Brockerhoff, E.G., Ecroyd, C.E., Leckie, A.C., and Kimberley M.O. 2003. Diversity and succession of vascular understory plants in exotic Pinus radiata plantation forests in New Zealand. Forest Ecology and Management 185: 307–326.
The loss of natural forests is a global threat for biodiversity. By contrast, the area of plantation forests is increasing but their role in conservation is controversial. We studied chronosequences of Pinus radiata stands to describe the succession of vascular understorey plant communities in this novel habitat. This succession is driven by a decrease in light-demanding pioneers and an increase in shade-tolerant, later seral species. The sheltered forest environment of older stands, with their mostly indigenous forest understorey community, can have conservation benefits in regions with little remaining natural forests, but the spread of wildings needs to be managed.
