Topic
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.
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01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: The stabilization of numbers over the last decade seems to be due to the discontinuation of certain practices (notably mechanized undergrowth clearance), however, the demographic structure (with almost no juveniles) could soon lead to another decrease in population.
Abstract: This study investigates the evolution
of a population of Hermann’s tortoises, located on the edge of the massif des Maures, over a period of
30 years through capture–recapture monitoring. It shows a considerable decline of 73 % in the number
of adult tortoises between the early 1980s and 1999; then from 1999, the population stabilized at around
100 adult tortoises. The fall in numbers during the first period seems to be linked to several factors.
The 22 % increase in forest cover between 1983 and 1995 increased the concentrations of eggs laid in
some open areas, making it easier for the species’ natural predators to find them. Mechanized clearance
of undergrowth carried out in 1989 and 1994 has undoubtedly reduced the size of the population. The
presence of dogs has posed an additional threat (97 % of the adult tortoises have bite marks and 7 % are
missing limbs). In addition, the impact of dog bites on the tortoises’ shells has, over time, removed individual
markings, thereby distorting survival estimates. The stabilization of numbers over the last decade
seems to be due to the discontinuation of certain practices (notably mechanized undergrowth clearance).
However, the demographic structure (with almost no juveniles) could soon lead to another decrease in
population. This situation seems to be specific to this particular population and cannot be applied generally
to all the populations in Provence
3 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that elevated microsites (stumps, fallen logs, and mounds) are required for successful survival of the undergrowth of various tree species in boreal tall-herb forests.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of research into the role of various types of microsites (flat under- and intercrown areas, stumps, fallen logs, mounds, and pits) in the natural regeneration of trees in uneven-aged dark coniferous boreal tall-herb spruce–fir forests of the northern Urals. Areas of microsites of various types have been identified; a general description of natural tree regeneration is provided; the association of undergrowth of various tree species with different microsites was determined; and the undergrowth distribution by ontogenetic states has been assessed. The lowest undergrowth density was registered on flat sites occupying the major part of the community area, while the highest density was detected on elevated microsites (fallen logs, stumps, and mounds) the total area of which is pretty small. The highest density of the undergrowth of all species was observed on stumps. On mounds and fallen logs, it was 4.3 and 3.0 times lower, respectively. It is shown that elevated microsites (stumps, fallen logs, and mounds) are required for successful survival of the undergrowth of various tree species in boreal tall-herb forests.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article , a detailed study of the Pinus sibirica natural regeneration in the mountain stony shrub-moss-lichen tundra area at an altitude of 1010-1040 m above sea level on the Tri Bugra mountain massif plateau (59°30′ N, 59°15′ E) in the Northern Urals (Russia) has been conducted.
Abstract: Climate is one of the key drivers of the plant community’s structure and trends. However, the regional vegetation-climate features in the ecotone have not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of the research is to study features of Pinus sibirica Du Tour germination, survival, and growth in the mountain tundra of the Northern Urals against the background of a changing climate. The following research objectives were set: To determine the abundance and age structure of P. sibirica undergrowth on the mountain tundra plateau, identify the features of P. sibirica growth in the mountain tundra, and examine the correlation between the multi-year air temperature pattern, precipitation, and P. sibirica seedling emergence. A detailed study of the Pinus sibirica natural regeneration in the mountain stony shrub-moss-lichen tundra area at an altitude of 1010–1040 m above sea level on the Tri Bugra mountain massif plateau (59°30′ N, 59°15′ E) in the Northern Urals (Russia) has been conducted. The research involved the period between 1965 and 2017. Woody plant undergrowth was considered in 30 plots, 5 × 5 m in size. The first generations were recorded from 1967–1969. The regeneration has become regular since 1978 and its intensity has been increasing since then. Climate warming is driving these processes. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the number of Pinus sibirica seedlings and the minimum temperature in August and September of the current year, the minimum temperatures in May, June, and November of the previous year, the maximum temperatures in May and August of the current year, and precipitation in March of both the current and previous years. However, the young tree growth rate remains low to date (the height at an age of 45–50 years is approximately 114 ± 8.8 cm). At the same time, its open crowns are rare single lateral shoots. The length of the side shoots exceeds its height by 4–5 times, and the length of the lateral roots exceeds its height by 1.2–1.5 times. This is an indicator of the extreme conditions for this tree species. With the current rates of climate warming and the Pinus sibirica tree growth trends, the revealed relationships allow for the prediction that in 20–25 years, the mountain tundra in the studied Northern Urals plateau could develop underground-closed forest communities with a certain forest relationship. The research results are of theoretical importance for clarifying the forest-tundra ecotone concept. From a practical point of view, the revealed relationship can be used to predict the trend in forest ecosystem formation in the mountain forest-tundra ecotone.
3 citations
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TL;DR: In a previous paper as discussed by the authors, the writer has described forest succession in Puget Sound sphagnum bogs, and in other papers (4, I9I7) has listed the trees growing in various sphagon bogs of the Washington state region and Alaska.
Abstract: In a previous paper (4, I9I7) the writer has described forest succession in Puget Sound sphagnum bogs, and in other papers (4, I9I3; I9I4; I9I9) has listed the trees growing in various sphagnum bogs of the Puget Sound region and Alaska. All of these are comparatively early stages in bog succession. None of them have reached a stage where the forest is dominant. An area of about three acres near Victoria, British Columbia, shows a very late stage where the forest has become the dominant vegetation, and sphagnum is no longer found living. This area was visited in July, 1920, and a more careful study was made during several visits to it at various times in July, I92I. The area is at present bordered on the south by a meadow, on the east and north by Lost Lake, and on the west by the Patricia Bay line of the Canadian National Railway. The forest consists of a pure stand of lodge-pole pine, Pinus contorta. The trees are of good size for this species, many of them being 20 to 30 feet tall and 6 to io inches thick at the base. A few are 12 inches thick. The stand of trees is very dense over nearly all of the area, and many young trees have been killed by the shade of the taller ones. The trunks of these trees are straight and slender. They do not have the scrubby form that this species does on rocky, exposed places, nor the stunted appearance that it has in the early stages of forest succession in Puget Sound bogs. Very few pine seedlings were found, and these only on the border along the west side, where the forest was cleared a few years ago when the railroad was built, and Nature was then allowed to take her course again. Lodge-pole pine is common on this portion of Vancouver Island. It is found around lakes, both in swampy places and on rocky shores, and on the thin soil of rocky hills. It is found practically to the top of Mount Benson, near Nanaimo. Glendenning (i, i9i8) says that it is frequent in bogs and on gravel ridges in the Cowichan district on Vancouver Island. Whitford and Craig (5, i9i8) state that this species is general throughout the province of British Columbia, from the international boundary to the Yukon drainage, being found at an altitude of 5,ooo to 6,ooo feet, and attaining a height of 50 to 75 feet and a diameter of I2 to 24 inches. The undergrowth in the bog forest under consideration consists of a dense thicket of Labrador tea, Ledum qroenlandicum, and salal, Gaultheria shallon.
3 citations
15 Mar 2014
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show changes in plant composition of lawns and undergrowth vegetation in woodlands against selected habitat factors, assessed using phytoindication methods, covering the period 1973-2010 when the Park was subjected to an extensive management of woodlands and lawns.
Abstract: Large, old parks such as Łazienki Krolewskie Park are expected to be places for spending time in close-tonature surroundings. In such cases floristic diversity can become a good qualitative measure of the park’s naturalness changing in time. The aim of this study was to show changes in plant composition of lawns and undergrowth vegetation in woodlands against selected habitat factors, assessed using phytoindication methods, Analysis covered the period 1973- 2010when the Park was subjected to an extensive management of woodlands and lawns. Intensive succession process also occurred. Woodlands expansion resulted in canopy density increase by 60%. Local habitat changes were also noticed. In the lawns the total number of plant species and their diversity remained unchanged, whereas in woodlands an increase was noted, which is unusual for urban parks. This condition should be described as a positive tendency, but only presuming that it might not be a constant process.
3 citations