Tropical Cyclone Disturbances Induce Contrasting Impacts on Forest Structure, Plant Composition, and Soil Properties in Temperate Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests

0560049 - BÚ 2023 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Černý, T. - Doležal, Jiří - Petřík, Petr - Šrůtek, M. - Song, J.-S. - Altman, Jan
Tropical Cyclone Disturbances Induce Contrasting Impacts on Forest Structure, Plant Composition, and Soil Properties in Temperate Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests.
Forests. Roč. 13, č. 7 (2022), č. článku 1033. E-ISSN 1999-4907
R&D Projects: GA ČR GJ20-05840Y; GA ČR(CZ) GA21-26883S
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : disturbances * boreal forests * diversity changes
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 2.9, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https:// doi.org/10.3390/f13071033

Knowledge of forest recovery processes after severe disturbances, such as tropical cyclones, is essential for understanding the mechanisms maintaining forest diversity and ecosystem functioning. However, studies examining the impact of tropical cyclones on forest dynamics are still rare, especially in Northeast Asia. Here, we explore the complex responses of vegetation and soil chemistry to severe tropical cyclone disturbances in Hallasan National Park in South Korea. Vegetation and soil were examined five years before and five years after passages of tropical cyclones in 2012 in natural broadleaf and coniferous forests along an elevation gradient from 950 to 1770 m a.s.l., including the largest population of endemic Abies koreana. Tropical cyclones caused abundant tree mortality, resulting in a 46% decrease in stem basal area. Tropical cyclone disturbances triggered the spread of pioneer trees and shrubs and intense clonal propagation of graminoids, including dwarf bamboo, resulting in less diverse understory vegetation, especially in coniferous forests. In contrast, broadleaf forests at lower elevations experienced only minor disturbance. Opening of canopies after tropical cyclone disturbance led to the decrease in soil cations and doubling of available soil phosphorus stock, which likely contributed to the increased coverage of clonal graminoids, especially in coniferous forests (from 36 to 66%). Hence, increased competition of graminoids and reduction in seed fall and seedling recruitment prevented A. koreana regeneration.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0334550