A fragmentação e a perda de habitat são atualmente as principais ameaças à biodiversidade e funcionamento dos ecossistemas florestais. Em florestas tropicais fragmentadas e degradadas, tem sido observado um aumento na densidade, biomassa e na produtividade das comunidades de trepadeiras. Trepadeiras competem com árvores por recursos acima e abaixo do solo, e quando estão hiperabundantes podem alterar a estrutura e composição de espécies dos fragmentos florestais, bem como pode representar um filtro ecológico que mantém a regeneração natural estagnada por décadas. Especialmente nas bordas florestais, as trepadeiras têm se tornado hiperabundantes, mas as suas relações com as árvores e a regeneração natural nas bordas dos fragmentos florestais não são bem conhecidas. Diante disso, o objetivo desta tese foi verificar como trepadeiras em hiperabundância se relacionam com a comunidade arbustivo-arbórea e a regeneração natural em bordas de fragmentos florestais inseridos em paisagens agrícolas, analisar os possíveis desdobramentos dessas relações para a estrutura e composição de espécies nessas bordas e testar o manejo de trepadeiras como ferramenta de restauração da regeneração natural. Para a realização do presente estudo, foram selecionados três fragmentos de floresta estacional semidecídua, que apresentavam visivelmente trepadeiras em hiperabundância em suas bordas. A fim de analisar as relações entre trepadeiras, árvores e a regeneração natural, foram instaladas na borda de cada fragmento, oito parcelas permanentes de 150m2 (10mx15m), 24 parcelas ao todo, onde foram amostradas todas as árvores (DAP >= 5cm). Para o levantamento de trepadeiras, foi alocada uma subparcela de 50m2 (5mx10m) e a regeneração natural foi amostrada em três subparcelas de 4m2 (2mx2m). Foram calculadas variáveis descritoras dos três grupos amostrados, que foram correlacionadas entre si para investigar padrões nessas relações. Posteriormente, foi feita uma análise descritiva da estrutura e composição dessas bordas florestais com trepadeiras em hiperabundância. Para testar o efeito do manejo de trepadeiras em hiperabundância na regeneração natural, foi instalado um experimento de manejo, com corte total de todas as trepadeiras em metade das parcelas permanentes, a outra metade foi controle. As respostas do recrutamento, crescimento em altura, riqueza e composição da regeneração natural foi avaliada um ano após o manejo de trepadeiras. O presente trabalho traz em seu primeiro capítulo uma introdução sobre o papel ecológico das trepadeiras, suas relações com a estrutura de florestas e seu potencial para estagnar a sucessão florestal em fragmentos degradados, traz também o delineamento experimental geral. Nós investigamos no segundo capítulo, as relações entre trepadeiras em hiperabundância, árvores e a regeneração natural e fizemos uma análise descritiva da estrutura e composição de bordas florestais com trepadeiras em hiperabundância, inseridas em paisagem agrícola. No terceiro capítulo, nós demonstramos os efeitos iniciais do manejo de trepadeiras no recrutamento, crescimento em altura, riqueza e composição de espécies na regeneração natural. Trazemos também uma análise do rendimento operacional em função da densidade prévia de trepadeiras. Nós encontramos que a densidade de trepadeiras pequenas (<=2.5cm de diâmetro) e a proporção de árvores que apresentam ocupação severa da copa por trepadeiras (>=75%), têm relação negativa com a estrutura da comunidade arbórea e com a regeneração natural. Já a densidade de trepadeiras grandes (>2.5cm) tem relação positiva com características de floresta madura (maior biomassa e projeção da copa no solo, por exemplo). A estrutura predominante nas bordas estudadas inclui densidades altíssimas de trepadeiras (parcelas com até 78 trepadeiras/árvore) e mais de 80% dos indivíduos com as copas ocupadas por trepadeiras onde, em média, metade dessas árvores apresentam ocupação severa e a regeneração natural está comprometida. Nossos resultados ressaltam evidências que trepadeiras em hiperabundância podem contribuir com a degradação da estrutura da comunidade arbórea e com a supressão da regeneração natural nas bordas florestais. O manejo de trepadeiras proporcionou aumento no recrutamento e na diversidade da regeneração natural já no primeiro de avaliação. Também houve uma tendência de efeito positivo no crescimento em altura de espécies não pioneiras. Essa ação de manejo de trepadeiras em fragmentos florestais degradados é mais rentável comparada a técnicas convencionais de restauração ecológica (plantio de mudas para o reflorestamento de áreas que foram totalmente desmatadas, por exemplo), que são amplamente adotadas no país, indicando ser uma opção economicamente viável. Ao testar o manejo de trepadeiras, reconhecemos que essa prática é útil para a restauração da regeneração natural em bordas florestais com trepadeiras em hiperabundância e, consequentemente, para a retomada da sucessão florestal em fragmentos florestais degradados inseridos em paisagens agrícolas. / Fragmentation and loss of habitat are currently the main threats to the biodiversity and functioning of forest ecosystems. In fragmented and degraded tropical forests, there has been an increase in density, biomass and productivity of climbing communities. Climbers compete with trees for above and below ground resources, and when they are overabundant, they can alter the structure and composition of forest fragments, as well as represent an ecological filter that keeps natural regeneration arrested for decades. Especially on forest edges, climbing plants have become overabundant, but their relationships with trees and natural regeneration at the edges of forest fragments are not well known. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to verify how overabundant climbers relate to the shrub-tree community and natural regeneration on forest edges of fragments inserted in agricultural landscapes, to analyze the possible unfolding of these relationships for the structure and species composition on edges and to test the management of climbing plants as a tool to restore natural regeneration. For the accomplishment of the present study, three fragments of semideciduous seasonal forest were selected, that one visibly presented overabundant climbers in in its edges. In order to analyze the relationships between climber plants, trees and natural regeneration, eight permanent plots of 150m2 (10mx15m), 24 plots in total, were sampled on the edge of each fragment, where all trees (DAP >= 5cm) were sampled. A subplot of 50m2 (5mx10m) was allocated for climber plants samples, and natural regeneration was sampled in three subplots of 4m2 (2mx2m). Descriptive variables were calculated from the three sampled groups, which were correlated with each other to investigate patterns in these relationships. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was made of the structure and composition of these forest edges with hyperabundant climbers. To test the effect of the management of overabundant climbers on natural regeneration, a management experiment was installed, with a total cut of all climbers in half of the permanent plots, four plots, the other half was control. The responses of recruitment, growth in height, richness and composition of natural regeneration was evaluated one year after the management. This work presents in its first chapter an introduction on the ecological role of climbers, their relationships with the forest structure and their potential to stagnate the forest succession in degraded fragments, also brings the general experimental design. We investigated in the second chapter, the relationships between hyperabundant climbers, trees and natural regeneration, and we did a descriptive analysis of the structure and composition of forest edges inserted in agricultural landscape with overabundant climbers. In the third chapter, we demonstrate the initial effects of management of climbers on recruitment, growth in height, richness, and species composition in natural regeneration. We also present an analysis of the operational performance in function of the previous density of climbers. We found that the density of small climber plants (<=2.5cm in diameter) and the proportion of trees with severe crown occupancy by climbers (>=75%) are negatively related to tree structure and natural regeneration. However, the density of large climbers (> 2.5 cm) has a positive relation with mature forest characteristics (greater biomass and crown projection in the soil, for example). The predominant structure in the studied forest edges includes very high densities of climbers (plots with up to 78 climbers / tree) and more than 80% of individuals with crown occupied by climbers where, on average, half of these trees are severely occupied and natural regeneration is compromised. Our results highlight evidence that hyperabundant climbers can contribute to the degradation of the tree community structure and the suppression of natural regeneration at the forest edges. The management of climbers provided an increase in recruitment and in the diversity of natural regeneration in the first-year evaluation. There was also a trend of positive effect on growth in height of non-pioneer species. This action of management of climbers in degraded forest fragments is more profitable compared to the conventional techniques of ecological restoration (planting seedlings for the reforestation of areas that have been totally deforested, for example), that are widely adopted in the country, indicating that it is economically viable. In testing the management of climbers, we recognize that this practice is useful for the restoration of natural regeneration on forest edges with overabundant climbers and, consequently, for the resumption of forest succession in degraded forest fragments inserted in agricultural landscapes.

A escassez hídrica devido às baixas vazões e problemas de captação de água são objeto de debates e conflitos na bacia hidrográfica do rio Piracicaba. A restauração florestal é tida como uma alternativa para a minimização destes conflitos. No entanto, as florestas modificam significativamente os processos hidrológicos, influenciando a dinâmica da água na bacia hidrográfica. Portanto, a fim de se obter disponibilidade hídrica a longo prazo, é necessário identificar as áreas aptas para a restauração florestal, onde os efeitos sejam positivos para os recursos hídricos. Dentro deste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo utilizar um modelo hídrico climático distribuído para espacializar as características hídricas e climáticas favoráveis, ou não, à restauração florestal. Para isto, foi utilizada a bacia hidrográfica do rio Piracicaba como área de estudo (12.500 km2). Foram obtidos dados mensais normais de precipitação, temperatura, radiação solar, topografia e capacidade de armazenamento de água no solo, distribuídos espacialmente na bacia hidrográfica. A partir destas informações, foi calculado o balanço hídrico climático distribuído (BHCD) através da ferramenta \"Water Balance\", que calcula a evapotranspiração potencial e real, o déficit e o excedente hídrico em um ambiente SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas). Os resultados foram comparados com o balanço hídrico climático (BHC), tradicional ou pontual, e uma análise estatística de agrupamentos de áreas com características hidrológicas semelhantes foi realizada. A divisão da bacia hidrográfica em classes (ou grupos) com características semelhantes permite compreender a sensibilidade natural das áreas e possíveis efeitos na disponibilidade hídrica. A capacidade de determinar, em diferentes escalas de estudo, a dinâmica dos recursos hídricos possibilitou melhores condições de análise diante da heterogeneidade natural da bacia hidrográfica. Os dados gerados permitiram identificar áreas onde as recomendações locais podem ser feitas com base nas variáveis do balanço hídrico. Dessa forma, a espacialização das variáveis e o agrupamento por características hidrológicas são ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas em projetos de restauração florestal, uma vez que podem subsidiar decisões a respeito das áreas mais favoráveis a restauração florestal. / Water shortage due to low flows and water basin capitation problems are subject of debates and conflicts in Piracicaba river basin. Forest restoration is an alternative to minimize these conflicts. However, forests significantly modify the hydrological processes, influencing the dynamics of the water in the watershed. Therefore, in order to obtain water availability in the long term, it is necessary to identify suitable areas for forest restoration, where effects are positive for water resources. In this context, this study aimed at using a climatic model water to spatialize the water features and favorable climate, or not, to forest restoration. For this purpose, the Piracicaba river basin was used as study area (12,500 km2). Monthly data were obtained from precipitation, temperature, solar radiation, topography, and water storage capacity in the soil. Trough these data, distributed climatic water balance was calculated by the Water Balance tool, integrated in a GIS (Geographic Information System) which calculates the potential and actual evapotranspiration, deficit and the surplus water. Results were compared with traditional climatic water balance. Later statistical analyses was performed to identify areas with similar hydrological characteristics. This division of the watershed into classes (or groups) with similar characteristics allows us to understand the natural sensitivity of the areas and possible effects on water availability. The ability to determine, in different study scales, the dynamics of water resources, has enabled better analysis of conditions on the natural heterogeneity of the basin. Raised info has identified areas where local recommendations can be made based on the variables of water balance. Thus, spatial distribution of variables and grouping by hydrological characteristics are tools that can be used in forest restoration projects as it can subsidize decisions regarding the most favorable areas for forest restoration.

Originalmente, o estado de São Paulo tinha 87% de sua área ocupada por Floresta Atlântica e o uso de suas terras resultou numa redução de aproximadamente 90% de sua área original. Com o objetivo de manter os serviços ambientais providos pelas florestas urge restaurar parte da vegetação perdida com o plantio de árvores nativas para acelerar a sucessão secundária. Depois do plantio, porém, é necessário que vários processos ecológicos se reestabeleçam para que o novo ecossistema se perpetue. A queda da serapilheira e a sua decomposição tem um papel importante no funcionamento dos ecossistemas porque enriquecem o solo e retornam nutrientes para as próprias árvores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a queda e a decomposição da serapilheira e verificar as mudanças nas comunidades de artrópodos edáficos e epígeos que possam estar relacionadas às alterações temporais no processo de decomposição numa floresta restaurada. O estudo foi conduzido em um remanescente de floresta estacional semidecidual e em duas áreas de idades diferentes de uma floresta restaurada. A queda da serapilheira foi estimada com o uso de coletores e a sua decomposição com bolsas de malha de 2mm. Foram feitas análises químicas do solo e da serapilheira e suas faunas foram amostradas. As árvores da área restaurada mais antiga produziram tanta serapilheira quanto as do remanescente florestal, e as da restauração mais nova produziram bem menos. Apesar disso, a restauração mais antiga apresentou um solo semelhante ao da mais nova, com baixos teores de nutrientes. A decomposição foi mais rápida no remanescente florestal mostrando que este processo não foi completamente reestabelecido nas áreas plantadas. Os taninos e o nitrogênio foram as variáveis químicas da serapilheira mais relacionadas às suas taxas de decomposição. O remanescente foi o local com maior riqueza de artrópodos edáficos e epígeos, seguido pela área restaurada há mais tempo. Esta fauna foi diferente entre os três loca is e as áreas restauradas tinham comunidades mais semelhantes entre si. Dentre os fragmentadores, formigas, dípteros, proturos e isópodos foram os grupos mais relacionados ao remanescente florestal e os Hemiptera, Thysanoptera e Psocoptera foram mais relacionados à área mais jovem. Pseudoescorpiões e quilópodos se mostraram quase ausentes nas áreas restauradas. As duas restaurações são ainda jovens e somente no futuro poderemos verificar se estes locais terão condições de abrigar grupos de artrópodos mais exigentes e reestabelecer o processo de decomposição e as condições do solo. / Originally, São Paulo State had about 87% of its area occupied by the Atlantic Forest and the use of its lands resulted in the reduction of about 90% of the original area. In order to keep the environmental services we need to restore part of the lost vegetation by planting native trees to accelerate the secondary succession. After planting, it is necessary that many ecological processes take place to perpetuate the new ecosystem. The litterfall and its decomposition play an important role on the ecosystem functioning, because these processes enrich the soil and return nutrients to the trees. The goal of this work was to estimate the litter fall and decomposition besides verifying the changes in the edaphic arthropods community that may indicate the restoration progress through the decomposing process in a restored forest. We have carried out the study in a seasonal semideciduous forest remnant and in two restoration sites of different ages. We have estimated the litter fall using litter collectors and its decomposition using litterbags. We have done soil and litter chemical assays and extracted its fauna by Berlese funnels. The older restored site produced as much litter as the forest remnant while the newer one produced less. Besides that, both restored sites seemed to have similar soils, with low organic matter and mineral nutrients content. The decomposition was faster in the forest remnant showing that this process was not completely reestablished in the restored sites. Tannins and nitrogen was the litter chemicals more related to its decomposition rates. The richest site in edaphic and litter arthropod species was the forest remnant, followed by the older restored forest. The fauna was different among the three sites and the planted forests had more similar communities. Among the litter feeding animals, ants, flies, proturans and isopods were the groups more related to forest remnant. Hemiptera, Thysanoptera and Psocoptera were more abundant in the less developed restored site. Some predator arthropods as pseudoscorpions and chilopods were almost absent in the two restored sites. The restored forests are still young and only in the future we will see if these sites will have conditions to support groups of more sensitive arthropods and to reestablish the decomposition process and soil conditions.

Anthropogenic utilization of forest and woodland ecosystems can cause declines in flora and fauna species. It is imperative to restore these ecosystems to mitigate further declines. In this thesis, I focused on a highly degraded region, the Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands of Victoria, Australia. Rather than mature stands with large trees, stands are currently dominated by high densities of small stems. This change has resulted in reduced populations of many flora and fauna species dependent on older-growth forests and woodlands. Managers are interested in restoring mature Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands through three alternative management strategies: allocating land to National Parks and allowing stands to develop naturally without harvesting, modifying timber harvesting regimes to retain more medium and large trees, or a new ecological thinning technique that retains target habitat trees and removes competing trees to encourage growth of retained stems. / The effects of each management strategy are not easy to predict due to complex interactions between intervention and stochastic natural processes. Forest simulation models are often employed to overcome this problem. I constructed state-and-transition simulation models (STSMs) to predict the effects of alternative management actions and natural disturbances on vegetation structure. Due to a lack of empirical data, I relied on the knowledge of experts in Box-Ironbark ecology and management to construct STSMs. Models predicted that the development of mature woodlands under all strategies was minimal over the next 150 years, and neither current harvesting nor ecological thinning is likely to expedite the development of mature stands relative to growth and natural disturbances. However, differences in experts’ opinions led to widely diverging model predictions. / Uncertainty must be acknowledged in model construction because it can affect model predictions. I quantified uncertainty due to four sources – between-expert variation, imperfect expert knowledge, natural stochasticity, and model parameterization – to determine which source caused the most variance in model predictions. I found that models were very uncertain and between-expert uncertainty contributed the majority of variance in model predictions. This brings into question the use of consensus methods in forest management where differences between experts are ignored. / Using uncertain model predictions to make management decisions is problematic because any given action can have many plausible outcomes. I applied several decision criteria to uncertain STSM predictions using a formal decision-making framework to determine the optimal management action in Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands. I found that natural development is the most risk-averse option, while ecological thinning is the most risky option because there is a small likelihood that it will greatly expedite the development of mature woodlands. Rather than selecting one option, managers could rely on a risk-spreading approach where the majority of land is allocated to no-cutting National Parks and a small amount of land is allocated to the other two harvesting strategies. This would allow managers to collect monitoring data for all management strategies in order to learn about effects of harvesting and update model predictions through time using adaptive management.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Montana, 2006. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Mar. 9, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-65).

Forests are the dominant terrestrial ecosystem in Ontario and were once widespread throughout much of eastern North America; in southern Ontario, forest cover has declined from 90% to approximately 17% in the past 200 years. Conversion of the surrounding landscape to urban and agricultural land uses creates edge effects which increase the impact of forest cover loss and threaten ecological integrity. Other impacts on forest ecological integrity include incompatible human activities, a generally inhospitable landscape matrix, and microenvironment changes, including those from chemical pollution and heat island effects. Coupled with direct degradation from human activities like free-riding, the altered forest microenvironment can facilitate increased invasion by opportunistic and competitive plant species, e.g. Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae). This tends to be worse in urban areas because of greater visitation that creates soil compaction, trampling, and more vectors to introduce the seeds of invasive species. Active management is often necessary in areas which have been degraded. Ecological restoration represents an important active management tool for urban forest protected area managers. The ecological restoration of the forest understory in altered and threatened habitats represents an important aspect of forest restoration. For this study, I tested the effectiveness of an ecological restoration using a multi-species assemblage approach with three native understory species to restore the herbaceous layer in Natchez Hills, an Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area in Kitchener, Ontario. The ecological restoration site was degraded and this reduced native plant species in the forest understory. The species selected, Caulophyllum giganteum (Farwell) Loconte & W.H. Blackwell (Berberidaceae), Podophyllum peltatum Linnaeus (Berberidaceae) and Maianthemum racemosum subsp. racemosum (Linneaus) Link (Asparagaceae), are widespread throughout eastern North America, and were selected for use in this study because of their persistence and relative abundance in Natchez Hills ESPA. Adult transplants were planted into 2 metre by 2 metre quadrats in different densities and shoot populations were monitored for two field seasons to determine if density played a role in early ecological restoration success. The methodology I designed for the ecological restoration was as practical as possible, given the real world financial and logistical constraints faced by many urban forest managers. Statistical analysis using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed aerial shoot density did not have a significant effect on early restoration success rates (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant increase in restored species. Caulophyllum giganteum and Podophyllum peltatum shoot populations increased by over 97% at the ecological restoration site one year after transplanting. Maianthemum racemosum subsp. racemosum shoot populations increased by 51% at the site. For comparison, another study in the same forest reported early ecological restoration rates of 92% to 100% for herbaceous understory species, including C. giganteum and P. peltatum. Other North American studies using transplanted perennial herbaceous material reported average survival rates of 16.6% two years after planting (varying from 1.25% to 51.4% using eight herbaceous species in the Boston area), to 91% one year after restoration (varying from 42.1% to 100% using 19 herbaceous species of the deciduous forest in the Midwest). In instances where protected areas are degraded, active management and ecological restoration are often necessary tools. This ecological restoration demonstrated that the native herbaceous species used in this study are suitable for use in early ecological restorations in maple beech upland forests in the City of Kitchener. Using a practical and cost-effective methodology this ecological restoration experiment showed that it is possible to implement urban restoration of the forest understory in degraded areas, and to achieve success in early ecological restoration using native herbaceous forest understory species.

The vegetation of New Zealand has undergone extreme changes during the period of European settlement, with not only forest clearance but a deliberate attempt to replace the native vegetation with species from Europe and later from other parts of the world. Garden escapes continue this process to the current day. Several European ferns that have been introduced to New Zealand gardens have subsequently escaped. At the time of writing D. filix-mas is the most obvious and probably the most abundant in the rural areas of Canterbury having been observed in a wide range of habitats from suburban to farm, to forests both plantation and montane and in shrublands. This thesis investigates some of the ecology of D. filix-mas and explores its potential as a weed detrimental to New Zealand’s indigenous ecosystems. An extensive literature review revealed that in the Northern Hemisphere D. filix-mas grows over a wide range of climates, vegetation types and soils. However the literature review did not clearly show the forest light conditions under which D. filix-mas grows nor could the Northern Hemisphere experience in deciduous woodlands and coniferous forests be directly carried over into New Zealand’s podocarps, evergreen hardwood and evergreen beech forests. An experiment was designed to investigate tolerance to shade and field data was collected at several sites across North Canterbury for subsequent investigation with ordination and standard statistical methods. Records from around New Zealand were collated and used to generate a map of potential extent using the Land Environments New Zealand dataset. Positive growth was achieved under all shade treatments including the heaviest at 96% shade. However the field data suggests that under some of the lowest light availability D. filix-mas does not grow. In the field D. filix-mas is found in diverse habitats with a preference for sheltered sites with more southerly than northerly aspects. Interpretation of the ordination output combined with knowledge of the sites suggests that D. filix-mas is mostly associated with degraded sites and sites of past disturbance. Regenerating kanuka is a reliable place in which to find D. filix-mas but relatively natural beech forest is not. D. filix-mas can potentially grow over much of the South Island particularly in drier areas and can be invasive following disturbance and when grazing is removed, making it a potential problem for indigenous forest restoration efforts.

The montane forests of Africa represent some of the Earth's most diverse and threatened ecosystems. In particular, those in West Africa have received comparatively little attention from scientists in terms of understanding the ecology and biodiversity of their species. This thesis wishes to understand genetic and ecological factors that underpin the long-term survival of selected tree species (Cordia millenii, Entandrophragma angolense, Lovoa trichilioides) in the montane forests of the Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria. The results obtained here provide a strong foundation for future work that wishes to preserve the diverse forests of this region.

Forests are the dominant terrestrial ecosystem in Ontario and were once widespread throughout much of eastern North America; in southern Ontario, forest cover has declined from 90% to approximately 17% in the past 200 years. Conversion of the surrounding landscape to urban and agricultural land uses creates edge effects which increase the impact of forest cover loss and threaten ecological integrity. Other impacts on forest ecological integrity include incompatible human activities, a generally inhospitable landscape matrix, and microenvironment changes, including those from chemical pollution and heat island effects. Coupled with direct degradation from human activities like free-riding, the altered forest microenvironment can facilitate increased invasion by opportunistic and competitive plant species, e.g. Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae). This tends to be worse in urban areas because of greater visitation that creates soil compaction, trampling, and more vectors to introduce the seeds of invasive species. Active management is often necessary in areas which have been degraded. Ecological restoration represents an important active management tool for urban forest protected area managers. The ecological restoration of the forest understory in altered and threatened habitats represents an important aspect of forest restoration. For this study, I tested the effectiveness of an ecological restoration using a multi-species assemblage approach with three native understory species to restore the herbaceous layer in Natchez Hills, an Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area in Kitchener, Ontario. The ecological restoration site was degraded and this reduced native plant species in the forest understory. The species selected, Caulophyllum giganteum (Farwell) Loconte & W.H. Blackwell (Berberidaceae), Podophyllum peltatum Linnaeus (Berberidaceae) and Maianthemum racemosum subsp. racemosum (Linneaus) Link (Asparagaceae), are widespread throughout eastern North America, and were selected for use in this study because of their persistence and relative abundance in Natchez Hills ESPA. Adult transplants were planted into 2 metre by 2 metre quadrats in different densities and shoot populations were monitored for two field seasons to determine if density played a role in early ecological restoration success. The methodology I designed for the ecological restoration was as practical as possible, given the real world financial and logistical constraints faced by many urban forest managers. Statistical analysis using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed aerial shoot density did not have a significant effect on early restoration success rates (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant increase in restored species. Caulophyllum giganteum and Podophyllum peltatum shoot populations increased by over 97% at the ecological restoration site one year after transplanting. Maianthemum racemosum subsp. racemosum shoot populations increased by 51% at the site. For comparison, another study in the same forest reported early ecological restoration rates of 92% to 100% for herbaceous understory species, including C. giganteum and P. peltatum. Other North American studies using transplanted perennial herbaceous material reported average survival rates of 16.6% two years after planting (varying from 1.25% to 51.4% using eight herbaceous species in the Boston area), to 91% one year after restoration (varying from 42.1% to 100% using 19 herbaceous species of the deciduous forest in the Midwest). In instances where protected areas are degraded, active management and ecological restoration are often necessary tools. This ecological restoration demonstrated that the native herbaceous species used in this study are suitable for use in early ecological restorations in maple beech upland forests in the City of Kitchener. Using a practical and cost-effective methodology this ecological restoration experiment showed that it is possible to implement urban restoration of the forest understory in degraded areas, and to achieve success in early ecological restoration using native herbaceous forest understory species.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.