Effects of edges on plant communities in a managed landscape in northern Wisconsin

Abstract The effects of edges on plant communities following clearing of coniferous forests in the Great Lakes region had not been previously examined. This study quantified plant responses to six recent (8–12 years old) clearcut edges adjacent to jack pine ( Pinus banksiana ) and red pine ( Pinus resinosa ) plantations. Percent cover of each understory plant species was estimated within 10 randomly placed plots at 19 distances along a 240 m transect extending from the clearcut, across the edge, and into the forest interior. Species richness was significantly higher in the jack pine stands ( n =10.2–12.2) than in the red pine stands ( n =6.1–9.1, p