The colonization of young fire initiated stands by the crustose lichen Trapeliopsis granulosa and its potential effect on conifer establishment and stand succession

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The resilience of closed-crown coniferous stands within the boreal forest of North America is highly dependent on successful re-establishment of tree species following fire. A shift from closed-crown forest to open lichen woodland is possible following poor natural regeneration during the initial establishment phase, followed by the development of extensive lichen cover, which may hinder ongoing recruitment. We examined the development of the crustose lichen Trapeliopsis granulosa (Hoffm.) 18 to 21 years following fire within six sites in the boreal forest of northwestern Quebec, and explored its potential to affect ongoing recruitment during early successional stages of stand development. Germination and survivorship trials were conducted within the laboratory to determine the establishment rate of Pinus banksiana Lamb. (jack pine) on T. granulosa, mineral soil, and burnt duff under two separate watering frequencies (observed and drought). Survival and establishment rates of jack pine were highest on burnt duff, and poor on both T. granulosa and mineral soil. Under the drought treatment, no seedlings survived on any substrates. In the field, T. granulosa cover had a positive relationship with mineral soil cover, and negative relationships with duff cover, ericaceous shrub cover, organic layer depth, other lichen cover, and Sphagnum moss cover. No discernable relationship was found between T. granulosa and tree density, rock cover, dead wood cover or other moss cover. The development of extensive T. granulosa cover in fire-initiated stands can impede ongoing recruitment of conifer species due to its poor seedbed quality, thereby maintaining open forests. forest ecology, lichen woodland, Pinus banksiana, Trapeliopsis granulosa, establishment, stand succession, SOUTHERN BOREAL FOREST, PICEA-MARIANA, BLACK SPRUCE, PINUS-BANKSIANA, JACK PINE, CLIMATE-CHANGE, POPULUS-TREMULOIDES, DOMINATED SYSTEMS, POSTFIRE SALVAGE, SEED MASS
Author:
Splawinski T., Gauthier S., Fenton N., Houle D. & Bergeron Y.
Year:
2018
Journal:
Silva Fennica
Pages:
52(1): 1-18
Pdf:
1
Id:
35371
Submitter:
jph
Post_time:
Tuesday, 02 May 2023 13:43