Regeneration of native broadleaved species on clearfelled conifer plantations in upland Britain

Spracklen, Benedict D.; Lane, Jude V.; Spracklen, D. V.; Williams, Nsg; Kunin, William E.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2013.08.001

Cited by 21 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The reserves today have become isolated islands of diversity, as described by Segerström et al (1994) for a boreal forest nature reserve in northern Sweden, and quite probably these reserves are now more sensitive to clearance and disturbance than in the past because of a lack of reservoir populations for recolonisation. Spracklen et al (2013) found that native trees regenerated better on clear-felled conifer plantations in upland Britain when these sites were adjacent to mature native trees, so the matrix of surrounding vegetation is likely to be an important factor in how forest diversity recovers following disturbance. The species that confer diversity and conservation interest in these forest reserves today, are bryophytes, lichens, insects and fungi.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

et al. 2014

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Abstract:Long forest continuity has often been linked with high conservation value in western European Quercus and Fagus woodlands, but this assumption of long continuity has rarely been tested. Birks (1993) discussed the antiquity of bryophyte-rich Quercus woodland in western United Kingdom presenting evidence that the modern plant communities developed during the late Holocene influenced by human activities. We use pollen data from forest hollows to show that the modern communities within ancient woodlands are all significantly influenced by recent human disturbance. A short period of deforestation in Johnny's Wood, Cumbria, UK dates from the late nineteenth century and is not of Viking age as previously thought. The brief opening of the forest is associated with the local loss of Tilia cordata and Taxus baccata, but a rich bryophyte community exists today. Rich lichen floras of high conservation interest growing on Fagus sylvatica in southwestern Sweden occur despite a recent history of human disturbance and local immigration of Fagus as recently as the ninth century AD. Wistman's Wood, Cornwall, UK had a diverse tree flora until the eleventh century AD and then experienced heavy browsing and grazing until AD 1850, after which time the present Quercus woodland developed with its associated flora of high conservation value. Most western European forests today have long and diverse histories of anthropogenic disturbance and current conservation values incorporate both natural and cultural features. Pollen studies with high spatial resolution demonstrate that simple temporal concepts like 'natural baselines' and the continuity of forest cover underestimate the complexity of the past. Long forest continuity may be of importance for the local survival of higher plants, but for the insects, fungi, lichens and bryophytes that are so valued in contemporary European temperate and boreal forests, habitat diversity maintained by dynamic processes would appear to be of greater significance. spatial resolution demonstrate that simple temporal concepts like 'natural baselines' and the continuity of forest cover underestimate the complexity of the past. Long forest continuity may be of importance for the local survival of higher plants, but for the insects, fungi, lichens and bryophytes that are so valued in contemporary European temperate and boreal forests, habitat diversity maintained by dynamic processes would appear to be of greater significance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

et al. 2014

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“…In those sites where there is a high likelihood of a native canopy being established rapidly through natural regeneration open conditions can encourage strong seedling growth (Harmer et al, 2012;Spracklen et al, 2013). Clear-felling may be the only practical approach in areas prone to wind throw, where there are access issues or where a good return from timber sales is necessary in order to support management.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of clear-felling versus gradual removal of conifer trees on the survival of understorey plants during the restoration of ancient woodlands

Brown

Curtis²,

Adams

2015

Forest Ecology and Management

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a b s t r a c tPlantations of exotic conifers on ancient woodland sites retain many features of high conservation value and in many countries such sites are being actively restored. Clear-felling of the conifer trees is often a straight-forward first step, but recent guidance on restoration advocates gradual removal of the plantation crop to protect vulnerable woodland specialist plants. To date there has been little empirical evidence to support this policy. One hundred and four stands in 39 woodland sites in the UK owned by the Woodland Trust from Cornwall to Invernesshire were surveyed in 2001 and again in 2009 to assess the survival of woodland flora following restoration by both clear-felling and gradual removal of the plantation crop. On average, there were over seven woodland specialist and ancient woodland indicator species in each of the stands surveyed. Loss of specialist woodland species -the most shade adapted component of the flora -over this time period was strongly correlated with the degree of canopy opening. In contrast, the loss of more light demanding plant species was not related to the intensity of tree removals. This study suggests that a careful assessment and prioritisation of conservation values is needed before restoration. Rapid removal of an exotic species as part of a restoration programme may have an adverse effect on subsequent succession.

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“…The authors emphasized the need of handling seed limitation as a continuous variable in order to statistically evaluate the effects of establishment factors. Several studies have shown that only a limited amount of birch seeds falls more than 80 -100 m from a forest edge (Fries, 1984;Greene & Johnson, 1989;Karlsson, 2001;Spracklen et al, 2013). Karlsson (2001) also found a positive interaction between seed density and scarification on birch seedling emergence on three out of five sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Slash removal, which is performed when the residues are sold to bioenergy companies, promotes establishment of naturally regenerated seedlings Spracklen et al, 2013). Slash removal does not change the total aboveground vegetation biomass the following years after harvest but some species will be more abundant if branches and twigs are retained (Bergquist et al, 1999), including raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and, possibly, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Regeneration on Planted Clearcuts—The Easy Way to Mixed Forest?

Holmström¹,

Ekö²,

Hjelm³

et al. 2016

OJF

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Establishing mixed stands by stimulating natural in combination with planting could potentially ensure adequate stocking and meet shifting demands for forest products. Two long-term experiments were separately established in former Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) stands in southern Sweden to be able to evaluate mixed forest establishment and management. The treatment plots were treated with different intensity of soil scarification (disc trenching, soil inversion and control) to test effects of soil disturbance on regeneration success. Five years later, both experiments were used for a first evaluation, where seedlings of all naturally regenerated tree species were counted together with estimates of the cover and height of other vegetation. This was made in sample plots in symmetric grids. Testing the effects of scarification and distance to seed source on natural regeneration of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and downy birch (B. pubescens Ehrh.) showed that both scarification type and degree of soil disturbance significantly affected seedling counts but only if seed sources were close. In conclusion, conventional management practices for regenerating coniferous forest may be suitable for establishing mixed forest stands with combinations of planted and naturally regenerated seedlings.

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Regeneration of native broadleaved species on clearfelled conifer plantations in upland Britain

Cited by 21 publications

References 46 publications

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

Forest continuity and conservation value in Western Europe

Effects of clear-felling versus gradual removal of conifer trees on the survival of understorey plants during the restoration of ancient woodlands

Natural Regeneration on Planted Clearcuts—The Easy Way to Mixed Forest?

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