Effects of simulated historical tree litter raking on the understorey vegetation in a central European forest.

ABSTRACT:

Question

What is the impact of simulated historical tree litter removal on understorey plants and soil properties in a temperate deciduous forest? What is the role of seasonal timing of tree litter removal on understorey plants?

Location

Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic.

Methods

We conducted an experiment in a randomized complete block design of 45 plots (5 × 5 m). Each block (N = 15) consisted of one plot for each of the three treatments. Treatments consisted of (i) tree litter removal during spring, (ii) tree litter removal during autumn, or (iii) no litter removal as control treatment. These treatments were repeated for a duration of four years. In each plot we recorded the understorey plant species composition and collected soil samples prior to treatment (yea

SUBMITTER: Vild O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5726490 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature