Changes in stand structure and species diversity following clearcutting in central Appalachian hardwoods

The clearcutting of second-growth Appalachian hardwood forests may cause a reduction in species diversity of the new cohort. This study measured changes in species composition, diversity, and stand structural characteristics following clearcutting of a second-growth hardwood forest. To evaluate the temporal changes in importance of central Appalachian hardwood tree species, thirteen clearcuts on good excellent sites in West Virginia were inventoried before harvesting and 2--26 years after harvesting. Shannon-Weaver's diversity index (H'), Pielou's evenness index (E), and species richness (S) were calculated before and after clearcutting. Species diversity and evenness has decreased, and species richness has remained stable following clearcutting. Species such as Liriodendron tulipifera, Betula lenta , and Robinia pseudoacacia increased in importance in the postharvest stands, whereas Quercus rubra, Carya spp., and Fagus grandifolia decreased. The overstory of the future stand will be dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera and Tilia americana, and the understory will be primarily Acer saccharum.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wood Science and Technology

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Brashears, Mark Benjamin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Ann Fajvan.

• Forestry
• Environmental science
• Ecology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1151

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2154