Adaptations of the photosynthetic apparatus of sun- and shade-grown yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.)

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 1681-1688 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. T. Logan
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Dark Respiration ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Photosynthetic Rates ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Young Leaves ◽  
Sun And Shade

Rates of apparent photosynthesis and dark respiration of 4-year-old yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) seedlings, grown in full light and shade (13% of full light), were measured with an infrared gas analyzer. Measurements were made periodically throughout the growing season, using either attached branches or entire seedlings. Effects of light intensities from 0 to 4500 ft-c on photosynthetic rates were studied, and comparisons made between young and old leaves and between photosynthetic rates in normal (300 p.p.m.) and saturating (1245 p.p.m.) CO2 concentration.The photosynthetic apparatus of yellow birch was found to adapt poorly to shaded conditions. In saturating light, the rate of apparent photosynthesis of young leaves of shade-grown seedlings was only half that of sun-grown seedlings; for old leaves the reduction was even greater. As a result, shade-grown seedlings had a lower photosynthetic capacity in saturating light despite their larger leaf area. In low light intensities, leaves of sun- and shade-grown seedlings had nearly the same rates of apparent photosynthesis. Rates of respiration of shade-grown seedlings were one-half those of sun-grown seedlings.When seedlings were exposed to light intensities comparable to those in which they were grown, their photosynthetic rates correlated with their dry matter production.When the CO2 concentration was raised to 1245 p.p.m., photosynthetic rates of leaves of sun- and shade-grown seedlings increased by the same relative amount. It is concluded that the poor adaptation of yellow birch to shade results from a reduction in content of carboxylating enzymes rather than changes in chlorophyll content or resistance to CO2 diffusion. Adaptations of yellow birch are contrasted with those of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.).

Crown openness as influenced by tree and site characteristics for yellow birch, sugar maple, and eastern hemlock

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Lou Lefrançois ◽  
Marilou Beaudet ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Eastern Hemlock ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Regional Variability ◽  
Site Characteristics

Crown openness (CO) of mature trees influences light transmission within the forest canopy. However, in modeling, this variable is often considered constant within species, and its potential regional variability is ignored. The objective of this study was to evaluate if CO values of yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.), and eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) vary according to the following factors: (i) species, (ii) regional actual evapotranspiration (AET), (iii) tree size (i.e., diameter at breast height, DBH), and (iv) angle of transmission from zenith. To achieve this, CO was evaluated for 136 yellow birches, 109 sugar maples, and 68 hemlocks from different regions of western Quebec, southern Ontario, and northern Michigan. Results showed that all of the studied factors affected CO. While dominant trees can intercept light laterally as well as vertically, smaller trees are more efficient at intercepting light vertically. Increasing AET is associated with more open crowns. Given its importance in light transmission in the understory, a better understanding of how CO varies between individuals, species, and regions is needed.

Leaf- and plant-level carbon gain in yellow birch, sugar maple, and beech seedlings from contrasting forest light environments

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilou Beaudet ◽  
Christian Messier ◽  
David W Hilbert ◽  
Ernest Lo ◽  
Zhang M Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaf Level ◽  
Plant Level

Leaf-level photosynthetic-light response and plant-level daily carbon gain were estimated for seedlings of moderately shade-tolerant yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and shade-tolerant sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) growing in gaps and under a closed canopy in a sugar maple stand at Duchesnay, Que. All three species had a higher photosynthetic capacity (Amax) in the gaps than in shade, but yellow birch and beech responded more markedly than sugar maple to the increase in light availability. The high degree of plasticity observed in beech suggests that the prediction that photosynthetic plasticity should decrease with increasing shade tolerance may not hold when comparisons are made among a few late-successional species. Unit-area daily carbon gain (CA) was significantly higher in the gaps than in shade for all three species, but no significant difference was observed between light environments for plant-level carbon gain (CW). In shade, we found no difference of CA and CW among species. In gaps, beech had a significantly higher CA than sugar maple but similar to that of birch, and birch had a significantly higher CW than maple but similar to that of beech. Sugar maple consistently had lower carbon gains than yellow birch and beech but is nevertheless the dominant species at our study site. These results indicate that although plant-level carbon gain is presumably more closely related to growth and survival of a species than leaf-level photosynthesis, it is still many steps removed from the ecological success of a species.

Effect of branch position and light availability on shoot growth of understory sugar maple and yellow birch saplings

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1077-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Goulet ◽  
Christian Messier ◽  
Eero Nikinmaa
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Position Effect ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Vigour Index

Phenotypic plasticity enables tree saplings to change their morphology according to their environment to grow toward a better light micro-habitat. Therefore, processes of crown development could be expected to vary as a function of light. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effects of position and light availability on shoot growth within the crowns of understory saplings of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton.); (ii) develop a new vigour index for shoots; and (iii) evaluate the possible factors relating to branch mortality in the crown of sugar maple saplings. The results revealed that there is a clear branch position effect on shoot growth in the crown for yellow birch saplings and that it is partly related to the presence of two types of shoots. Dead branches were located at the bottom of the crown of sugar maple saplings; they were smaller in size, had wider angles and had lower indexes of vigour than live branches found nearby. Preliminary results obtained on the vigour index indicate that it is a potentially useful tool for predicting the growth and vigour status of a branch.Key words: shoot growth, branch position, light availability, branch mortality, sugar maple, yellow birch.

scholarly journals YELLOW BIRCH REGENERATION ON SCARIFIED SEEDBEDS UNDER SMALL CANOPY OPENINGS

1966 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Hatcher
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Deer Browsing

Four years after establishment, an experiment in regenerating yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) on prepared seedbeds under one-tenth and one-quarter acre circular canopy openings created by cutting and girdling trees in a deteriorated tolerant hardwood stand indicates that all combinations of method and size resulted in satisfactory birch stocking. Yellow birch outgrew its principal competitor sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), underbrush competition has not jeopardized good birch survival, and deer browsing has been low.En vue d'étudier la régénération du bouleau jaune (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) sur des lits de germination préparés, des trouées de forme circulaire de 1/10 et 1/4 d'acre ont été pratiquées à l'aide de coupe et annelage dans un peuplement détérioré de feuillus tolérants. Quatre ans après le début de l'expérience le taux de germination du bouleau jaune était jugé satisfaisant pour toutes les combinaisons de méthodes employées et de dimensions des trouées. Le bouleau jaune a surpassé en croissance son principal compétiteur l'érable à sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.), sa survivance n'a jamais été mise en péril par la competition de la strate arbustive et l'intensité du broutage par le chevreuil a été bas.

Predicting volumes by log grades in standing sugar maple and yellow birch trees in southern Quebec, Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1928-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Fortin ◽  
François Guillemette ◽  
Steve Bédard
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Information Criteria ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Grade Classification ◽  
Hardwood Trees ◽  
Birch Trees

Modelling volumes by log grades in standing hardwood trees is often hindered by the nature of the response variable. In this paper, we used a two-part conditional model to account for the excess of zero responses for some log grades. Moreover, this approach was used as a framework to compare three different tree classifications in their ability to predict volumes by log grades in standing yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees. A tree grade classification was compared with two preharvest tree classifications based on mortality risk assessment. A cross-validation was also carried out to evaluate the two parts of the model. The results showed that the two-part conditional approach was efficient in this case study. Compared with a general model, the three classifications improved the maximum likelihood. According to the Akaike and Bayesian information criteria, the tree grade classification was the “best” one. All three classifications proved to be better able to distinguish log grade occurrence than log grade volume. Although it implies additional cost, the implementation of the tree grade classification into the preharvest inventories would improve the prediction of volumes by log grades for yellow birch and sugar maple trees.

Regional variation in the proportion of red heartwood in sugar maple and yellow birch

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Havreljuk ◽  
Alexis Achim ◽  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Regional Variation ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Cambial Age ◽  
Annual Minimum Temperature ◽  
Positive Effect

Stems of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) trees often contain a column of discoloured wood known as red heartwood, which reduces lumber value. To quantify the regional-scale variation in red heartwood, 192 trees of each species were sampled in 12 locations across the temperate forest zone of southern Québec, Canada. Large regional variation in the radial proportion of red heartwood (RHP) at breast height (1.3 m) was observed in both species. Statistical modeling showed that such variation was mainly attributable to factors related to tree development. Cambial age had a strong positive effect on RHP in both species, suggesting that the occurrence of red heartwood ultimately might be unavoidable. There was also a positive effect of ring area increment at the limit of the discoloured zone. In the case of sugar maple, there was an added effect of the trend in ring area increments observed in the same zone, with a negative trend being generally indicative of a larger RHP. Further variability in this species was also associated with the annual minimum temperature of the sampling locations. The models developed for each species explained around 60% of the variance in RHP and could be used to improve forest management and wood procurement decisions.

The role of advanced regeneration at time of partial harvest on tolerant hardwood stands development

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1410-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Danyagri ◽  
Sharad Kumar Baral ◽  
Monique Girouard ◽  
Hector Guy Adégbidi ◽  
Gaëtan Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Physical Damage ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Advanced Regeneration ◽  
Partial Harvest

In tolerant hardwood forests of eastern North America, multiple-aged silvicultural systems rely on advanced regeneration to restock the forests. Evaluation of the long-term influence of advanced regeneration on the mature stand is critical for improving management practices. We used a retrospective approach to evaluate the influence of advanced regeneration present at the time of harvest on the current (2012) stand structure and the quality of the growing stock. The study was carried out in partially harvested stands in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. Trees were sampled from stands with varying degrees of harvest intensities, times since harvest, and site characteristics. Pre-existing advanced regeneration contributed the bulk of trees in the 10–19 cm diameter class across the stands. In stands with low-intensity harvest, the overstory was dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) that originated as advanced regeneration. In stands with high-intensity harvest, however, yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) pre-existing advanced regeneration dominated the overstory. The probability of sugar maple and yellow birch being acceptable growing stock peaked at a diameter at breast height (DBH) of about 30–40 cm, while other species combined peaked at a DBH of around 20–25 cm. Our results suggest that harvest intensities based on the dominant advanced regeneration composition and harvesting systems that minimize the risk of physical damage to advanced regeneration are required to achieve partial harvesting objectives.

scholarly journals Birch and conifer deadwood favour early establishment and shade tolerance in yellow birch juveniles growing in sugar maple dominated stands

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Bastien Lambert ◽  
Aitor Ameztegui ◽  
Sylvain Delagrange ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Reduced Height

Small-seeded tree species such as yellow birch (YB, Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) require deadwood or mineral soil for their establishment. Although much research has been done comparing YB germination on leaf litter vs. exposed mineral soil, less is known about deadwood as a seedbed and how different seedbeds affect YB early growth along light availability and size gradients. We examine how three common seedbeds (deadwood, moss cover on deadwood, and mineral soil) affected establishment and growth, biomass partitioning, and morphological traits of YB juveniles growing in the understory of temperate mixed deciduous and coniferous forests in southern Quebec. A total of 274 YB were sampled in four sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) dominated northern hardwood stands where selective cuts had been applied 6 and 15 years prior to sampling. Over 75% of the YB found on deadwood were on material of birch and conifer origin, although these species made less than 40% of the basal area. YB juveniles growing on deadwood showed traits that improve survival in shade such as reduced height growth for tall plants, higher efficiency in resource capture, and multilayered crowns. Our results demonstrate the importance of deadwood of birch and conifer origin in maintaining an abundant, natural, spatially well-distributed, and multistoried regeneration of YB.

Effects of selective cuts on the mycorrhizae of regenerating Betula alleghaniensis and Acer saccharum seedlings in two Quebec mixed deciduous forests

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1094-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonia DeBellis ◽  
Paul Widden ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Colonization ◽  
Study Sites

The mycorrhizae of younger (2- to 3-year-old) and older (5- to 12-year-old) yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedlings and saplings were recorded from naturally regenerating plants in gaps created by selective cuts and compared with those of plants of comparable age growing in the undisturbed forest. The levels of ectomycorrhizal colonization and the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (based on morphotyping) were recorded for yellow birch and the levels of colonization and the abundance of arbuscules, vesicles, and coils were reported for the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae of sugar maples. Selective cutting had no negative effect on the mycorrhizal community structure of yellow birch and sugar maple. This may be because of the quick regeneration of the mycorrhizal hosts coupled with the minor levels of soil disruption and relatively small gap size at the study sites. Greater colonization levels in the gaps versus uncut areas were observed in the 2- to 3-year-old maples but not in the 2- to 3-year-old birch seedlings. The types of ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing the roots of birch seedlings from the gaps did not differ from those in the uncut forest areas.

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