Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different slash management practices on understory biodiversity and biomass in Eucalyptus globulus coppices in Central Portugal. The experiment consisted of four treatments: (a) removal of slash (R), (b) broadcast over the soil (S), (c) as in S but concentrating woody residues between tree rows (W) and (d) incorporation of slash into soil by harrowing (I). Understory vegetation was surveyed during 1–6, 9, and 10 years, the proportion of soil cover by plant species estimated, and diversity and equitability indexes determined. Above ground understory biomass was sampled in years 2–6, 9, and 10. The highest number of species in most years occurred in plots where slash was removed. Differences between treatments in the proportion of plant soil cover were never significant, whereas differences in diversity index were only occasionally significant and apparently related to the number of species. Thus, differences in the equitability index were not significant. Understory biomass did not decrease during the rotation period, and was usually highest in R and I, and lowest in S, but not significantly different. At the end of the rotation period, understory biodiversity indices and biomass were apparently independent of slash treatment.
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Acknowledgments
The experiment was funded by EU (Project CEC AIR-CT-92-0492), JNICT/FCT, Portugal (Projects PDGT/FER/366/94 and PRAXIS XXI 3/3.2/FLOR/2123/95) and PAMAF and AGRO Programs (Ministry of Agriculture), Portugal (Projects PAMAF 4029/95 and AGRO 19). Maria do Céu Martins, Cláudia Cerveira, Conceição Santos, and Marta Carneiro were granted, as graduation students and/or junior scientists, by JNICT/FCT. The pulp company Celulose Beira Industrial (CELBI), S. A., landowner of Quinta do Furadouro, supervised the management of the experimental area. Samantha Hughes is gratefully acknowledged for English revision.
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Carneiro, M., Fabião, A., Martins, M.C. et al. Species richness and biomass of understory vegetation in a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. coppice as affected by slash management. Eur J Forest Res 126, 475–480 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-006-0143-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-006-0143-5