Effects of an intense ice storm on the structure of a northern hardwood forest

A major ice storm in January 1998 provided an opportunity to study the effects of a rare, intense distur- bance on the structure of the northern hardwood forest canopy. Canopy damage was assessed using visual damage classes within watersheds of different ages at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) and changes in leaf area index in two of these watersheds. Ice thickness was measured, and ice loads of trees were estimated using regression equations. In the 60- to 120-year-old forests (mean basal area 26 m 2 ·ha -1 ), damage was greatest in trees >30 cm diam- eter at breast height and at elevations above 600 m. Of the dominant tree species, beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) was the most damaged, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) was the most resistant, and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) was intermediate. Trees with advanced beech bark disease experienced heavier ice damage. Little damage occurred in the 14-year-old forest, while the 24- to 28-year-old forest experienced intense damage. In the young stands of this forest, damage was greatest between 600 and 750 m, in trees on steep slopes and near streams, and among pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.). Recovery of the canopy was tracked over three growing seasons, and root growth was monitored 1 year after the storm. Because of the high density of advance regeneration from beech bark disease and root sprouting potential in ice-damaged beech, HBEF will likely see an increase in beech abundance in older forests as a result of the storm. There will also be a more rapid change from pioneer species to mature north- ern hardwoods in the younger forests. These predictions illustrate the ability of rare disturbances to increase heteroge- neity of forest structure and composition in this ecosystem, especially through interactions with other disturbances. Resume : En janvier 1998, une importante tempete de verglas a fourni une occasion d'etudier les effets d'une perturba- tion rare et severe sur la structure du couvert dans une foret de feuillus nordiques. Les dommages subis par le couvert ont ete evalues visuellement a l'aide de classes de dommages dans des bassins d'âge different situes a la foret experi-

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