Snag dynamics in a chronosequence of 26 wildfires on the east slope of the Cascade Range in Washington State, USA

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Everett ◽  
John Lehmkuhl ◽  
Richard Schellhaas ◽  
Pete Ohlson ◽  
David Keenum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Cascade Range ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
Topographic Positions

Snag numbers and decay class were measured on a chronosequence of 26 wildfires (ages 1-81 years) on the east slope of the Cascade Range in Washington. Snag longevity and resultant snag densities varied spatially across burns in relation to micro-topographic position. Longevity of snags < 41cm dbh was greater for thin-barked Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) than thick-barked Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). With larger diameter snags, however, Douglas-fir persisted longer than Engelmann spruce. The time period required for recruitment of soft snags > 23 cm dbh was estimated to exceed snag longevity for ponderosa pine, Englemann spruce, lodgepole pine, and subapline fir, causing an “on-site gap” in soft snags for these species. Snags of Douglas-fir ≥ 41 cm dbh stood for a sufficient time (40% standing after 80 years) to potentially overlap the recruitment of soft snags ≥ 23 cm dbh from the replacement stand. Providing continuity in soft snags following stand-replacement events would require a landscape-scale perspective, incorporating adjacents stands of different ages or disturbance histories. Results suggest that standards and guidelines for snags on public forest lands need to be sufficiently flexible to accomodate both disturbance and stand development phases and differences in snag longevity among species and topographic positions.

scholarly journals Ponderosa Pine and Lodgepole Pine Growth Response to One-Time Application of Herbicide During Seedling Establishment in Western Montana

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad E. Keyser ◽  
Kelsey S. Milner
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Western Montana ◽  
Growth Effect ◽  
Percent Cover

Abstract This study examined long-term diameter and height response of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) to a one-time application of herbicide during seedling establishment in western Montana. Two herbicide trials initiated in 1981 and 1983 by Champion International Corporation were resurrected during the summer of 1997. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-tests along with Duncan's Multiple Range tests (DMR) were performed on mean tree dbh, tree height, and competing vegetation percent cover estimates. In addition, a graphical analysis of mean annual height growth over time was performed. Significant increases (alpha = 0.05) in ponderosa pine dbh (25 to 44%) and height (11 to 28%) were found after 16 yr of growth on Velpar L. (hexazinone) treated plots, while lodgepole pine had significant increases in dbh (70 to 118%) and height (41 to 82%) after 15 yr of growth on Velpar L. treated plots. Graphical analyses indicated a positive height growth effect for a period of 11 to 13 yr following treatment for ponderosa pine; however, total height gains had decreased in recent years. Positive increases in height growth for lodgepole pine were continuing after 15 yr of growth. These results indicate that a one-time application of herbicide applied during seedling establishment will promote faster tree growth in western Montana. We also note that proper density management will be necessary early in the life of the stand to maintain height gains. West. J. Appl. For. 18(3):149–154.

The effects of dwarf mistletoe, witches' brooms, stand structure, and site characteristics on the crown architecture of lodgepole pine in Oregon

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1360-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
R C Godfree ◽  
R O Tinnin ◽  
R B Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Dwarf Mistletoe ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Crown Dimensions

We investigated the importance of lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum Nutt.) in determining the height to crown top (HCT), height to crown base (HCB), and live crown ratio (LCR) of 2025 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana (Grev. & Balf.) Engelm.) growing over a 24-km2 study site in central Oregon. We compared the effects of infection and associated witches' brooms with those of site topography, soil type, shrub cover, stand density, and the abundance of mature ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. Laws. & C. Laws). using multiple regression and path analysis. The density of dominant-size P. contorta was consistently the most important factor influencing HCT, HCB, and LCR across the study site. In dense stands, trees tended to have elevated crown bases due to self-pruning and, hence, lower values of LCR. Dwarf mistletoe and related witches' brooms uniquely explained 6.9% of the variance in LCR, which was close to that of dominant P. contorta (7.1%) and more than that of soil type (3.0%), but explained only 2.6% of the variance in HCB, which was less than that of dominant P. contorta (6.5%) and soil type (4.6%). Regression models suggest that heavily infected trees should be 18% shorter and have crown bases 37% lower than uninfected trees, while moderately infected trees should have an LCR over 20% larger than that of uninfected and heavily infected trees. We also found that the largest 25 heavily infected trees sampled were approximately 19% shorter and 11–13% smaller in diameter than the largest 25 uninfected trees. The results suggest that dwarf mistletoe can be an important factor in determining the crown dimensions of P. contorta but that these effects may be interpreted only in the context of site characteristics and stand structure.

Mixed-severity fire in lodgepole pine dominated forests: are historical regimes sustainable on Oregon’s Pumice Plateau, USA?

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Heyerdahl ◽  
Rachel A. Loehman ◽  
Donald A. Falk
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Fire Exclusion

In parts of central Oregon, coarse-textured pumice substrates limit forest composition to low-density lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) with scattered ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) and a shrub understory dominated by antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.). We reconstructed the historical fire regime from tree rings and simulated fire behavior over 783 ha of this forest type. For centuries (1650–1900), extensive mixed-severity fires occurred every 26 to 82 years, creating a multi-aged forest and shrub mosaic. Simulation modeling suggests that the historical mix of surface and passive crown fire were primarily driven by shrub biomass and wind speed. However, a century of fire exclusion has reduced the potential for the high-severity patches of fire that were common historically, likely by reducing bitterbrush cover, the primary ladder fuel. This reduced shrub cover is likely to persist until fire or insects create new canopy gaps. Crown fire potential may increase even with current fuel loadings if the climate predicted for midcentury lowers fuel moistures, but only under rare extreme winds. This study expands our emerging understanding of complexity in the disturbance dynamics of lodgepole pine across its broad North American range.

Decomposition and nitrogen release from decomposing woody roots in coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest: a chronosequence approach

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Chen ◽  
Mark E Harmon ◽  
Robert P Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
White Rot ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Resin Cores

Decomposition of woody roots in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. Laws. ex C. Laws.) dominated forests in Oregon, U.S.A. was studied using a chronosequence. Roots of five coniferous species were excavated from stumps with ages up to 46 years old. In order of increasing decomposition rate constant (k) the species were Douglas-fir < Sitka spruce < lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) < western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg) < ponderosa pine. Variation in the proportion of bark, wood, and resin cores was correlated to these differences. Root wood showed the highest k, root bark the second, and resin cores the lowest. The occurrence of resin cores in woody roots of Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, and lodgepole pine greatly slowed the decomposition of these species. White rots occurred frequently in ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine, whereas brown rots mostly appeared in Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce. Species with white rot had a higher k than those with brown rot. Decomposing woody roots started to release N after 20–30% mass loss, a point when the dead root C/N ratio averaged 140.

scholarly journals Heat Tolerance, Cold Hardiness, and Bud Dormancy Relationships in Seedlings of Selected Conifers

1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 840-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Burr ◽  
Stephen J. Wallner ◽  
Richard W. Tinus
Keyword(s):  
Heat Tolerance ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Bud Dormancy ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Cold Hardy ◽  
Spruce Needles

Greenhouse-cultured, container-grown seedlings of interior Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) France], Engelmann spruce [Picea engelmannii (Parry) Engelm.], and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) were acclimated and deacclimated to cold in growth chambers over 19 weeks. Heat tolerance and cold hardiness of needles, and bud dormancy, were measured weekly. Heat tolerance of Douglas fir and Engelmann spruce needles increased with development through the first complete annual cycle: new needles on actively growing plants; mature needles, not cold-hardy, on dormant plants; cold-hardy needles on dormant and quiescent plants; and mature, needles, not cold-hardy, on actively growing plants. Heat tolerance of ponderosa pine needles differed in two respects. New needles had an intermediate tolerance level to heat, and fully cold-hardy needles were the least tolerant. Thus, the physiological changes that conferred cold hardiness were not associated with greater heat tolerance in all the conifers tested. In none of these species did the timing of changes in heat tolerance coincide consistently with changes in cold hardiness or bud dormancy.

scholarly journals Growth of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine seedlings underplanted in a partially-cut, dry Douglas-fir stand in south-central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 723-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Vyse ◽  
Christine Ferguson ◽  
Suzanne W Simard ◽  
Tamaki Kano ◽  
Pasi Puttonen
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
South Central

The effects of partial cutting on seedling growth of three conifer species were studied at a very dry, hot interior Douglas-fir site near Kamloops, British Columbia. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) seedlings were planted in mechanically prepared 50 cm × 50 cm patches under different canopy conditions created by harvesting 60% of the original stand volume. The prepared areas were selected to represent canopy closures from open to closed, slopes from 0 to 60%, and all aspects. After six years, survival of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine was 78%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Light level had a strong influence on survival and condition. Growth of all species increased linearly with light, and was greatest for lodgepole pine, followed by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Multiple regression analysis showed that six-year seedling size was most significantly affected by total light, and only occasionally by aspect, slope, or crown closure. The best models explained 53%, 47% and 42% of the variation in diameter of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir, respectively. Natural abundance 13C was positively correlated with light and soil moisture availability, reflecting higher photosynthetic capacity of all species in the wetter, open canopy conditions. Patterns in isotopic discrimination also indicated greater water use efficiency of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine than lodgepole pine under low light conditions. Underplanting stands thinned to a basal area of less than 15m2 per ha offers a solution to regeneration difficulties on hot, dry Interior Douglas-fir sites. Key words: partial cutting, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, light, soil moisture, 13C, growth, survival, Opax Mountain Silvicultural Systems Project

Carbon pools of managed and unmanaged stands of ponderosa and lodgepole pine forests in Wyoming

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1893-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chatterjee ◽  
G. F. Vance ◽  
D. B. Tinker
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Pools

Forest management practices can have a significant effect on above- and below-ground carbon (C) pools. To better understand the distribution of forest C pools, we evaluated representative forest stands within two dominant Wyoming forest types to assess differences resulting from management practices that have occurred over several decades. Study sites included four ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson & C.Lawson) treatments (100-year-old unmanaged, 46-year-old even-aged, 110-year-old uneven-aged, and 90-year-old intensively harvested) and two lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Engelm. var. latifolia (Engelm. ex Wats.) Critchfield) treatments (145-year-old unmanaged and 45-year-old even-aged). Comparisons of aboveground C pools revealed that distributions of live and dead biomass C pools were different between unmanaged and managed stands; however, belowground soil C pools were similar among stands within the two forest types. Overall, unmanaged stands of both forest types had higher total ecosystem C pools (249 and 247 Mg C·ha–1 for ponderosa and lodgepole pine, respectively) compared with managed stands (ponderosa pine: even-aged, 164 Mg C·ha–1; uneven-aged, 170 Mg C·ha–1; intensively harvested, 200 Mg C·ha–1; and lodgepole pine even-aged, 117 Mg C·ha–1). Our results indicate timber harvesting has a major influence on total ecosystem C pools by reducing live tree biomass.

A field experiment informs expected patterns of conifer regeneration after disturbance under changing climate conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1607-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica T. Rother ◽  
Thomas T. Veblen ◽  
Luke G. Furman
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Colorado Front Range ◽  
Front Range ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Treatment Type

Climate change may inhibit tree regeneration following disturbances such as wildfire, altering post-disturbance vegetation trajectories. We implemented a field experiment to examine the effects of manipulations of temperature and water on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings planted in a low-elevation, recently disturbed setting of the Colorado Front Range. We implemented four treatments: warmed only (Wm), watered only (Wt), warmed and watered (WmWt), and control (Co). We found that measures of growth and survival varied significantly by treatment type. Average growth and survival was highest in the Wt plots, followed by the Co, WmWt, and Wm plots, respectively. This general trend was observed for both conifer species, although average growth and survival was generally higher in ponderosa pine than in Douglas-fir. Our findings suggest that warming temperatures and associated drought are likely to inhibit post-disturbance regeneration of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir in low-elevation forests of the Colorado Front Range and that future vegetation composition and structure may differ notably from historic patterns in some areas. Our findings are relevant to other forested ecosystems in which a warming climate may similarly inhibit regeneration by dominant tree species.

Black Bear Damage to Thinned Timber Stands in Northwest Montana

1989 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Mason ◽  
David L. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Pinus Monticola ◽  
Larix Occidentalis ◽  
Western Larch ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Northwest Montana

Abstract Bear damage was at least five times higher in thinned blocks than in adjacent unthinned blocks of western larch (Larix occidentalis), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) on the Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana. Western larch suffered the greatest damage (63% of all trees damaged and 92% of the trees killed). Damaged larch ranged from 4 to 13 in. dbh; the 4 to 8-in. dbh class accounted for 85% of the damage. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), western white pine (Pinus monticola), and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) were not damaged. Stand projections showed up to a 17% reduction in board-foot yield from bear damage, after 50 years, compared with hypothetical undamaged stands. West. J. Appl. For. 4(1):10-13, January 1989.

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