Browsing by Subject "Riparian plant"

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    Riparian plant composition, abundance, and structure responses to different harvesting approaches in riparian management zones nine years after treatment in Northern Minnesota, U.S.A.
    (2010-11) Martin, Michelle Amber
    I compared riparian plant responses to different harvesting approaches over nine years in Riparian Management Zones (RMZ) in Northern Minnesota. In Chapter 1, I found that tree regeneration in RMZs is greater in partially harvested treatments (60% BA removal) than in unharvested treatments. This was especially true of intolerant tree species, although the shade tolerant species are becoming important in lower strata at year nine post-treatment. In Chapter 2, I found that understory plant community composition and abundance change somewhat over time in partially harvested treatments in comparison to unharvested treatments. This was especially true of woody understory layers, however, less so for the herbaceous layer. In general, the understory plant community shifted toward more shade intolerant and disturbance indicating species. As of nine years post-treatment, partially harvested RMZs balance timber and non-timber management objectives as they increase tree regeneration and do not dramatically alter understory plant communities.