Change in plant species composition on powerline corridor: a case study

Clear-cutting of powerline corridors (PLCs) adversely affects ecosystem function by fragmenting intact forests and supports biodiversity with the development of a structurally diverse vegetation. The study aimed to determine diversity and composition caused by clear-cutting and monitor change in species composition on the PLC passing through Research Forest of IUC Faculty of Forestry. Species composition was monitored in 10 permanent plots on the clear-cut area (over 3 years) paired on the forest edge (over 2 years) and forest interior (first year). Diversity, the cover of invasive plants, and life form traits of the sample plots were compared. Change in species composition with time was determined with redundancy analysis (RDA) for repeated measures using CANOCO 5. Open-site conditions caused by clear-cutting promoted the number of hemicryptophyte and therophyte life forms which resulted in a high species richness on the clear-cut area (167 species), followed by forest edge (117 species) and forest interior (60 species). However, species richness which showed a peak in the second year was decreased at the end of 3 years. Total cover of invasives was considerably higher on the clear-cut area (23%) compared with the forest (3.78%) and did not make a significant effect on forest interior species in narrow corridors. Clear-cutting combined with slash piling promoted the undesired vertical development of tree sprouts and Robinia pseudoacacia which shortened management rotation in a short period. However, sites dominated by shrubs such as Cistus creticus and Cistus salviifolius suppressed the development and invasion of undesirable trees.