Publication Details

Year Published

2011

Publication

Forest Ecology and Management. 262: 2070-2078.

Abstract

The role of disturbance in structuring vegetation is widely recognized; however, we are only beginning to understand the effects of multiple interacting disturbances on ecosystem recovery and development. Of particular interest is the impact of post-disturbance management interventions, particularly in light of the global controversy surrounding the effects of salvage logging on forest ecosystem recovery. Studies of salvage logging impacts have focused on the effects of post-disturbance salvage logging within the context of a single natural disturbance event. There have been no formal evaluations of how these effects may differ when followed in short sequence by a second, high severity natural disturbance. To evaluate the impact of this management practice within the context of multiple disturbances, we examined the structural and woody plant community responses of sub-boreal Pinus banksiana systems to a rapid sequence of disturbances. Specifically, we compared responses to Blowdown (B), Fire (F), Blowdown–Fire, and Blowdown–Salvage–Fire (BSF) and compared these to undisturbed control (C) stands.

Keywords

Citation

D'Amato, Anthony W.; Fraver, Shawn; Palik, Brian; Bradford, John B.; Patty, Laura. 2011. Singular and interactive effects of blowdown, salvage logging, and wildfire in sub-boreal pine systems. Forest Ecology and Management. 262: 2070-2078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.09.003.