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Effects of stand density on ecosystem properties of subalpine forests in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA

Effets de la densité du peuplement sur les propriétés des écosystèmes des forêts subalpines dans le sud des Montagnes Rocheuses aux USA

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Abstract

  • • Mixed coniferous, subalpine forest communities in the Rocky Mountains are historically dense and have experienced infrequent, high-severity fire. However, many of these high-elevation stands are thinned for a number of perceived benefits.

  • • We explored the effects of forest stand density on ecosystem properties in subalpine forests in Colorado, USA, 17–18 y after forests were managed for timber.

  • • Forest structure significantly altered the composition and chemical signature of plant communities. Previously managed stands contained lower density of overstory trees and higher ground cover compared to paired reference stands. Foliar phenolic concentration of several species was negatively related to basal area of overstory trees. Furthermore, reductions in stand density increased total foliar phenolic:nitrogen ratios in some species, suggesting that gap formation may drive long-term changes in litter quality. Despite significant changes in forest structure, reductions in stand density did not leave a strong legacy in surface soil properties, likely due to the integrity of soil organic matter reserves.

  • • Changes in forest structure associated with past management has left a long-term impact on plant communities but has only subtly altered soil nutrient cycling, possibly due to trade offs between litter decomposability and microclimate associated with reductions in canopy cover.

Résumé

  • • Les communautés subalpines de forêts mixtes de conifères dans les Montagnes Rocheuses sont historiquement denses et ont peu connu de feux très sévères. Cependant, beaucoup de ces peuplements de haute altitude sont éclaircis pour de nombreux profits.

  • • Nous avons étudié les effets de la densité des peuplements forestiers sur les propriétés des écosystèmes dans les forêts subalpines du Colorado (USA), 17–18 ans après que les forêts aient été exploitées pour le bois.

  • • La structure de la forêt a considérablement modifié la composition et la signature chimique des communautés végétales. Auparavant les peuplements exploités renfermaient une plus faible densité d’arbres de l’étage dominant et une couverture du sol plus importante par rapport aux peuplements de référence correspondants. La concentration des composés phénoliques foliaires de plusieurs espèces a été liée négativement à la surface terrière des arbres dominants. En outre, les réductions de la densité du peuplement ont augmenté les rapports composés phénoliques foliaires totaux : azote chez certaines espèces, ce qui suggère que la formation de trouée peut conduire à des changements à long terme de la qualité de la litière. Malgré d’importants changements dans la structure forestière, la réduction de la densité du peuplement n’a pas laissé un héritage solide dans les propriétés de surface du sol, probablement à cause de l’intégrité des réserves de matière organique du sol.

  • • Les changements dans la structure de la forêt associés à la gestion passée ont laissé un impact à long terme sur les communautés végétales, mais n’ont que discrètement modifié le cycle des nutriments du sol, peut-être à cause des échanges entre les possibilités de décomposition de la litière et le microclimat associé à des réductions du couvert forestier.

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Hall, S.J., Marchand, P.J. Effects of stand density on ecosystem properties of subalpine forests in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA. Ann. For. Sci. 67, 102 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009083

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