The impact of tree canopy structure on understory variation in a boreal forest

Majasalmi, Titta; Rautiainen, Miina

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118100

Cited by 62 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In fact, we observed significant negative correlations between upper-layer and lower-layer LAI, consistent with Majasalmi et al (2020) [28]. Similar complementary effects of a multi-layered LAI in forest ecosystems have been suggested to stabilize levels of primary production in old-growth forests with a gap mosaic and multi-layer structure [4,[28][29][30][31][32]. Considering the substantial proportion of total LAI accounted for by lower-layer (understory) LAI, this compensatory effect is of great importance.…”

Section: Spatial Distribution Of Lai and Relationship Among Layerssupporting

confidence: 93%

A Spatial Relationship between Canopy and Understory Leaf Area Index in an Old-Growth Cool-Temperate Deciduous Forest

Tanioka

Cai

Ida

et al. 2020

Forests

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Quantification of leaf area index (LAI) is essential for understanding forest productivity and the atmosphere–vegetation interface, where the majority of gas and energy exchange occurs. LAI is one of the most difficult plant variables to adequately quantify, owing to large spatial and temporal variability, and few studies have examined the horizontal and vertical distribution of LAI in forest ecosystems. In this study, we demonstrated the LAI distribution in each layer from the understory to canopy using multiple-point measurements (121 points) and examined the relationships among layers in a cool-temperate deciduous forest. LAI at each point, and the spatial distribution of LAI in each layer, varied within the forest. The spatial distribution of LAI in the upper layer was more heterogeneous than that of LAI at the scale of the entire forest. Significant negative correlations were observed between the upper- and lower-layer LAI. Our results indicate that the understory compensates for gaps in LAI in the upper layer; thus, the LAI of the entire forest tends to remain spatially homogeneous even in a mature forest ecosystem.

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Section: Spatial Distribution Of Lai and Relationship Among Layerssupporting

confidence: 93%

A Spatial Relationship between Canopy and Understory Leaf Area Index in an Old-Growth Cool-Temperate Deciduous Forest

Tanioka

Cai

Ida

et al. 2020

Forests

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“…In our data, the driest site, Las Chinchillas, is also the most open site, with some plots having a canopy openness of as much as 100% (sky pixel fraction of 1) for the viewing angle considered here (60 • ). Hence, we have to reject our hypothesis (ii), as the positive effect of canopy openness on understory layer vegetation observed in many earlier studies [77] is in our case overruled by the climatic differences between the sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Quantifying Understory Complexity in Unmanaged Forests Using TLS and Identifying Some of Its Major Drivers

et al. 2021

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The structural complexity of the understory layer of forests or shrub layer vegetation in open shrublands affects many ecosystem functions and services provided by these ecosystems. We investigated how the basal area of the overstory layer, annual and seasonal precipitation, annual mean temperature, as well as light availability affect the structural complexity of the understory layer along a gradient from closed forests to open shrubland with only scattered trees. Using terrestrial laser scanning data and the understory complexity index (UCI), we measured the structural complexity of sites across a wide range of precipitation and temperature, also covering a gradient in light availability and basal area. We found significant relationships between the UCI and tree basal area as well as canopy openness. Structural equation models (SEMs) confirmed significant direct effects of seasonal precipitation on the UCI without mediation through basal area or canopy openness. However, annual precipitation and temperature effects on the UCI are mediated through canopy openness and basal area, respectively. Understory complexity is, despite clear dependencies on the available light and overall stand density, significantly and directly driven by climatic parameters, particularly the amount of precipitation during the driest month.

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“…Linking the characteristics of overstory and floor vegetation enables the extraction of floor vegetation information from remote sensing observation. To achieve this aim, information based on social sensing data is essential, as well as on the relationship between floor vegetation and overstory canopy structure (Miller et al, 1997;Barbier et al, 2008;Majasalmi and Rautiainen, 2020), and spectral characteristics of several berries on the forest floor (Rautiainen et al, 2011;Forsström et al, 2019).…”

Section: Application To Phenology Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonality in Human Interest in Berry Plants Detection by Google Trends

Kotani¹,

Nagai²,

Tei³

et al. 2021

Front. For. Glob. Change

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The phenology of berry-producing plants, particularly their harvest season, is of human interest and also reflects the ecosystem’s response to the changing environment. We investigated the seasonal dynamics of human interest in berries growing in boreal, subarctic and Arctic ecosystems, mainly in Russia, based on internet search data via Google Trends. There is a typical and culture-specific pattern of seasonal variations in search volume concerning berries across Russia, Finland, and Canada. Generally, the seasonal peak of search corresponds to the common berry harvest season across these countries. We discussed the potential and limitation for detecting ecological factors from the internet search data, in which physical phenomena and socio-cultural aspects are fundamentally superimposed, and its applicability to phenological studies.

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The impact of tree canopy structure on understory variation in a boreal forest

Cited by 62 publications

References 33 publications

A Spatial Relationship between Canopy and Understory Leaf Area Index in an Old-Growth Cool-Temperate Deciduous Forest

A Spatial Relationship between Canopy and Understory Leaf Area Index in an Old-Growth Cool-Temperate Deciduous Forest

Quantifying Understory Complexity in Unmanaged Forests Using TLS and Identifying Some of Its Major Drivers

Seasonality in Human Interest in Berry Plants Detection by Google Trends

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