Herbaceous Layer Cover and Biomass in a Young Versus a Mature Stand of a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest

Gilliam, Frank S.; Turrill, Nicole L.

doi:10.2307/2996749

Cited by 78 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…''A1'' denotes the lag distance (in m) within which a given variable is spatially dependent and beyond which is spatially independent. These statistics are not shown for variables for which the relationship between semi-variance and lag distance was either random or linear Plant Ecol (2010) 209:83-94 91 (Gilliam and Turrill 1993), our results are consistent with their findings, with the old field having [40% higher cover than the pasture (Table 2). Old field and pasture sites also differed in soil factors that most directly influence species composition.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

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Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients and plant species in herb-dominated communities of contrasting land use

Gilliam

Dick

2010

Plant Ecol

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Recent interest in spatial pattern in terrestrial ecosystems has come from an awareness of the intimate relationship between spatial heterogeneity of soil resources and maintenance of plant species diversity. Soil and vegetation can vary spatially in response to several state factors of the system. In this study, we examined fine-scale spatial variability of soil nutrients and vascular plant species in contrasting herb-dominated communities (a pasture and an old field) to determine degree of spatial dependence among soil variables and plant community characteristics within these communities by sampling at 1-m intervals. Each site was divided into 25 1-m 2 plots. Mineral soil was sampled (2-cm diameter, 5-cm depth) from each of four 0.25-m 2 quarters and combined into a single composite sample per plot. Soil organic matter was measured as loss-on-ignition. Extractable NH 4 and NO 3 were determined before and after laboratory incubation (28 days at 27°C) to determine potential net N mineralization and nitrification. Cations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Vegetation was assessed using estimated percent cover. Most soil and plant variables exhibited sharp contrasts between pasture and old-field sites, with the old field having significantly higher net N mineralization/nitrification, pH, Ca, Mg, Al, plant cover, and species diversity, richness, and evenness. Multiple regressions revealed that all plant variables (species diversity, richness, evenness, and cover) were significantly related to soil characteristics (available nitrogen, organic matter, moisture, pH, Ca, and Mg) in the pasture; in the old field only cover was significantly related to soil characteristics (organic matter and moisture). Both sites contrasted sharply with respect to spatial pattern of soil variables, with the old field exhibiting a higher degree of spatial dependence. These results demonstrate that land-use practices can exert profound influence on spatial heterogeneity of both soil properties and vegetation in herb-dominated communities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Above-ground plant cover was estimated within each 1-m 2 plot at pasture and old-field sites using percent cover estimation in October 2002 (Gilliam and Turrill 1993). Botanical nomenclature follows Strasbaugh and Core (1977).…”

Section: Field Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients and plant species in herb-dominated communities of contrasting land use

Gilliam

Dick

2010

Plant Ecol

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“…Indeed, because these forests have undergone nearly a century of secondary succession following initial harvesting, understory communities may be more responsive to variation in canopy-mediated changes in the light environment. This was hypothesized by Gilliam and Turrill (1993) and has been supported by additional studies in the literature (e.g., Moola and Vasseur, 2008;Bartels and Chen, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Effects of experimental nitrogen additions on plant diversity in tropical forests of contrasting disturbance regimes in southern China

Gilliam

et al. 2011

Environmental Pollution

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“…With these words, they have generally asserted that there can be different things-be they structures, species, or environments-at different heights in the canopy, to a degree that they might define identifiable zones, and that canopies can differ in this organization. For example, several recent papers have examined interactions between strata (Craig 1993;Gilliam and Turrill 1993;Wilson et al 1995). Terborgh (1985) discussed the hypothesis that there are more strata in tropical than temperate forests.…”

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confidence: 99%

Forest Canopy Stratification-Is It Useful?

Parker¹,

Brown²

2000

The American Naturalist

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It has long been recognized that the forest canopy has a complex structure that is significant for environmental interactions, regeneration, growth, and biotic habitat. Not only is the structure variously complex, but also there are many ways to conceptualize that complexity. Yet the persistent theme when considering the structure of canopies continues to be that of stratification: whether structural units are arranged in layers above the ground. We examined the use of the terms "stratification," "layering," and others in connection with canopy structure and found they had various meanings (often only implied) that were difficult to reconcile and to measure. We applied the definitions to the structure of a single, well-studied canopy located in Virginia, U.S.A., and found they failed to define consistently and clearly the presence, number, or location of strata. Additionally, we found the concept had limitations related to scale dependence, point of reference, and spatial averaging. Thus, asserting that a forest is stratified or naming the number of layers generally provided no guide to its structure. We propose alternative ways of conceptualizing and studying the forest canopy that avoid most of the problems associated with stratification. Among these are direct measurement and mapping of structural and environmental variables that have clear potential connections with canopy functions and viewing the distribution of structures or environmental conditions within the canopy as ecological gradients.

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Herbaceous Layer Cover and Biomass in a Young Versus a Mature Stand of a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest

Cited by 78 publications

References 19 publications

Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients and plant species in herb-dominated communities of contrasting land use

Spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients and plant species in herb-dominated communities of contrasting land use

Effects of experimental nitrogen additions on plant diversity in tropical forests of contrasting disturbance regimes in southern China

Forest Canopy Stratification-Is It Useful?

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