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Can the Impact of Gravel Roads on Organic Layer Thickness Explain the Distribution of Populus tremuloides along Road Networks in the Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada?

Authors :
Mathilde Marchais
Dominique Arseneault
Yves Bergeron
Source :
Forests, Vol 15, Iss 2, p 298 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Roads are known to alter environmental conditions and the composition of road edge plant communities, particularly when exogenous materials are used as road surfacing. In this study, we evaluate the impact of gravel roads on the organic layer thickness (OLT) and aspen distribution in a boreal forest landscape of Eastern Canada. The OLT and aspen distribution were compared at different distances from the roads (0 m, 10 m, and >10 m) to determine whether a reduction in the OLT along the roads could explain the distribution of aspen along the road network, and in particular the role of the roads as habitat corridors. In addition, germination tests were carried out to determine whether mineral soil from the roads could promote aspen establishment, by comparing the germination rate of substrates consisting only of mineral soil or mosses, and substrates consisting of mosses covered with 0.5 cm or 2 cm of mineral soil. The presence of aspen in the study landscape is limited by thick organic deposits (≥50 cm). However, the thickness of these deposits is reduced to approximately 10 cm at the edges of gravel roads, in part by the transport of mineral soil from the roads. This reduction in the OLT facilitates the establishment of aspen and helps explain its distribution along the road network.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19994907
Volume :
15
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Forests
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0d664b2078084717b6ba7157faa14149
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020298