Changes in down dead wood volume across a chronosequence of silvicultural openings in southern Indiana forests

Abstract

The volume and decay stages of down dead wood were evaluated across a chronosequence of 46 silvicultural openings and 10 uncut control stands to determine how down dead wood volume changes with stand development. Openings ranged in age from 8 to 26 years and were divided into three age groups: (1) < 12 years, (2) 12-16 years, and (3) > 16 years. Individual logs were assigned to 5 decay stages ranging from freshly fallen (stage 1) to near total decomposition (stage 5). The volumes of down dead wood in age groups 1 and 2 were greater than that of the control plots (80-100 years old) and decreased with increasing stand age, This trend held true for both large and small diameter material. Down dead wood from decay stages 1 and 5 was scarce in all opening age groups. Age group 1 and 2 plots contained significantly greater volumes of moderately decayed material (decay stages 3 and 4) than the control stands. These findings and those of other researchers suggest that after an initial post-cutting pulse of down dead wood, volume decreases steadily throughout the first 26 years after cutting and levels off at 80 years. Comparison with other research suggests that mid-successional stands, such as the control stands in this study, have greatly reduced down dead volume compared to old growth stands.

Citation

Jenkins, Michael A.; Parker, George R. 1997. Changes in down dead wood volume across a chronosequence of silvicultural openings in southern Indiana forests. In: Pallardy, Stephen G.; Cecich, Robert A.; Garrett, H. Gene; Johnson, Paul S., eds. Proceedings of the 11th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-188. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 162-169