Relations of native and exotic species 5 years after clearcutting with and without herbicide and logging debris treatments
By: David H. Peter and Timothy B. Harrington
Contributors: Harrington, Timothy B. (Timothy Brian); Pacific Northwest Research Station (Portland, Or.)
Series: Research paper PNW -- RP-589; Research paper PNW -- 589.
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Portland, OR
Language: eng
Number of pages: 37
Subjects: Cutover lands; Forest succession; Plant communities; Forests and forestry; Weed control; Environmental aspects; Herbicides; Slash (Logging)
Description: To increase timber production and manage other forest resource values, some land managers have undertaken logging debris and vegetation control treatments after forest harvest. We explored the roles of clearcutting on plant community composition and structure at three sites where logging debris was dispersed, piled, or removed and vegetation was annually treated or not treated with herbicides for 5 years. Without vegetation control, a competitive relation was identified between exotic and native ruderal (i.e., disturbance-associated) species. When exotic ruderal cover changed by 4 percent, native ruderal cover changed by 10 percent in the opposite direction. This relation was independent of site, but site was important in determining the overall dominance of ruderals. Five annual vegetation control treatments increased Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) growth, but decreased richness and cover of other species at the rate of one species per 10 percent reduction in cover. Debris treatment effects were small and found on only one site.
Notes: Cover title.

"October, 2012."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 22-26).

Also available on the Internet.