Passive restoration of second-growth mixed fir stands: An alternative for the conservation old growth mixed fir stands.

摘要

Currently used logging methods have a tendency to decrease the proportion of old-growth forests and fragment the landscape with adverse effects on some animal groups using these habitats. When the landscape comprises few old- growth forests, conservation strategies could consider some stands with good ecological restoration potential to address this conservation issue. We analysed the structure and biodiversity of second-growth mixed fir stands affected by a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) outbreak from 1974 to 1986 for their similarities to those of old-growth mixed fir forests. Three structural criteria were analysed and two groups known to contain species typical of old-growth forests were considered: nonvascular plants and saprophytic fungi and forest birds. Second-growth fir stands show structural characteristics similar to those of old-growth mixed fir stands and include species belonging to indicator groups of old-growth forests. Consequently, the second-growth mixed fir stands that we studied are resilient and have the restoration potential of old-growth forests. [Journal translation]