Can partial-cuts recreate adequate microclimatic conditions for epiphytic lichen growth in boreal forests of eastern Canada?
Boudreault, Catherine*,1, 2, Bergeron, Yves1, 2, Coxson, Darwyn3, Stevenson, Suzan4, 1 Groupe de recherche en cologie forestire interuniversitaire, Montral, Qubec, Canada2 Chaire industrielle CRSNG-UQAT-UQAM en amnagement forestier durable, Rouyn-Noranda, Qubec, Canada3 University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada4 Silvifauna Research, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada ABSTRACT- An approach based on the emulation of natural disturbances that consists in a diversification of silvicultural practices at the landscape level has been proposed to maintain biodiversity in black spruce forests of the Abitibi region (Quebec). In this region, partial cuttings were used to convert regular-structured stands in irregular-structured stands. In this study, we assess the efficiency of partial-cuts to create microclimatic conditions similar to the ones observed in natural irregular stands by studying the growth of two epiphytic lichens: Evernia mesomorpha, usua
