Effects of Management on Understory Diversity in the Forest Ecosystems of Northern Spain

Abstract

Pine plantations are an alternative to marginal agriculture in many countries, and are often presented as an option that improves biodiversity. However, these plantations can have adverse environmental effects if improperly managed. To evaluate the effect of forest management practices on biodiversity, the diversity, species richness, dominance and frequency of understory woody plant species in different forests of the Basque Country (northern Spain) were compared. Plantations of exotic conifers (Pinus radiata [D.] Don) of different ages were compared with deciduous forests of Quercus robur L. and Fagus sylvatica L. The effects of different types and intensities of management were taken into account. The differences observed were mainly conditioned by the intensity of forestry management, although the response varied according to forest type and age. In unmanaged pine plantations, the diversity and species richness of the understory increased rapidly after planting (while dominance decreased), remained stable in the intermediate age range, and reached a maximum in plantations more than 25 years of age. Management practices resulted in decreased understory diversity and species richness, as well as greater dominance. This was more pronounced in younger than in older stands. Moderate management, however, favored a greater diversity of the understory in deciduous forests. The species composition of the plantations and deciduous forests were different, the latter having a wider range of characteristic species. Knowledge of how forestry practices influence biodiversity (in terms of diversity, richness, dominance, and species composition) may allow predictions to be made about the diversity achievable with different management systems.

Effects of forestry practices on relict plant species on limestone cliffs in the northern Swiss Jura mountains

“…The maximum species density found in areas managed by shelter cut is consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (Grime, 1973;Connell, 1978) and supports the assumption that the severity of ecological change decreases from clear-cutting to shelter wood (Marshall, 2000). Atauri et al (2005) found a similar peak in biodiversity at intermediate disturbance levels in deciduous forests in northern Spain. Disturbance provides the driving force for forest dynamics and regeneration through structural change, the initiation of secondary succession and creation of habitat diversity (Quine et al, 1999).…”

Effects of multiple factors on plant diversity of forest fragments in intensive farmland of Northern Portugal

“…3). Higher values for species richness found in maritime-pine patches are in agreement with previous studies that addressed differences between natural woodlands and forest plantations with different levels of naturalness (Atauri et al, 2004;Proença et al, 2010). Higher values for overall patterns of species diversity in forests dominated by native species have been reported previously for temperate forests (e.g.…”

Effects of silvicultural treatments on forest biodiversity indicators in the Mediterranean

“…For example, Atauri et al (2005) concluded that the type of tree formation, the forest management practices and the plantation age simultaneously affected understory diversity in the Basque region (N Spain). The literature on the effect of selective cutting on tree diversity is scarce, although the processes occurring in gaps created by selective cuts may be similar to those just discussed for understory species.…”