Tree regeneration and plant species diversity responses to vegetation control following a major windthrow in mixed broadleaved stands

Abstract

By increasing resource availability, canopy opening enhances tree recruitment as well as the development of neighbouring vegetation. The proliferation of early successional and highly competitive vegetation may have dramatic consequences on seedling establishment. However, differences in competitive abilities have been shown among the plant growth forms commonly encountered in forests. We may thus expect that vegetation management leading to control of different plant growth forms would have different consequences on tree seedling growth and development. To test this hypothesis, we analysed the effects of an intensity gradient of four vegetation control treatments (untreated, coppice control, coppice and nontree plant control, and coppice, non-tree and pioneer (tree) plant control) on plant species richness and natural tree regeneration in three post-storm sites. Higher plant species richness and a better natural tree regeneration were observed in the more intensive treatments that significantly improved the balance of the relative abundance of tree species. Suppressing the more competitive vegetation, mainly Rubus fruticosus and graminoids, led to the recruitment and growth of tree species sensitive to competition and good tree species diversity. Practical recommendations in terms of vegetation control relative to tree regeneration and plant species richness are given.

Understory vegetation dynamics and tree regeneration as affected by deer herbivory in temperate hardwood forests

“…In agreement with Fotelli et al (2002), Dodet et al (2011) and Wasem & Häne (2008), we showed that under high bramble cover, the establishment, growth and survival of tree seedlings and saplings were weak. This is also consistent with a study performed by Harmer & Morgan (2007) on advanced oak.…”

“…This is probably an overestimate of the overall yearly mean for local populations because migrating animals that do not live year round in the reserve were undoubtedly also counted. Albeit, Dumont et al (2005) showed that the risk of damage to broad-leaved seedlings was high at a density of 15 hinds per km².…”

The state of forest vegetation management in Europe in the 21st century

“…Also in this Special Issue, Prévosto et al (2010) reports that in southern France grass cover is the main factor limiting seedling survival of seeded Holm oak (Quercus ilex) and downy oak (Q. pubescens). Again in this Special Issue, Dodet et al (2010) report that on fertile sites, targeting herbaceous vegetation provides the biggest improvement in crop tree regeneration and diversity, but on less fertile sites only the most intensive vegetation control proved beneficial.…”

Natural Regeneration on Planted Clearcuts—The Easy Way to Mixed Forest?

“…These traits were used, known a priori, to detect plot-specific traits of soil disturbance. The abundance of raspberry was used as an indicator of conditions hindering seedling emergence caused by piles of slash residues (Dodet et al, 2011;Nilsson et al, 2002;Olsson & Staaf, 1995). The slash piles have a tendency to develop into clusters of nutrient high growth raspberry canes, probably due to raspberry seeds in the seedbank underneath the piles.…”

“…Differences between scarification techniques and proportion of soil surface disturbance might also influence the species composition of established communities (Newmaster et al, 2007). Similar to scarification, both clearcutting operations and storm felling can result in a disturbed soil that promotes seedling establishment (Dodet et al, 2011;Ilisson et al, 2007;Vodde et al, 2011;von Oheimb et al, 2007).…”