Thorne et al. used clipping to determine the effects of different browsing histories and frequencies on planeleaf willow (Salix planifolia Prush) canopy volume and biomass production aboveground, which is important for wildlife browse, and belowground, which is important for streambank stabilization. Willows that were not clipped in the previous season produced 21% more total biomass, allocated both above and below-ground, than plants that had been clipped the season prior to the experiment. Frequency of clipping events became important when clipping events were close together and willows had to alter their root:shoot growth ratio to produce more photosynthetic tissues at the cost of root growth. Willow canopy volume was related to aboveground biomass. However, the structure of the canopy depended on the clipping frequency; greater clipping frequencies tended to produce willows with smaller, denser canopies, while lower clipping frequencies produced willows with larger, more open canopies.
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