heterogeneous pattern is also a determining factor for the cover and diversity of 58 understory vegetation (Canham et al 1994).…”

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confidence: 99%

Congruence of the spatial pattern of light and understory vegetation in an old-growth, temperate mixed forest

Tinya

Odór

2016

Forest Ecology and Management

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Trait integration and functional differentiation among co‐existing plant species

Burton

Perakis

Brooks

et al. 2020

American J of Botany

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PREMISE:Determining which traits characterize strategies of coexisting species is important to developing trait-based models of plant communities. First, global dimensions may not exist locally. Second, the degree to which traits and trait spectra constitute independent dimensions of functional variation at various scales continues to be refined. Finally, traits may be associated with existing categorical groupings. METHODS:We assessed trait integration and differentiation across 57 forest understory plant species in Douglas-fir forests of western Oregon, United States. We combined measurements for a range of traits with literature-based estimates of seed mass and species groupings. We used network analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination (NMS) to determine the degree of integration. RESULTS:We observed a strong leaf economics spectrum (LES) integrated with stem but not root traits. However, stem traits and intrinsic water-use efficiency integrated LES and root traits. Network analyses indicated a modest grouping of a priori trait dimensions. NMS indicated that multivariate differences among species were related primarily to (1) rooting depth and plant height vs. specific root length, (2) the LES, and (3) leaf size vs. seed mass. These differences were related to species groupings associated with growth and life form, leaf lifespan and seed dispersal mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS:The strategies of coexisting understory plant species could not be reduced to a single dimension. Yet, species can be characterized efficiently and effectively for trait-based studies of plant communities by measuring four common traits: plant height, specific leaf area, leaf size, and seed mass.

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Ecophysiology of the Herbaceous Layer in Temperate Deciduous Forests

Cited by 86 publications

References 0 publications

Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

Congruence of the spatial pattern of light and understory vegetation in an old-growth, temperate mixed forest

Trait integration and functional differentiation among co‐existing plant species

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