Effects of site preparation methods on soil physical properties and outplanting success of coniferous seedlings in boreal forests

Ilintsev, Aleksey S.; Nakvasina, Elena N.; Bogdanov, Alexander P.

doi:10.1007/s11676-023-01671-w

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The distribution of aspen along gravel roads could promote the invasion of adjacent habitats, particularly if silvicultural treatments aimed at limiting paludification are employed. As the aim of these treatments is to better reproduce the effect of severe fire on soils, they tend to reduce the thickness of the organic layer, and increase soil temperature and aeration [112][113][114], thus creating conditions favorable to aspen establishment [78,115]. As aspen abundance has already greatly increased in the study landscape as a result of logging [110], the ability of aspen to colonize road edges should be considered in silvicultural strategies and road network development planning, so as not to risk inducing further expansion.…”

Section: Aspen Distribution Along the Road Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can the Impact of Gravel Roads on Organic Layer Thickness Explain the Distribution of Populus tremuloides along Road Networks in the Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada?

Marchais,

Arseneault,

Bergeron

2024

Forests

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Roads are known to alter environmental conditions and the composition of road edge plant communities, particularly when exogenous materials are used as road surfacing. In this study, we evaluate the impact of gravel roads on the organic layer thickness (OLT) and aspen distribution in a boreal forest landscape of Eastern Canada. The OLT and aspen distribution were compared at different distances from the roads (0 m, 10 m, and >10 m) to determine whether a reduction in the OLT along the roads could explain the distribution of aspen along the road network, and in particular the role of the roads as habitat corridors. In addition, germination tests were carried out to determine whether mineral soil from the roads could promote aspen establishment, by comparing the germination rate of substrates consisting only of mineral soil or mosses, and substrates consisting of mosses covered with 0.5 cm or 2 cm of mineral soil. The presence of aspen in the study landscape is limited by thick organic deposits (≥50 cm). However, the thickness of these deposits is reduced to approximately 10 cm at the edges of gravel roads, in part by the transport of mineral soil from the roads. This reduction in the OLT facilitates the establishment of aspen and helps explain its distribution along the road network.

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