Abstract
Competitive exclusion can lead to a loss of species diversity within small forest gaps. Thus, it poses a potential concern for mixed species regeneration following strip-cut harvesting in the species rich interior moist forests of British Columbia. In this study, we compare nine tree species widely used in reforestation for their growth rates along a light/gap-position gradient in 50 m wide east-west oriented strip-cuts. Data after 15 growing seasons reveal that a crossover of species’ growth patterns along the light gradient can be linked to their shade tolerance ranking, and competitive hierarchy processes can be observed between species. The growth of two shade-intolerant (lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine), and two moderately tolerant (Douglas fir and white pine) species did surpass the growth of other more tolerant species under high light conditions in this study. Thus, we conclude that maintaining shade-intolerant species within 50 m wide strip-cuts is feasible, but species need to be planted in locations that suit their light requirements.
Highlights
Forests of the interior cedar hemlock (ICH) bio-geoclimatic zone in British Columbia are known for their complex stand structure and high species diversity
A small clear-cut is created in the canopy which leads to the creation of a light gradient inside the opening, with the southern edge receiving a higher proportion of diffuse light than the center or northern portion of the gaps, which typically receive a greater portion of direct sunlight in northern forests [6,7]
In order for intolerant species to be viable in mixed species plantations, they need to surpass the more shade tolerant group under high light levels and our results clearly indicate this to be true for two pine species, lodgepole, and ponderosa pine
Summary
Forests of the interior cedar hemlock (ICH) bio-geoclimatic zone in British Columbia are known for their complex stand structure and high species diversity. Shelterwood, selection or patch-cut harvesting, has the potential to meet many of these objectives, improving visual quality over clear-cutting, and can often be economically profitable while still providing ecological services [3]. One concern with these alternatives to clear-cut harvesting is the maintenance of species diversity after harvesting. Group selection, patch-cut or strip-cut methods could be a possible solution [3,4,5] In these systems, a small clear-cut is created in the canopy which leads to the creation of a light gradient inside the opening, with the southern edge receiving a higher proportion of diffuse light than the center or northern portion of the gaps, which typically receive a greater portion of direct sunlight in northern forests [6,7]
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