Edge-related gradients in microclimate in forest aggregates following structural retention harvests in western Washington

Heithecker, Troy D.; Halpern, Charles B.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.05.003

Cited by 126 publications

(112 citation statements)

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“…Below-canopy stations were, on average, 185 m away from the closest forest edge, while open-area stations were, on average, 90 m apart from any forest edge. These distances should buffer sufficiently from edge effects (DaviesColley, Payne & van Elswijk 2000;Heithecker & Halpern 2007), although some studies found edge effects extending >240 m into the forest when winds were high (Chen, Franklin & Spies 1995;Chen et al 1999). The pairwise set-up was designed to investigate the influence of forest ecosystem properties on below-canopy microclimate.…”

Section: S T U D Y S I T E Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inside forest stands, air temperature (T) usually decreases less during the night and increases less during daytime, whereas the tightly coupled relative humidity (RH) shows the opposite pattern (Aussenac 2000;Morecroft, Taylor & Oliver 1998;von Arx, Dobbertin & Rebetez 2012b;Ma et al 2010). This smoothing effect on daily T and RH amplitude is not uniform, but depends on the ambient weather situation and season (Renaud et al 2011;von Arx, Dobbertin & Rebetez 2012b;Grimmond, Robeson & Schoof 2000;Morecroft, Taylor & Oliver 1998), forest structure and physiographic situation such as elevation, slope and aspect (Mitscherlich 1981;von Arx, Dobbertin & Rebetez 2012b;Ferrez, Davison & Rebetez 2011), and distance from forest edge (Chen, Franklin & Spies 1993;Heithecker & Halpern 2007;Meyer, Sisk & Covington 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

et al. 2013

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Summary1. Forest microclimate is crucial for the growth and survival of tree seedlings and understorey vegetation. This high ecological relevance contrasts with the poor functional and quantitative understanding of how the properties of forest ecosystems influence forest microclimate. 2. In a long-term (1998-2011) trial, we investigated how temporal patterns of microclimate below sparse and dense forest canopy related to those of nearby open areas and how this relationship was influenced by soil moisture and seasonality. Air temperature (T), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), soil matrix potential and leaf area index (LAI) were measured in a unique set-up of below-canopy and open-area meteorological stations at eleven distinct forest ecosystems, characteristic of subalpine and temperate climate zones. Data from these plots were analysed for the moderating capacity of the canopy, that is, the differences between below-canopy and open-area microclimate, with respect to (i) long-term means, (ii) dynamics within homogeneous moist-vs. dry-soil periods and (iii) diurnal patterns. 3. The long-term mean moderating capacity of the canopy was up to 3.3°C for daily T max and 0.52 kPa for daily VPD max , of which soil moisture status alone accounted for up to 1.2°C (T max ) and 0.21 kPa (VPD max ). Below dense canopy (LAI > 4), the moderating capacity was generally higher when soils were dry and increased during dry-soil periods, particularly in spring and somewhat less in summer. The opposite pattern was found below sparse canopy (LAI < 4). At the diurnal level, moderating capacity below dense canopy was strongest in mid-afternoon and during dry-soil conditions, whereas peak moderation below sparse canopy occurred in mid-morning and during moist-soil conditions. 4. Synthesis. Our results suggest a threshold canopy density, which is probably linked to sitespecific water availability, below which the moderating capacity of forest ecosystems switches from supportive to unsupportive for seedling establishment. Under supportive moderating capacity, we understand a stronger mitigation during physiologically most demanding conditions for plant growth. Such a threshold canopy density sheds new light on forest resilience to climate change. Climate change may alter forest canopy density in a way that precludes successful establishment of tree species and ultimately changes forest ecosystem structure and functioning.

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Section: S T U D Y S I T E Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

et al. 2013

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“…Indeed, Mediterranean mountain beech stands located on ridges or steep slopes, as well as those that are in fragmented stands or near edges, are negatively affected by the increased exposure to wind, turbulence, warmer air and higher soil temperatures (Harper et al 2005, Heithecker & Halpern 2007, Barbeta et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of traditional coppice practices and microsite conditions on tree health in a European beech forest at its southernmost range

Cullotta¹,

Placa²,

Maetzke³

2016

iForest

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European beech (Fagus sylvatica) grows at the southern limit of its range in the mountain-Mediterranean vegetation belt up to the timberline. The southernmost beech forests of Sicily (southern Italy) show peculiar ecological, structural and silvicultural characteristics, growing in fragmented and isolated stands near the timberline and in topographically marginal unfavorable habitats. Past silvicultural practices increased the heterogeneity of stand structure at these sites. We compared stand structural characteristics and tree health in coppice-cut and control beech stands with respect to the local topographic gradient (bottom, slope and ridge) and canopy cover (clearing/border vs. interior trees). Our results clearly showed a correlation between declining tree health (crown and bark damage, higher percentage of dead trees and lower seedling density) and recent coppice-cuts, poor (marginal) site quality (on ridges and slopes) and reduced canopy cover (in clearing/border trees). The decrease of tree health indicate an increasing threat to the long-term viability of beech stands facing multiple environmental stress factors (such as those related to southern latitude and topographic position). Declining tree health in the control plots also supports this hypothesis. We concluded that traditional forest management practices, such as coppice-cuts applied regardless to the specific microenvironmental conditions, may pose a risk to beech forest health at the southernmost edge of the species' range.

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“…Edge-related responses of tree species and their consequences for plant community composition can be ameliorated or exacerbated as a result of differences in edge type, which is determined by the type of vegetation can affect light penetration and air movement and thus g r a d i e n t s i n t e m p e r a t u r e , h u m i d i t y, a n d o t h e r microclimate variables at the area connection of forest edge (Heithecker and Halpern 2007, Li et al 2007, Wright et al 2010. These interior-edge-exterior environment changes substantially, especially when abrupt transitions occur between vegetation communities with distinct structures and compositions (Asbjornsen et al 2004, Heithecker andHalpern 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These interior-edge-exterior environment changes substantially, especially when abrupt transitions occur between vegetation communities with distinct structures and compositions (Asbjornsen et al 2004, Heithecker andHalpern 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colonization of tree species along an interior-exterior gradient across the forest edge in a tropical montane forest, northwest Thailand

Asanok

Marod

Pattanavibool³

et al. 2012

Tropics

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We investigated the environmental factors and tree species characteristics that are important for colonization of an interior-exterior gradient across the forest edge, for application to the restoration of abandoned shifting-cultivation areas in tropical montane forests in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuar y, nor thwest Thailand. The relative impor tance of physical environment and recruit limitation was evaluated in relation to the regeneration traits of tree species. Three belt transect plots (150 m x 20 m) were established at the transition from secondary forest (edge interior) to open areas (edge exterior) of different ages (1, 3, and 5 years) after abandonment of shifting cultivation. We also set three belts (20 m x 50 m each) in a primary forest remnant. The species composition of canopy trees, regenerated seedlings, and saplings was studied, together with aspects of the physical environment. We found that it was difficult for primary forest species to effectively colonize the forest edge exterior, mostly due to recruitment limitations rather than the physical environment. Many of secondary forest species and generalists were also affected by recruitment limitation (significant negative correlation with the distance from forest edge), though they were also affected by factors related to the physical environment and forest structure and more abundant in open area. Only a few species, like Choerospondias axillaris (primary forest species), Wendlandia tinctoria (secondary forest species), Colona elobata, and Ficus hispida (generalist species) did not suggest recruitment limitation. These results suggested that natural regeneration of secondary forest and generalist species could be utilized as a first step in restoration expecting their facilitation effects for primary forest species.

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Edge-related gradients in microclimate in forest aggregates following structural retention harvests in western Washington

Cited by 126 publications

References 50 publications

Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

Microclimate in forests with varying leaf area index and soil moisture: potential implications for seedling establishment in a changing climate

Effects of traditional coppice practices and microsite conditions on tree health in a European beech forest at its southernmost range

Colonization of tree species along an interior-exterior gradient across the forest edge in a tropical montane forest, northwest Thailand

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