Effect of site preparation under shelterwood on Norway spruce seedlings

ABSTRACT

The effect of site preparation (mixed mounding and removal of the humus layer) under a shelterwood of mixed boreal forest along a forest interior-edge gradient on Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings was studied two years after planting. Mounds had a positive effect on root development, ectomycorrhiza formation and the absorption of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the seedlings, and augmented their survival, growth and biomass. Humus removal had an adverse effect on the root biomass and ectomycorrhiza formation. A decreased soil fertility after the removal of humus led to a low N and P content in the seedlings. Two years after planting, humus removal had not affected the growth of the seedlings, but reduced their biomass. The influence of the forest edge, compared to the interior plot, was mostly associated with a decrease in the stand density, reduced amount of litter and increased light availability for the seedlings.

KEYWORDS:

• Site preparation
• shelterwood
• Picea abies
• boreal forest
• growth
• survival

Acknowledgements

The research was carried out using the equipment of the Core Facility of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Forest Research Institute).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The reported study was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project number 20-04-00485 and by state order to the Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences.