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Influence of light and soil moisture on Sierran mixed-conifer understory communities

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Abstract

Sierra Nevada forests have high understory species richness yet we do not know which site factors influence herb and shrub distribution or abundance. We examined the understory of an old-growth mixed-conifer Sierran forest and its distribution in relation to microsite conditions. The forest has high species richness (98 species sampled), most of which are herbs with sparse cover and relatively equal abundance. Shrub cover is highly concentrated in discrete patches. Using overstory tree cover and microsite environmental conditions, four habitats were identified; tree cluster, partial canopy, gap, and rock/shallow soil. Herb and shrub species were strongly linked with habitats. Soil moisture, litter depth and diffuse light were the most significant environmental gradients influencing understory plant distribution. Herb cover was most strongly influenced by soil moisture. Shrub cover is associated with more diffuse light, less direct light, and sites with lower soil moisture. Herb richness is most affected by conditions which influence soil moisture. Richness is positively correlated with litter depth, and negatively correlated with direct light and shrub cover. Disturbance or management practices which change forest floor conditions, shallow soil moisture and direct light are likely to have the strongest effect on Sierran understory abundance and richness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sierra Nevada Research Center, PSW Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Malcolm North

  2. College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Brian Oakley

  3. Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Rob Fiegener & Michael Barbour

  4. Forest Inventory and Analysis, PNW Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Andrew Gray

Authors
  1. Malcolm North
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  2. Brian Oakley
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  3. Rob Fiegener
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  4. Andrew Gray
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  5. Michael Barbour
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Correspondence to Malcolm North.

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North, M., Oakley, B., Fiegener, R. et al. Influence of light and soil moisture on Sierran mixed-conifer understory communities. Plant Ecol 177, 13–24 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-2270-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-2270-3

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