Characterizing northern white-cedar communities in harvested and unharvested lowland forests of Michigan, USA

Abstract

Understanding the complexity of forest community dynamics is essential in forest management planning and stewardship, yet lowland northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) are often managed as homogenous communities. Through this study, we defned lowland white-cedar forest community types in unharvested and harvested forest stands within the State of Michigan and examined community type associations with ecological variables. Data collected in unharvested stands revealed three whitecedar community subtypes: (1) cedar-deciduous, (2) cedar-conifer, and (3) cedar-shrub. These unharvested subtypes were dominated by white-cedar, yet characterized by diferent soils, hydrology, geochemical gradients, and associated tree species. In harvested stands, six community types were identifed: (1) aspen-fr, (2) winterberry-willow, (3) balsam fr, (4) cedar-red maple, (5) cedar-black spruce, and (6) alder-tamarack. These harvested community types were located along ecological gradients, including soil type (organic or mineral) and soil water pH. Using community types in unharvested and harvested stands, and associated ecological gradients, potential pathways of compositional transition were theorized. Findings suggest that cedar community subtype afects the likelihood of cedar regeneration and dictates the alternative species replacing cedar after harvest. These fndings and potential pathways are useful to forestry practitioners, as they highlight potential changes in tree species dominance following harvest across a range of lowland white-cedar community types, allowing refnement of silvicultural prescriptions to ensure desired outcomes.

Citation

Clark, Robin Michigiizhigookwe; Webster, Christopher R.; Kenefic, Laura S.; Kern, Christel C.; Chimner, Rodney A. 2024. Characterizing northern white-cedar communities in harvested and unharvested lowland forests of Michigan, USA. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 32(2): 327-353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-024-09979-y.