Undergrowth

About: Undergrowth is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 795 publications have been published within this topic receiving 11911 citations. The topic is also known as: understorey & underbrush.

Floristic, phytosociological and phytogeographical studies of the herbaceous vegetation and the underwood of the Yoko reserve forest (Tshopo Province, DR Congo)

Abstract: A floristic inventory of grass and undergrowth was carried out in the southern block of the Yoko Forest Reserve in the Eastern Province. This study aimed to identify grasses and undergrowth, and evaluate the wealth of this areal florula. Transect methods and phytosociological survey was the approach used. A total of 116 plant species have been inventoried and are belonging to 92 genera and 44 families. Note that the dominant families and features are: Commelinaceae (7.76%) and Rubiaceae (6.90%). The relative densities of species and the highest are those of family Marantochloa congensis (174.0 feet/ha) and Marantaceae (360.0 feet/ha). The relative frequencies of the most observed species are those of Palisota barteri (3.21%) and Cola congolana (3.39%), while those of family are Arecaceae, Commelinaceae, Connaraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lomariopsidaceae, Malvaceae, Marantaceae and Menispermaceae (6.25%). Simpson's diversity index (0.957), Shannon’s diversity index (3.619) and equitability (0.798) revealed that this florula is diversified and its species are well distributed. It is thus desirable that this study is extended to other forest reserves and forest groupings of Kisangani city and its surroundings in order to establish a better database necessary for the sustainable management of the classified forests and other sites of high value for the conservation.

Spruce population under the canopy of overmature birch forests in the mixed forest zone of the european part of Russia

Abstract: The results of studies of the under-canopy population of spruce (Picea abies L.) in over-mature birch forests (Betuletum oxalidosum) of the Moscow region are presented. The purpose of the research was to study of the renewal process periodicity, age, vertical structure and condition of the spruce population. The work was carried out on a permanent trial plot in the period 2008–2018. The undulating feature of the spruce renewal process under the canopy of birch forest with a frequency of 30–40 years within the age of the birch trees under consideration has been established. It is determined that the basis of spruce forests formed under the canopy are trees with a renewal period of less than 30 years, which by the onset of the decay of birch forests form the first and second layers with an average age approaching the age of quantitative maturity. The age structure of the spruce population in birch forests aged 115 years is characterized by the dominance of trees of two age groups — 21–40 and 91–120 years, which account for 29 % and 37 % of the population, respectively. The emerging spruce forests belong to conditionally even-aged stands. Trees with a height of 2,0 m dominate (about 40 %) in the vertical structure of the population. The age dynamics of the stand is aimed at a slight increase in undergrowth trees and the first storey, and a decrease in the number of the second storey trees occurs. This is due to the emergence of new spruce specimens and the transition of part of the trees of the second storey to the first one. It was found that weakened trees predominate in the under-canopy population of spruce in overmature birch forests. Trees of the first layer are in the best condition (status category CS = 1). The state of undergrowth trees during the observation period did not change, remaining weakened (CS = 2,3–2,4). The set of trees of the second layer was characterized by positive dynamics — from the category of strongly weakened (CS = 2,7), due to the mortality, it moved to the category of weakened (CS = 2,0). Trees with a renewal period of up to 30 years are in the best condition. As a result of the succession process, after the decay of birch forests, low-density spruce forests with a productivity corresponding to the III site class will be formed.

Relations between features of forest floor vegetation and surface soil horizons properties in scots pine (pinus sylvestris l.) stands in southwest poland

Abstract: The paper presents the studies on relations between features of forest floor vegetation and surface soil horizons (organic and humus) properties. The research was taken in 100 pine stands located in southwest Poland. The investigated relations were different when concerning two forest floor layers. The higher values of the analysed herb layer indicators (the herb layer cover and the amount of plant species in the herb layer) are related to the higher trophy of the surface soil horizons. For the analogous moss layer indicators the relations are opposite to the herb layer relations. In the investigated pine stands the forest floor species composition was more related to organic than to humus horizon properties. The relations between forest floor vegetation and upper soil horizons properties are double-sided. The associations of particular forest floor plant species can influence the soil properties (3, 5), but soil properties also determine forest floor plant composition. The second relation results from different plant species requirements to soil conditions (6). The occurrence of particular plant species in forest floor is an important indicator of soil trophy and humidity that is commonly used in Poland to assess the forest site productivity for silviculture (21). Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a tree species which strongly forms soil properties that concerns mainly upper soil horizons acidification (1, 4). In undergrowth of pine stands, species that tolerate distinct acid and poor soil

Wireworms (Elateridae) in the soils of Pineta of West Bielorussia

Abstract: Soils of various Pinetum types, of areas of burnt pine with birch undergrowth, and of birch forests were found to be characterized by different soil inhabiting wireworms. In stands with similar soil and plant growth conditions (e. g. moisture), wireworm populations were very similar, differing only in their population densities and in the ratio of the dominant species. In different Pineta (xero-, meso-, and hydrophytous types), different Elaterid species pre