A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Ecological development of field corner tree plantations on arable land
Abstract The ecological development of field corner plantations on arable land in northwest Essex, UK, was studied. Forty plantations, aged between 1 and 15 years, were examined for soil nutrients, ground flora development, tree survival and natural tree regeneration. Plantation soils showed an overall increase in acidity, total nitrogen and total organic carbon compared with adjacent fields, but there was no difference in total phosphorus or potassium. Total nitrogen and organic carbon increased with age of plantation. The overall ground flora consisted of 182 species, but many occured in only a few plantations. The majority of species were competitors and ruderals. The total number of species, and the number of grassland and woodland species, increased with plantation area. Only arable weed species number was related to plantation age (negatively). Canopy closure markedly reduced the number of species in plantations. The presence of good quality hedgerows adjacent to plantations increased their species richness, especially of shade-tolerant herbs. Planted tree survival in individual plantations ranged from 32 to 98% but was generally good (mean 76%). Most losses occured in the first 9 years and were associated with competition with grasses or with adjacent hedgerows. The density of naturally sown seedlings ranged from 0 to 5667 (mean 360) ha-1. There was a correlation between age and the number of suckers, but not seedlings. More seedlings and suckers were found in plantations adjacent to good quality hedgerows.
Ecological development of field corner tree plantations on arable land
Abstract The ecological development of field corner plantations on arable land in northwest Essex, UK, was studied. Forty plantations, aged between 1 and 15 years, were examined for soil nutrients, ground flora development, tree survival and natural tree regeneration. Plantation soils showed an overall increase in acidity, total nitrogen and total organic carbon compared with adjacent fields, but there was no difference in total phosphorus or potassium. Total nitrogen and organic carbon increased with age of plantation. The overall ground flora consisted of 182 species, but many occured in only a few plantations. The majority of species were competitors and ruderals. The total number of species, and the number of grassland and woodland species, increased with plantation area. Only arable weed species number was related to plantation age (negatively). Canopy closure markedly reduced the number of species in plantations. The presence of good quality hedgerows adjacent to plantations increased their species richness, especially of shade-tolerant herbs. Planted tree survival in individual plantations ranged from 32 to 98% but was generally good (mean 76%). Most losses occured in the first 9 years and were associated with competition with grasses or with adjacent hedgerows. The density of naturally sown seedlings ranged from 0 to 5667 (mean 360) ha-1. There was a correlation between age and the number of suckers, but not seedlings. More seedlings and suckers were found in plantations adjacent to good quality hedgerows.
Ecological development of field corner tree plantations on arable land
Hughes-Clarke, Sarah A. (author) / Mason, C.F. (author)
Landscape and Urban Planning ; 22 ; 59-72
1992-01-15
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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