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Forest floor dynamics across a chronosequence in the coastal western hemlock zone Klinka, Karel
Abstract
The forest floor represents the uppermost organic and organicenriched mineral soil horizons. They have been formed by the deposition of organic material and the subsequent biologically mediated decomposition. The forest floor influences rooting-zone temperature, aeration, moisture, and nutrient conditions, and hence, forest productivity. Considering the importance of the forest floor, and the fact that it is exposed to disturbance (being the surface layer), we need to assess the potential impacts our logging practices may have. Clearcutting, one of the contentious silvicultural practices used in British Columbia, is imputed to most adversely affect ecosystems and sustainability. We assessed the long-term impact of clearcutting on the forest floor by documenting changes in the thickness, chemical and biotic properties of the humus form across a chronosequence of forest stands. The study was located in the largest and most representative portion of the coastal rainforest the Very Wet Maritime Coastal Western Hemlock (CWHvm) subzone.
Item Metadata
Title |
Forest floor dynamics across a chronosequence in the coastal western hemlock zone
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Alternate Title |
Scientia silvica extension series, no. 4
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Creator | |
Publisher |
Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1997
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Description |
The forest floor represents the uppermost organic and organicenriched mineral soil horizons. They have been formed by the deposition of organic material and the subsequent biologically mediated
decomposition. The forest floor influences rooting-zone temperature, aeration, moisture, and nutrient conditions, and hence, forest productivity. Considering the importance of the forest floor, and the fact that it is exposed to disturbance (being the surface layer), we need to assess the potential impacts our logging practices may have.
Clearcutting, one of the contentious silvicultural practices used in British Columbia, is imputed to most adversely affect ecosystems and sustainability. We assessed the long-term impact of clearcutting
on the forest floor by documenting changes in the thickness, chemical and biotic properties of the humus form across a chronosequence of forest stands. The study was located in the largest and most representative portion of the coastal rainforest the Very Wet Maritime Coastal Western Hemlock (CWHvm) subzone.
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Extent |
170438 bytes
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Subject | |
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2008-04-07
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
All rights reserved
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0107250
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URI | |
Affiliation | |
Peer Review Status |
Reviewed
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Scholarly Level |
Faculty
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Rights
All rights reserved