Growth of western red cedar seedlings in relation to microtopography, forest floor nutrient status, and fireweed and salal on clear-cut sites in coastal British Columbia

Abstract

The growth of western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn) seedlings was studied in relation to microtopography, to forest floor nutrient status, and to fireweed (Epilobiumangustifolium L.) and salal (Gaultheriashallon Pursh) abundance on 4-year-old logged and burned sites dominated by salal on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. These relationships were sought to determine some possible factors at the microsite level that influence the growth of western red cedar on recently clear-cut sites. Western red cedar growth and fireweed abundance and height were significantly greater in depressions than on flats and mounds, but these differences were not related to any major differences in forest floor pH, cellulose decomposition, total N and P, and available NH4+, NO3−, and phosphate P as measured using resin bags. The ecological significance of and possible reasons for the lack of correlation found between (i) western red cedar and fireweed growth and (ii) many measures of forest floor nutrient status are discussed.