Patterns of Early Postfire Succession of Alpine, Subalpine and Lichen-Woodland Vegetation: 21 Years of Monitoring from Permanent Plots

Abstract

Abstract:Field observations using chronosequences are helpful to study vegetation succession. This method allows to establish comparisons based on soil composition, stand structure, micro-and macrofossil remains from sites of different ages but on similar edaphic and topographic conditions. In the boreal forest, post-fire succession through time is triggered by climate, disturbance history (insect epidemics, fire and logging), latitude and altitude. The main objective of this research is to identify the main patterns of early post-fire succession, including similarities and differences in vegetation composition and attributes, of three contrasted ecosystems distributed along an altitudinal gradient. To do so, we have monitored the successional development of the alpine, subalpine and boreal lichen-woodland sites during the first 21 years (1991 to 2011) of post-fire sequence in eastern Canada 1991 to 2011. Each site was characterized by a different functional group that became established following fire. A rapid resurgence of ericaceous shrubs and lichens was observed in the lichen woodland and subalpine sites. Bryophyte and lichen species were not an important component of vegetation communities during the earlier stages of post-fire succession. For all three sites monitored, lichens were the last functional group to establish in the chronosequences. Herbs and mosses characterized the post-fire succession in alpine areas, the latter functional group established late in the chronosequence to cover >25% of the site after 15 years. Post-fire chronosequences in the three contrasted environments indicate that plant succession is a repetitive process often involving similar resilient plant assemblages.

100 yr of primary succession highlights stochasticity and competition driving community establishment and stability

“…Harsh climates, suggesting a stronger ecological filter, can influence the role of stochastic vs. niche-based successional processes (Chase 2003), and differences in climate can maintain a given community over decades of succession (e.g., Canadian boreal forests; Girard et al 2017). Harsh climates, suggesting a stronger ecological filter, can influence the role of stochastic vs. niche-based successional processes (Chase 2003), and differences in climate can maintain a given community over decades of succession (e.g., Canadian boreal forests; Girard et al 2017).…”

“…Climatic differences.-A second potentially significant factor driving differential establishment and/or stability is climate differences among sites. Harsh climates, suggesting a stronger ecological filter, can influence the role of stochastic vs. niche-based successional processes (Chase 2003), and differences in climate can maintain a given community over decades of succession (e.g., Canadian boreal forests; Girard et al 2017). The West Arm of Glacier Bay is generally cooler and drier than other locations in the Bay (Streveler and Paige 1971).…”

Population genomics of a reindeer lichen species from North American lichen woodlands

“…1 from Payette et al, 2001). The ecosystem is an open forest with a characteristic continuous lichen ground cover (Girard et al, 2017) (Fig. 1A).…”

“…In the boreal biome, fire is the most significant disturbance (Payette, 1992; Bergeron et al, 2001; Lafleur et al, 2016) and it plays a major role in determining the distribution and composition of plant communities (Bergeron and Dubuc, 1989; Morneau and Payette, 1989; DeGrandpré et al, 1993; Kenkel et al, 1997). The successional fire stages in LWs of eastern Canada have been well documented (e.g., Ahti, 1959; Hustich, 1957; Kershaw and Rouse, 1976; Maikawa and Kershaw, 1976; Kershaw, 1978; Morneau and Payette, 1989; Webb, 1998; Héon et al, 2014; Girard et al, 2017). Based on changes in the abundance of lichen and moss species, four successional vegetation stages are generally identified (Ahti, 1961; Bergerud, 1971; Coxson and Marsh, 2001).…”

Close encounters of the burned kind: Spatiotemporal effects of fire on habitat selection strategies of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) during winter

“…In forests, lichen productivity is typically highest on sites with coarse, well-drained, nutrient-poor soils, and a canopy dominated by coniferous trees (Carroll and Bliss 1982 Haughian and Burton 2015; Girard et al 2017). At a finer, stand-level scale, lichen distribution and abundance is patchy and largely influenced by changes in canopy cover (Sulyma and Coxson 2001).…”