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Abstract
In severely burned plantations, dynamics of (1) shrub, herbaceous, and cryptogam richness; (2) cover; (3) topographic, overstory, and site influences were characterized on two contrasting aspects 2 to 4 years following fire. Analysis of variance was used to examine change in structural layer richness and cover over time. Non-metric multidimensional scaling, multi-response permutation procedure, and indicator species analysis were used to evaluate changes in community composition over time. Vegetation established rapidly following wildfire in burned plantations, following an initial floristics model of succession among structural layers. Succession within structural layers followed a combination of initial and relay floristic models. Succession occurred simultaneously within and among structural layers following wildfire, but at different rates and with different drivers. Stochastic (fire severity and site history) and deterministic (species life history traits, topography, and predisturbance plant community) factors determined starting points of succession. Multiple successional trajectories were evident in early succession.
Keywords
aspect,
bryophytes,
cryptogams,
early seral,
fire severity,
initial floristics,
managed forests,
mixed conifer forest,
mixed severity fire,
Pacific Northwest,
plant community,
relay floristics,
succession
Citation
Kayes, Lori J.; Anderson, Paul D.; Puettmann, Klaus J. 2010. Vegetation succession among and within structural layers following wildfire in managed forests. Journal of Vegetation Science. 21: 233-247.
