Complex regeneration responses of eight tree species to partial harvest in mixedwood forests of northeastern North America

Ecosystem-based forest management associated with partial harvesting (PH) is intended to balance ecological and economic values of sustainable management. The potential for delayed growth response elevated mortality advance regeneration following PH remains a critical concern, may present barrier more widespread implementation this approach. We used 835 permanent continuous inventory plots examine the rate time course species-specific eight tree species in first fifteen years operational harvests mixed-species forests Maine, United States. aimed provide quantitative understanding on how different responded terms mortality. In addition, we evaluated patterns magnitudes responses developed over time, if these occur gradually or suddenly, were persistent. found that magnitude, temporal trajectories responses, length initial lag-period largely varied across species, treatments, variables examined. For sapling diameter growth, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall) red maple (Acer rubrum L.) showed immediate high-intensity PH, while five-year was observed balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis Carrière) 10-year lag period northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.). increase fir, beech, white-cedar, but not other species. Sapling survival reached stable state irrespective after five-years harvests. partially harvested stands, identifying preharvest conditions related postharvest density, complex interacted since harvest. Our results suggest broad application only gains, losses, delays within stands. Future research should consider combination treatments initiate wider range