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Data to: Enjoying tranquility - Development of ground vegetation after cessation of management in forests on loamy soils in Flanders (Belgium) (Dataset)
| Content Provider | Dryad |
|---|---|
| Author | Vandekerkhove, Kris Thomaes, Arno De Keersmaeker, Luc Van de Kerckhove, Peter Onkelinx, Thierry Van Calster, Hans Verheyen, Kris |
| Abstract | Questions: Managed forests often show a more homogeneous age structure compared to untouched forests, but also a higher share and frequency of sun-exposed conditions due to harvest operations. Frequent, small-scaled forestry operations may therefore lead to elevated species richness, compared to undisturbed forests. When non-intervention is introduced in formerly managed forests, Is there a significant decrease in species richness of vascular plant species? What species are particularly affected? Are there nonrandom shifts in species composition? Are also typical shadetolerant forest species jeopardized due to prolonged deep shade ? Location: Four recently installed strict reserves in Atlantic to Sub-Atlantic lowland oak and beech forests on fertile loess soils east and south-west of Brussels (Belgium). Methods: We compared vegetation relevés in permanent plots (183 plots of 16x16m) with a 10 year interval. Total species richness per site was derived from rarefaction curves; significance of differences in species richness and composition at plot level were tested using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. NMDS was used to visualize non-random shifts in species composition. Results: We registered significant declines in species richness both at reserve and plot level. This decline was not random, but strongly depending on ecological traits and strategies, with strong declines in light-demanding gap phase-associated species like Lonicera periclymenum and Deschampsia cespitosa, and species requiring disturbed or bare soils for their recruitment, such as Juncus effusus and Carex sylvatica. Shade-tolerant mesic species like Anemone nemorosa and Allium ursinum clearly increased in frequency and cover, despite strong declines in previous decades. Conclusion: The combined effect of continued closed canopy and slow soil recovery from euthrophication apparently support the development of a less species rich vegetation, but with higher dominance of characteristic species of mesic lowland oak and beech forests. |
| File Size | 522769 |
| File Format | HTM / HTML |
| ISSN | 1654109X |
| DOI | 10.5061/dryad.k98sf7m42 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://datadryad.org/stash/downloads/file_stream/577933 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://datadryad.org/stash/downloads/file_stream/577932 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://datadryad.org/stash/downloads/file_stream/577931 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2021-02-10 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Data Set |
| Subject | Ecology Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law Nature and Landscape Conservation |
