Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2168-9776
+32-466-90-04-51
ISSN: 2168-9776
+32-466-90-04-51
Miller WW
Tanzania
Research Article
Responses of a Sierran Mixed Conifer Understory Plant Community to Over Story Thinning, Slash Mastication, and Prescribed Fire Restoration Treatments
Author(s): Walker RF, Swim SL, Fecko RM, Johnson DW and Miller WWWalker RF, Swim SL, Fecko RM, Johnson DW and Miller WW
Thinning implemented with a cut-to-length harvesting system coupled with on-site slash mastication and redistribution and followed by prescribed under burning were assessed for their impacts on the shrub understory and natural regeneration in an uneven-aged Sierra Nevada mixed conifer stand. Initial suppression of the cover and weight of huckleberry oak, the most prevalent ground cover species, by the combined thinning and mastication operations and those of prostrate ceanothus by the under burn were followed by a pronounced resurgence in abundance for both species in burned stand portions, particularly where thinning had preceded the fire. White fir was most prevalent initially among species represented in the seedling size class of natural regeneration and became predominant thereafter while this species dominated the sapling class throughout the study. White fir seedling establishm.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/2168-9776.1000167