Abstract
Stand-replacing disturbance and post-disturbance salvage-logging influence forest succession in different ways; however, limited knowledge regarding how salvage-logging affects vegetation patterns compared to natural development of forest ecosystems is still lacking. In this study, we described the diversity pattern of understory vegetation and tree regeneration in mountain spruce forest of Tatra Mountains, northern Slovakia, where a high severity windstorm affecting over 10,000 ha occurred in 2004. The area was consequently subjected to salvage-logging. We asked how the species composition, vegetation diversity, and its spatial heterogeneity were modified by severe salvage-logging. Vascular plants, deadwood coverage, and tree species densities were monitored on non-intervention (NI; n = 108) and salvage-logged (SL; n = 95) experimental plots (spatially nested design, sample plot area 3.14 m2) six and seven years after disturbance, respectively. The NI sites were structurally more diverse with post-windstorms legacies such as deadwood and pit and mound topography being recorded. The NI plots contained more late-successional plant and moss species that are commonly found in the pre-disturbance forest. The NI plots were also more diverse in terms of alpha- and beta-diversity with abundant natural regeneration of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst). The structure of SL site was more homogeneous and its species composition shifted towards being dominated by grasses, although the site accommodated a higher number of plant species due to newly established pioneer plant- and tree species. The retreat of late-successional species in favour of grasses can lead to structural and functional homogenization of habitat and to delayed succession towards establishment of spruce forest. We conclude that the removal of wind-disturbance legacies significantly diverts natural successional pathways. We recommend avoiding salvage-logging in protected areas since large-scale application of salvage-logging reduces beta-diversity of the landscape.
Highlights
In temperate conifer-dominated forests in the Northern Hemisphere, disturbances caused by strong winds together with bark-beetle outbreaks are important drivers of forest ecosystem composition, structure, and functioning [1,2,3]
Late-successional species were recorded to dominate the NI site (Table 1; the full version can be seen in Supplementary Materials) with the most frequently occurring species being Vaccinium myrtillus (L.) and Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm.) A
The stand where no intervention was applied showed grater heterogeneity in species distribution with the major differences attributed to deadwood structures, which differentiated environmental conditions along the light and moisture gradient
Summary
In temperate conifer-dominated forests in the Northern Hemisphere, disturbances caused by strong winds together with bark-beetle outbreaks are important drivers of forest ecosystem composition, structure, and functioning [1,2,3]. Salvage-logging in central Europe has been used to reduce timber losses and curb bark beetle outbreaks to protect neighbouring undisturbed stands. Studies focusing on natural successional processes following large wind disturbances are still rather limited. With increased risk of extreme storm events and bark beetle population gradation related to climate change [5], the role of salvage-logging in successional processes and biodiversity will become increasingly important. The main focus of foresters tends to be on post-disturbance species composition and future forest appearance [6,7,8]
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