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.

Vegetation of Certain Sand Plains of Connecticut

Abstract: 1. The plant communities lying above the influence of the ground water table on coarse sandy terraces in the townships of Wallingford and North Haven, Connecticut, are mainly stages in three subseres which probably lead up to a xerophytic oak edaphic climax. 2. The subseres are developing on: ridges of wind-deposited sand, superimposed on a grassland type of soil profile; level areas with a truncated soil profile, lacking an A horizon; level areas with soil profile intact. 3. Differentiation of initial habitats resulted from, and followed, cultivation and wind erosion of the area in the eighteenth century. 4. Vegetation on the ridges consists of trees, primarily black oak and gray birch, forming an open canopy, with a scattering undergrowth of forbs, especially Polygonella articulata, grasses, shrubs, and occasional mats of mosses and lichens. Truncated soils have an extremely open cover of Andropogon scoparius and Trichostema dichotomum. Increase in abundance and cover is brought about chiefly through un...

Scenic preferences concerning clear‐fell areas in Finland

Abstract: Altogether 152 respondents rank‐ordered 31 photographs that presented clear felling areas in near‐distance view. In addition, the respondents evaluated 19 scenic features of eight slides by a checklist. They were also allowed to describe freely the feelings these slides evoked. Small clear‐fell areas that had a lot of undergrowth and solitary trees were preferred. Large clear‐fell areas with soil preparation and lop‐and‐top were considered ugliest. Environmentalists, forestry personnel, and residents of the Helsinki region rank‐ordered the photographs in similar ways. However, forestry personnel were more averse to scenes which appeared unmanaged, e.g. grass and shrub vegetation. They also demonstrated a more positive attitude to visible forest management measures like soil preparation and lop‐and‐top. Felling areas were perceived to be beautiful or ugly depending on their implementation. Clear fellings appeared to be assessed both on a scenic or emotional basis, and on ecological and other objec...

The Harsh-Furred Rat in Nyasaland

Abstract: An account is given of the distribution and biology of Lophuromys flavopunctatus Thomas in Nyasaland. Comparative study revealed differences between populations in the north and south of Nyasaland. The species was always found in areas which at one time supported broad-leaved evergreen forest, the favored habitat being dense undergrowth (bracken scrub) at the edge of forest. It may be active at all hours but is chiefly nocturnal. Population structure, seasonal fluctuations in numbers, reproductive condition and color change were analyzed for the period March 1962 through May 1963. Breeding took place only during the warm wet season between October and early May; litter size varied between one and 4, three being the most usual. Data on the feeding habits, disease rate and parasites are presented. Lophuromys feeds chiefly upon insects and worms and does not usually excavate tunnels. About 9% of the specimens trapped were diseased, the disease rate being highest during the wet season.

Morphology and growth of deciduous and evergreen broad‐leaved saplings under different light conditions in a Chinese beech forest with dense bamboo undergrowth

Abstract: This study compared the morphological and growth adjustment of saplings from three shade- tolerant canopy species (Castanopsis lamontii, Lithocarpus hancei and Fagus lucida; Fagaceae) under different light conditions in a Chinese beech forest with dense bamboo undergrowth. Only F. lucida is deciduous, and it had the most flexible morphology. In shade, F. lucida had flat or bent topshoots and horizontal branches to maximize light interception, while in conditions of high light intensity, it formed vertical topshoots to promote growth in terms of height, and upright branches to mitigate excessive sun exposure on the leaves. In contrast to F. lucida (beech), the evergreen species always had vertical topshoots regardless of light conditions. In shady conditions, the evergreens had greater annual growth rates in terms of both height and diameter than the beech, and between the evergreens, the species bearing plagiotropic branches grew faster in diameter than the species bearing orthotropic branches. The evergreen trees had thicker leaves and thicker stems compared to the beech. It was concluded that the evergreen saplings have advantages over beech saplings in terms of current growth in the forest understorey; whereas, morphological and growth flexibility in the beech aids in its persistence in the understorey.

Apparatus and method for controlling weeds and undergrowth using liquid spray and foam

Abstract: A method for controlling weeds and undergrowth and for treating plants in agricultural settings is disclosed. The method is characterized by first applying a spray of hot water to the plant, and then applying a foam blanket to the sprayed plants, whereby heat from the hot water spray is held against the plants.