Woody plant composition of forest layers: the importance of environmental conditions and spatial configuration |
| |
Authors: | Maya Gonzalez Marc Deconchat and Gérard Balent |
| |
Institution: | (1) INRA, UMR 1201 DYNAFOR, Chemin de Borde Rouge, BP 52627, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan Cedex, France;(2) Present address: ENITAB, UMR 1220 TCEM, 1 cours du Général de Gaulle, CS 40201, 33175 Gradignan Cedex, France |
| |
Abstract: | The species–environment relationships for woody species may vary according to the forest layers considered. In fragmented
forest, spatial configuration may also influence forest layer composition. We investigated the relationships between four
forest layer compositions and environmental conditions, and spatial variables accounting for forest fragmentation, in 59 forest
stands. Field and shrub layer compositions were mainly linked to environmental conditions, particularly to soil pH and slope
aspect, while the upper layer compositions were principally correlated to the spatial configuration. The distance from the
forest edge was correlated with all the forest layer compositions. Our results suggest that woody species respond to factors
acting at different spatial and temporal scales, depending on the forest layer they belong to. The species–environment relationship
seems to weaken from the lower to upper layer, the upper layer being more closely linked to the spatial configuration and
probably to the past management. This study underlines the importance of taking spatial configuration in addition to environmental
conditions into account when studying woody plant diversity for different forest layers in stands located in deciduous fragmented
forests. Moreover, stand history seems to have a lasting effect on woody plant composition, particularly for the tree layer. |
| |
Keywords: | Coppice-with-standards Land-use history Fragmented forest Slope aspect Soil pH South-western France |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|