The recovery of forests following stand-replacing disturbance is widespread interest; however, there both a lack definitional clarity for the term "recovery" and dearth empirical data on rates forest associated with different types. We conducted quantitative review literature to determine times wildfire timber harvest evaluate variation in across Canada's diverse ecosystems. Recovery was assessed according rate change certain structural attributes that have traditionally been used as...

What maintains plant species diversity has been the subject of much debate with no general consensus. In forest ecosystems in which understory plants account for majority floristic diversity, a crucial question is whether driven by resource quantity or heterogeneity. This study sought to reconcile two hypotheses relation their effects on ecosystems. A database studies that investigated resources was compiled and analyzed using log-linear models. Whether heterogeneity determinant individual...

Abstract Questions What is the nature of interactions between higher vegetation strata (overstorey) and lower (understorey vegetation) among understorey layers in closed canopy forests? How does abundance or richness one layer affect other? Location Boreal mixed‐wood forests O ntario Q uebec, C anada. Methods We sampled fire‐origin stands varying overstorey composition from broad‐leaf‐dominated to mixed conifer‐dominated on mesic sites subhydric uebec. Overstorey tree species shrub, herb,...

Epiphytic plants are important components of the forest ecosystem, but little is known about their ecology due to logistical constraints and lack a conceptual framework guide epiphyte community studies. Given present state knowledge renewed interests in studies, mechanistic needed investigations assemblages. This article identifies six putative mechanisms species diversity, highlights possible direct indirect linkages among mechanisms. The include constrained dispersal, slow growth rate,...

Abstract Understorey vegetation accounts for the majority of plant diversity in boreal forest ecosystems and contributes to ecosystem functioning. In restoration degraded forested ecosystems, however, understorey is often restored passively, contrasting clear strategies such as informed species choice site improvement intervention overstorey vegetation. The overstorey‐centred strategy may have important consequences We examined effects substrate material, type time since reclamation (age) on...

Given the habitat moisture (air humidity or soil moisture) preferences of many forest bryophytes, we explored whether depth-to-water (DTW) index, derived from remotely sensed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, was related to fine-scale patterns spatial variation in bryophyte abundance, diversity, composition. The goal assess utility topographic DTW index as a tool decipher trends assemblages along site wetness gradient boreal mixedwood forest. Discrete Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS)...

Summary Epiphytic macrolichen lichens are important components of forest ecosystems, but their responses to stand‐replacing fire and multiple successional pathways the canopy tree layer poorly understood. We examined dynamics epiphytic macrolichens following wildfire tested independent interactive effects time since overstorey composition on abundance, diversity in boreal forests Canada. were sampled 51 stands conifer, mixed‐wood broadleaf types ranging from 7 209 years fire. Macrolichen...

Abstract Variable‐retention harvest is widely recognized as an alternative to more intensive methods such clear‐cutting. However, present information inadequate judge the impact of variable retention on biodiversity indigenous forest organisms intolerant canopy removal, forest‐inhabiting bryophytes. We examined how bryophyte species cover, richness, diversity and composition change with time in response a broad range dispersed treatments (2% [clear‐cut], 10%, 20%, 50%, 75% original basal...

Abstract Retention harvesting is advocated as an alternative to intensive timber harvesting, such clear‐cutting, better maintain or facilitate recovery of biodiversity and other ecological values in managed forests. However, it not clear how long the benefits retention harvests persist. We investigated responses understory vascular plant cover, richness, diversity (inverse Simpson index) composition a gradient dispersed (2% [clear‐ cut], 10%, 20%, 50% 75% retention; unharvested reference...

The extent to which past states influence present and future ecosystem characteristics (ecosystem memory (EM)) is challenging assess because signals of ecological conditions fade with time. Using data about seven different taxa, we show that gradients initiated by wildfires up three centuries earlier affect biotic recovery after variable retention harvest in the boreal mixedwood forest. First, fire history over last 300 years reflected pre‐harvest species‐specific stand basal area (BA),...

Atmospheric acid deposition is of major concern in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) northern Alberta, Canada, which home to third largest oil reserve world. After decades sands production AOSR, potential impact on forest health, including tree growth and understory biodiversity, still not clear. We evaluated relationship modelled/interpolate atmospheric nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), base cations (BC), derived input (PAI) from surface mining with: (1) radial (i.e. basal area increment; BAI)...

Abstract Questions Understanding factors that contribute to the stability of an ecosystem following harvesting is central predicting responses boreal ecosystems increasing human disturbances. While response understorey vegetation well understood for upland sites, little known about compositional riparian vegetation. We examined how changes with or without along streamside gradient and tested whether affected by pre‐harvest species diversity composition. Location Lower Foothills sub‐region...

Abstract Changes in precipitation can influence soil water and nutrient availability, thus affect plant conservation strategies. Better understanding of how changes with variations availability is crucial for predicting the potential global climate change on nutrient‐use strategy. Here, green‐leaf nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) concentrations, N‐ P‐resorption proficiency (the terminal N P concentration senescent leaves, NRP PRP, respectively), efficiency proportional withdrawn from leaves prior...

Abstract Site moisture is an important component of the forest landscape for maintaining biodiversity, including forest‐floor bryophytes. However, little known about its role in shaping understorey responses to harvesting. We investigated influence site wetness, determined using a remotely sensed, topographic depth‐to‐water ( DTW ) index, on bryophyte cover, richness, diversity and composition variable retention harvesting (comparing: 2% [clear‐cut], 20% 50% dispersed green tree uncut...

Abstract Questions (1) How is the abundance of individual epiphytic macrolichen species affected by host tree and stand development, where canopy succession takes place in prolonged absence stand‐replacing disturbance? (2) Do associations between change through development? Location The central boreal forest Canada (49°23′ N–49°36′ N, 89°31′ W–89°44′ W). Methods We estimated percentage cover macrolichens on trees 51 post‐fire successional stands varying composition, ranging from 7 to 209 yr...

What maintains plant species diversity has been the subject of much debate with no general consensus. In forest ecosystems in which understory plants account for majority floristic diversity, a crucial question is whether driven by resource quantity or heterogeneity. This study sought to reconcile two hypotheses relation their effects on ecosystems. A database studies that investigated resources was compiled and analyzed using log-linear models. Whether heterogeneity determinant individual...

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