The Relative Importance of Natural Disturbances and Local Site Factors on Woody Vegetation Regeneration Diversity across a Large, Contiguous Forest Region

Gerardo P. Reyes, Daniel Kneeshaw, Louis de Grandpré

Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Forest Research, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Forest Research, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Lakehead University, Orillia, Canada.
Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Forest Research, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Ste-Foy, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/ojf.2013.33015                

Abstract

Stand-level diversity after natural disturbance can potentially differ across a large, contiguous forest region despite being dominated by the same canopy species throughout as differences in disturbance types and local site conditions can regulate species distribution. Our main objective was to examine the relative importance of natural disturbances (spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreak, windthrow, and their interaction) and local site factors (climate, physiography, and stand structure and composition variables) on woody vegetation diversity among three, physiographically distinct locations across a large, contiguous forest region. Seventy-six Abies balsamea-Betula spp. stands affected by natural disturbance were compared and analysed using canonical ordination methods, diversity indices, and ANOVA. Different combinations of factors were important for vegetation re-establishment at each location. Differences in alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), Shannon’s H’, and evenness (J) diversity indices were observed among locations across the study region. Our findings indicate that while certain processes are important for maintaining canopy dominance by Abies balsamea and Betula spp. throughout the region, different combinations of factors were important for creating variation in woody species diversity among locations that resulted in greater woody species diversity at the regional scale. 

 

Keywords

Regeneration; Natural Disturbance; Environmental Factors; Species Diversity; Eastern Boreal Mixedwood Region

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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