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Herbaceous Response to Type and Severity of Disturbance

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Book cover Sustaining Young Forest Communities

Part of the book series: Managing Forest Ecosystems ((MAFE,volume 21))

Abstract

The herbaceous layer varies with topographic heterogeneity and harbors the great majority of plant diversity in eastern deciduous forests. We described the interplay between disturbances, both natural and human-caused, and composition, dynamics, and diversity of herbaceous vegetation, especially those in early successional habitats. Management actions that create low to moderate disturbance intensity can promote early successional species and increase diversity and abundance in the herb layer, although sustaining communities such as open areas, savannahs, and woodlands may require intensive management to control invasive species or implement key disturbance types. A mixture of silvicultural practices along a gradient of disturbance intensity will maintain a range of stand structures and herbaceous diversity throughout the central hardwood forest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Forest Watershed Research, Otto, NC, USA

    Katherine J. Elliott

  2. Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA

    Craig A. Harper

  3. Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA

    Beverly Collins

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  1. Katherine J. Elliott
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  2. Craig A. Harper
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  3. Beverly Collins
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Correspondence to Katherine J. Elliott .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Bent Creek Experimental Forest, US Forest Service, Southern Research Sta, Brevard Road 1577, Ashville, 28806, North Carolina, USA

    Cathryn Greenberg

  2. , Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, 28734, North Carolina, USA

    Beverly Collins

  3. US Forest Service Northern Research Stat, Natural Resources Building, University of Missouri-Columbia 202, Columbia, 65211-7260, Missouri, USA

    Frank Thompson III

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Elliott, K.J., Harper, C.A., Collins, B. (2011). Herbaceous Response to Type and Severity of Disturbance. In: Greenberg, C., Collins, B., Thompson III, F. (eds) Sustaining Young Forest Communities. Managing Forest Ecosystems, vol 21. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1620-9_7

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