Despite the absence of significant effects of clearcutting for
the rest of the biodiversity indicators due to the small sample
size, changes in the understory plant community could be
expected by the removal of the canopy in clearcut harvesting as
it mainly provides higher light availability and lower
competition for other resources (Rowland et al., 2005). In
the review by Rowland et al. (2005), an increase in the
abundance or dominance of the residual shrubs was noted,
although this effect cannot be generalized. For example,
nonsignificant differences were reported by Albert and Barnes
(1987) in the understory species richness and composition in
clearcut stands and undisturbed areas in western Upper
Michigan (USA). On the other hand, it is widely recognised
that in managed forests, the amount of dead wood is reduced by
harvesting and sanitation fellings (Green and Peterken, 1997),
despite its importance for the biodiversity of forest ecosystems