The diversity indices of herbaceous species in the unmanaged and man-made forest gaps

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. Iran

3 Research Expert, Research Division of Natural Resources, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Gorgan, I. R. Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: The importance of canopy gaps in the natural forests as a part of the development processes of the stand is not hidden for ecologists. According to the gap size, different changes will be made in the microclimate of the region, which will ultimately cause the preservation and dynamics of the structure of these stands. In close to nature silviculture, while recognizing natural disturbance regimes, efforts are made to use them as a model in sustainable forest management. The purpose of applying management based on imitation is to preserve, sustain and promote species diversity. Mimicking natural disturbances has shown different effects in managed forests. In some cases, more suitable conditions have been created for the growth of seedlings and the increase of species diversity. But in some cases, management actions were either ineffective or caused negative effects. Therefore, optimal management strategies should be based on a deep assessment of forest stands, which will provide useful data in this research.
Methodology: In this research, in order to determine the possible changes due to the implementation of management, the indices of diversity of herbaceous species in the gaps of a single-selection managed and a control (non-managed) beech forest were compared in district one of Livan and Banafshtape forestry projects in Golestan province. For this purpose, after identifying and measuring the surface of all gaps, in each forest, they were classified into three groups: small (less than 200 m2), medium (200 to 500 m2) and large (more than 500 m2) and Three replicates from each group were randomly analyzed. The type and percentage of cover of all herbaceous plant species were recorded in five sample plots (one in the center and the others in the four main geographical directions of each gap). Harvesting of herbaceous species of the forest floor was done using the modified Braun-Blanquet scale. To evaluate the richness of plant species in the studied habitats, the number of plant species in each sample plot was used. Biodiversity was investigated and compared in the surveyed plots using Simpson and Shannon-Weiner diversity indices and for uniformity, Paylo's evenness index was used. The comparison of the average indices between the two compartments was done using independent t and Mann-Whitney tests, and in the gaps with different sizes, Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. The cluster analysis method was used to group the gaps with different sizes.
Results: In this research, 25 herbaceous species were identified in the two investigated areas. 17 and 21 herbaceous species were identified in the gaps of the managed and unmanaged plots, respectively. Some herbaceous species were present in only one of the gap size classes, but others were identified in all three gap size classes. The results showed that there is not a significant difference between the indicators of richness (7.2±0.7 vs. 8.3±0.6), evenness (0.6±0.05 vs. 0.5±0.04), Shannon (1.1±0.1 vs. 1.1±0.09) and Simpson (0.5±0.06 vs. 0.5±0.05) between the managed and unmanaged compartments, respectively. Also, the cluster analysis showed that in terms of herbaceous cover, the gaps of the managed area cannot be separated from the unmanaged area. It is interesting to note that the species richness in the managed stand with small gap size (less than 500 m2) was significantly lower than other gaps in this stand. There was no significant difference between the other investigated indicators between the different sizes of the gaps in the managed and unmanaged compartments.
Conclusion: The harvesting of forest trees in the form of management can change the environmental conditions such as light and temperature in the created microclimate by creating gaps that are larger or smaller than the natural size and thus cause a change in the diversity of plant species. Although the results of some researchers showed that forest management can increase the diversity of tree species compared to unmanaged forests, but in the upcoming research, the management based on the single selection method after a period of 10 years had a significant effect on the composition and there was no diversity of herbaceous cover in the created gaps. Of course, it is necessary to remember that the type of forest management can affect biodiversity on a regional scale without causing a change on a local scale. Also, the effect of forest management on plant diversity depends on biotic and abiotic conditions and forest management approaches. The results of some studies have shown that the abundance of herbaceous species in the forest floor depends on the abundance of tree species. Therefore, in a pure forest where the number of tree species is less than in a mixed forest, the low abundance of floor covering species is not far from expected. In any case, the accurate evaluation of the effects of applied management requires more studies of the floristic and soil characteristics of the gaps in different periods of time after the implementation of cuttings.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Amanzadeh, B.; Saghebtalebi, Kh.; Parhizkar, p.; Shahinrokhsar, P.; Moradi, A.; Purbabaae, A.; Yusefpour, M., Comparison of regeneration and diversity of herbaceous species in created and natural gaps. Journal of Forest Research and Development 2019, 5 (1), 153-167. (In Persian)
Anderson, C.S.; Meikle, D.B., Annual changes in structural complexity of understory vegetation and relative abundance of Peromyscus leucopus in fragmented habitats. Acta Theriologica 2006, 51, 43–51.
Anonymous, Forestry Plan of District One in Langa Region, watershed number 36. Noshahr natural resources office, Kazemrood, Mazandaran Province, Iran 1998, p 450. (In Persian)
Ardakani, M. R., Ecology. Tehran University Press 2004, 340p. (In Persian)
Bakhshande Navroud, B.; Abrari Vajari, K.; Pilevar, B.; Kouch, Y., Floristic study of herbaceous plants in Hyrkani beech forests (Case study: Beech Forest of Nav Islam). Journal of Plant Ecosystem Conservation 2016, 4 (9), 115-132. (In Persian)
Brang, P., Virgin forests as a knowledge source for central European silviculture: Reality or myth? Forest Snow and Landscape Research 2005, 79, 19–32.
Brown, A. K.; Gurevitch. J., Long–term impact of logging on forest diversity in Madagascar. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 20 April, 2004, 101 (16), 6045-6049.
Daneil, T. W.; Helms, J. A.; Baker, F. S., Principles of silviculture. Oxford University Press, New York. 1979, p 512.
Dugiud, M. C.; Ashton, M. S., A meta-analysis of the effect of forest management for timber on understory plant species diversity in temperate forests. Forest Ecology and Management 2013, 303, 81-90.
Ehbrecht, M.; Schall, P.; Ammer, C.; Seidel, D. Quantifying stand structural complexity and its relationship with forest management, tree species diversity and microclimate. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 2017, 242, 1–9.
Eshaghi Rad, J.; Seyyedi, N.; Hasanzad Navrodi, I., Effect of single selection method on woody species diversity (case study: Janbe sara district-Guilan). Iranian Journal of Forest 2009, 4 (1), 277-285. (In Persian)
Eshaghi Rad, J.; Khanalizadeh, A., Comparison of species diversity of woody and herbaceous plants in control and managed broadleaf stands (case study: Jamand series - Golband Nowshahr forest). Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2014, 3 (7), 27-38. (In Persian)
Eshagh Nimvari, J.; Zahedi Amiri, Gh.; Marvi Mohajer, M.R.; Asadi, M.; Mattaji, A., Evaluation and comparison of species diversity in Fagetum orientalis, Carpino-Fagetum orientalis and Querco-Carpinetum betulii communities (Case study: Namkhaneh and Gorazbon Districts-Noshahr). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research 2007, 14 (4), 326-337. (In Persian)
Feldmann, E.; Drößler, L.; Hauck, M.; Kucbel, S.; Pichler, V.; Leuschner, C., Canopy gap dynamics and tree understory release in a virgin beech forest, Slovakian Carpathians. Forest Ecology and Managemen, 2018, 415, 38–46.
Fenton, N.J.; Bergeron, Y., Does time or habitat make old-growth forests rich? Bryophyte richness in boreal 478 Picea mariana forests. Biological Conservation 2008, 141, 1389–1399.
Ghorbani, H.; Parhizkar, p.; Hassani, M.; Karimidoust, A.; Maghsoudlu, K.; Babatabar Malekshah, R.; Mirkazemi, Z.; Teimouri, M., Investigation and monitoring on gap characteristics in managed and unmanaged of the old-growth beech forests in order to sustainable of forest stands (Golestan- Livan-Banafshtape). Research Institute of Forests and Rangeland 2023, 50p. (In Persian)
Gustafsson, L.; Baker, S.C.; Bauhus, J.; Beese, W.J.; Brodie, A.; Kouki, J.; Lindenmayer, D.B.; Lõhmus, A.; Pastur, G.M.; Messier, C.; et al., Retention Forestry to Maintain Multifunctional Forests: A -World Perspective. BioScience 2012, 62, 633–645.
Gutiérrez del Arroyo, O; Silver, W. L., Disentangling the long-term effects of disturbance on soil biogeochemistry in a wet tropical forest ecosystem. Global Change Biology 2018, 24, 1673-1684.
Han, M.; Tang, M.; Shi, B.; Jin, G. Effect of canopy gap size on soil respiration in a mixed broadleaved-Korean pine forest: evidence from biotic and abiotic factors. European Journal of Soil Biology 2020, 99,103194
 He, L.; Ivanov, V. Y.; Bohrer, G.; Thomsen, J. E.; Vogel, C. S.; Moghaddam, M., Temporal dynamics of soil moisture in a northern temperate mixed successional forest after a prescribed intermediate disturbance. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 2013, 180, 22-33.
Heinrichs, S.; Schmidt, W., Short term effects of selection and clear cutting on the shrub and herb layer vegetation during the conversion of even aged Norway spruce stands into mixed stands. Forest Ecology and Management 2009, 258 (5), 667-678.
Hinsley, S.A.; Hill, R.A.; Fuller, R.J.; Bellamy, P.E.; Rothery, P., Bird species distributions across woodland canopy structure gradients. Community Ecology 2009, 10, 99–110.
Horvat, V.; Biurrun, I.; Garcia- Mijangos, I., Herb layer in silver fir- beech forests in the western Pyrneese: 539 Does management affect species diversity? Forest Ecology and Management 2017, 385, 87-96.
Humphries, C. J.; Williams, P. H.; VaneWright, R. I., Measuring biodiversity value for conservation, Annual Review of Ecology and Systematic 1996, 26, 93-111.
Kazemi, Sh.; Hojjati, M.; Fallah, A.; Barari, K., The effect of single-selection method on the biodiversity of woody and herbaceous plants in Khalil Mahaleh-Behshahr Forest. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2015, 4 (11), 15-25. (In Persian)
Kazemnezhad, F.; Habibi, M. A.; Dastanpour, M., Investigating of plant biodiversity in the managed and unmanaged beech-hornbeam forests. Sciences and techniques of natural resources 2011, 6 (1), 65-74. (In Persian)
Khanalizadeh, A.; Eshaghi Rad, J.; Zahedi Amiri, Gh.; Zare, H.; Schall, P.; Lexer, M.J., The relationship between plant diversity and aboveground biomass in managed and unmanaged temperate forests. European Journal of Forest Research 2023, 142, 1167–1175
Khodaparast, F.; Pourbabaei, H.; Salehi, A.; Reif, A., Impact of topographical variables and soil characteristics on herbaceous forest floor in Asalem Watershed basin NO.7, Talesh. Forest Research and Development 2021, 6 (4), 609-625. (In Persian)
Kimmins, J.P., The Biogeochemical Cycle: Nutrient Cycling Within Ecosystems. In Forest Ecology: A Foundation for Sustainable Forest Management and Environmental Ethics in Forestry, 3rd ed.; Prentice Hall 2004, pp. 103–104.
Krebs, C.J., Ecological Methodology. University of British Columbia, Harper Collius Publisher 1989, p 432.
Kyde, K. L., The effect of logging and species diversity and exotic species presence in temperate hardwood forests. MSc. Thesis in Environmental Biology, Hood College, Maryland 1999.
Loreau, M.; Hector, A., Partitioning selection and complementarity in biodiversity experiments. Nature 2001, 412, 72–76.
Mallik, A. U.; Kreutzweiser, D. P.; Spalvieri, C. M., Forest regeneration in gaps seven years after partial harvesting in riparian buffers of boreal mixedwood streams. Forest Ecology and Management 2014, 312,117-128
Magurran, A.E., Ecological Diversity and Measurement. Princeton University Press, Princeton 1988.
Marvie Mohadjer, M.R., Silviculture. University of Tehran press 2005, p 386. (In Persian).
Mohammadi, L.; Mohadjer, M.R.M.; Etemad, V.; Sefidi, K.; Nasiri, N., Natural regeneration within natural and man-made canopy gaps in Caspian natural beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest, Northern Iran. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 2020, 39 (1), 61-75.
Mosavi, S.N.; Eshagh Nimvari, M.; Kazemnezhad, F., Effects of physiographical factors on biodiversity and tree biomass in Nowshahr forests. Journal of Forest Research and Development 2022, 8 (3), 279-292. (In Persian)
Moslehi, M.; Habashi, H.; Rahmani, R., Seasonal changes of soil organic carbon pool in the managed and unmanaged beech-hornbeam stands. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research 2017, 25 (2), 286-297 (In Persian).
Nagel, T.A.; Zenner, E.K.; Brang, P., Research in old-growth forests and forest reserves: Implications for integrated forest management. In Integrative Approaches as an Opportunity for the Conservation of Forest Biodiversity; European Forest Institute: Freiburg, Germany 2013; pp 44–50.
Nasiri, N.; Marvie Mohadjer, M.R.; Etemad, V.; Sefidi, K.; Mohammadi, L.; Gharehaghaji, M., Natural regeneration of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) trees in canopy gaps and under closed canopy in a forest in northern Iran. Journal of Forestry Researc, 2018, 29, 1075-1081
Perreault, L.; Forrester, J. A.; Wurzburger, N.; Mladenoff, D. J., Emergent properties of downed woody debris in canopy gaps: a response of the soil ecosystem to manipulation of forest structure. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2020, 151, 108053.
Penone, C.; Allan, E.; Soliveres, S.; Felipe-Lucia, M,R.; Gossner, M.M.; Seibold, S.; Simons, N.K.; Schall, P.; Plas, F.; Manning, P.; Manzanedo, R.D.; Boch, S.; Prati, D.; Ammer, C.; Bauhus, J.; Buscot, F.; Ehbrecht, M.; Goldmann, K.; Jung, K.; Müller, J.; Müller, J.C.; Pena, R.; Polle, A.; Renner, S.C.; Ruess, L.; Schönig, I.; Schrumpf, M.; Solly, E.F.; Tschapka, M.; Weisser, W.W.; Wubet, T.; Fischer, M., Specialisation and diversity of multiple trophic groups are promoted by different forest features. Ecology Letters 2019, 22, 170–180.
Qian, L.; Jiangli, L.; Junjie, L.; Yan, L.; Luman, Ch.; Gang, Ch.; Kuangji, Y.; Chuan, F.; Xianwei, L., Response of plant diversity and soil physicochemical properties to different gap sizes in a Pinus massoniana plantation. Plant Biology 2021, 9, e12222.
Roberts, M. R.; Gilliam, F. S., Patterns and mechanisms of Plant diversity in forested ecosystems: implications for forest management Ecological Application, Ecological Applications 1995, 5, 969-977.
Runkle, J.R., Gap regeneration in some old-growth forests of the Eastern United States. Ecology 1981, 62, 1041-1051.
Sefidi, K., Marvie Mohadjer, M.R., Mosandl, R. and Copenhaever, C.A., Canopy gaps and regeneration in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lispky) stands, northern Iran. Forest Ecology and Management 2011, 262 (6), 1094-1099.
Schall, P.; Gossner, M.M.; Heinrichs, S.; Fischer, M.; Boch, S.; Prati, D.; Jung, K.; Baumgartner, V.; Blaser, S.; Böhm, S.; Buscot, F.; Daniel, R.; Goldmann, K.; Kaiser, K.; Kahl, T.; Lange, M.; Müller, J.; Overmann, J.; Renner, S.C.; Schulze, E.D.; Sikorski, J.; Tschapka, M.; Türke, M.; Weisser, W.W.; Wemheuer, B.; Wubet, T.; Ammer,, C., The impact of even-aged and uneven-aged forest management on regional biodiversity of multiple taxa in European beech forests. Journal of Applied Ecology 2018, 55, 267–278.
Shabani, S.; Akbarinia, M.; Jalali, Gh.; Aliarab, A., The effect of physiographic factors on plant species diversity in open forest areas (case study: Lalis Forest Nowshahr).   Iranian journal of biology 2010, 23 (3), 418-429. (In Persian).
Takafumi, H.; Hiura, T., Effects of disturbance history and environmental factors on the diversity and productivity of understory vegetation in a cool-temperate forest in Japan. Forest Ecology and Management 2009, 257, 843-857.
Tena, E.; De Paz, Ó.; de la Peña, R.; Fandos, G.; Redondo, M.; Tellería, J. L., Mind the gap: effects of canopy clearings on temperate forest bat assemblages. Forest Ecology and Management 2020, 474, 118341
Thomas, S.C.; Halpern, C.B.; Falk, D.A.; Liguori, D.A.; Austin, K.A., Plant diversity in managed forests: Understory responses to thinning and fertilization. Ecological Applications 1999, 9 (3), 864-879.
Tilman, D.; Wedin, D.; Knops, J., Productivity and sustainability influenced by biodiversity in grassland ecosystems. Nature 1996, 379, 718–720.
Torras, O.; Saura, S., Effects of silvicultural treatments on forest biodiversity indicators in the Mediterranean. Forest Ecology and Management 2008, 255, 3322–3330.
Vockenhuber E.A.; Scherber, C.; Langenbruch, C.; Meibner, M.; Seidel, D.; Tschantke, T., Tree diversity and environmental context predict herb species richness and cover in Germanyʼs largest connected deciduous forest. Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics 2011, 13, 111-119.
Weber, T.A.; Hart, J.L.; Schweitzer, C.J.; Dey, D.C., Influence of gap-scale disturbance on developmental and successional pathways in Quercus-Pinus stands. Forest Ecology and Management 2014, 331, 60-70.
Willim, K.; Stiers, M.; Annighöfer, P.; Ammer, Ch.; Ehbrecht, M.; Kabal, M.; Stillhard, J.; Seidel, D., Assessing Understory Complexity in Beech-dominated Forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Central Europe—From Managed to Primary Forests. Sensors 2019, 19, 1684.