Tree size distribution and abundance explain structural complexity differentially within stands of even-aged and uneven-aged structure types

Peck, JeriLynn E.; Zenner, Eric K.; Brang, Peter; Zingg, Andreas

doi:10.1007/s10342-013-0765-3

Cited by 38 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similar results were found for the structure of abandoned pastures in Puerto Rico, where basal area, aboveground biomass, and species richness in secondary forest achieved similar values to those in old-growth forest 40 years after fire [99]. A greater array of structural attributes would provide greater ecosystem resilience [100] and recovery after anthropogenic disturbances [101]. This hypothesis is supported by previous studies where the values of understory density and basal area increased in relation to the elapsed time since disturbance [45].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity

Caviedes

Ibarra

2017

PLoS ONE

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Forest attributes and their abundances define the stand structural complexity available as habitat for faunal biodiversity; however, intensive anthropogenic disturbances have the potential to degrade and simplify forest stands. In this paper we develop an index of stand structural complexity and show how anthropogenic disturbances, namely fire, logging, livestock, and their combined presence, affect stand structural complexity in a southern Global Biodiversity Hotspot. From 2011 to 2013, we measured forest structural attributes as well as the presence of anthropogenic disturbances in 505 plots in the Andean zone of the La Araucanía Region, Chile. In each plot, understory density, coarse woody debris, number of snags, tree diameter at breast height, and litter depth were measured, along with signs of the presence of anthropogenic disturbances. Ninety-five percent of the plots showed signs of anthropogenic disturbance (N = 475), with the combined presence of fire, logging, and livestock being the most common disturbance (N = 222; 44% of plots). The lowest values for the index were measured in plots combining fire, logging, and livestock. Undisturbed plots and plots with the presence of relatively old fires (> 70 years) showed the highest values for the index of stand structural complexity. Our results suggest that secondary forests < 70-year post-fire event, with the presence of habitat legacies (e.g. snags and CWD), can reach a structural complexity as high as undisturbed plots. Temperate forests should be managed to retain structural attributes, including understory density (7.2 ± 2.5 # contacts), volume of CWD (22.4 ± 25.8 m3/ha), snag density (94.4 ± 71.0 stems/ha), stand basal area (61.2 ± 31.4 m2/ha), and litter depth (7.5 ± 2.7 cm). Achieving these values will increase forest structural complexity, likely benefiting a range of faunal species in South American temperate forests.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity

Caviedes

Ibarra

2017

PLoS ONE

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“…In monospecific stands, shifting from spatially regular thinning to less regular but more intense harvest events or increasing the duration of the regeneration period may increase structural diversity throughout the whole rotation period (Barbeito et al, 2011;Peck et al, 2014). Alternatively, species mixing could be used to enrich stand structure and heterogeneity Schütze, 2014, 2015) but strong competitive superiority of one species may also cause structural homogenization (Wiedemann, 1951, p. 134).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) enhances structural heterogeneity, and the effect increases with water availability

Pretzsch

Rı́o

Schütze

et al. 2016

Forest Ecology and Management

126

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a b s t r a c tThe mixing of tree species with complementary ecological traits may modify forest functioning regarding productivity, stability, or resilience against disturbances. This may be achieved by a higher heterogeneity in stand structure which is often addressed but rarely quantified. Here, we use 32 triplets of mature and fully stocked monocultures and mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) located along a productivity and water availability gradient through Europe to examine how mixing modifies the stand structure in terms of stand density, horizontal tree distribution pattern, vertical stand structure, size distribution pattern, and variation in tree morphology. We further analyze how site conditions modify these aspects of stand structure. For this typical mixture of a light demanding and shade tolerant species we show that (i) mixing significantly increases many aspects of structural heterogeneity compared with monocultures, (ii) mixing effects such as an increase of stand density and diversification of vertical structure and tree morphology are caused by species identity (additive effects) but also by species interactions (multiplicative effects), and (iii) superior heterogeneity of mixed stands over monocultures can increase from dry to moist sites. We discuss the implications for analyzing the productivity, for modelling and for the management of mixed species stands.

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“…Finally, distinguishing between stands with different structural conditions is an essential feature of all useful structural indices that can reveal clues to the ecological processes that drive structure [27]. Methods that can differentially distinguish stands with changing structures are needed [27]. The baseline mortality approach answers these calls, and promotes the objective assessment of forest structural sustainability in a manner that is unique in its clarity and globally applicable.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sturrock et al [26] call for a triage system to help ecologists and forest managers decide which forest types or species are most threatened by climate change or other disturbances and to develop long-term management plans. Finally, distinguishing between stands with different structural conditions is an essential feature of all useful structural indices that can reveal clues to the ecological processes that drive structure [27]. Methods that can differentially distinguish stands with changing structures are needed [27].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

A Quantitative Index of Forest Structural Sustainability

Cale

Teale

West

et al. 2014

Forests

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Forest health is a complex concept including many ecosystem functions, interactions and values. We develop a quantitative system applicable to many forest types to assess tree mortality with respect to stable forest structure and composition. We quantify impacts of observed tree mortality on structure by comparison to baseline mortality, and then develop a system that distinguishes between structurally stable and unstable forests. An empirical multivariate index of structural sustainability and a threshold value (70.6) derived from 22 nontropical tree species' datasets differentiated structurally sustainable from unsustainable diameter distributions. Twelve of 22 species populations were sustainable with a mean score of 33.2 (median = 27.6). Ten species populations were unsustainable with a mean score of 142.6 (median = 130.1). Among them, Fagus grandifolia, Pinus lambertiana, P. ponderosa, and Nothofagus solandri were attributable to known disturbances; whereas the unsustainability of Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Calocedrus decurrens, Picea engelmannii, P. rubens, and Prunus serotina populations were not. This approach provides the ecological framework for rational management decisions using routine inventory data to objectively: determine scope and direction of change in structure and composition, assess excessive or insufficient mortality, compare OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 1619 disturbance impacts in time and space, and prioritize management needs and allocation of scarce resources.

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Tree size distribution and abundance explain structural complexity differentially within stands of even-aged and uneven-aged structure types

Cited by 38 publications

References 25 publications

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity

Mixing of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) enhances structural heterogeneity, and the effect increases with water availability

A Quantitative Index of Forest Structural Sustainability

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