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Understorey Vegetation Stability and Dynamics in Unmanaged Boreal Forests Along a Deposition Gradient in Sweden

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate spatial patterns and temporal changes in understorey vegetation at four forest catchments forming a depositional gradient. Inventories of the bottom and field layers were carried out in the 1990s and repeated after 5–14 years, depending on catchment. It was hypothesized that changes and patterns in ground vegetation would be related to changes and patterns in N and S deposition. The data were analyzed using Ellenberg indices and multivariate methods. All catchments showed temporal changes in species composition. Analyses of the bottom layer were confounded by a change of field staff, but after accounting for this observer effect, differences in species composition between the catchments remained. Within catchments, the changes in species composition were unrelated to N or S deposition. Relationships between environmental factors, expressed as Ellenberg indices, and compositional patterns differed between catchments although Ellenberg indices showed small temporal changes.

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Acknowledgments

Tommy Pettersson is thanked for his zealous and careful field work. Richard K. Johnson and anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments on the manuscript. The monitoring program and this study were financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

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  1. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    Ulf Grandin

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  1. Ulf Grandin
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Correspondence to Ulf Grandin.

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Grandin, U. Understorey Vegetation Stability and Dynamics in Unmanaged Boreal Forests Along a Deposition Gradient in Sweden. AMBIO 40, 867–877 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-011-0206-9

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