Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trampling tolerance of understorey vegetation in different hemiboreal urban forest site types in Finland

  • Published:
Urban Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of trampling on the understorey vegetation were studied in boreal urban forests of different fertility in the greater Helsinki area, Finland. The three studied forest types in decreasing order of fertility were: 1) herb-rich heath forest, 2) mesic heath forest, and 3) sub-xeric heath forest. We inventoried the cover percentages of understorey vegetation in 40 herb-rich, 75 mesic and 40 sub-xeric biotopes located in 51 urban forests varying in size (0.6–502 ha). Cover percentages were compared to those of untrampled reference areas. In our study, trampling tolerance increased with increasing fertility of the forest type. Wear of understorey vegetation correlated positively with the number of residents (i.e. recreational pressure) around the forest patch. In general, understorey vegetation cover in all three forest types was lower than in the same forest types in untrampled reference areas. Ground layer cover in urban forests was less than half of that in reference areas. Mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs, especially Vaccinium vitis-idaea, proved to be sensitive to trampling and consequently decreased in cover. The cover of tree saplings, mainly Sorbus aucuparia, and some resilient herbs increased.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahti T, Hämet-Ahti L, Jalas J (1968) Vegetation zones and their sections in northwestern Europe. Ann Bot Fenn 5:169–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Andren H, Angelstam P (1993) Moose browsing on Scots Pine in relation to stand size and distance to forest edge. J Appl Ecol 30(1):133–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnberger A (2006) Recreation use of urban forests: An inter-area comparison. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 4:135–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bobbink R, Hornung M, Roelofs JGM (1998) The effects of air-borne nitrogen pollutants on species diversity in natural and semi-natural European vegetation. J Ecol 86:717–738

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Busby JR, Bliss LC, Hamilton CD (1978) Microclimate control of growth rate and habitats of the boreal forest mosses, Tomenthypnum nitens and Hylocomium splendens. Ecol Monogr 48:95–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cajander AK (1926) The theory of forest types. Acta For Fenn 29(3):108 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Callaghan TV, Collins NJ, Callaghan CH (1978) Photosynthesis, growth and reproduction of Hylocomium splendens and Polytrichum commune in Swedish Lapland. Oikos 31:73–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Franklin JF, Spies TA (1993) Contrasting microclimates among clearcut, edge and interior of old-growth Douglas-fir forest. Agric For Meteorol 63:219–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole DN (1987) Effects of three seasons of experimental trampling on five montane forest communities and a grassland in Western Montana, USA. Biol Conserv 40:219–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole DN (1995) Experimental trampling of vegetation. II. Predictors of resistance and resilience. J Veg Sci 32(1):215–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole DN, Bayfield NG (1993) Recreational trampling of vegetation: standard experimental procedures. Biol Conserv 63:209–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirkse GM, Martakis GFP (1992) Effects of fertilizer on bryophytes in Swedish experiments on forest fertilization. Biol Conserv 59:155–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FlorgÃ¥rd C (2000) Long-term changes in indigenous vegetation preserved in urban areas. Landscape Urban Planning 52:101–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FlorgÃ¥rd C, Forsberg O (2006) Residents’ use of remnant natural vegetation in the residential area of Järvafältet, Stockholm. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 5(2):83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guirado M, Pino J, Rodà F (2006) Understorey plant species richness and composition in metropolitan forest archipelagos: effects of forest size, adjacent land use and distance to the edge. Global Ecol Biogeogr 15:50–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen V, Frivold LH, Löfström I, Jørgensen BB, Falck J, Øyen B-H (2005) Urban woodland management – the case of 13 major Nordic cities. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 3:189–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamberg L, Lehvävirta S, Malmivaara-Lämsä M, Rita H, Kotze DJ (2008) The effects of habitat edges and trampling on understorey vegetation in urban forests in Helsinki, Finland. Appl Veg Sci (in press)

  • Hammitt WE, Cole DN (1998) Wildland recreation: ecology and management. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 361 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Hautala H, Tolvanen A, Nuortila C (2001) Regeneration strategies of dominant boreal forest dwarf shrubs in response to selective removal of understorey layers. J Veg Sci 12:503–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hämet-Ahti L, Suominen J, Ulvinen T, Uotila P (eds) (1998) Retkeilykasvio [Field flora of Finland]. Finnish Museum of Natural History, Botanical Museum, Helsinki

  • Hiirsalmi H (1969) Trientalis europaea L.: a study of the reproductive biology, ecology and variation in Finland. Ann Bot Fenn 6:119–173

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huggard DJ, Vyse A (2002) Edge effects in high-elevation forests at Sicamous Creek. Silviculture. Extension note 62, 1–8. Ministry of Forests, Forest Science Program, British Columbia

  • Jaatinen E (1973) Recreational use of Helsinki’s forests. Folia For 186

  • Jonsson BG (1993) The bryophyte diaspore bank and its role after small-scale disturbance in a boreal forest. J Veg Sci 4:819–826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S (1973) Ground cover response to trampling in a spruce stand of Myrtillus type (in Finnish with English summary). Silva Fenn 7(2):96–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S (1977) Deterioration of forest ground cover during trampling. Silva Fenn 11(3):153–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S, Saastamoinen V-L (1975) Trampling tolerance of forest vegetation. Acta For Fenn 147:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S, Wuorenrinne H (1979) On factors effecting on deterioration of urban forests (in Finnish with English summary). Silva Fenn 13(2):177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Koponen T (1994) Lehtisammalten määritysopas [Moss identification guide]. Helsingin yliopiston kasvitieteen laitoksen monisteita 139, Helsinki

  • Kullman L (1986) Temporal and spatial aspects of subalpine populations of Sorbus aucuparia in Sweden. Ann Bot Fenn 23:267–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuuluvainen T (1994) Gap disturbance, ground microtopography, and the regeneration dynamics of boreal coniferous forests in Finland: a review. Ann Zool Fenn 31:35–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuusipalo J (1983) Distribution of vegetation on mesic forest sites in relation to some characteristics of the tree stand and soil fertility. Silva Fenn 17(4):403–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuusipalo J (1985) An ecological study of upland forest site classification in southern Finland. Acta For Fenn 192:1–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuusipalo J (1996) Suomen metsätyypit [Forest site types of Finland]. Kirjayhtymä, Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahti T, Väisänen RA (1987) Ecological gradients of boreal forests in South Finland: an ordination test of Cajander’s forest site type theory. Vegetatio 68:145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehtilä K, Syrjänen K (1995) Compensatory responses of two Melampyrum species after damage. Funct Ecol 9:511–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehvävirta S (1999) Structural elements as barriers against wear in urban woodlands. Urban Ecosyst 3:45–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehvävirta S, Rita H (2002) Natural regeneration of trees in urban woodlands. J Veg Sci 13:57–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liddle MJ (1975) A theoretical relationship between the primary productivity of vegetation and its ability to tolerate trampling. Biol Conserv 8:251–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liddle MJ (1997) Recreation ecology: The ecological impact of outdoor recreation and ecotourism. Chapman & Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Littlemore J, Barker S (2003) The ecological response of forest ground flora and soils to experimental trampling in British urban woodlands. Urban Ecosyst 5:257–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malmivaara-Lämsä M, Fritze H (2003) Effects of wear and above ground forest site type characteristics on the soil microbial community structure in an urban setting. Plant Soil 256:187–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malmivaara M, Löfström I, Vanha-Majamaa I (2002) Anthropogenic effects on understorey vegetation in Myrtillus type urban forests in southern Finland. Silva Fenn 36(1):367–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkipää R (2000a) Pleurozium schreberi. In: Reinikainen A, Mäkipää R, Vanha-Majamaa I, Hotanen J-P (eds) Kasvit muuttuvassa metsäluonnossa [Changes in the frequency and abundance of forest and mire plants in Finland since 1950], Tammi, Helsinki, pp 251–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkipää R (2000b) Hylocomium splendens. In: Reinikainen A, Mäkipää R, Vanha-Majamaa I, Hotanen J-P (eds) Kasvit muuttuvassa metsäluonnossa [Changes in the frequency and abundance of forest and mire plants in Finland since 1950], Tammi, Helsinki, pp 248–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkipää R (2000c) Brachythecium-suku. In: Reinikainen A, Mäkipää R, Vanha-Majamaa I, Hotanen J-P (eds) Kasvit muuttuvassa metsäluonnossa [Changes in the frequency and abundance of forest and mire plants in Finland since 1950], Tammi, Helsinki, pp 238–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikola P (1985) The effect of tree species on the biological properties of forest soil. National Swedish Environmental Protection Board, Rapport 3017, 27 pp

  • Nylund M, Nylund L, Kellomäki S, Haapanen A (1979) Deterioration of forest ground vegetation and decrease of radial growth of trees on camping sites. Silva Fenn 13(4):343–356

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2005) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. ISBN 3-900051-07-0, URL http://www.R-project.org

  • Roovers P, Verheyen K, Hermy M, Gulinck H (2004) Experimental trampling and vegetation recovery in some common forest and heath communities. Appl Veg Sci 7:111–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rydgren K, Hestmark G, Økland R (1998) Revegetation following experimental disturbance in a boreal old-growth Picea abies forest. J Veg Sci 9:763–776

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sievänen T (1987) Experiences of forest recreation in another culture: A comparison between Finland and Minnesota. Scand For Econ 29:49–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Thimonier A, Dupouey JL, Timbal J (1992) Floristic changes in the herb-layer vegetation of a deciduous forest in the Lorraine Plain under the influence of atmospheric deposition. For Ecol Manag 55:149–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolvanen A, Laine K (1997) Effects of reproduction and artificial herbivory on vegetative growth and resource levels in deciduous and evergreen dwarf shrubs. Can J Bot 75:656–666

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolvanen A, Forbes B, Rytkönen K, Laine K (2001) Regeneration of dominant plants after short-term pedestrian trampling in subarctic plant communities. In: FE Wielgolaski (ed) Nordic mountain birch ecosystems, pp 359–368. Man and the Biosphere Series Volume 27, UNESCO, Paris, and Parthenon Publishing, Carnforth

  • Tonteri T (2000) Melampyrum pratense. In: Reinikainen A, Mäkipää R, Vanha-Majamaa I, Hotanen J-P (eds) Kasvit muuttuvassa metsäluonnossa [Changes in the frequency and abundance of forest and mire plants in Finland since 1950]. Tammi, Helsinki, pp 202–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonteri T, Hotanen J-P, Mäkipää R, Nousiainen H, Reinikainen A, Tamminen M (2005) Metsäkasvit kasvupaikoillaan-kasvupaikkatyypin, kasvillisuusvyöhykkeen, puuston kehitysluokan ja puulajin yhteys kasvilajien runsaussuhteisiin [Forest plants and forest site types]. Metsäntutkimuslaitoksen tiedonantoja 946:1–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyrväinen L, Silvennoinen H, Kolehmainen O (2003) Ecological and aesthetic values in urban forest management. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 1:135–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wade TG, Riitters KH, Wickham JD, Jones KB (2003) Distribution and causes of global forest fragmentation. Conserv Ecol 7(2):7. [online] URL: http://www.consecol.org/vol7/iss2/art7/

    Google Scholar 

  • Weathers KC, Cadenasso ML, Pickett STA (2001) Forest edges as nutrient and pollutant concentrators: potential synergisms between fragmentation, forest canopies, and the atmosphere. Conserv Biol 15:1506–1514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerbe S (2001) On the ecology of Sorbus aucuparia (Rosaceae) with special regard to germination, establishment and growth. Polish Bot J 46:229–239

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Eeva Karjalainen for her constructive comments on the manuscript. The study received financial support from the Finnish Biodiversity Research Programme (FIBRE, project 48010) and from Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 18, 01301, Vantaa, Finland

    Minna Malmivaara-Lämsä, Leena Hamberg, Irja Löfström & Ilkka Vanha-Majamaa

  2. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Jari Niemelä

Authors
  1. Minna Malmivaara-Lämsä
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leena Hamberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Irja Löfström
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ilkka Vanha-Majamaa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jari Niemelä
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minna Malmivaara-Lämsä.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Malmivaara-Lämsä, M., Hamberg, L., Löfström, I. et al. Trampling tolerance of understorey vegetation in different hemiboreal urban forest site types in Finland. Urban Ecosyst 11, 1–16 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-007-0046-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-007-0046-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation