Database Report

Understory of sugar maple dominated stands in Quebec and Ontario (Canada)

Isabelle Aubin, Krista Ryall & Christian Messier

GIVD Database ID: NA-CA-004	Last update: 2016-01-25
Understory of sugar maple dominated stands in Quebec and Ontario (Canada)	Web address:
Database manager(s): Isabelle Aubin (Isabelle.Aubin@Canada.ca)
Owner: Isabelle Aubin Isabelle.Aubin@Canada.ca
Scope: Contains data on the floristic composition of the understory of maple-dominated stands of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region in Québec and Ontario (Canada) under a gradient of human induced disturbance. This forest type of the northern hardwood biome is recognized has having a high level of diversity while subjected to numerous pressures. The database contains vascular species occurrence determined from linear vegetation survey in stands of various age originating from different management regimes.
Abstract: This database contains data on the floristic composition of the understory of maple-dominated stands of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region in Québec and Ontario (Canada), under a gradient of human-induced disturbance. This dominant forest type of the northern hardwood biome is recognized has having a high level of diversity while at the same time being subjected to numerous human pressures. It is the habitat of many understory species threatened of extinction at local or regional scales, and, due to its proximity to urban or agricultural areas, is increasingly exposed to potentially invasive exotic species. The database contains vascular species occurrence determined from linear vegetation survey (including woody species with diameter at breast height <5 cm and a height <5m). These observations were made at sites representing (1) chronosequences following different management regimes, such as second-growth stands originating from abandoned pastures as well as conifer and deciduous plantations. Sites also capture (2) various management activities, including single-tree selection harvesting and maple syrup production. Matrix cover varies from urban forest, isolated forest fragments surrounded by agriculture to extensive forest cover.
Availability: according to a specific agreement	Online upload: no	Online search: no
Database format(s): other, FilemakerPro	Export format(s): Excel
Plot type(s): normal plots	Plot-size range (m²): 1963.5 to 1963.5
Non-overlapping plots: 156	Estimate of existing plots: 156	Completeness: 100%	Status: completed and continuing
Total no. of plot observations: 156	Number of sources (biblioreferences, data collectors): 0	Valid taxa: 0
Countries (%): CA: 100
Formations: Forest: 88% = Terrestrial: 88% // Non Forest: 12% = Terrestrial: 12% (Non arctic-alpin: 12% [Anthropogenic: 12%])
Guilds: all vascular plants: 100%
Plot size categories (%): 1000-10000 m2: 100%;
Environmental data (%): microrelief: 100; surface cover other than plants (open soil, litter, bare rock etc.): 100; land use categories: 100
Performance measure(s): other: 100%
Geographic localisation: GPS coordinates (precision 25 m or less): 100%
Sampling periods: 2000-2009: 100%
Information as of 2026-04-30; further details and future updates available from http://www.givd.info/ID/NA-CA-004

Isabelle Aubin* (Isabelle.Aubin@Canada.ca)
Canadian Forest Service, Natural Ressources Canada, 1219 Queen St E, CANADA
Krista Ryall (krista.ryall@canada.ca)
Canadian Forest Service, Natural Ressources Canada, CANADA
Christian Messier (christian.messier@uqo.ca)
Département de sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal
* corresponding author