Download or read book Patterns and Mechanisms of Understorey Vegetation Associated with Stand Development in Boreal Forests written by Praveen Kumar and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The understorey vegetation comprises the greatest plant diversity and contributes substantially to ecosystem functioning and services in boreal forests. Although many studies have examined patterns of understorey species diversity in relation to stand development following stand replacing disturbances and overstorey characteristics, the mechanisms driving these patterns remain largely speculative. Furthermore, despite their ecological importance, the dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover rates following stand-replacing disturbance and overstorey succession remain poorly understood. The objective of this dissertation is to improve the understanding of patterns and mechanisms of understorey vegetation, and their ecological functions with stand development in central boreal forests of Canada. To achieve this goal, I first studied the effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) decay class and substrate species on the patterns of epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity and composition in the boreal forest. Second, I examined the mechanisms underlying patterns of understorey vegetation by linking resource availability and heterogeneity to understorey species diversity. Finally, I investigated the dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover rates in the central boreal forests of Canada. In chapter 2 and 3, the pattern of epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity and composition on coarse woody debris decay class and substrate species were examined in stands of varying ages and overstorey compositions types. The percent cover, species richness and evenness of epixylic vegetation differed significantly with both CWD decay class and substrate species. Multivariate analysis showed that understorey species composition differed significantly with decay classes and substrate species and their interactions. My findings suggest that conservation of epixylic diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse range of CWD decay classes and substrate species. Since stand development and overstorey compositions influence CWD decay classes and substrate species as well as colonization time and environmental conditions, our results further suggested that managed boreal landscapes should consist of a mosaic of different successional stages and a broad suite of overstorey types to support diverse understorey plant communities. In chapter 4, the mechanisms for understorey species diversity and cover were studied using structural equation modeling (SEM) to link time since fire (stand age), light availability and heterogeneity, substrate heterogeneity and soil nitrogen to understorey vegetation cover and species diversity in boreal mixedwood stands. The best model for total understorey cover showed a positive direct effect of stand age, and an indirect effect via mean light level and shrub cover, with a positive total effect; percent broadleaf canopy had a direct negative effect and an indirect effect via shrub cover. The model for total understorey species richness showed an indirect effect of stand age via mean light, light heterogeneity, and substrate heterogeneity, with a positive total effect; percent broadleaf canopy had an indirect effect via light heterogeneity, and substrate heterogeneity. The models for vascular plants followed similar trends to those for total understorey cover and species richness; however, there was an opposite indirect effect of light heterogeneity for both cover and species richness of non-vascular plants. The overall results highlight the importance of time since colonization, light availability and heterogeneity, substrate specialization and growth dynamics in determining successional patterns of boreal forest understorey vegetation. In chapter 5, the dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover rates following stand-replacing disturbance and throughout forest succession were examined. I found that herbaceous biomass and production peaked in early stages of stand development, whereas total, woody and bryophytes biomass and production peaked at intermediate stages of succession. Herbaceous and woody turnover rates were higher is early stages, and bryophytes turnover rates were higher at intermediate stages. Understorey total, woody and herbaceous biomass, production and turnover rates were higher under deciduous broadleaf overstorey, and those of bryophytes were higher under conifer stands. However, mixedwood stands favoured the growth of both woody and non-woody plants, and were intermediate between broadleaf and conifer stands in supporting understorey biomass and production. This study highlights the role of overstorey succession in long-term forest understorey biomass, production and turnover dynamics and its importance for modeling total forest ecosystem contribution to the global carbon cycle. In summary, this study demonstrated that multiple processes determine changes in understorey vegetation with stand development in boreal forests and highlight that understorey vegetation species diversity, and its biomass, production and turnover dynamics are driven by time since colonization following stand replacing fire, coupled with associated changes in resource availability and heterogeneity mediated via overstorey succession. This study highlight that the shifts in forest age structure and composition have strong impact on the dynamics of understorey vegetation and its ecological functions. Therefore management interventions should aim at maintaining diverse range of stand ages and overstorey types for conserving biodiversity and their ecological functions in the boreal forest of Canada.
Download or read book Patterns and Mechanisms of Tree Species Diversity Effects on Fine Root Processes Associated with Stand Development in Boreal Forests written by Zilong Ma and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the last two decades, one major advance in ecology has been the demonstration that biodiversity has positive effects on a broad range of ecosystem functions. However, diversity-ecosystem functioning studies for belowground are underrepresented, due to methodological limitations and the relative inaccessibility to root systems. This lack of understanding of belowground processes has cast doubt on the predictability of various ecosystem models; the forecasting of which serve as the basis for numerous global policies. The objective of this dissertation, therefore, is to improve the understanding of patterns and mechanisms of tree species diversity effects on fine root processes associated with stand development in natural forest ecosystems. To achieve this goal, I initially conducted a global meta-analysis on the effects of species diversity on fine root productivity in diverse ecosystems by synthesizing the results of 48 published studies. This meta-analysis demonstrated a positive mixture effects on fine root biomass and production, and showed that the mixture effects increased with species richness across all ecosystem types. More importantly, the meta-analysis also revealed shifts in diversity effects over time in both forests and grasslands. Inspired by the results of the meta-analysis, I conducted an empirical diversity experiment in the central region of the North American natural boreal forest, to examine the temporal (seasonal and developmental) changes in fine root production, and their underlying mechanisms associated with tree species diversity. I found that annual fine root production was higher in mixtures than the mean of single species dominated stands in all age classes, with a significantly higher magnitude of effects in mature than young stands. My results also indicated that the increased positive diversity effects with stand development was the result of multiple mechanisms, including higher horizontal soil volume filling, a thicker forest floor layer for rooting, a higher magnitude of complementarity in deep nutrient-poor soil layers, and stronger nutrient foraging toward soil layers with high nutrient concentrations in older than younger stands. Whether the results obtained on productivity can be generalized to other ecosystem processes remains patchy. I therefore examined species mixture effects on fine root turnover and mortality along stand development. I found that like biomass production, fine root turnover and mortality were also higher in mixtures than the mean of single-species-dominated stands in all age classes, with a higher mixture effects in mature than young stands. Moreover, my results suggested that increased mixture effects with stand development resulted from a higher competition intensity that was induced by the overyielding of fine root biomass production in mixtures. Moreover, most published diversity and productivity relationship (DPR) studies focus on one component of ecosystem production. Species diversity could alter production allocation, at least, in part, contributing to divergent DPR relationships. By synthesizing the production data of all individual components (i.e., aboveground trees, litterfall, understory vegetation, coarse roots, and fine roots) of boreal forest stands, collected from the same study sites, I examined how species mixtures affected the production of the entire ecosystem, and production partitioning among individual components along stand development. I found that the overyielding of the entire ecosystem production occurred in young stands, but not in older stands, despite the fact that fine root production was higher in species mixtures than single-species dominated stands in all ages. Species mixtures led to more production allocated to belowground than expected from single species-dominant stands. These studies offer a new and important understanding of DPR by showing the temporal changes of mixture effects on fine root dynamics (i.e., production, turnover, and mortality), production allocation, and their underlying mechanisms. The results have relevance for calculating the energy allocation, as well as the carbon storage of terrestrial ecosystems, and may provide a broad guide for management practices with the aim of increasing belowground productivity, element cycling, and carbon sequestration.
Download or read book Physiology of Woody Plants written by Stephen G. Pallardy and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2010-07-20 with total page 469 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Woody plants such as trees have a significant economic and climatic influence on global economies and ecologies. This completely revised classic book is an up-to-date synthesis of the intensive research devoted to woody plants published in the second edition, with additional important aspects from the authors' previous book, Growth Control in Woody Plants. Intended primarily as a reference for researchers, the interdisciplinary nature of the book makes it useful to a broad range of scientists and researchers from agroforesters, agronomists, and arborists to plant pathologists and soil scientists. This third edition provides crutial updates to many chapters, including: responses of plants to elevated CO2; the process and regulation of cambial growth; photoinhibition and photoprotection of photosynthesis; nitrogen metabolism and internal recycling, and more. Revised chapters focus on emerging discoveries of the patterns and processes of woody plant physiology. * The only book to provide recommendations for the use of specific management practices and experimental procedures and equipment*Updated coverage of nearly all topics of interest to woody plant physiologists* Extensive revisions of chapters relating to key processes in growth, photosynthesis, and water relations* More than 500 new references * Examples of molecular-level evidence incorporated in discussion of the role of expansion proteins in plant growth; mechanism of ATP production by coupling factor in photosynthesis; the role of cellulose synthase in cell wall construction; structure-function relationships for aquaporin proteins
Download or read book Causes and Consequences of Species Diversity in Forest Ecosystems written by Aaron M. Ellison and published by MDPI. This book was released on 2019-07-30 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue Causes and Consequences of Species Diversity in Forest Ecosystems that was published in Forests
Download or read book Life on Land written by Walter Leal Filho and published by Springer. This book was released on 2020-10-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The problems related to the process of industrialisation such as biodiversity depletion, climate change and a worsening of health and living conditions, especially but not only in developing countries, intensify. Therefore, there is an increasing need to search for integrated solutions to make development more sustainable. The United Nations has acknowledged the problem and approved the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. On 1st January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda officially came into force. These goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. The Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals comprehensively addresses the SDGs in an integrated way. It encompasses 17 volumes, each one devoted to one of the 17 SDGs. This volume addresses SDG 15, namely "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss" and contains the description of a range of terms, which allow a better understanding and foster knowledge. Concretely, the defined targets are: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world Ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products Introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly Reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities Editorial Board Alexandra Aragão, Desalegn Yayeh Ayal, Ayansina Ayanlade, Anabela Marisa Azul, Adriana Consorte-McCrea, Muhammad Farooq, Ana Catarina Luz, María P. Martín, Sharif A. Mukul, Nandhivarman Muthu, Robert Russell Monteith Paterson, Isabel Ruiz-Mallén
Download or read book Forest Biomass written by T. Satoo and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lord Rutherford has said that all science is either physics or stamp collecting. On that basis the study of forest biomass must be classified with stamp collecting and other such pleasurable pursuits. Japanese scientists have led the world, not only in collecting basic data, but in their attempts to systematise our knowledge of forest biomass. They have studied factors affecting dry matter production of forest trees in an attempt to approach underlying phYf'ical principles. This edition of Professor Satoo's book has been made possible the help of Dr John F. Hosner and the Virginia Poly technical Institute and State University who invited Dr Satoo to Blacksburg for three months in 1973 at about the time when he was in the final stages of preparing the Japanese version. Since then the explosion of world literature on forest biomass has continued to be fired by increasing shortages of timber supplies in many parts of the world as well as by a need to explore renewable sources of energy. In revising the original text I have attempted to maintain the input of Japanese work - much of which is not widely available outside Japan - and to update both the basic information and, where necessary, the conclusions to keep them in tune with current thinking. Those familiar with the Japanese original will find Chapter 3 largely rewritten on the basis of new work - much of which was initiated while Dr Satoo was in Blacksburg.
Download or read book The Herbaceous Layer in Forests of Eastern North America written by Frank Gilliam and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2014-04 with total page 689 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most comprehensive existing volume of multidisciplinary research by top ecologists on the herbaceous layer of forests.
Download or read book The Carbon Cycle written by T. M. L. Wigley and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2005-08-22 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is imperative to stabilizing our future climate. Our ability to reduce these emissions combined with an understanding of how much fossil-fuel-derived CO2 the oceans and plants can absorb is central to mitigating climate change. In The Carbon Cycle, leading scientists examine how atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have changed in the past and how this may affect the concentrations in the future. They look at the carbon budget and the "missing sink" for carbon dioxide. They offer approaches to modeling the carbon cycle, providing mathematical tools for predicting future levels of carbon dioxide. This comprehensive text incorporates findings from the recent IPCC reports. New insights, and a convergence of ideas and views across several disciplines make this book an important contribution to the global change literature.
Download or read book Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests written by John A. Stanturf and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2015-08-14 with total page 552 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humans have influenced the landscapes and forests throughout the temperate and boreal zones for millennia. Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests, Second Edition focuses on the negative impact of human activity, and explains the importance of forest restoration as a way to repair habitat, restore forest structure and function, and counteract t
Download or read book Old Growth Forests written by Christian Wirth and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-07-07 with total page 518 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many terms often used to describe old-growth forests imply that these forests are less vigorous, less productive and less stable than younger forests. But research in the last two decades has yielded results that challenge the view of old-growth forests being in decline. Given the importance of forests in battling climate change and the fact that old-growth forests are shrinking at a rate of 0.5% per year, these new results have come not a moment too soon. This book is the first ever to focus on the ecosystem functioning of old-growth forests. It is an exhaustive compendium of information that contains original work conducted by the authors. In addition, it is truly global in scope as it studies boreal forests in Canada, temperate old-growth forests in Europe and the Americas, and global tropical forests. Written in part to affect future policy, this eminently readable book is as useful for the scientist and student as it is for the politician and politically-interested layman.
Download or read book The Physiological Ecology of Woody Plants written by Theodore T. Kozlowski and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2012-12-02 with total page 678 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The efficient management of trees and other woody plants can be improved given an understanding of the physiological processes that control growth, the complex environmental factors that influence those processes, and our ability to regulate and maintain environmental conditions that facilitate growth. Emphasizes genetic and environmental interactions that influence woody plant growth Outlines responses of individual trees and tree communities to environmental stress Explores cultural practices useful for efficient management of shade, forest, and fruit trees, woody vines, and shrubs
Download or read book Plant Biodiversity written by Abid A Ansari and published by CABI. This book was released on 2016-12-23 with total page 630 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Results of regular monitoring of the species diversity and structure of plant communities is used by conservation biologists to help understand impacts of perturbations caused by humans and other environmental factors on ecosystems worldwide. Changes in plant communities can, for example, be a reflection of increased levels of pollution, a response to long-term climate change, or the result of shifts in land-use practices by the human population. This book presents a series of essays on the application of plant biodiversity monitoring and assessment to help prevent species extinction, ecosystem collapse, and solve problems in biodiversity conservation. It has been written by a large international team of researchers and uses case studies and examples from all over the world, and from a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The book is aimed at any graduate students and researchers with a strong interest in plant biodiversity monitoring and assessment, plant community ecology, biodiversity conservation, and the environmental impacts of human activities on ecosystems.
Download or read book Relationships Between Stand Age Stand Structure and Biodiversity in Aspen Mixedwood Forests in Alberta written by Alberta Environmental Centre and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to concerns that intensive logging of Alberta's boreal mixedwood forests may result in a change in forest structure and biota, this report describes forest structure and composition of plant and animal communities in young, mature, and old aspen mixedwood stands of fire origin in Alberta. The information in this report serves as a reference against which structure and biota in harvested forests can be compared. The report begins with a general overview of the flora and fauna of the aspen mixedwood forest, and an examination of the rationale and possible consequences of commercial aspen forestry. Subsequent chapters explore relationships between stand age and microclimate, forest structure and floristics, down woody material, understory vegetation, nonvascular species, birds, and mammals. Chapters addressing featured species cover ungulates, bats, and the flying squirrel. The final chapters discuss relationships between the vertebrate community and forest structure, and provide recommendations for aspen mixedwood forest management in Alberta.
Download or read book The Practice of Silviculture written by Mark S. Ashton and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-03-19 with total page 776 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most up-to-date, comprehensive resource on silviculture that covers the range of topics and issues facing today’s foresters and resource professionals The tenth edition of the classic work, The Practice of Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology, includes the most current information and the results of research on the many issues that are relevant to forests and forestry. The text covers such timely topics as biofuels and intensive timber production, ecosystem and landscape scale management of public lands, ecosystem services, surface drinking water supplies, urban and community greenspace, forest carbon, fire and climate, and much more. In recent years, silvicultural systems have become more sophisticated and complex in application, particularly with a focus on multi-aged silviculture. There have been paradigm shifts toward managing for more complex structures and age-classes for integrated and complementary values including wildlife, water and open space recreation. Extensively revised and updated, this new edition covers a wide range of topics and challenges relevant to the forester or resource professional today. This full-color text offers the most expansive book on silviculture and: Includes a revised and expanded text with clear language and explanations Covers the many cutting-edge resource issues that are relevant to forests and forestry Contains boxes within each chapter to provide greater detail on particular silvicultural treatments and examples of their use Features a completely updated bibliography plus new photographs, tables and figures The Practice of Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology, Tenth Edition is an invaluable resource for students and professionals in forestry and natural resource management.
Download or read book Ecology and Conservation of Forest Birds written by Grzegorz Mikusiński and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-03-29 with total page 568 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecology and Conservation of Forest Birds is a unique review of current understanding of the relationships between forest birds and their changing environments. Large ecological changes are being driven by forest management, climate change, introduced pests and pathogens, abiotic disturbances, and overbrowsing. Many forest bird species have suffered population declines, with the situation being particularly severe for birds dependent on attributes such as dead wood, old trees and structurally complex forests. With a focus on the non-tropical parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the text addresses the fundamental evolutionary and ecological aspects of forest birds using original data analyses and synthesising reviews. The characteristics of bird assemblages and their habitats in different European forest types are explored, together with the macroecological patterns of bird diversity and conservation issues. The book provides a valuable reference for ecologists, ornithologists, conservation professionals, forest industry employees, and those interested in birds and nature.
Download or read book Ecology Abstracts written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Coverage: 1982- current; updated: monthly. This database covers current ecology research across a wide range of disciplines, reflecting recent advances in light of growing evidence regarding global environmental change and destruction. Major ares of subject coverage include: Algae/lichens, Animals, Annelids, Aquatic ecosystems, Arachnids, Arid zones, Birds, Brackish water, Bryophytes/pteridophytes, Coastal ecosystems, Conifers, Conservation, Control, Crustaceans, Ecosyst em studies, Fungi, Grasses, Grasslands, High altitude environments, Human ecology, Insects, Legumes, Mammals, Management, Microorganisms, Molluscs, Nematodes, Paleo-ecology, Plants, Pollution studies, Reptiles, River basins, Soil, TAiga/tundra, Terrestrial ecosystems, Vertebrates, Wetlands, Woodlands.
Download or read book National Forest Inventories written by Erkki Tomppo and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-12-02 with total page 614 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Forest inventories throughout the world have evolved gradually over time. The content as well as the concepts and de?nitions employed are constantly adapted to the users’ needs. Advanced inventory systems have been established in many countries within Europe, as well as outside Europe, as a result of development work spanning several decades, in some cases more than 100 years. With continuously increasing international agreements and commitments, the need for information has also grown drastically, and reporting requests have become more frequent and the content of the reports wider. Some of the agreements made at the international level have direct impacts on national economies and international decisions, e. g. , the Kyoto Protocol. Thus it is of utmost importance that the forest information supplied is collected and analysed using sound scienti?c principles and that the information from different countries is comparable. European National Forest Inventory (NFI) teams gathered in Vienna in 2003 to discuss the new challenges and the measures needed to get data users to take full advantage of existing NFIs. As a result, the European National Forest Inventory Network (ENFIN), a network of NFIs, was established. The ENFIN members decided to apply for funding for meetings and collaborative activities. COST– European Cooperation in Science and Technology - provided the necessary ?n- cial means for the realization of the program.
