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.

Can the Mangombe forest plantation contribute to restore and conserve biodiversity

Abstract: This research, conducted in the tropical rainforest, is focused on restoration of tree diversity through natural regeneration mechanism in the 49 year-old Mangombe forest plantation. 12 plots were surveyed, 6 with large transects and the 6 others under regrowth. In each plot, two subplots with 400 m² each were demarcated for the inventory of all stems with diameter greater than 2.5 cm. A total of 2239 stems comprising 107 species distributed in 93 genera and 42 families were identified over 9600 m². There was a slight difference between species richness of plots with large transect (79 species, 72 genera and 35 families) and regrowth plots (85 species, 76 genera and 38 families) while the basal area in the plots with large transects (10.76 m²/ha) was significantly greater than that of regrowth (8.65 m²/ha). Species with high important value index have an affinity with forest undergrowth such as: Tabernaemontana pachysiphon , T. crassa , Mallotus oppositifolius and Heinsia crinita . The undergrowth is diversified with different life feature and a high number of small size trees indicating a vigorous regeneration. This can be favoured by: microclimate undergrowth, canopy gaps, abundance of litter fall that brings humus to the soil, type and age of plots, planted species and the complexity of spatial and vertical structure of the stand. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Mangombe – Cameroon, Natural regeneration, dense humid forest, tree plantation, biodiversity

Studies on the flora and vegetation of the Ormos Archangelou in Rhodos Island

Abstract: Ormos Archangelou or Tsambica Bay is located at about 28 km southwest of the town Rhodos. There can be distinguished two types of Vegetation: a. the evergreen sclerophyll shrubby formation of “Macchia” with its typical Association Erica verticillata-Arbutus unedo, and b. the xeromorphous low shrubby formation of “Phrygana” with its corresponding Association Poterium spinosum-Coridothymus capitatus. The first type of Vegetation, which occupies a small part of the area, can be considered as an anthropogeneous undergrowth in the shrubby degradation stage of the forests which covered Rhodos Island in older times. The many solitary old trees of Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens f. horizontalis, Quercus aegilops, Quercus coccifera, and others, which are growing on open areas of the island, may be considered as most characteristic indications of this hypothesis. Sociological data concerning this type of Vegetation are given in Tables I–II. The second type of Vegetation is the most xeromorphic plant formation of the Aegean Island, consisting mainly of low xeromorphic shrubs, 0.50–0.70 m high. This is physiognomically the most distinctive vegetation type of calcareous rocky lands of the Aegean Islands. It covers most of the area and extends particularly on slippery rocky slopes, on very dry hills, on soils composed mainly of pebbles and cobbles, along the borders of Macchia Vegetation, and to a great extent in large patches among xerophilous Macchia. Sociological data concerning this type of Vegetation are given in Table III.

The importance of habitat diversity and plant species richness for hazel grouse occurrence in the mixed mountain forests of the Western Carpathians

Abstract: Hazel grouse habitat requirements are relatively well known in coniferous forests, and less known in mixed or deciduous forests. We studied habitat differences between sites occupied by hazel grouse Tetrastes bonasia and control plots in mixed mountain forests of the Western Carpathians in 2009 and 2010. Hazel grouse presence at sites was determined in April and May. The habitat variables (n = 21) and the proportion of tree and shrub species (n = 22) were collected both in sites of hazel grouse presence and control plots within a radius of 100 m. Greater numbers of tree species and greater proportions of deciduous trees (mainly birch Betula sp.) were found in sites where hazel grouse was present. Lower canopy cover was an important variable for hazel grouse occurrence, and sites with hazel grouse had a greater proportion of young trees (< 40 years). Sites were also characterized by a higher proportion of overgrown glades and dead woods in comparison with control plots. Sites occupied by hazel grouse were characterized by a greater number of tree species in the undergrowth (minimum of five species) in comparison with control plots. GLM models revealed that the most important environmental factors for hazel grouse occurrence in mixed mountain forests were open habitats (overgrown glades), good hiding opportunities (fallen trees and dead woods) and good conditions for foraging (trees cover in undergrowth). Poplar (Populus sp.) and willow (Salix sp.) were the most important tree species for hazel grouse occurrence. The presence of habitat structures and the vegetations richness provides good shelter or food for the hazel grouse. Extensive forest management should be proposed to increase the number of hazel grouse. Large areas covered by herbs and light-seeded tree species of low economical value for forestry are recommended to support hazel grouse population.

Vplyv prízemnej vegetácie a podrastu na priebeh fenologickej krivky bukových porastov odvodenej z údajov MODIS / Effect of understory vegetation and undergrowth on course of phenological curve of beech forests derived from MODIS

Abstract: Vegetation index NDVI derived from satellite data MODIS (product MOD09) was used for monitoring of phenological phases of beech stands. The effect of leaves of upper story and undergrowth trees, understory vegetation, bark of thin and thick branches, trunk, and litter on NDVI value was identified and quantified for determination of the onset of phenological phases in five beech stands. The phenological observations were carried out in the spring 2011. Phenological curves were modelled for each stand. Inputs were NDVIsat derived from MODIS. The NDVI value for each component was determined from spectral analyses, and its percentage was estimated. Consequently, NDVIₘₒdₑₗ values were calculated for each stand and compared with NDVIₛₐₜ. We found out that NDVIₛₐₜ values are systematically biased from NDVIₘₒdₑₗ values a quotient q was established to revise this biased NDVIₛₐₜ values. Possibilities for satellite long-term phenological monitoring resulted from the quantified effect of individual forest components on NDVI value. The 100% leaf onset is the most suitable phase for phenological monitoring of the canopy trees component. The 100% leaf budburst is suitable phenophase for monitoring of forest stands phenology.

19. Mire Kupena, Western Rhodopes Mountains (South Bulgaria)

Abstract: Site details Mire Kupena is a former lake (41◦ 59′ 07.5′′ N, 24◦ 19′ 05.1′′ E; 1356 m above sea level (a.s.l.)) located on the territory of the Biosphere Reserve Kupena, Western Rhodopes Mountains, Bulgaria. The reserve is located between 600 and 1400 m a.s.l. on a north-facing slope and its vegetation is rather diverse. In the lower parts, the most common plant communities are those of Quercus dalechampii Ten. mixed in some places with Carpinus betulus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Pinus nigra Arn. and Pinus sylvestris L. At higher altitudes, plant communities of F. sylvatica dominate, followed by those of Pinus sylvestris with some Abies alba Mill. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. The mire is formed in a depression on an area of 6 ha, surrounded by an almost pure forest of Pinus sylvestris with an admixture of Picea abies, A. alba, F. sylvatica, Betula pendula Roth., Sorbus aucuparia L., Q. dalechampii and an undergrowth of Juniperus communis L., Vaccinium myrtillus L. and V. vitis-idaea L. The mire vegetation is represented by sparse moss cover (Sphagnum spp.) and includes various species of Carex, Juncus, Potentilla, Ranunculus, Galium. The basin is fed by rainfall and water from melting snow. During the last two decades most of the mire surface on the hummocks has been overgrown by pine trees (Huttunen et al., 1992; Bozilova et al., 2011). The climate in the area is montane with a mean annual temperature of 5–10 ◦S and a mean annual precipitation of 600–800 mm with a maximum in May–June. The basic soil types are brown forest (60%), humic-carbonate and cinnamomic-forest.