Recruitment, mortality and growth in semi-arid conifer-eucalypt forest: Small trees insure against fire and drought.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Well-managed semi-arid forests help offset global change by storing significant amounts of carbon above- and belowground and maintaining hydrological cycles. Larger trees have been the focus of many studies due to their carbon storage and habitat quality, yet recruitment and small trees are important components of ecosystem resilience and recovery. Here, we study the impacts of disturbances (including harvesting) on recruitment, mortality and growth for a mixed conifer-broadleaf semi-arid forest type using long-term data.

Location

Pilliga Forest in New South Wales, inland eastern Australia.

Taxon

Callitris-Eucalyptus forests.

Methods

We used data from permanent sample plots (PSPs) spanning 55 years, calculated stand structure, gains and losses and de

SUBMITTER: Neumann M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10107837 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature