Dissertations / Theses: 'Understory plants'

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Brooke, Molly Muir. "The fate of Chinese understory species in coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest : the role of light." Online access for everyone, 2006. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Fall2006/m_brooke_121306.pdf.

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Nelson, Cara Ritchie. "Effects of timber harvest and forest edges on abundance, viability, and physiology of understory plants in Pseudotsuga forests of western Washington /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5553.

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Webster, Bobbie J. "Response of the understory to low intensity prescribed burning or mechanical and herbicide treatment in a northern mesic eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) forest in the Menominee Nation, Wisconsin /." Link for full-text, 2008. http://epapers.uwsp.edu/thesis/2008/Webster1.pdf.

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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, 2008.
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Science in Natural Resources (Forest Ecology), College of Natural Resources. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-128).

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Tyler, Marnie W. "Forests of the western Olympic Peninsula : understory plant species diversity, forest policy, and landscape pattern /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5464.

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5

Smith, Jason Richard. "Seral stage, site conditions, and the vulnerability of understory plant communities to forest harvesting /." Burnaby B.C. : Simon Fraser University, 2005. http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/2024.

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Research Project (M.R.M.) - Simon Fraser University, 2005.
Theses (School of Resource and Environmental Management) / Simon Fraser University. Research Project (School of Resource and Environmental Management) / Simon Fraser University.

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Jones, Jeffrey W. "Predicting measures of diversity for forest regeneration using site and overstory variables a regression approach /." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2004. https://etd.wvu.edu/etd/controller.jsp?moduleName=documentdata&jsp%5FetdId=3548.

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Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 50 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-38).

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7

Goodwin, Nicholas R. School of Biological Earth &amp Environmental Sciences UNSW. "Assessing understorey structural characteristics in eucalypt forests: an investigation of LiDAR techniques." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/28365.

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The potential of airborne LiDAR technology to quantify forest structure within eucalypt forests has been evaluated with a focus on the understorey stratum. To achieve this, three studies have been undertaken using multiple (4) LiDAR datasets acquired over three test areas located in Wedding Bells State Forest, Coffs Harbour, Australia. Initially, the effects of sensor configuration were evaluated using field measurements collected from three structurally and topographically differing field plots (40 x 90 m areas). Results indicated that canopy height profiles derived from LiDAR data at the plot scale were largely unaffected by a change in platform altitude from 1000 to 3000 m (p > 0.05). In addition, the derivation of individual tree attributes was found to be highly sensitive to the density of LiDAR observations whilst higher platform altitudes showed an increased proportion of single returns over forested areas. In the second study, an innovative field based approach was developed to sample the structure of the understorey (horizontally and vertically) for LiDAR validation purposes. Using two separate LiDAR datasets, this research confirmed that mean understorey height and understorey cover can be effectively mapped in areas of low to medium canopy cover whilst no significant relationship (p > 0.05) was identified between field and LiDAR estimates of maximum understorey height. In the third study, an optimised LiDAR beam interception model was developed and validated, and then applied to assess the interaction of extrinsic and intrinsic factors of the LiDAR survey. This demonstrated that the probability of beam interception through the forest canopy can be affected by factors both intrinsic (e.g. crown cover) and extrinsic (e.g. scan angle) to the structure of the canopy. Overall, the results of this research indicate that optimising the sensor configuration is important to the derivation of particular forest structural attributes and significantly, there is potential for LiDAR technology to provide quantitative and spatially detailed estimates of key understorey attributes such as mean height and cover.

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Macaulay, Lisa Ann University of Ballarat. "The floristic composition and regeneration characteristics of Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii) woodland of the Wimmera, Victoria." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/12768.

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"The pre-settlement distribution and character of Wimmera Buloke woodlands are described based on historical data including early parish plans. It is suggested the open structure of these woodlands was maintained by relatively frequent fire. The floristic composition of the most intact Wimmera Buloke woodland remnants was intensively surveyed. Five floristic communities are described based on computer-based analysis of species presence data. Eight 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types' are described based on surface soil texture categories and average annual rainfall zones. Native daisies, chenopods and shrubs are components of the understory that differentiate the 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types'. [...] A series of experiments was undertaken with the aim of determinig the factors responsible for the paucity of Allocasuarina luehmannii regeneration in remnant Wimmera bushland."
Master of Applied Science

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Macaulay, Lisa Ann. "The floristic composition and regeneration characteristics of Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii) woodland of the Wimmera, Victoria." Thesis, University of Ballarat, 2006. http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/65156.

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"The pre-settlement distribution and character of Wimmera Buloke woodlands are described based on historical data including early parish plans. It is suggested the open structure of these woodlands was maintained by relatively frequent fire. The floristic composition of the most intact Wimmera Buloke woodland remnants was intensively surveyed. Five floristic communities are described based on computer-based analysis of species presence data. Eight 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types' are described based on surface soil texture categories and average annual rainfall zones. Native daisies, chenopods and shrubs are components of the understory that differentiate the 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types'. [...] A series of experiments was undertaken with the aim of determinig the factors responsible for the paucity of Allocasuarina luehmannii regeneration in remnant Wimmera bushland."
Master of Applied Science

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Macaulay, Lisa Ann. "The floristic composition and regeneration characteristics of Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii) woodland of the Wimmera, Victoria." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/14602.

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"The pre-settlement distribution and character of Wimmera Buloke woodlands are described based on historical data including early parish plans. It is suggested the open structure of these woodlands was maintained by relatively frequent fire. The floristic composition of the most intact Wimmera Buloke woodland remnants was intensively surveyed. Five floristic communities are described based on computer-based analysis of species presence data. Eight 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types' are described based on surface soil texture categories and average annual rainfall zones. Native daisies, chenopods and shrubs are components of the understory that differentiate the 'pre-settlement Buloke woodland types'. [...] A series of experiments was undertaken with the aim of determinig the factors responsible for the paucity of Allocasuarina luehmannii regeneration in remnant Wimmera bushland."
Master of Applied Science

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11

DeMars, Brent Gordon. "Nutrient dynamics and resorption in four understory woodland plants and notes on the mycorrhizal status of some typically nonmycorrhizal plants /." The Ohio State University, 1995. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487863429091484.

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Abrahamson, Ilana. "ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF SAMPLING DESIGNS FOR MEASURING ABUNDANCE OF UNDERSTORY PLANTS AFTER FOREST RESTORATION." The University of Montana, 2009. http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-05292009-123224/.

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Accurate estimation of the responses of understory plants to natural and anthropogenic disturbance is essential for understanding efficacy and non-target effects of management and restoration activities. However, ability to assess changes in abundance of understory plants that result from disturbance may be hampered by inappropriate sampling methodologies. Conventional methods for sampling understory plants may be robust for common, well-distributed species, but may fail to adequately characterize the abundance of less-common species, which are often the taxa of management concern. I tested conventional and novel approaches to sampling understory plants to determine their efficacy (in terms of number of replicates and time required) for quantifying abundance of plants of varying frequency and spatial heterogeneity on three control and three thinned-and-burned treatment units located within the western Montana block of the Fire and Fire Surrogates Project (FFS) a large-scale investigation of the effects of fuel-hazard reduction treatments on a variety of ecosystem components. In each treatment unit, I used four sampling methods (modified Whittaker plots, Daubenmire transects, point line intercept transects, and strip adaptive cluster sampling) to estimate the cover of 24 understory species that vary in abundance. Compared to Daubenmire and point line intercept transects, modified Whittaker plots estimated cover with the lowest variances and, consequently, for the majority (67%) of species required the smallest sample sizes to accurately measure cover. However, this greater sampling efficiency was offset by increased time required to sample. For species grouped by growth-form and for common species, all three conventional sampling designs (i.e. Daubenmire transects, modified Whittaker plots, and point line intercept transects) were capable of estimating cover with a 50% relative margin of error with reasonable sample sizes (3-36 plots or transects for growth-form groups; 8-14 for common species); however, increasing the precision to 25% relative margin of error required sampling sizes that may be logistically infeasible (11-143 plots or transects for growth-form groups; 28-54 for common species). In addition, all three designs required enormous sample sizes to estimate cover of non-native species as a group (29-60 plots or transects) and of individual less-common species (62-118 plots or transects), even with 50% relative margin of error. Strip adaptive cluster sampling was the only method tested that efficiently sampled less-common species: for Cirsium arvense, an invasive non-native plant, adaptive sampling required five times fewer replicates than needed for modified Whittaker plots and 20 times less than for Daubenmire or point line intercept transects. My findings suggest that conventional designs may not be effective for accurately estimating the abundance of newly establishing, non-native plants as a group or of the majority of forest understory plants, which are characterized by low abundance and spatial aggregation. Novel methods such as strip adaptive cluster sampling should be considered in investigations for which cover of these species is a primary response variable.

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Gilbert, Benjamin. "Determinants of native and non-native plant distributions in a temperate forest understory." Thesis, McGill University, 2003. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=19731.

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A new sampling method that decouples spatial and environmental correlations was developed and applied to a temperate forest understory. Data were used to contrast niche theory with neutral theory, and only showed support for niche theory. A spatial and environmental partitioning analysis indicated that the effects of dispersal are primarily important within the spatial extent of environments suitable for a given species. The same sampling data were used to test correlates of non-native species invasion at a species level and as a group. The distributions of non-native plant species are also better explained by the niche model; however, non-native species do not appear to negatively impact native species, nor to be negatively impacted by native species. Together, these results suggest that the forest understory is strongly niche-structured, but likely not saturated. Diversity in this forest appears to be primarily determined by regional processes, and only secondarily by local species interactions.

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Ference, Christopher Gregory. "Detection of understory indicator plants using Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (casi) imagery in Kananaskis Country, Alberta." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ54704.pdf.

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15

Santala, Kierann R. "THE INTRODUCTION OF NATIVE FOREST FLOOR PLANT SPECIES INTO THE INDUSTRIALLY DISTURBED FORESTS OF SUDBURY, ONTARIO, CANADA." Thesis, Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2014. https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/dspace/handle/10219/2147.

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This study investigated the transplantation of understory plants within the Cu-Ni smelterdamaged urban forest of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to increase plant biodiversity in an area where natural colonization of understory species is delayed. The goal of my study was to evaluate establishment of 16 m2 vegetation mats along a gradient of smelter disturbance and to relate successful establishment to abiotic and biotic site characteristics. Specific investigations were conducted to determine whether soil quality influenced root growth and transplant establishment. Variables associated with smelter emissions and soil temperature were the best predictors of successful transplant establishment of understory plant species, but relationships were species specific. Also, root growth was not limited to organic soils of the transplant mat and roots were able to grow into receptor site soil. Knowledge of environmental factors influencing establishment will help to determine site locations and to select species to introduce when transplanting understory species in future reclamation projects.

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Gillespie, Melina Jane. "Establishment success of native understorey species on coal mine rehabilitation areas in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales /." St. Lucia, Qld, 2003. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe17522.pdf.

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17

Addessi, Andrew David. "Urban Impacts to Forest Productivity, Soil Quality, and Canopy Structure in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon." PDXScholar, 2017. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3881.

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Land use practices and exposure to low impact disturbances associated with an urban environment can alter forest structure and function. Past and ongoing research in Forest Park, a large urban forest in Portland, Oregon, suggests that mature mixed Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga meziesii)-hardwood stands in the more urban end of the park lack a shade-tolerant conifer understory composed of the late successional conifer tree species, such western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western red-cedar (Thuja plicata). 5-year plot remeasurement data that characterizes productivity and mortality patterns did not show a strong relationship to urban proximity. Plot productivity was generally consistent with values taken from studies of other similarly aged (~100 years old) Douglas-fir /Western Hemlock stands. Mortality was highest in rural plots, and was driven by large windthrow events to canopy trees. Soil organic matter, soil pH, and depth of organic horizon indicated a legacy of soil impact in urban areas most impacted by past intensive logging. The urban mature plot had higher mean soil pH at site (5.87, se: ±0.06) compared to a rural mature, and old growth reference sites located within the park. Although surface organic and A layer soil horizon depth was thinnest at the urban mature site, soil organic matter was not found to be significantly different across sites. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data showed that old-growth plots and plots in the middle section of the park had the highest degree of canopy structure as measured by Rumple and standard deviation of point elevation. Measures of stand height showed OG plots and urban plots to have the tallest trees. Rural plots showed a high degree of variability in all LiDAR metrics, showing a wider range of stand height and complexity than urban and middle plots. These results suggest that past land-use and urban proximity affect plot level productivity, soil quality, and above-ground canopy structure in Forest Park. These results clarify how the lack of late-successional tree species might be most linked to differing histories of intensive logging activity within the park. Reduced old-growth legacy features (remnant seed trees, coarse woody debris) in plots with a clear history of aggressive clear-cuts has led to a reduction in regeneration of western hemlock and western red-cedar in the understory.

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Pittsenbarger, Mark Alan. "A Study of Understory Plant Recovery After a Forest Fire in the Columbia River Gorge." PDXScholar, 1994. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4772.

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Between October 9, 1991 and October 16, 1991 a fire burned 577 hectares in the Columbia River Gorge near the west end on the Oregon side. All of the area burned consisted of second growth Pseudotsuga menziesii and the accompanying understory. This was the first disturbance of this magnitude in this part of the Columbia River Gorge since 1902. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of understory recovery in the first two years following the fire. This study also sought to learn: 1) how Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings are recruited into the population, 2) how quickly the litter layer is a reforming, and 3) how quickly snags and downed logs are recruited into the understory. Four 800 square meter circular plots were established within the burned area of the Columbia River Gorge. Two plots were designated sun plots since the fire had killed the overstory. The other two were designated shade sites since the canopy over them was still intact. Twenty five randomly placed sample units (20 x 50 centimeters) were placed in each main plot. The plots were then sampled at approximately onemonth intervals from May through September of 1992 and 1993. The frequency and percentage of cover was recorded for all plant species that occurred in each sample unit. The data from 1992 and 1993 were compared by date of visit and type of plot, either (sun or shade) using the Pearson Goodness-of-Fit Test to examine and compare differences in the extent of cover and distribution of understory species. No significant differences were found. An increase in species richness and relative abundance of understory species was noted between pre-fire data collected by the US Forest Service and what I found. However, statistical analysis was not possible because of the limited data collection in the pre-fire sample.

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Copp, Sara Rose. "Community level impacts associated with the invasion of English ivy (Hedera spp.) in Forest Park: a look at the impacts of ivy on community composition and soil moisture." PDXScholar, 2014. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2024.

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Invasive species degrade ecosystems by altering natural processes and decreasing the abundance and diversity of native flora. Communities with major fluctuations in resource supply allow invasive species to exploit limiting resources making the community prone to invasion. In the Pacific Northwest, urban forests characterized with limited light and seasonally limited soil moisture are being dominated by nonnative English ivy (Hedera spp). Three observational studies were conducted in the Southern end of Forest Park within the Balch Creek Subwatershed in Portland, Oregon in order to understand 1) how English ivy changes over three growing seasons, 2) how the native understory composition responds to English ivy, 3) if the dominance of English ivy reduces soil moisture to neighboring plants, 4) how English ivy and two co-occurring native herbs (Hydrophyllum tenuipes and Vancouveria hexandra) physiologically respond to seasonal changes in soil moisture. Percent cover of the understory community was collected in both 2010 and 2013 growing seasons in 54 plots in order to understand the change in cover over time. Community response and the relationship with soil moisture was analyzed using percent cover of the understory community and associated environmental variables including soil moisture collected in 128 plots during the 2013 field season. Finally, 15 plots with co-occurring Hedera spp, H. tenuipes and V. hexandra were sampled for stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, and associated environmental variables. Results show ivy cover increases on average 14% between 2010 and 2013 while native understory cover increased on average < 1%. Once ivy forms dense cover over 44% there is a reduction of native richness, diversity and herb cover while also an increase in available soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. There were disparate impacts to different functional groups and between species. As functional group, the herbaceous community was the most impacted by ivy invasion. The shrubs and fern community had a variable response to ivy invasion. Many of the fern and shrub species least impacted by ivy also had associations with high soil moisture and deciduous canopy cover. Finally, data suggests that ivy does not take advantage of seasonally limiting soil moisture to invade the understory community. This study indicates that English ivy is both efficient at water use and may have the ability to obtain water from distant locations throughout the forest. Once established, ivy has the ability to alter the community composition. Ivy removal and habitat restoration are essential in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity in Forest Park.

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Zanelli, Carolina Brandão 1986. "Florística e fotossociologia da comunidade lenhosa no sub-bosque de um cerradão em Assis, SP." [s.n.], 2013. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/315521.

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Orientador: Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T23:57:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Zanelli_CarolinaBrandao_M.pdf: 11021724 bytes, checksum: 074f594a75e3131636ec29a9f0cdbc07 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013
Resumo: A regeneração consiste no processo de reconstrução e reorganização da composição e estrutura de uma comunidade vegetal, e vem sendo bem estudada em florestas ombrofilas e estacionais sob a ótica da dinâmica de clareiras e da sucessão ecológica. No entanto, a regeneração de espécies lenhosas no cerrado ainda e pouco compreendida, e são poucos os estudos que avaliam conjuntamente o dossel e o sub-bosque em áreas de cerrado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a floristica e a fitossociologia da comunidade lenhosa do dossel e do sub-bosque de um cerradão em Assis, SP. O trabalho foi realizado na Estação Ecológica de Assis, em uma parcela permanente de 10,4 ha, parte do "Projeto Parcelas Permanentes" do Programa BIOTA/FAPESP. Essa parcela permanente e subdividida em 256 subparcelas contiguas de 20 m x 20 m, das quais 100 foram sorteadas para amostragem. Para avaliar o dossel, foram considerados os dados já coletados no Projeto Parcelas Permanentes, referentes aos indivíduos lenhosos com perímetro na altura do peito (PAP) ? 15 cm, para as 100 subparcelas sorteadas. Para analisar o sub-bosque, foi delimitado um setor de avaliação de 2 m x 2 m em cada subparcela sorteada, onde foram medidos e identificados todos os indivíduos de espécies lenhosas com altura > 20 cm e PAP < 15 cm. Todas as espécies do dossel e do sub-bosque foram classificadas de acordo com o habitat, com base em estudos regionais de fitossociologia, em categorias não excludentes: floresta (F), quando ha registro da espécie em formações florestais não pertencentes ao cerrado sensu lato; cerradão (C), quando ha registro da espécie em cerradão; e cerrado sensu lato (c), quando ha registro da espécie nas demais fisionomias de cerrado sensu lato. Alem disso, foram calculados os parâmetros fitossociologicos usuais para todas as espécies no dossel e no sub-bosque. Tanto o dossel quanto o sub-bosque do cerradão em Assis foram compostos por espécies intermediarias entre diferentes habitats, a maior parte (46% das espécies no dossel e 36% no sub-bosque) constituída de espécies de cerrado/cerradão, incluindo espécies de ampla distribuição no domínio (como Bowdichia virgilioides, Machaerium acutifolium, Plathymenia reticulata, Pouteria ramiflora, Qualea grandiflora, Roupala montana e Xylopia aromática) e comuns em cerrados da província Meridional (como Eriotheca gracilipes, Eugenia pluriflora, Gochnatia polymorpha, Machaerium brasiliense, Myrcia venulosa e Ocotea corymbosa). Regenerantes das espécies do dossel constituíram a maior parte do sub-bosque do cerradão, tanto em numero de espécies (81% do total, n=60) quanto em valor de importância (221 do total de 300). O cerradão apresentou um conjunto de espécies de sub-bosque composto por arvores de pequeno porte e arbustos heliofitos que também ocorrem nas fisionomias mais abertas de cerrado, incluindo: Lacistema hasslerianum, Miconia albicans, Miconia langsdorffii, Miconia stenostachya, Palicourea marcgravii, Piptocarpha rotundifolia, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana e Psychotria vellosiana. Esse resultado e consistente com as características estruturais do dossel do cerradão, que possibilitam maior entrada de luz ao sub-bosque; e contrasta com o relatado para outras fisionomias florestais, onde as espécies de sub-bosque são tipicamente tolerantes a sombra
Abstract: Regeneration consists on the process of reconstruction and reorganization of the structure and composition of a plant community, and has been intensively studied in ombrophilous and seasonal forests according to the paradigm of gap dynamics and ecological succession. However, regeneration of woody plant species in the cerrado is still poorly understood, and few studies evaluate both the overstory and the understory in cerrado areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the floristics and phytosociology of the woody community of the overstory and understory in a cerradao fragment at Assis, Sao Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Field work was conducted at Assis Ecological Station, in a 10,4 ha permanent plot, part of the Permanent Plots Project from the BIOTA/FAPESP Program. This plot is divided in 256 contiguous subplots of 20 m x 20 m, of which 100 subplots were randomly selected and analyzed. To study the overstory, we used data collected at the Permanent Plots Project, regarding all woody individuals with perimeter at breast height (PBH) ? 15 cm, for these 100 subplots. To study of the understory, we delimited a sector of 2 m x 2 m within each selected subplot, in which all woody individuals with height > 20 cm and PBH < 15 cm were measured and identified. All overstory and understory species were categorized according to their habitat, based in regional phytosociological studies, into non excluding groups: forest (F), when there is record of the species in forest formations that do not belong to cerrado sensu lato; cerradao (C), when there is record of the species in cerradao; and cerrado sensu lato (c), when there is record of the species in the remaining cerrado sensu lato physiognomies. We also calculated the usual phytosociological parameters for all overstory and understory species. Both the overstory and the understory in the study site were composed of species of intermediate distribution between habitats, the majority (46% of overstory species and 36% of understory species) occurring in cerrado/cerradão, including widely distributed Cerrado species (such as Bowdichia virgilioides, Machaerium acutifolium, Plathymenia reticulata, Pouteria ramiflora, Qualea grandiflora, Roupala montana e Xylopia aromatica) and common southern Cerrado species (such as Eriotheca gracilipes, Eugenia pluriflora, Gochnatia polymorpha, Machaerium brasiliense, Myrcia venulosa e Ocotea corymbosa). Regenerating individuals belonging to overstory species accounted for most of the cerradão understory, both in number of species (81%, n=60) and importance value (221 of the total of 300). At the cerradão, we observed a group of understory species composed of heliophyte and small sized trees and shrubs that also occur in the open cerrado physiognomies, such as: Lacistema hasslerianum, Miconia albicans, Miconia langsdorffii, Miconia stenostachya, Palicourea marcgravii, Piptocarpha rotundifolia, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana e Psychotria vellosiana. This result is consistent with the structural characteristics of the cerradão overstory, which enable light penetration to the understory; and differs from data reported in other forest formations, where understory species are typically shade tolerant
Mestrado
Biologia Vegetal
Mestre em Biologia Vegetal

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Clarkson, Matthew Thomas. "An evaluation of a 3D sampling technique and LiDAR for the determination of understory vegetation density levels in pine plantations." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2007. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-03122007-192344.

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Mcdonald, Shannon Lee. "Understory Diversity and Succession on Coarse Woody Debris in a Coastal, Old-growth Forest, Oregon." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1045.

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This research examines the relationship between understory plant diversity and logs in a Pacific Northwest (PNW) Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)-western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) old-growth, coastal forest. These forests are renowned for their high forest productivity, frequent wind storms, and slow log decomposition rates that produce unmatched accumulations of coarse woody debris (CWD) yet few studies have examined the relationship between CWD and understory vegetation ecology. My research addressed this topic by comparing understory plant census data between paired fallen log and forest floor sites (n=20 pairs). My objectives were to: 1) determine the influence of substrate type on community composition and diversity, and 2) examine successional pathways and species assemblage patterns on CWD in various stages of decomposition. To meet these objectives I employed non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations and unsupervised cluster analyses to identify and compare community assemblages on both substrates. These methods revealed similar species diversity and evenness between log and forest floor sites with compositional differences within and between substrates corresponding to habitat availability for colonization and light and moisture gradients. My results also suggest understory successional pathways related to decay class and characterized by an initial abundance of bryophytes, forbs, and seedlings followed by woody shrubs. Understory communities developing on logs also experienced increasing diversity, evenness, and divergence from forest floor communities consistent with log decomposition. These results differ from findings for boreal forests that reveal increasing similarity between substrate communities with increasing decay class. Recommendations for future research include the employment of a more robust sample size and direct measurements of environmental variables. Additional comparator studies are also needed to confirm the effects of forest type and decomposition on the relationship between CWD and forest understory communities. This study demonstrates how fine-scale wind disturbance fosters biodiversity through the creation of CWD substrate. My results and future research are essential for the development of silvicultural models designed to promote biodiversity in PNW coastal forests.

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Klinka, Karel. "Plant diversity in old-growth and second-growth stands in the coastal rainforests of British Columbia." Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/652.

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One of the human activities impacting biodiversity is the cutting of old-growth forests. In response to the controversy surrounding the cutting of old-growth in the coastal rainforest of BC, the Ministries of the Environment and Forests have produced biodiversity guidelines that are to be applied when manipulating stands in the provincial forest. This study augments these guidelines by investigating the diversity differences between second-growth and old-growth forests in relation to site quality. We demonstrate how standlevel plant diversity differs between 40-year-old and old-growth stands in the Very Wet Coastal Western Hemlock subzone (CWHvm) on Vancouver Island. This information is intended to provide foresters with an understanding of the effects of age, disturbance and site quality on stand-level plant diversity, thereby allowing for informed professional management decisions.

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Van, Winkle Jill Elise. "Informal Trails and the Spread of Invasive Species in Urban Natural Areas: Spatial Analysis of Informal Trails and their Effects on Understory Plant Communities in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon." PDXScholar, 2014. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1841.

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The risk of spread and establishment of invasive species to interior habitat within urban parks is of great concern to park managers and ecologists. Informal trails as a vector for this transmission are not well understood. To characterize effects of informal trails on understory plant communities, I conducted a study of the informal trail network in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon. The system of 382 informal trails was mapped and evaluated qualitatively, and from this population a systematic sample was selected for analysis. To identify hotspots of informal trail activity, showing the relationship of informal trails to formal trails, other park features, and trail use level, I evaluated all mapped trails using line density spatial analysis tools. To characterize understory communities, thirty transects were placed along informal trails, with paired transects along nearby formal trails for comparison. I measured percent cover by species for non-graminoid understory plants, and percent total plant cover at different structural layers, for quadrats at regular intervals from the trail edge. I calculated richness and Shannon-Weaver diversity for non-graminoid understory plants. For community analysis, species were grouped by dispersal strategy, native status, and growth form. Observations from system mapping suggest that "hidden" behaviors drive many informal trails: bathroom stops, party spots, waste dumping, and camps make up 28% of all informal trails. Trails to private property are few but represent over 29% of total trail length. Informal trail density is highest along Balch Creek. Hotspots of informal trail presence are associated with trailheads, trail intersections, and water access. Quadrats located within one meter of informal trails showed higher richness and diversity due to increased number of introduced and ruderal species. Formal trails exhibit these same patterns to a stronger degree and over a greater distance (two meters) from the trail edge. Distance from trail edge explained variation in plant communities when grouped by dispersal type, but not by growth form. This study shows that although informal trails are widely distributed throughout the park, they are concentrated in high use areas. The presence of informal trails leads to significant changes in Forest Park plant communities that favor invasive and ruderal species, but these effects appear limited to two meters from the trail edge.

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Wilfong, Bryan N. "Detecting an invasive shrub in deciduous forest understories using remote sensing." Oxford, Ohio : Miami University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1217288997.

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Klinka, Karel, Gordon J. Kayahara, and Christine Chourmouzis. "Regeneration, growth and productivity of trees within gaps of old-growth forests on the outer coast (CWHvh2) of British Columbia." Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/669.

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Central to the issue of harvest feasibility on the outer BC coast (CWHvh) is the question of whether sites, once harvested, can be regenerated, and whether the time period for replacement and subsequent growth is economically and environmentally acceptable. Since low productivity sites have not been harvested in the past, there is a lack of data to answer this question. We tried to provide an answer by assessing regeneration following natural disturbances. Small scale gap disturbances are the norm within old-growth stands. If regeneration is not a problem in gaps, then we have some evidence that regeneration should not be a problem upon implementation of our management practices. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop baseline information on the mechanisms and the patterns of regeneration across a sequence of forest types; (2) to assess regeneration success with respect to productivity; and (3) to estimate future growth and productivity.

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Smith, Kimberly J. "Understory Plant Responses to Uneven-Aged Forestry." ScholarWorks @ UVM, 2007. http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/216.

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In northern hardwood-conifer forests, alternatives to conventional forest management practices are being developed in order to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning while providing for timber revenue generation. The understory layer of vegetation encompasses the majority of plant species diversity in forested ecosystems and may be sensitive to timber harvest disturbance. Thus, monitoring the response of forest understories to new silvicultural techniques may provide a means for evaluating their intensity. In this study, we hypothesize that i) uneven-aged, low-intensity silvicultural systems can maintain understory plant diversity and support latesuccessional species through harvest disturbance; ii) retaining and enhancing stand structural complexity can increase understory plant diversity in northern hardwoodconifer forests; and iii) plant responses are influenced by interactions between canopy structure, soils, and exogenous climate processes. Experimental treatments include two conventional uneven-aged prescriptions (single-tree selection and group selection) modified to increase structural retention, and a third technique designed to promote late-successional forest structure and function, termed structural complexity enhancement (SCE). Four replications of each treatment were applied to 2 ha management units at three sites in Vermont and New York, U.S.A. Understory vegetation was monitored over 2 years pre- and 4 years post-treatment. We used a linear mixed effects model to evaluate the effects of treatment, soil properties, and drought stress on understory diversity and abundance. Compositional changes among treatments were assessed with non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), an ordination technique. Model results show that over time, understory responses were strongly affected by overstory treatment and less influenced by soil chemistry and drought stress. All treatments were successful in maintaining overall composition and diversity. However, late-successional diversity increased significantly in SCE units compared to group selection units. These results indicate that while conventional uneven-aged systems are capable of maintaining understory plant diversity, variations that retain or enhance structural complexity may be more efficient at retaining latesuccessional species. Increased microsite heterogeneity as a result of these techniques may also increase understory plant diversity, at least during the initial post-harvest recovery period.

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Wikberg, Per-Erik. "Occurrence, morphology and growth of understory saplings in Swedish forests /." Umeå : Dept. of Silviculture, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, 2004. http://epsilon.slu.se/s322.pdf.

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29

Chipman, Sylvia Joanne. "Understory vascular plant species diversity in the mixedwood boreal forest of western Canada." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape2/PQDD_0021/MQ55200.pdf.

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Klinka, Karel. "Structure and regeneration of old-growth stands in the engelmann spruce - subalpine fir zone." Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/661.

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Old-growth stands are important for management, conservation, wildlife, recreation, and maintaining biological diversity in forested landscapes. However, we are lacking the information needed to adequately identify and characterize old-growth stands. This is especially true for high elevation, interior forests. The characterization of stand structure and regeneration pattern will help in the development of site-specific guidelines for identifying old growth stands and restoring some of the old-growth characteristics in managed stands. This pamphlet presents a synopsis of a study investigating stand structure and regeneration of old-growth stands in the Moist Cold Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSFmc) Subzone near Smithers, B.C. The three stands selected for the study were located on zonal sites, each in different watersheds, and the stands were established after fire. The criteria used for selection were: i) absence of lodgepole pine, ii) presence of advanced regeneration, and iii) abundant snags and coarse woody debris. These stands were presumed to represent the old-growth stage of stand development or the final (climax) stage of secondary succession.

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31

Delerue, Florian. "Dynamique de population d'une légumineuse du sous-bois de la forêt landaise (Ulex europaeus) dans le cadre de la sylviculture du pin maritime : proposition d'un modèle conceptuel." Phd thesis, Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux I, 2013. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00873385.

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La fixation symbiotique d'azote par l'ajonc d'Europe (Ulex europaeus) représente une source importante d'azote dans la forêt cultivée de pins maritimes des 'Landes de Gascogne'. Cette thèse a pour objectif la création d'un modèle conceptuel de dynamique de population de l'ajonc dans la région en vue de la prédiction du flux d'azote associé. Pour cela plusieurs étapes du cycle de vie de l'espèce ont été étudiées: la production et la prédation des graines, puis le recrutement de nouveaux individus depuis le stock de graines du sol. Nos résultats suggèrent que le maintien de cette espèce héliophile à l'ombre de la canopée des pins est facilité par la diminution de l'allocation de ressources à la reproduction, lui permettant de maintenir sa croissance, et par la diminution de la prédation des graines. Par ailleurs, le recrutement de nouveaux ajoncs semble influencé par des facteurs écologiques identifiables (e.g. humidité du sol). Mais ces facteurs sont fortement variables dans l'espace et dans le temps, et aucun micro habitat n'apparait comme plus favorable à la régénération de l'espèce. Ces résultats sont intégrés à un modèle conceptuel, représentant les différentes étapes du cycle de vie de l'espèce, et l'impact des opérations sylvicoles sur ces étapes. Les connaissances issues de cette thèse pourraient aussi bénéficier à d'autres problématiques liées à l'espèce (e.g. c'est une espèce invasive dans de nombreuses régions du monde) et à la compréhension de l'écologie de la régénération des espèces ligneuses. En effet, l'allocation des ressources à la reproduction pourrait être plastique et permettre une réponse adaptative à un environnement changeant; et la variabilité spatiotemporelle de la régénération des ligneux pourrait reposer sur l'existence de niches écologiques de régénération définies dans l'espace écologique.

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32

Faulkner, Alexander B. "Effects of Alliaria petiolata on Native Understory Plant Communities in a Central Illinois Pine Forest." Thesis, Bradley University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10683164.

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Land managers and researchers are currently concerned with expanding populations of invasive species across North America. Invasive species are non-native species, introduced intentionally or unintentionally to an environment, which have the potential to cause economic or ecological damage through modifications of biodiversity and structure of the resident community that it invades. While a great deal of attention has been given to the negative effects of non-natives, research regarding the community-level effects in native Illinois natural areas is limited at best. We address the issue of invasive species at the plant community level by assessing the impact that Eurasian native Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb) Cavara and Grande (Brassicaceae) has on pine plantation understory communities at Sand Ridge State Forest (Mason County, IL). Alliaria petiolata is a biennial species possessing a multitude of characteristics that promote its success as an invasive plant across much of the United States. To properly evaluate the community-level response of Sand Ridge State Forest to invasion by garlic mustard, we experimentally invaded 72 plots with A. petiolata seeds or rosette transplants and subjected plots to different mineral nutrient amendments and management techniques. Alliaria petiolata population density was monitored over a 5-year period to evaluate the susceptibility of Sand Ridge State Forest to invasion, and a vegetative census was conducted to assess the effects of A. petiolata invasions on native understory plant communities using species richness (S), equitability (J), and the Shannon diversity index (H’) as indicators. We present evidence that A. petiolata densities significantly increased over time, and that altering nutrient availability or management practices do not differentially affect the success of invasive A. petiolata at Sand Ridge State Forest. Additionally, we found that A. petiolata invasions do result in reduced diversity in this system, however nitrogen availability and management practices can modulate diversity losses.

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Bottorff, Quinn W. "Fire skips and understory plant diversity in an upper foothills - subalpine forest in northwestern Alberta." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/MQ60414.pdf.

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34

Kenlan, Peter H. "The Effects of Experimental Acidification on Understory Plant Communities at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2006. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/KenlanPH2006.pdf.

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35

Begley, Danielle Rae. "Long-term Effects of Deer Browsing on Northern Wisconsin Forest Plant Communities." Wright State University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1371743595.

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36

Noyes, Mark Lee. "Tree Canopy Increases Native Woody Understory Richness and Abundance in a Grazed Oak Woodland System." Thesis, University of California, Davis, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1546238.

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Within Mediterranean ecosystems, conservation and restoration action is becoming increasingly necessary to preserve biological diversity within these working landscapes. Many of these systems have been managed to increase forage production through the removal of canopy trees and shrubs, resulting in understories dominated by herbaceous species. In California, woody plant regeneration can be constrained by exotic annual grasses, particularly in the presence of grazing. Quercus douglasii and other oak species are known to indirectly facilitate and provide spatial refuges to native plants through competitive suppression of herbaceous productivity. Mature trees can also compete with understory recruits and shrub species, limiting their occurrences to interstitial canopy gaps and resulting in reduced competition for resources. This study surveyed the overstory composition of 34 study plots at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center to determine the effects of tree canopies on the occurrence and distribution of native woody species in the undergrowth. Because other studies have shown safesites, which include rock outcroppings, woodpiles, and nurse plants to facilitate woody plant establishment in this system, the microsites containing individual plants were recorded to determine the distribution of different woody species. Multivariate regressions showed that understory plant richness and abundance increased with higher levels of canopy cover, suggesting that mature trees play a role in maintaining understory diversity. The majority of stems were found growing directly underneath the canopy, with only one species established primarily in interstitial areas. Restoration strategies can utilize the natural distributions of woody species in the understory in order to increase the survival of plantings while continuing to manage these systems for multiple ecosystem services.

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Trimbath, Ryan John. "The Combined Effects of White-tailed Deer and Exotic Earthworms on Understory Plant Communities in Northeast Ohio." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1405359401.

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38

Stam, Barton R. "Quantifying Losses of Understory Forage in Aspen Stands on the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests." DigitalCommons@USU, 2004. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6592.

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The West has lost up to 60% of its historic aspen stands over the last century, probably as a result of the successional tendency of aspen to be replaced by coniferous species in the absence of periodic fires. One of several major impacts of this change is the loss of understory forage as conifer canopy cover increases. I measured understory biomass in aspen stands ranging from 0% to 81 % absolute conifer cover in the canopy Ill and found that understory production declines exponentially as conifers replace aspen. I also did an economic analysis to determine the value of the forage that is not being produced by aspen sites due to a presence of coniferous species within the tree canopy. Study results indicate significant losses in forage, marketable through the sale of livestock, and losses in revenue generated through grazing fees for the USDA Forest Service.

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Köchy, Martin, and Sven Bråkenhielm. "Separation of effects of moderate N deposition from natural change in ground vegetation of forests and bogs." Universität Potsdam, 2008. http://opus.kobv.de/ubp/volltexte/2008/1662/.

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The effect of moderate rates of nitrogen deposition on ground floor vegetation is poorly predicted by uncontrolled surveys or fertilization experiments using high rates of nitrogen (N) addition. We compared the temporal trends of ground floor vegetation in permanent plots with moderate (7–13 kg ha−1 year−1) and lower bulk N deposition (4–6 kg ha−1 year−1) in southern Sweden during 1982–1998. We examined whether trends differed between growth forms (vascular plants and bryophytes) and vegetation types (three types of coniferous forest, deciduous forest, and bog). Trends of site-standardized cover and richness varied among growth forms, vegetation types, and deposition regions. Cover in spruce forests decreased at the same rate with both moderate and low deposition. In pine forests cover decreased faster with moderate deposition and in bogs cover decreased faster with low deposition. Cover of bryophytes in spruce forests increased at the same rate with both moderate and low deposition. In pine forests cover decreased faster with moderate deposition and in bogs and deciduous forests there was a strong non-linear increase with moderate deposition. The trend of number of vascular plants was constant with moderate and decreased with low deposition. We found no trend in the number of bryophyte species. We propose that the decrease of cover and number with low deposition was related to normal ecosystem development (increased shading), suggesting that N deposition maintained or increased the competitiveness of some species in the moderate-deposition region. Deposition had no consistent negative effect on vegetation suggesting that it is less important than normal successional processes.

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Fuller, Leslie A. "Isolated tree canopy effects on understory plant composition and soil characteristics in three black oak savanna sites of northern Indiana." Virtual Press, 1998. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1115739.

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This study is an effort to provide new information on the effects of isolated tree canopies on understory vegetation composition and soil characteristics of northern Indiana black oak savannas. Temperate savannas in the United States have been greatly altered by human activities. Management of these areas is an important consideration for Midwest natural resource agencies. It is hypothesized that isolated trees within a savanna may alter the soil and plants around them, much in the same way that gaps in a forest canopy alter the plant composition and soil characteristics on the forest floor. In this study, isolated trees were selected in three northern Indiana black oak (Quercus velutina) savannas. Plots were located under the tree canopies and in adjacent open areas, in four directions from the tree stem. Populations of herbaceous plants were inventoried and the soil characteristics analyzed for both inside-canopy and outside-canopy plots. The environmental variables measured accounted for only about 20 percent of the variation in plant community between plots according to a Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Most of the variation in plant composition between plots was explained by pH, the amount of rain throughfall, and the thickness of the A horizon. It is clear that these black oak trees do alter the soil and plant composition around them. This information has implications for the long-term management of northern Indiana savannas.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

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Berry, Eric J. "Population ecology of the harvested understory palm Chamaedorea radicalis pollination biology, female fecundity, and source-sink population dynamics /." Oxford, Ohio : Miami University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1151350945.

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42

Spence, Laura Alexandra. "Exotic plant invasion in a New Zealand forest understorey : the roles of natural disturbance, species diversity, and mycorrhizal fungi." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.611846.

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43

Ella, Ghislain. "Gap regeneration in the Tsitsikamma forest (Easter Cape, South Africa) : the effect of gap size and origin." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20916.

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Thesis (MSc(For))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recognizing the biological significance of gaps, the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in 1989 initiated a Gap Dynamics Project in the indigenous forests of Tsitsikamma (Eastern Cape, South Africa). This consists of three sub-projects: Koomansbos (9300 m2), created by a ground fire in 1989; Plaatbos (1600 m2), made by a Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) R. Br. ex Mirb. (Podocarpaceae) windfall in 1994; and nine gaps of different sizes, artificially created by selective tree felling in 1995: three small (100-150 m2), three medium (300-500 m2) and three large (800-1000 m2). All the gaps were surveyed after creation and permanent plots were established for subsequent monitoring. The current timber harvesting system practiced in South African indigenous forests attempts to minimize gap size. It has been proposed by Euston-Brown et al. (1996) that this practice is likely to benefit the more shade tolerant species, but may inhibit the regeneration of less shade tolerant plants in the forest. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify two hypotheses: gaps may close in a process that is determined by their size, their origin and the plant species characteristics; soil quality might change inside those gaps. For the purpose of the study, the gaps cited above were re-surveyed between 2002 and 2003. It was found that: 1) there was little clear difference in the community structure of plant species between gaps of different sizes and origins; as expected from the species-area relationship, large gaps had higher species richness, plant diversity and herbaceous percentage cover than medium and small gaps; diversity indices were higher in the large windfall gap than in the large fire and artificial gaps; generally, context and stochastic events were largely more important in determining gap diversity and regeneration than gap sizes and origins; 2) diversity indices in the gaps were higher than recorded previously; 3) soil pH and Electrical Conductivity were respectively lower and higher inside the gaps than adjacent to them; these variations were statistically significant. Present data on the vegetation in the gaps were compared to past measurements, and future vegetation structure has been predicted, as a function of current gap vegetation. Recommendations have been made for sustainable management of the indigenous forest of Tsitsikamma.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Voortspruitend uit die erkenning van die biologiese belang van gapings, het die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou (DWB) in 1989 'n projek oor gapingsdinamika in die inheemse woude van Tsitsikamma (Oos-Kaap, Suid-Afrika) geïnisieer. Dit bestaan uit drie subprojekte: die gaping in Koomansbos (9300 m2) wat in 1989 deur 'n grondvuur geskep is; die gaping in Plaatbos (1600 m2) wat veroorsaak is toe bome van die spesie Podocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) R. Br. ex Mirb. (Podocarpaceae) in 1994 omgewaai is; en nege gapings van verskillende groottes wat in 1995 kunsmatig deur geselekteerde boomkappery geskep is: drie is klein (100-150 m2), drie mediumgrootte (300-500 m2) en drie groot (800-1000 m2). Alle gapings is ná hulle ontstaan opgemeet en ondersoek en permanente terreine is vir daaropvolgende monitering gevestig. Die stelsel wat tans vir die oes van hout in Suid-Afrikaanse inheemse woude gebruik word, poog om die grootte van gapings te minimaliseer. Euston Brown et al. (1996) doen aan die hand dat hierdie praktyk spesies wat meer skaduweeverdraagsaam is waarskynlik sal bevoordeel, maar die regenerasie van plante in die woud wat minder skaduweeverdraagsaam is, kan inhibeer. Hierdie studie het dus ten doel gehad om twee hipoteses te verifieer: Gapings kan toegroei in 'n proses wat deur hul grootte, oorsprong en die eienskappe van die plantspesies bepaal word; en die gehalte van die grond binne daardie gapings kan verander. Die gapings waarna hierbo verwys is, is vir die doel van hierdie studie tussen 2002 en 2003 weer gemonitor. Daar is bevind dat: 1) daar min duidelike verskille was tussen die gemeenskapstruktuur van plantspesies tussen gapings van verskillende groottes en oorsprong; soos van die verhouding tussen spesies en area verwag kan word, het groter gapings 'n hoër spesierykheid, plantdiversiteit en persentasie niehoutagtige dekking as medium- en klein gapings gehad; diversiteitsindekse was hoër in die groot Plaatbosgaping as in die groot Koomansbosgaping of die kunsmatige gapings; in die algemeen was konteks en stochastiese gebeure grootliks belangriker in die bepaling van gapingsdiversiteit en -regenerasie as gapingsgrootte of -oorsprong; 2) diversiteitsindekse in die gapings was hoër as wat voorheen aangeteken is; en 3) grond-pH en elektriese geleidingsvermoë was onderskeidelik laer en hoër binne die gapings as neffens hulle; hierdie variasies was statisties beduidend. Huidige data oor die plantegroei in die gapings is met vorige metings vergelyk, en 'n toekomstige plantegroeistruktuur is as 'n funksie van huidige gapingsplantegroei voorspel. Aanbevelings is gemaak rakende die volhoubare bestuur van Tsitsikamma se inheemse woud.

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Bryce, Elizabeth. "Inflence of Silvicultural Treatment, Site Characteristics, and Land Use History on Native and Nonnative Forest Understory Plant Composition on the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2009. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/BryceE2009.pdf.

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45

Klinka, Karel, H. Qian, Pavel Krestov, and Christine Chourmouzis. "Species diversity and floristic relationships of the understory vegetation in black spruce and trembling aspen stands in the boreal forest of British Columbia." Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/762.

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The boreal forest is confined to the Northern Hemisphere and is the most continuous and extensive forest in the world. In North America boreal forest extends from the Pacific to Atlantic coast spanning over 10° latitude. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) are among the dominant tree species. Black spruce and trembling aspen may form pure stands and occupy similar sites as their edaphic amplitudes overlap; however, spruce is rare on water-deficient sites and aspen does not tolerate excess water. Despite many studies conducted in the North American boreal forest, little is known about relationships between the boreal understory vegetation and softwood or hardwood canopy species in different climate regions. Furthermore, the variation in species diversity and succession between the stands dominated by coniferous trees and those dominated by broadleaved trees within the same region is unknown. The objectives of this study are to determine (1) the difference in the species diversity and floristic composition of understory vegetation between black spruce and trembling aspen stands within the same climatic region, and (2) how the species diversity and floristic composition of understory vegetation in each stand type vary with climate, and soil moisture and soil nutrient conditions.

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46

Manninen, O. (Outi). "The resilience of understorey vegetation and soil to increasing nitrogen and disturbances in boreal forests and the subarctic ecosystem." Doctoral thesis, Oulun yliopisto, 2016. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789526211732.

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Abstract Climate change and its warming effects on vegetation and soils are a widely recognized phenomenon. In addition to warming, the understorey vegetation in northern environments has been subjected to several environmental changes, such as increasing nitrogen (N) and other disturbances. This thesis examines the effects of N-fertilization and disturbances on the vegetation biomass and abundance, plant community composition and plant, soil and microbial N and C pools. Seedling establishment of the most common dwarf shrubs (deciduous Vaccinium myrtillus, evergreens V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum) was investigated after artificial disturbance treatments (vegetation and soil removal). These studies were conducted in the boreal and subarctic ecosystems and in the forest-tundra ecotone in northern Finland. N-fertilization and disturbances enhanced the amount of graminoids in plant communities, and the recovery ability of graminoids was enhanced after N-fertilization, which homogenized the vegetation and resulted in a new stable state in the plant community. The recovery ability of evergreen dwarf shrubs was low after disturbances. Disturbances created habitats for seed germination, but the seedling establishment of dwarf shrubs studied was still limited by seed availability. N-fertilization had no effect on microbial biomass. Instead, microbial biomass decreased with disturbance treatment in the boreal forest. However, the concentration of N increased in above-ground vegetation, both after N-fertilization and disturbance without any indication of N immobilization, suggesting that plant species captured the available N effectively for their recovery. The study shows that the likely outcome of N enrichment, when combined with disturbances, is the enhanced growth of graminoids. The seedling establishment does not compensate for the reduction of the vegetative recovery of evergreen dwarf shrubs, which makes evergreen dwarf shrubs sensitive to environmental changes. As the understorey is more resilient to perturbations in the boreal forest than in the subarctic ecosystem, these results emphasize the sensitivity of the vegetation to simultaneous environmental changes in the northernmost ecosystems. Moreover, microbial properties are more resilient to environmental changes than is above-ground vegetation
Tiivistelmä Ilmaston muutos ja siitä aiheutuvan lämpenemisen vaikutus kasvillisuuteen ja maaperään on laajasti tunnustettu ilmiö. Lämpenemisen lisäksi pohjoisten alueiden aluskasvillisuuteen kohdistuu useita muutospaineita, kuten lisääntynyt typpipitoisuuden nousu ja kasvillisuutta muokkaavat häiriöt. Tässä tutkimuksessa mitattiin lisääntyneen typpipitoisuuden ja häiriöiden vaikutus kasvillisuuden biomassaan ja runsauteen sekä yhteisörakenteeseen, sekä kasvilajeihin, maaperään ja mikrobibiomassaan sitoutuneen typen ja hiilen määrään. Lisäksi tutkittiin yleisimpien varpukasvien (lehtensä pudottava mustikka, ikivihreät puolukka ja variksenmarja) siemenellistä lisääntymistä kokeellisen häiriön (kasvillisuuden tai maaperän poisto) jälkeen. Tutkimukset tehtiin boreaalisessa ja subarctisessa ekosysteemeissä sekä metsänrajaympäristössä Pohjois-Suomessa. Typpilannoitus ja häiriöt lisäsivät heinien määrää kasviyhteisöissä. Lisäksi typpilannoitus edisti heinien kasvullista palautumiskykyä häiriön jälkeen, joka johti kasvillisuuden homogenisoitumiseen ja kasviyhteisön uuteen tasapainotilaan. Häiriöt heikensivät ikivihreiden varpujen kasvullista palautumista häiriön jälkeen. Häiriö loi sopivia elinympäristöjä siementen itämiselle, mutta tutkittujen lajien siementen määrä rajoitti siemenellistä lisääntymistä. Typpilannoitus ei vaikuttanut mikrobibiomassaan, mutta häiriö vähensi mikrobibiomassaa boreaalisessa ekosysteemissä. Kuitenkin kasvien typen pitoisuudet lisääntyivät sekä lannoituksen että häiriön jälkeen ilman viitteitä typen sitoutumisesta mikrobibiomassaan. Tämä viittaa siihen, että kasvit käyttävät maaperän typen tehokkaasti häiriön jälkeiseen palautumiseen. Väitöskirjan mukaan typen lisääntyminen häiriöiden yhteydessä edistää heinien esiintymistä. Koska ikivihreiden varpujen siemenellinen lisääntyminen ei kompensoi häiriöstä kasvulliselle palautumiselle aiheutuvaa haittaa, ovat ikivihreät varvut erityisen herkkiä häiriöille. Aluskasvillisuus on vastustuskykyisempi ympäristön muutoksille boreaalisessa kuin subarktisessa ekosysteemissä, mikä korostaa pohjoisimpien alueiden herkkyyttä yhtäaikaisille ympäristön muutoksille. Maaperän olosuhteet ovat kasvillisuutta kestävämpiä ympäristön muutoksille

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47

Huang, Jianjun. "Ecological responses of two forest understory herbs to changes in resources caused by prescribed fire alone on in combination with restoration thinning." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1195062013.

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48

Stockton, Stephen A. "The effect of introduced Sitka black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis Merriam, on the forest understorey plant communities of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia: Pattern, process, and recovery." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/29172.

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The introduction of Sitka black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis Merriam, to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C., Canada) in the late 19th century provides a valuable opportunity to understand the long-term effects of deer populations on the vegetation of the North American temperate rain forest. We conducted two island-based experiments to investigate the effect of Sitka black-tailed deer on the forest understorey vegetation of this archipelago. In the first experiment we used a set of seven small islands (<15 ha) with different browsing histories (more than 50 years of deer presence, less than 20 years of deer presence, and no evidence of any deer presence) to test the effects of deer on plant cover, species richness and community composition. Browsing history was inversely proportional to both vegetation cover and plant species richness. Modification of the forest understorey plant communities followed a series of steps towards a greatly simplified community of plants possessing mechanisms to keep developing plant tissue inaccessible to deer. In the second experiment we utilized the cull of Sitka black-tailed deer from two large islands (295 ha and 170 ha) to investigate the release of forest plant communities from deer browsing. Using a paired-island approach, deer were culled on two experimental islands but remained on three adjacent control islands. Clear increases in species richness and cover as well as changes in the community composition of the forest understorey of experimental islands in the five years following the initiation of culls suggested a quick return to the forest understorey communities thought to exist before deer modification. However, failure of key shrub species to establish, coupled with the development of closed canopy stands of Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, suggests possible alternate stable-states for some communities.

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49

Orihuela, Rodrigo Leonel Lozano. "Diversidade e abundância de hemiepífitos em um gradiente altitudinal na Floresta Atlântica no Sul do Brasil." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/26288.

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O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi identificar os principais fatores abióticos e bióticos correlacionados com a distribuição da abundância e riqueza de hemiepífitos primários, secundários e lianas rizo-escandentes, sinúsias que carecem de estudos, em um gradiente altitudinal na Floresta Atlântica sul-brasileira. Alocamos 15 unidades amostrais no total (de 400 m2 cada), distribuídas nas porções inferior (200 - 250 m a.n.m.), média (380 - 430 m) e superior (670 - 720 m) de um gradiente altitudinal no nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Amostramos em cada parcela a abundância de cada espécie, a porcentagem de árvores colonizadas por cada sinúsia e as seguintes variáveis explanatórias: abertura do dossel, composição do solo e densidade de árvores com DAP ≥ 5 e 20 cm; e para cada cota altitudinal, a temperatura e precipitação média anual. Utilizamos modelos lineares generalizados para analisar a influência das variáveis na abundância das sinúsias. Encontramos que as variáveis climáticas (precipitação e temperatura) foram as principais variáveis explanatórias relacionadas com variação na abundância e riqueza das três sinúsias analisadas. As distintas formas de vida apresentaram diferenças na intensidade da resposta às variáveis. Foi registrado um aumento de quatro vezes na abundância de hemiepífitos secundários e de praticamente duas vezes para lianas rizo-escandentes, entre a porção inferior e a superior do gradiente, correlacionando-se positivamente com o aumento da precipitação e umidade. A riqueza total de espécies apresentou um decréscimo na porção superior do gradiente, que foi correlacionado ao decréscimo da temperatura. Os resultados encontrados corroboram trabalhos anteriores, com outros grupos vegetais e animais, que afirmam que as variáveis climáticas são as preditoras de primeira ordem da distribuição das espécies e reforçam a necessidade de se analisar distintas formas de vida, pois estas tendem a responder de modo distinto aos fatores ambientais.
The main aim of this study was to analyze the major abiotic and biotic factors correlated with distribution, abundance and richness of primary and secondary hemiepiphytes and root-climbing lianas along an altitudinal gradient of the South Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Fifteen 400-m² square sample plots within three altitudinal levels at the slope of Serra Geral in north-eastern Rio Grande do Sul were defined. Abundance of all species, the percentage of host trees colonized by each synusia, and explanatory variables canopy openness, soil composition and tree density with DBH ≥ 5 and ≥ 20 cm were recorded for each sample plot. Mean annual air temperature and rainfall were recorded for each altitudinal level. Climatic variables (precipitation and temperature) were the main explanatory variables related with the variation in abundance and richness in the three synusiae studied. The three life forms showed different intensities in their response to these variables. The abundance of secondary hemiepiphytes increased up to four times from the lower to upper altitudinal levels, while root-climbing lianas increased almost twice in the same direction, following an increase in precipitation and humidity. Total species richness decreased toward the upper level of the gradient correlated with lower temperatures and colder winter months. Our results corroborate previous studies on other taxonomic groups, which indicate that climatic variables are first-order predictors for species distribution and reinforce the importance to study different life forms, because these may respond in distinct ways to environment factors.

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Irvin, N. A. "Understorey management for the enhancement of populations of a leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) parasitoid (Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron)) in Canterbury, New Zealand apple orchards." Lincoln University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1111.

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This study investigated understorey management in Canterbury, New Zealand, apple orchards for the enhancement of populations of Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Braconidae) for leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) biological control. The first objective was to determine the influence of understorey plants on the abundance of D. tasmanica and leafroller parasitism, and to investigate the mechanisms behind this influence. The second was to determine the most suitable understorey plants in terms of their ability to enhance parasitoid abundance, leafroller parasitism, parasitoid longevity, parasitoid fecundity and its ability to not benefit leafroller. Results from three consecutive field trials showed that buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), alyssum (Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv), and, to a lesser extent, broad bean (Vicia faba L.), enhanced parasitoid abundance and leafroller parasitism. The mechanisms behind the effects of understorey plants had previously been unexplored. However, results here showed that it was the flowers or the buckwheat that 'attracted' the parasitoid to the plant and not the shelter, aphids or microclimate that the plant may also provide. Providing flowering plants in the orchard understorey also increased immigration of parasitoids and enhanced parasitoids and enhanced parasitoid longevity and fecundity in the laboratory. In contrast, the understorey plants had no influence on the female:male ratio of D. tasmanica. Although coriander enhanced leafroller parasitism three-fold in field experiments compared with controls, it failed to enhance the longevity of both sexes of D. tasmanica in the laboratory compared with water-only. Broad bean significantly enhanced parasitoid abundance three-fold and significantly increased parasitism from 0% to 75% compared with the controls on one leafroller release date. However, laboratory trials showed that of male D. tasmancia but it did not enhance female longevity. Also, female D. tasmanica foraging on broad bean produced a total of only three parasitoid cocoons, but this result was based on an overall 6.5% survival of larvae to pupae or to parasitoid cocoon. Furthermore, results suggested that extrafloral nectar secretion decreased as the plants matured. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) did not significantly enhance parasitism rate in the field compared with controls, and numbers of D. tasmanica captured by suction sampling were significantly lower in phacelia treatments compared with alyssum, buckwheat and control plots. Also, laboratory experiments showed that survival of D. tasmanica on phacelia flowers was equivalent to that on water-only and significantly lower than on buckwheat. These results suggest that phacelia does not provide nectar to D. tasmanica, only pollen, and therefore is not a suitable understorey plant for D. tasmanica enhancement in orchards. Buckwheat and alyssum showed the most potential as understorey plants for the enhancement of natural enemies. Buckwheat not only increased numbers of D. tasmanica seven-fold, but also increased numbers of beneficial lacewings (Micromus tasmaniae (Walker)) and hover flies (Syrphidae) captured on yellow sticky traps compared with the controls. It significantly increased leafroller parasitism by D. tasmanica from 0% to 86% compared with the controls (on one date only), and in the laboratory enhanced D. tasmanica longevity and increased fecundity compared with water-only. Similarly, alyssum significantly increased parasitism rate compared with controls, and two-fold more D. tasmanica were suction sampled in these plots compared with controls. It also enhanced longevity of both sexes of D. tasmanica compared with water, and showed the most favourable characteristics in terms of being of no benefit to leafrollers. This is because it was not preferred over apple by leafroller larvae and when they were forced to feed on it, it caused high mortality (94.3%) and low pupal weight (15 mg). Furthermore, alyssum did not enhance the number of fertile eggs produced by adult leafrollers compared with water only. However, further research is required to address the overall effect of buckwheat and alyssum on crop production and orchard management, including effects on fruit yield and quality, frost risk, disease incidence, soil quality, weeds and other pests. Also, research into the ability of these plants to survive in the orchard with little maintenance, and into the optimal sowing rates, would be useful. Sampling natural populations of leafroller within each treatment showed that damage from leafrollers and the number of leafroller larvae were respectively 20.3% and 29.3% lower in the flowering treatments compared with the controls. Furthermore, field trials showed up to a six-fold increase in leafroller pupae in controls compared with buckwheat and alyssum. This suggests that increasing leafroller parasitism rate from understorey management in orchards will translate into lower pest populations, although neither larval numbers/damage nor pupal numbers differed significantly between treatments. Trapping D. tasmanica at a gradient of distances showed that this parasitoid travels into rows adjacent to buckwheat plots, indicating that growers may be able to sow flowering plants in every second or third row of the orchard, and still enhance leafroller biocontrol while minimising the adverse effects of a cover crop. Sowing buckwheat and alyssum in orchard understoreys may enhance biological control of apple pests in organic apple production and reduce the number of insect growth regulators applied in IFP programmes. However, the challenge still remains to investigate whether conservation biological control can reduce leafroller populations below economic thresholds.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Understory plants'

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