Study

Evaluating the role of cutting treatments, fire and soil seed banks in an experimental framework in ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills, South Dakota

  • Published source details Wienk C.L., Sieg C.H. & McPherson G.R. (2004) Evaluating the role of cutting treatments, fire and soil seed banks in an experimental framework in ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills, South Dakota. Forest Ecology and Management, 192, 375-393.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

Action Link
Forest Conservation

Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Use clearcutting to increase understory diversity

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1998–2000 in temperate coniferous forest in South Dakota, USA (Wienk, Sieg & McPherson 2004) found that clearcutting increased tree species richness. Tree species richness/plot was higher in clearcut (15) than partial-cut plots (8) and the lowest in uncut plots (3). Data were collected in July 2000 in six uncut, six partial-cut (retaining 12 m2/ha basal area) and six clearcut plots (45 × 45 m) established in winter 1998-1999. Three plots of each treatment were prescribed burned in May 1999.

     

  2. Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1998–2000 in temperate coniferous forest in South Dakota, USA (Wienk, Sieg & McPherson 2004) found that prescribed fire increased plant species richness. Species richness was higher in burned (8/0.25 m2) than unburned plots (3/0.25 m2). Data were collected in July 2000 in 30 plots (0.25 m2) in each of three replicates of control (unburned) and burned (in May 1999) treatments (45 × 45 m).

     

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