@article{bea6e332148d41bdbe10979335c1dc51,
title = "Understory plant diversity and composition across a postfire tree density gradient in a Siberian arctic boreal forest",
abstract = "Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) forests of the Siberian Arctic are experiencing increased wildfire activity in conjunction with climate warming. These shifts could affect postfire variation in the density and arrangement of trees and understory plant communities. To better understand how understory plant composition, abundance, and diversity vary with tree density, we surveyed understory plant communities and stand characteristics (e.g., canopy cover, active layer depth, and soil organic layer depth) within 25 stands representing a density gradient of similarly-aged larch trees that established following a 1940 fire near Cherskiy, Russia. Understory plant diversity and mean total plant abundance decreased with increased canopy cover. Canopy cover was also the most important variable affecting individual species{\textquoteright} abundances. In general, tall shrubs (e.g., Betula nana subsp. exilis) were more abundant in low-density stands with high light availability, and mosses (e.g., Sanionia spp.) were more abundant in high-density stands with low light availability. These results provide evidence that postfire variation in tree recruitment affects understory plant community composition and diversity as stands mature. Therefore, projected increases in wildfire activity in the Siberian Arctic could have cascading impacts on forest structure and composition in both overstory and understory plant communities.",
keywords = "Betula nana subsp. exilis, Cajander larch, Disturbance, Larix cajanderi, Wildfire",
author = "Paulson, {Alison K.} and Homero Pe{\~n}a and Alexander, {Heather D.} and Davydov, {Sergei P.} and Loranty, {Michael M.} and Mack, {Michelle C.} and Natali, {Susan M.}",
note = "Funding Information: Funding for this project was provided by the National Science Foundation (PLR-1304040 and PLR-1708307 to H.D. Alexander; PLR-1623764 to M.M. Loranty; PLR-1545558 and PLR-1708344 to M.C. Mack; PLR-1304007 and NSF-1044610 to S.M. Natali). This work was made possible with field assistance from Rebecca Hewitt, Xanthe Walker, Samantha Miller, Melissa Boyd, Ana Tobio, Corey Ruder, Stan Skotnicki, Sarah Ludwig, Heather Kropp, Emily Babl Plauche, Brian Izbicki, and Eric Borth. We also thank Nikita Zimov and other staff and scientists from the North-East Science Station for logistical support. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Funding Information: Funding for this project was provided by the National Science Foundation (PLR-1304040 and PLR-1708307 to H.D. Alexander; PLR-1623764 to M.M. Loranty; PLR-1545558 and PLR-1708344 to M.C. Mack; PLR-1304007 and NSF-1044610 to S.M. Natali). This work was made possible with field assistance from Rebecca Hewitt, XantheWalker, Samantha Miller, Melissa Boyd, Ana Tobio, Corey Ruder, Stan Skotnicki, Sarah Ludwig, Heather Kropp, Emily Babl Plauche, Brian Izbicki, and Eric Borth. We also thank Nikita Zimov and other staff and scientists from the North-East Science Station for logistical support. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.",
year = "2021",
doi = "10.1139/cjfr-2020-0483",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "51",
pages = "720--731",
journal = "Canadian Journal of Forest Research",
issn = "0045-5067",
publisher = "National Research Council of Canada",
number = "5",
}