Edge effects on shrub height

Abstract

Forest edges are transitional zones between two ecosystems which mark the boundary where forests meet their adjacent environments. Their influence can vary depending on edge type, age, and other factors. Understanding the dynamics of shrub height along forest edges is important to expand our knowledge on ecological processes governing these transitional zones. This thesis investigates the influence of forest edges on shrub heights in boreal forests of Alberta and Quebec, Canada. I examined the influence of edge type, age, species-specific responses and region on shrub height patterns through systematic transect sampling of forest edges in boreal forest ecosystems from previous research. The results revealed that forest edges generally did not significantly impact shrub height across species and edge types with a few exceptions highlighting regional variations and the importance of considering species-specific responses. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of how forest edges influence shrub height dynamics alongside emphasizing the need for further research to unravel the impacts of environmental variables on these ecosystems.