Effects of thinning In a water-limited holm oak forest
Langue
en
Article de revue
Ce document a été publié dans
Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 2020-05-18, vol. 39, n° 4, p. 365-378
Taylor & Francis
Résumé en anglais
A natural holm oak forest was selectively thinned to test thinning as a tool to reduce tree mortality, increase productivity, and reverse the recent regression of the dominant species (Quercus ilex) induced by climate ...Lire la suite >
A natural holm oak forest was selectively thinned to test thinning as a tool to reduce tree mortality, increase productivity, and reverse the recent regression of the dominant species (Quercus ilex) induced by climate change. Thinning increased aboveground productivity and reduced stem mortality in this Mediterranean forest during four years just after thinning, contributing to the maintenance of forest functioning under changing climatic conditions. Q. ilex was the only species positively affected by the thinning: stem growth increased for all stem sizes, and mortality was significantly lower in thinned plots. On the contrary, mortality rates of Phillyrea latifolia and Arbutus unedo were not significantly lower. Stem growth increased for P. latifolia only in the smallest stem-size class. Our results highlight the suitability of selective thinning for improving the forest productivity and ensuring the conservation of Mediterranean coppices. Other benefits of selective thinning, such as a decrease in the risk of fire dispersion and an increase in the water supply for human populations, are also discussed.< Réduire
Mots clés
Chêne vert Quercus ilex L
Phillyrea latifolia
Arbutus unedo L
Mots clés en anglais
Changement climatique
Origine
Importé de halUnités de recherche