Simulating conversion of even-aged Norway spruce into uneven-aged mixed forest: effects of different scenarios on production, economy and heterogeneity

Pine-spruce forests are one of the commonest mixed forest types in Europe and both tree species are very important for wood supply. This study summarized nine European studies with Scots pine and Norway spruce where a mixed-species stand and both monocultures were located in an experimental set-up. Overyielding (where growth of a mixed stand was greater than the average of both monocultures) was relatively common and often ranged between 0% and 30%, but could also be negative at individual study sites. Each individual site demonstrated consistent patterns of the mixing effect over different measurement periods. Transgressive overyielding (where the mixed-species stand was more productive than either of the monocultures) was found at three study sites, while a monoculture was more productive on the other sites. Large variation between study sites indicated that the existing experiments do not fully represent the extensive region where this mixed pine-spruce forest can occur. Pooled increment data displayed a negative influence of latitude and stand age on the mixing effect of those tree species in forests younger than 70 years.

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On the Occurrence of Natural Norway Spruce Woodland in the Pieniny Mts (Western Carpathians)

Acta Silvatica et Lignaria Hungarica ◽

10.1515/aslh-2015-0010 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 123-138

Author(s):

Peter Kučera

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Field Research ◽

Forest Stand ◽

Published Data ◽

Mountain Range ◽

Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽

Altitudinal Limit

Abstract According to Kulczyński (1928), a natural Picea abies forest occurs in the mountain range of the Pieniny Mts on the slopes of the mountain Vysoke skalky. Later, various data on the altitudinal range of this stand (and thus on the locality itself) were published: (1) 890 (900) - 950 m, (2) 1000 - 1050 m or (3) around 1000 m. The aim of the field research was to verify published data on the occurrence of a woodland of Upper Mountain Norway spruce (association Polysticho-Piceetum) in the territory of Vysoke skalky. A field study in the area has revealed that most of published data on the occurrence of the Kulczyński’s Picea woodland are incorrect, as its real upper altitudinal limit reaches ± 940 m. The main result is the confirmation of the real existence of a Vaccinium myrtillus-Homogyne alpina-Picea abies phytocoenosis in the territory of Vysoke skalky. However, tree species other than Picea abies (e.g. Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus) could persist in the special habitat of Kulczyński’s ‘Picea woodland’. The natural vegetation of this place was formed by mixed forest stand.

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Effects of gap size on natural regeneration and micro-environmental soil conditions in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) dominated mixed forest

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/397/2020-pse ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 607-615

Author(s):

Maame Esi Hammond ◽

Radek Pokorný

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

European Beech ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Gap Size ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

The study focused on the effects of gap size on natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and micro-environmental soil conditions in gaps of different sizes under temperate mixed forest in the Czech Republic. Six gaps comprising two for small (≥ 200 m2), medium (≥ 500 m2) and big (≥ 900 m2) each were selected. Ten circular 1 m2 subsampling plots were established at 2 m intervals along individual North-South-East-West transects, including one at the gap centre. Regeneration was monitored in 2014 and repeatedly in 2019. Soil conditions were only measured in 2019. Gap size was found to be a significant parameter for European beech natural regeneration in 2014. Besides, the quick occupation of European beech in gaps at natural beech zone provoked its prolific regeneration compared to Norway spruce in 2014. However, in 2019 the recent threat of weather variabilities was responsible for the general abysmal growth performance of natural regeneration. Division of gap microsites into different within-gap positions based on prevailing light or shade conditions was helpful in assessing the significant variations of soil conditions within-gap positions and among gap sizes. Soil temperature and moisture significantly influenced the regeneration of European beech and Norway spruce, respectively.

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Virulence and Stump Colonization Ability of Armillaria borealis on Norway Spruce Seedlings in Comparison to Sympatric Armillaria Species

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-06-16-0933-re ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 101 (3) ◽

pp. 470-479 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Renate Heinzelmann ◽

Simone Prospero ◽

Daniel Rigling

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Root Rot ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Tree Age ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Seedling Mortality ◽

Pathogenic Potential ◽

Colonization Ability ◽

Armillaria Species ◽

Stem Segments

Although Armillaria borealis is one of the closest relatives of the aggressive root rot pathogen A. ostoyae, little is known about its ecology. In central and northern Europe, A. borealis often co-occurs with A. ostoyae or A. cepistipes, a weak pathogen, in conifer or mixed-forest stands. In this study, the virulence of 10 A. borealis, nine A. ostoyae, and five A. cepistipes isolates toward 2- and 4-year-old potted Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings was assessed. In addition, the ability of all isolates to colonize fresh stumps cut from 6-year-old Norway spruce seedlings was tested. All inoculations were done by insertion of Armillaria-colonized hazelnut stem segments into the soil substrate. On the 2-year-old seedlings, A. borealis and A. ostoyae showed, overall, a similar virulence 29 months after inoculation whereas, on the 4-year-old seedlings, A. ostoyae was more virulent. The third species in the experiment, A. cepistipes, caused almost no seedling mortality. Six months after cutting, the highest percentage of stumps was colonized by A. ostoyae (94.3%), followed by A. borealis (85.2%), and A. cepistipes (78.4%). Our inoculation experiments show that A. borealis has a clear pathogenic potential toward Norway spruce seedlings. However, compared with A. ostoyae, damage caused by A. borealis may decrease more rapidly with increasing tree age. Similar to other Armillaria species, A. borealis seems to be an efficient colonizer of fresh stumps.

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Tree species identity mediates mechanisms of top soil carbon sequestration in a Norway spruce and European beech mixed forest

Annals of Forest Science ◽

10.1007/s13595-015-0536-z ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 437-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Enrique Andivia ◽

Victor Rolo ◽

Mathieu Jonard ◽

Pavel Formánek ◽

Quentin Ponette

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Soil Carbon ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Tree Species ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

European Beech ◽

Soil Carbon Sequestration ◽

Species Identity ◽

Top Soil

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Spatial pattern of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regeneration in uneven-aged mixed forests of northeastern Bohemia

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/2/2008-jfs ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 54 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 92-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Š. Hofmeister ◽

M. Svoboda ◽

J. Souček ◽

S. Vacek

Keyword(s):

Spatial Pattern ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Statistical Evaluation ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Permanent Sample Plots ◽

Stable Growth

Two permanent sample plots (both 0.25 ha) were established in a mixed forest in the Orlické hory Mts. Protected Landscape Area (northeastern Bohemia) to analyze the natural regeneration of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). All the seedlings (height 0.1–0.5 m), saplings (height 0.5 m, d1.3 3 cm) and trees (d1.3 > 3 cm) were localized and measured. The analysis of the spatial pattern and statistical evaluation were carried out by means of Ripley’s K-function. All the growth stages of the spruce and the fir showed an aggregated (clump) pattern, whereas the regeneration of fir was positively correlated with mature spruces and the regeneration of spruce was in a positive relation with mature firs. The results indicate that for germination and stable growth in the first stages of development, the fir can find more favourable conditions under the crowns of spruce trees and the spruce under mature firs.

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