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Updated: May 9, 2026
08:20
A Method for Quantifying Foliage-Dwelling Arthropods
Published on: October 20, 2019
Lichen conservation in heavily managed boreal forests.
Richard Troy McMullin1, Ian D Thompson, Steven G Newmaster
1Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. rmcmulli@uoguelph.ca.
Summary
Forestry practices impact lichen recovery. Herbicide use reduces lichen biomass and diversity, hindering woodland caribou habitat restoration in boreal forests.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Botany
Background:
- Lichens are vital in boreal forests, supporting long-lived species and providing food for woodland caribou.
- Sustainable forestry requires conserving ecological integrity, yet current practices like herbicide application negatively affect lichen diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess long-term lichen regeneration and recovery after logging and silvicultural treatments in boreal forests.
- To compare lichen community responses to different post-harvest treatments, including chemical herbicides.
Main Methods:
- Examined lichen regeneration in 35 mixed black spruce and jack pine stands in northern Ontario.
- Compared stands with three treatments: harvested/planted, harvested/planted/glyphosate, and harvested/planted/2,4-D.
- Analyzed lichen biomass and diversity (alpha, beta, gamma) across treatment groups.
Main Results:
- Herbicide-treated stands showed lower lichen biomass but higher beta and gamma diversity compared to non-chemical or control stands.
- Planted stands without chemical treatment had significantly greater alpha diversity than herbicide-treated or control stands.
- Silvicultural practices, especially chemical treatments, do not mimic natural wildfire disturbances for boreal lichens.
Conclusions:
- Common silvicultural practices negatively impact lichen communities, affecting woodland caribou habitat.
- Reducing chemical application is recommended in areas critical for lichen biomass and caribou recovery.
- Forest management must adapt to better support lichen regeneration and ecological integrity in boreal ecosystems.
Keywords:
24-Dcaribúcommunity structurediversidad de líquenesecological integrityestructura de la comunidadestructura del bosqueforest structureglifosfatoglyphosateintegridad ecológicalichen diversitysilvicultura sustentablesustainable silviculturewoodland caribouMore Related Videos
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