Ecological Response of Forest Vegetation Communities to Snow Damage: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Damage caused by snowfall can result in broken crowns and trunks and even lead to the uprooting of forest trees. Damage or death of forest trees creates forest gaps and alters overall forest demographics, but predicting the exact nature and influence of this damage remains challenging. In general, the effects of various biotic and abiotic factors on snow damage remain understudied. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a meta-analysis of existing literature, ultimately screening 38 manuscripts that describe 142 plant species. Our findings indicate that snow damage significantly reduced annual litterfall, Leaf Area Index, canopy density, abundance, and area at breast height when considering plant communities. However, snow damage also tended to significantly increase Shannon’s Diversity Index, Simpson’s Diversity Index, Pielou’s Evenness Index, and diameter at breast height. In addition, at the population level, snow damage was found to significantly reduce density, abundance, and annual litterfall while significantly increasing diameter at breast height. Further, the response of different forest vegetation community characteristics to snow damage is significantly influenced by factors such as forest type, elevation, slope, and aspect.