Forest plant community response following clearcutting, fire, and simulated blowdown, in a boreal mixedwood forest in northwestern Ontario

grantor: University of TorontoThe following study was undertaken to examine plant re-establishment following clearcutting, fire, clearcutting and fire, and blowdown and fire in relation to prior vegetation, soil characteristics, ash deposition, and fire severity. Immediately following the fire (May 1996), ash nutrient composition, organic duff reduction, and woody fuel consumption were recorded. In addition, vegetation cover was collected prior to treatment, and for two years following the fire. Using univariate and multivariate techniques, the response of emergent vegetation to the pre-disturbance vegetation, experimental disturbance type, fire severity, and ash and soil nutrient content are examined. Differences in species composition were evident among the burned, unburned and control treatments. At the plot level, the species composition was primarily explained by the type of experimental disturbance, prior vegetation, and fire severity. At the local level, post-fire vegetation was best explained by the post fire soil characteristics. Fire severity was found to be significantly different among the treatments.M.Sc.F