Journal
PLANT BIOSYSTEMS
Volume 143, Issue 1, Pages 190-200Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/11263500802709699
Keywords
Ellenberg indices; forest management; functional traits; permutational multivariate analysis of variance; taxonomic diversity
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
To investigate the differences in understorey composition and diversity between old-growth and managed forests, we analyzed an old-growth and a managed beech stand in the same area displaying similar abiotic features. We considered variations in understorey species composition and richness. The sampled understorey species were characterized in terms of functional traits, Ellenberg's indicator values and taxonomic distinctness; next, we calculated four different pairwise plot-to-plot dissimilarity matrices based on species composition, functional traits, Ellenberg's indices and taxonomic distances. We applied a permutational multivariate extension of ANOVA to test whether the forest stands significantly differ in the considered features. Indicator values of all plant species in managed and old-growth stands were evaluated. The old-growth forest had a higher species richness; permutational analysis of variance showed significant differences between the two stands in plant species composition, functional traits, Ellenberg indices and taxonomic distances. Indicator species analysis highlighted 14 indicator species for the unmanaged stand, while only 3 indicators were found for the managed one. The results suggest that forest management determines ecological differences that strongly affect plant species composition. The knowledge of natural stands dynamics could allow development of new approaches and practices in forest management focusing on biodiversity conservation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available