Canopy gaps are less susceptible to disturbance-related and invasive herbs than clear-cuts: Temporal changes in the understorey after experimental silvicultural treatments

• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121438
• Publication Date: 2023-09-23T16:45:13Z
• Authors: Réka Aszalós; Bence Kovács; Flóra Tinya; Csaba Németh; Csenge Veronika H...; Péter Ódor
• Keywords: Understory; Graminoid; Thinning; Basal area

Forest management has a major impact on the understorey vegetation, with intensity and type of applied silvicultural treatments driving variable vegetation responses. We compared variables across different experimental in temperate oak-hornbeam forest Central Hungary. Five treatment types were used six replicates representing rotation selection systems: control (C), clear-cutting (CC), gap-cutting (G), preparation cutting (P), retention tree group (R). The response several was investigated to first years after their implementation 2014. assessed how change forestry treatments, these responses vary time, game exclusion affects them. then evaluated well can preserve character vegetation. found large temporal variability over study period. In all cases, interventions led an initial increase species richness, followed by decline later, where regeneration layer started close. grew most intensively G CC. At end study, R had highest average number, comprising heterogeneous perennial forb species. resulted rapid total herb cover, mainly favour graminoid extent cover depended primarily amount additional light received (CC > P C). Turnover beta diversity values also decreased similar order. effect especially pronounced case CC G, browsing significantly slowed outside fences. significant changes almost It number indicator species, many them annual, disturbance-related, invasive. preserved better proved be less susceptible mass appearance disturbance-related invasive herbaceous Increasing share continuous methods is crucial layer. Rotation areas not recommended or should kept at low landscape rates, as are highly exposed Leaving groups key survival numerous plant