| In the boreal forest, the native grass Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. (bluejoint) competes strongly with planted conifers on moist sites with mineral soils. Two experiments were initiated to examine the effects of different types of mechanical site preparation on the growth of bluejoint and associated vegetation. For both experiments, the following treatments were used: disk trenching, blading, ripper ploughing, and a non-treated control.;In the first experiment, bluejoint rhizomes were collected and planted into logged areas that had been treated with the above methods. No significant differences were found for maximum rhizome length among treatments.;In the second trial, the cover, height, and frequency of bluejoint and other species were measured on permanently located plots on the above treated areas. Species were divided into those that increased in cover and vigour under mechanical site preparation, those that decreased, and those that were neutral. No bluejoint germinants were observed, although rhizome penetration of disturbed soil was noted. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
