A comparison of gap characteristics in mixedwood old-growth forests in eastern and western Quebec
2005
Messier, J. | Kneeshaw, D. | Bouchard, M. | de Romer, A.
Canopy gaps play an important role in the dynamics of old-growth forests, although it is not well known how gap dynamics differ among regions. To further our understanding of natural gap dynamics in mixedwood forests, this study compares mixed stands located in eastern (Gaspesie region) and western (Temiscamingue region) Quebec. We tested whether the gap fraction in mixedwood stands was similar in these two regions. Data from field transects were used to characterize current canopy gaps, and aerial photos were used to contrast gap characteristics before and after the most recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreak, which occurred from 1973 to 1991 in Gaspesie and from 1972 to 1984 in Temiscamingue. The current gap fraction was found to differ between the two regions: it varied from 2% to 48% with an average of 25.6% for the Gaspesie region and from 24% to 52% with an average of 36.6% for the Temiscamingue region. While the last spruce budworm outbreak coincided with a significant increase in canopy openings in the Temiscamingue region (p = 0.047), no such effect was observed in Gaspesie. These results suggest that the temporal pattern of small-scale disturbances can vary among regions, even when similar forest types are compared.
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