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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 1998

Presence and abundance of four epiphytic bryophytes in relation to density of aspen (Populus tremula) and other stand characteristics

Hazell, Per; Kellner, Olle; Rydin, Håkan; Gustafsson, Lena

Abstract

The influence of the local density of aspen on the presence and abundance of four epiphytic bryophytes was investigated in four mixed forest stands in Central Sweden, each about 30 ha and aged 70-120 yr. Cover of the bryophytes Nyholmiella obtusifolia, Orthotrichum speciosum, Pylaisia polyantha and Radula complanata (the four most frequent aspen-specific epiphytic bryophytes in this region) was recorded on the bark of 155 systematically sampled aspen stems. Ln circular plots with 10 m radius surrounding each sampled aspen, information on ground vegetation, soil moisture and stand density was collected. in these plots, and also in plots with 5 m and 20 m radius, stem number and diameters of aspen trees were recorded together with an observation of the presence/absence of the four bryophytes. There was no general and consistent relation between aspen density and presence or abundance of the studied bryophytes. Site, host aspen diameter and forest stand structures were mole important for the bryophytes. The site factor explained more of the Variation than any of the studied variables. All species except N. obtusifolia were favoured by a large diameter of the host tree, and the density of the surrounding forest stand had a positive effect on the cover of Pyl. polyantha and R. complanata. The practical implications of the results are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords

conservation biology; forest operations; forest stand structure; mixed hemi-boreal forest

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
1998, Volume: 107, number: 1-3, pages: 147-158
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

    SLU Authors

    • Hazell, Per

      • Department of Forest Yield Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Kellner, Olle

        • Department of Ecology and Environmental Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

        • UKÄ Subject classification

        Forest Science
        Ecology

        Publication Identifiers

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(97)00330-7

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/51796