Seedbed micro-sites and their role in post-fire succession of the lichen-black spruce woodland in Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland

Effects of a recent wildfire in the lichen-black spruce woodland in Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland, were investigated to determine the interaction between fire intensity and fire severity; plus effects on forest-floor disturbance, on canopy seed banks, and on black spruce regeneration. As there was much exposed mineral soil from ant activity on this site, the potential for enhanced post-fire black spruce recruitment due to ants was also investigated. A seeding trial considered four potential seedbeds available: areas of high severity; areas of low severity; active ant nests; and abandoned ant nests. In addition, the amount and distribution of seed rain in the burned area was measured in an attempt to assess factors that affect the pattern and success of black spruce recruitment following fire. Duff depths were reduced by fire by as much as 50% while lichen depth by up to 88%. Ant nests occurred at a density of 6.15, per 100m2 in the burned areas compared to 2 per l00m2 in the unburned forest. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...