Publication details
Effects of simulated historical tree litter raking on the understorey vegetation in a central European forest
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Applied vetation Science |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avsc.12180/full |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12180 |
| Field | Botany |
| Keywords | Management ochrany přírody; hrabání opadanky; diverzita rostlin |
| Description | We simulated the effect of historical tree litter removal on understorey plants and soil properties in a temperate deciduous forest. Treatments consisted of (1) tree litter removal during spring, (2) tree litter removal during autumn, or (3) no litter removal as control treatment. The treatments had a significant impact on the understorey vegetation, in particular affecting the germination and establishment of annual species, whereas endangered species were not affected. Although the amount of removed nutrients substantially exceeded ambient nitrogen input, no changes in soil conditions were detected. However, this result warrants a further investigation of litter raking as a potential tool for forest conservation. |