Natural regeneration of Picea abies on small clear-cuts in SE Norway

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2003-07, Vol.180 (1), p.199-213
• Main Author: Hanssen, Kjersti Holt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microhabitat; Microrelief; Natural regeneration; Norway spruce; Seedbed; Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00610-2

The objective was to study the influence of vegetation cover, humus depth, microrelief and distance to seed tree edge on natural regeneration of Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in five small clear-cuts on bilberry woodland in southeastern Norway. The impact of the vegetation was considered at tree different scales: at the growing point, in the nearest square decimetre around the seedlings and at a 1 m 2 scale. Most of the regeneration (95%) developed in 1996, after a rich seed year in 1995. The microhabitat was of crucial importance to seedling establishment. Litter, Sphagnum spp. and Polytrichum commune were good substrates for establishment, while areas dominated by Deschampsia flexuosa, Dicranum spp. and Pleurozium schreberi had very few seedlings. Seedling survival after five growing seasons was slightly better in litter than in Sphagnum and other mosses, but the differences were not statistically significant. Increasing humus depth had a positive influence on regeneration, probably due to shallow soils at the sites. Even though depressions covered only 4.9% of the ground, 24.1% of the seedlings occurred here. Survival was, however, lower in depressions than in the other microrelief classes. Distance to the seed tree edge had a significant influence on establishment, with more seedlings establishing close to the edge.