Regeneration and Growth After Logging Florida Pondcypress Domes

Abstract

Abstract Recovery of vegetation after logging 16 small (1-5 ha), undrained pondcypress domes in north central Florida was analyzed. One dome was undisturbed and the others had been logged from a few months to 45 years before the study began. Densities of young (<2 yr old) pondcypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans (Ait.) Sweet) were higher in domes that were recently logged than in older domes, whereas densities of other young woody plants were similar regardless of when a dome had been logged. Pondcypress saplings were significantly more abundant in domes logged 3 years before the study, and had sprouted after the domes were logged. There were no striking differences in canopy composition between older (15-45 yr) logged domes and historical descriptions of unlogged domes. In general, no differences in tree species composition (importance values, relative and absolute densities, frequencies and dominances of major species, and species diversity) were found among the domes. Also, selective logging did not result in a growth release among remaining trees. Over a period of 45 years or less, pondcypress domes appeared to recover their original basal area and dominance after selective logging and clearcutting. Forest Sci. 32: 493-506.