Disturbance dynamics influence Carex pensylvanica abundance in a northern hardwood forest1

Abstract

Abstract We examined relationships involving the abundance of Carex pensylvanica Lam., a native sedge that can form dense mats in northern hardwood understories, and three types of disturbances: forest management, deer herbivory, and exotic earthworm activity. Stands managed using even-aged silvicultural systems in areas with high deer densities (> 20 deer km−2) had greater C. pensylvanica cover than stands managed using even-aged silvicultural systems in areas with lower deer densities (10–20 deer km−2), or unharvested second-growth communities. Stands managed using uneven-aged silvicultural systems were not significantly different from any other treatment group, regardless of deer density. There was a significant management × deer × earthworm interaction, and earthworm density had a positive relationship with C. pensylvanica cover in most management history × deer density combinations. High levels of disturbance associated with at least two of the three factors considered in this study were associated w...