Effects of fine‐scale disturbances on the demography and population dynamics of the clonal moss Hylocomium splendens

摘要: 1. The boreal forest is subject to disturbance but the effects on population dynamics are poorly understood. We investigated how a prominent species of floor, clonal moss Hylocomium splendens, responded different types fine-scale disturbance. 2. Canopy gap formation was simulated in H. splendens populations by removing 50␘f bryophyte layer (Removal treatment) and herbivory clipping all its growing points (Clipped treatment). Demographic parameters were compared with an unmanipulated reference (Ref). 3. Both caused significant decrease mean segment size (particularly following clipping) increase branching rates. Branching rates Removal enhanced at architectural opportunities for branching, only Clipped segments themselves affected during 2 years 4. analysed periodic matrix model, 3-year as period, followed elasticity analysis. Ref approximately stable (growth rate, λ = 1.012), survival mature making overwhelming contribution growth rate. higher (1.740) associated elasticities branching. Clipping reduced 0.841 blocking survival, although regeneration new remnant main shoot axis after 1 year, subsequent maturation next then made major contribution. 5. Life table response experiment analyses revealed that almost demographic processes including contributed increased treatment. relatively small mainly due absence being balanced pulse year 6. conclude show good ability recover from common disturbances their environment. general mechanisms behind responses discussed.