MP754: A Literature Review of the Effects of Intensive Forestry on Forest Structure and Plant Community Composition at the Stand and Landscape Levels

Authors

Erika L. Rowland
Alan S. White
William H. Livingston

Files

Description

The effects of intensive forest management on forest structure and plant community composition are not well documented, particularly with respect to the forests in the Northeast. This review presents a six-part synthesis of the literature. The first section considers the effects of intensive forestry practices within the context of naturally regenerated stands. The second section reviews the changes associated with the planting of conifers in softwood sites, as well as those previously occupied by hardwood and mixed-wood stands. The third examines the impacts of intensive management specifically on bryophytes and lichens. The fourth section discusses changes in dead organic matter components of the stand and the fifth with the impact on tree pests. The final section views the effects of intensive forestry from the landscape-scale perspective and is followed by summary and conclusions. While this paper provides a summary of scientific information, it does not recommend policy or propose how the forest should be managed.

Document Type

Article

ISSN

1070-1508

Rights and Access Note

Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication.

Volume

754

Publication Date

11-2005

Publisher

Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station

City

Orono, Maine 04469, USA

Keywords

forestry, conifers, precommercial thinning

Disciplines

Forest Biology | Forest Management

Recommended Citation

Rowland, Ericka L., Alan S. White, and William H. Livingston. 2005. A Literature Review of the Eff ects of Intensive Forestry on Forest Structure and Plant Community Composition at the Stand and Landscape Levels. Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Miscellaneous Publication 754.