Neighboring edges: interacting edge effects of linear disturbances on vegetation in treed fens

The influence of edges on forest biodiversity is an important environmental effect associated with habitat fragmentation, as edge effects can further reduce the remaining ‘interior’ habitat. However, extrapolating the influence of edges across the broader landscape has been difficult, especially regarding how to treat multiple edges in close proximity, where edge effects might interact. In this study, we examined the interaction of edge effects for multiple edges from a dense network of narrow (3-8 m wide) and low-severity linear disturbances called ‘seismic lines’. Seismic lines are created during oil and gas exploration and are responsible for severe dissection of boreal forests in western Canada. Specifically, our objectives were to: (1) to compare the edge influence of “wide” (~8 m) and “narrow” (~3 m) seismic lines; and (2) to determine whether edges in close proximity show interaction of edge influences, i.e. do multiple narrow seismic lines have a stronger or weaker edge influenc...