Jr. Prezio et al., Effects of alternative conifer release treatments on terrestrial gastropods in regenerating spruce plantations, CAN J FORES, 29(7), 1999, pp. 1141-1148
Citations number
47
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH-REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE FORESTIERE
This study examined changes in terrestrial gastropod density and species co
mposition in the second and third years after the application of conifer re
lease treatments in regenerating spruce plantations. Data were collected mo
nthly from June to September during the summers of 1995 and 1996 from four
conifer release treatments (herbicides (Vision(R) and Release(R)); motor-ma
nual clearing (brushsaw); and mechanical clearing (Silvana Selective or For
d Versatile)) and an untreated control on each of four replicate blocks. A
total of 15 083 terrestrial gastropods, comprising 18 genera and 21 species
, was collected using cardboard sheets over the 2 years. Gastropod densitie
s in untreated control areas were 50-60% greater than those in treated area
s, in 1995 and 1996 (p = 0.033 and p = 0.0007, respectively). The greatest
differences in densities among individual treatments were evident in the th
ird summer following treatments (1996; p = 0.004). Declines may be attribut
able to decreased litter deposition and changed near-ground microclimate on
the treated sites. Gastropod densities in nonchemical, cutting treatments
started to recover more quickly than those in herbicide-treated sites.