Effects of simulated historical tree litter raking on the understorey vegetation in a central European forest. Issue 4 (13th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vild, Ondřej; Kalwij, Jesse M.; Hédl, Radim; Wulf, Monika
• Is Part Of: Applied vegetation science. Volume 18:Issue 4(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 569
• Page End: 578
• Publication Date: 2015-06-13
• Subjects: Plant ecology -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; Plant populations -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; 581.705
• DOI: 10.1111/avsc.12180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1402-2001

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="avsc12180-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="avsc12180-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Questions</title> <p>What is the impact of simulated historical tree litter removal on understorey plants and soil properties in a temperate deciduous forest? What is the role of seasonal timing of tree litter removal on understorey plants?</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12180-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Location</title> <p>Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12180-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We conducted an experiment in a randomized complete block design of 45 plots (5 × 5 m). Each block (<italic>N</italic> = 15) consisted of one plot for each of the three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) tree litter removal during spring, (2) tree litter removal during autumn, or (3) no litter removal as control treatment. These treatments were repeated over 4 yr. In each plot we recorded the understorey plant species composition and collected soil samples prior to treatment (year 0) and in each subsequent year (years 1–4). Temporal trends in species richness were analysed using repeated measures ANOVAs. The impact of the treatments on vegetation composition over time was analysed using principal response curves.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12180-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Total species richness per plot significantly changed over time, but this was not related to treatment. Annual species richness increased significantly, but only for the autumn treatment. Annual species also showed the highest inter‐annual variation. Endangered species were not affected. When compared to the control treatment, the effect of autumn raking on species composition was stronger than the effect of spring raking. Although the amount of removed nutrients substantially exceeded ambient nitrogen input, no changes in soil conditions were detected.</p> </sec> <sec id="avsc12180-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The season in which tree litter removal took place had a small but significant impact on the understorey vegetation, in particular affecting the germination and establishment of annual species. The large inter‐annual variation in species richness calls for a long‐term field experiment. The removal of nutrients via litter raking greatly exceeds atmospheric nutrient deposition, warranting a further investigation of litter raking as a potential tool for forest conservation.</p> </sec> </abstract>