Short-term Effects of Harvest Technique and Mechanical Site Preparation on Arthropod Communities in Jack Pine Plantations

摘要: Arthropods play a key role in the functioning of forest ecosystems and contribute to biological diversity. However, influence current silvicultural practices on arthropod communities is little known jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forests, type comprising major portion Canadian boreal forest. In this study, effects treatments were compared identify those that minimize ecological impacts arthropods. The harvesting techniques mechanical site preparations insect family richness abundance arthropods (total, by orders trophic groups) was examined young (three-year-old) plantations northern Ontario. Each following conducted three plots: (1) tree length harvest trenching; (2) full (3) blading; (4) no preparation. collected using sweepnets pitfall traps over two years. Blading significantly reduced richness, total arthropods, Orthoptera, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, larvae, plant feeders when other treatments. use either or had similar short-term Arthropod diversity declined with increasing post-harvest disturbance. These results suggest understory ground are most sites mechanically prepared blading, but under conditions immediately harvesting. implications for regenerating discussed.