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Effects of fire severity and initial tree composition on understorey vegetation dynamics in a boreal landscape inferred from chronosequence and paleoecological data

2005; Wiley; Volume: 16; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1658/1100-9233(2005)016[0665

1654-1103

Nicolas Lecomte, M. Simard, Yves Bergeron, Alayn C. Larouche, Hans Asnong, Pierre J. H. Richard,

Lichen and fungal ecology

Journal of Vegetation ScienceVolume 16, Issue 6 p. 665-674 Effects of fire severity and initial tree composition on understorey vegetation dynamics in a boreal landscape inferred from chronosequence and paleoecological data Nicolas Lecomte, Corresponding Author Nicolas Lecomte Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada Corresponding author; E-mail [email protected]; Fax +1 8197974737Search for more papers by this authorMartin Simard, Martin Simard Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Center, 1055 du PEPS, P.O. Box 3800, Sainte-Foy, QC, G1V 4C7, Canada; E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorYves Bergeron, Yves Bergeron Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAlayn Larouche, Alayn Larouche Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorHans Asnong, Hans Asnong Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorPierre J.H. Richard, Pierre J.H. Richard Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Nicolas Lecomte, Corresponding Author Nicolas Lecomte Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada Corresponding author; E-mail [email protected]; Fax +1 8197974737Search for more papers by this authorMartin Simard, Martin Simard Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Center, 1055 du PEPS, P.O. Box 3800, Sainte-Foy, QC, G1V 4C7, Canada; E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorYves Bergeron, Yves Bergeron Industrial Chair NSERC-UQAT-UQAM in sustainable forest management, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 445 Boul. de l'Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 4E5, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAlayn Larouche, Alayn Larouche Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorHans Asnong, Hans Asnong Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorPierre J.H. Richard, Pierre J.H. Richard Université de Montréal, Département de Géographie, C.P. 6128, Succursale "Centre-Ville" Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 24 February 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2005.tb02409.xCitations: 62AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Question and Location: How does soil burn severity and early post-fire tree composition affect long-term understorey vegetation dynamics in the coniferous forests of eastern Canada? Method: Vegetation dynamics were assessed using paleoecological methods and a chronosequence analysis of extant stands. The relation between environmental factors and succession was evaluated using ordination techniques on the chronosequence data. Understorey succession was studied by regression analysis on the chronosequence data and through within-site Markovian transition probabilities between successive 1-cm layers of plant macroremains from soil organic matter profiles. Results: Initial tree composition (Picea mariana and Pinus banksiana) had little effect on understorey composition. Soil burn severity (measured as the thickness of the residual forest floor humus) significantly affected temporal changes in understorey species. Following fires of high severity, stands underwent a gradual paludification with a net increase in Sphagnum and ericaceous shrubs (Ledum groenlandicum), and a decrease in feathermosses. Paludification was accelerated after low severity fires, which led to the dominance of Sphagnum less than 200 years after fire, and of L. groenlandicum shortly after fire. In situ paleo-ecological work confirmed results obtained with the chronosequence analysis. Conclusions: One vegetation gradient related to time after disturbance is insufficient to account for the full complexity of long-term changes in understorey composition following fire. Current forestry practices that protect the forest floor humus may induce a premature paludification. Citing Literature Supporting Information Filename Description JVS_2409_sm_app.pdf887.9 KB Supporting info item Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume16, Issue6December 2005Pages 665-674 RelatedInformation