scholarly journals Long-term compositional changes following partial disturbance revealed by the resurvey of logging concession limits in the northern temperate forest of eastern Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 943-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Danneyrolles ◽  
Dominique Arseneault ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Compositional Changes

Land use changes that are linked to European settlement of North America have transformed northeastern temperate forest landscapes. Many studies report a regional increase of young early-successional forests due to high disturbance rates since the preindustrial era (fire, land clearing, and clear-cuts). In this study, we document specific compositional changes to present-day mature forest landscapes, which have only been managed with partial cutting (high-grading and diameter-limit cuts) since the preindustrial era in southwestern Quebec. We resurveyed 108 forest observations that were extracted from logbooks of former logging concession limits (surveyed between 1870 and 1890). Results highlight an increase in mid- to late-successional shade-tolerant taxa (Betula alleghaniensis Britton, Thuja occidentalis L., Acer saccharum Marsh.) at the expense of preindustrial dominant conifers (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., Pinus strobus L.). Former logging activities and spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) outbreaks appear to be the main drivers of these changes, which were also strongly structured across the topographic gradient. To some extent, these results highlight the relevance of partial cutting management, as it has allowed long-term maintenance of a mid- to late-successional forest composition, while also pointing the need for P. strobus restoration. We conclude that by allowing site-specific comparisons, the resurvey of historical observations greatly improve the analytical strengths of historical reconstruction.

Seedling recruitment in a northern temperate forest: the relative importance of supply and establishment limitation

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 978-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P Caspersen ◽  
Megan Saprunoff
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Recruitment Failure ◽  
Niche Differences

We quantified supply and establishment limitation as components of seedling recruitment for five species common to the temperate forests of central Ontario. Establishment limitation was the primary cause of recruitment failure for the three most common species: Acer saccharum Marsh., Betula alleghaniensis Britt., and Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière. The main barrier to establishment (including germination and seedling emergence) was a lack of suitable substrates, rather than a lack of light. Supply limitation, on the other hand, was the primary cause of recruitment failure for two less common species, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. The cause of supply limitation was a lack of parent trees, in the case of A. balsamea, and low fecundity, in the case of F. grandifolia. Our results suggest that niche differences (i.e., germination requirements) are more important than dispersal in structuring temperate forest communities. Our results also suggest that availability of suitable substrates is the primary factor limiting seedling recruitment following logging.

Decennial growth and mortality following uniform partial cutting in yellow birch – conifer stands

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Prévost ◽  
Daniel Dumais
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Tree Survival

Estimating residual tree survival and growth is crucial for evaluating the overall merit of partial harvesting. In this case study, we present the effects of different cutting intensities (0%, 40%, 50%, and 60% of merchantable (diameter at breast height ≥ 9.1 cm) basal area (BA)) on the response of residual trees in two mixed yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) – conifer stands in eastern Quebec, Canada. Primarily aimed at promoting regeneration establishment, the experiment was conducted in two sites 90 km apart (Armagh and Duchesnay), each one containing four replicates of treatments in a randomized block design. Mortality after cutting decreased with increasing BA removal, but losses were two to three times higher at Armagh (62–138 stems/ha) than at Duchesnay (22–88 stems/ha). Loss of conifer stems involved primarily balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) under natural conditions (control), whereas fir and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) were equally affected in partial cuts. Red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) were lost regardless of treatment. As a whole, growth in merchantable BA increased with cutting intensity. Uniform partial cuts produced good BA growth response from conifers at Armagh (0.27–0.28 m2·ha−1·year−1) and from hardwoods at Duchesnay (0.16–0.25 m2·ha−1·year−1), whereas BA growth was negligible for both species groups in the control. We examine the role of species composition and stand structure before cutting in the response of residual trees.

Trends in the frequency, extent, and severity of spruce budworm outbreaks in eastern Canada

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
The Past ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
History Of

The history of spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) outbreaks for the past 200 to 300 years, for nine regions in eastern Canada, indicates that outbreaks have occurred more frequently in the 20th century than previously. Regionally, 21 outbreaks took place in the past 80 years compared with 9 in the preceding 100 years. Earlier infestations were restricted to specific regions, but in the 20th century they have coalesced and increased in size, the outbreaks of 1910, 1940, and 1970 having covered 10, 25, and 55 million ha respectively. Reasons for the increase in frequency, extent, and severity of outbreaks appear mostly attributable to changes caused by man, in the forest ecosystem. Clear-cutting of pulpwood stands, fire protection, and use of pesticides against budworm favor fir–spruce stands, rendering the forest more prone to budworm attack. The manner and degree to which each of these practices has altered forest composition is discussed. In the future, most of these practices are expected to continue and their effects could intensify, especially in regions of recent application. Other practices, including large-scale planting of white spruce, could further increase the susceptibility of forest stands. Forest management, aimed at reducing the occurrence of extensive fir–spruce stands, has been advocated as a long-term solution to the budworm problem. The implementation of this measure at a time when man's actions result in the proliferation of fir presents a most serious challenge to forest managers.

Effect of cutting intensity on microenvironmental conditions and regeneration dynamics in yellow birch – conifer stands

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Prévost
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Randomized Block Design

This paper presents the 5 year results of different cutting intensities (removal of 0%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 100% of the basal area) applied in two mixed yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) – conifer stands of eastern Quebec, Canada. Two sites 90 km apart were used: Armagh and Duchesnay. Each site had four replicates of the treatments in a randomized block design. The effect on light availability was similar in the two sites: the 0%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 100% cuts transmitting a mean of 5%, 21%, 26%, 30%, and 94% of full light, respectively, during the first summer. Soil temperature increased only in the 100% cut (4−5 °C, maximum daily temperature). Soil disturbance during harvest was higher at Duchesnay than at Armagh, which clearly improved seedbed receptivity, particularly to yellow birch. After 5 years, treated areas contained 21 000 to 48 300 seedlings/ha at Duchesnay compared with 5500 – 10 500 seedlings/ha at Armagh. Significant losses of coniferous advance growth were observed at both sites, but a subsequent seedling recruitment occurred only at Duchesnay. Red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) showed superior establishment in the 60% cut (4400 seedlings/ha) than under other cutting intensities (1600–2100 seedlings/ha), whereas balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) responded well to all partial cutting treatments. At both sites, pin cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica L.f.) was the main competing species in the 100% cut, whereas densities of the preestablished mountain maple ( Acer spicatum Lamb.) and striped maple ( Acer pensylvanicum L.) either remained the same or increased in the partial cuts.

Growth Response of Northern Hardwoods to Partial Cutting in Southern Ontario

1979 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Ondro ◽  
David V. Love
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Treatment Comparison ◽  
Tree Quality

To test the effect of three methods of partial cutting on diameter growth and tree quality, three treatments (a light improvement cut based on individual tree selection, an improvement cut based on group tree selection, and a commercial cut) were applied removing approximately 20% of the stand volume, and a control area chosen. The stands, made up of american beech (Fagus grandiflora Ehrh.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum March.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), were located near Dorset, Haliburton County, Ontario, in the former University of Toronto Forest.Remeasurement data 10 years after cutting were used for treatment comparison. The commercial cut resulted in the greatest dbh increment. Although growth response was lower in the improvement cuts, most dbh increment occurred on trees of better quality. Dbh increment response was greater after group selection than individual tree selection.

scholarly journals Temporal pattern in basal area prediction error of a growth model for Quebec’s temperate forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-150
Author(s):  
Hugues Power ◽  
Isabelle Auger
Keyword(s):  
Nous Avons ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Prediction Error ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Modèle De Croissance

Pour les utilisateurs, l’évaluation des performances et de la fiabilité d’un modèle de croissance est essentielle. Cependant, les biais spécifiques à l’espèce et à l’année d’observation sont rarement signalés, bien que des changements dans les conditions de croissance soient susceptibles d’augmenter la présence de tels biais dans les modèles. Dans cette étude, nous avons analysé l’erreur de prévision de la surface terrière d’Artemis, un modèle de croissance à l’échelle de l’arbre. Même si les prévisions du modèle étaient peu biaisées dans la plupart des conditions, nous avons détecté des tendances liées à l’espèce et à l’année d’observation. Ces tendances étaient les plus fortes pour l’érable à sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.), pour lequel une sous-estimation de la surface terrière en 1975 évoluait vers une surestimation en 2010. Pour le sapin baumier (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), la tendance contraire a pu être observée. Une meilleure prise en compte par le modèle des conditions de croissance et des perturbations biotiques pourrait aider à diminuer les biais. Ces résultats sont pertinents pour les développeurs et pour les utilisateurs, qui doivent savoir que les prévisions du modèle de croissance pour ces deux espèces sont susceptibles d’être de plus en plus biaisées avec l’allongement de la période de simulation.

Tree seedling growth and mortality responses to manipulations of calcium and aluminum in a northern hardwood forest

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 954-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard K Kobe ◽  
Gene E Likens ◽  
Christopher Eagar
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest ◽  
Tree Seedling ◽  
Soil Calcium ◽  
Dependent Growth

To assess potential forest compositional responses to exchangeable soil calcium (Caexch) and aluminum (Alexch), we characterized light-dependent growth and mortality of tree seedlings under amendments of CaCl2 and AlCl3 at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), New Hampshire, U.S.A. Seedlings of Acer saccharum Marsh., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Betula alleghaniensis Britton, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., and Picea rubens Sarg. were transplanted into field plots, which were randomly assigned to control, CaCl2, or AlCl3 treatments and stratified across <1 to 35% full sun. Acer saccharum and P. rubens exhibited significantly higher mortality in Al-amended than Ca-amended or control plots. Acer saccharum showed significant increases in relative diameter growth in Ca-amended plots versus controls; all other species showed nonsignificantly higher relative diameter growth under Ca amendments. We incorporated significant seedling responses into a model of forest dynamics (SORTIE) to assess potential changes in species composition under Alexch increases and Caexch losses. SORTIE predicts that further increases in Alexch would have negligible effects on canopy composition within 200 years but that the estimated Caexch depleted from HBEF between 1968 and 1995 and its influence on seedling dynamics could lead to substantial decreases in A. saccharum canopy dominance within a single forest generation (<125 years).

scholarly journals Histoire Postglaciaire de la Végétation dans la Région de Mont-Saint-Pierre, Gaspésie, Québec

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Labelle ◽  
Pierre J. H. Richard
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Pinus Strobus ◽  
Larix Laricina ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Betula Papyrifera ◽  
Fraxinus Nigra

RÉSUMÉLes analyses pollinique et macrofossile de sédiments de deux lacs des environs de Mont-Saint-Pierre (Gaspésie), l'un dans la vallée côtière, l'autre sur le plateau, permettent de reconstituer l'histoire postglaciaire de la végétation dans deux situations physiographiques contrastées. Seul le plateau a été colonisé par une végétation initiale de type toundra (> 10 400 ans BP), pendant que la vallée était encore en partie ennoyée par la mer de Goldthwait. L'afforestation du plateau fut caractérisée d'abord par des populations de Picea sp., accompagné de Populus sp. et Larix laricina, puis par un envahissement progressif par Abies balsamea et Betula papyrifera. La baisse de la représentation pollinique de l'aulne vert (Alnus cf. crispa), maximale durant l'afforestation, paraît être un indicateur assez fidèle de la fermeture de la couverture forestière. Cette phase se termine vers 9000 ans BP sur le plateau. Le rythme de l'afforestation a été différent dans la vallée. Des taxons héliophiles s'y sont maintenus plus longtemps, ce qui peut être relié à l'activité des versants abrupts qui flanquent la vallée. Malgré des variations de l'abondance relative des arbres, la sapinière à bouleau blanc a sans doute occupé le plateau depuis 9000 ans BP environ. Par contre, la végétation de la vallée s'est passablement modifiée jusque vers 5000 à 4500 ans BP, par la migration successive de Betula alleghaniensis, de Pinus strobus, de Fraxinus nigra, dAcer saccharum et d'Ulmus americana. L'implantation progressive de ces arbres relativement thermophiles est à l'origine de la diversité du paysage actuel de la vallée. Ces reconstitutions permettent d'écarter l'hypothèse de Dansereau (1944) selon laquelle les érablières à Acer saccharum de la Gaspésie seraient des groupements hérités de l'optimum climatique de l'Holocène moyen, au cours duquel les érablières auraient été largement répandues sur le territoire. Les données montrent que ces érablières datent de l'Holocène Supérieur, la migration d'Acer saccharum ayant sans doute été freinée par des barrières topo-climatiques entraînant une discontinuité prononcée des habitats pouvant accueillir cette espèce.

scholarly journals Contrasting Litter Nutrient and Metal Inputs and Soil Chemistry among Five Common Eastern North American Tree Species

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
Neil F. J. Ott ◽  
Shaun A. Watmough
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch

Forest composition has been altered throughout Eastern North America, and changes in species dominance may alter nutrient cycling patterns, influencing nutrient availability and distribution in soils. To assess whether nutrients and metals in litterfall and soil differed among sites influenced by five common Ontario tree species (balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.)), litterfall and soil chemistry were measured at a managed forest in Central Ontario, Canada. Carbon (C) and macronutrient (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)) inputs in litterfall varied significantly among sites, primarily due to differences in litterfall mass, which was greatest in deciduous-dominated sites, while differences in elemental concentrations played relatively minor roles. Trace metal inputs in litterfall also varied, with much higher zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in litterfall within yellow birch dominated stands. Mineral soil oxide composition was very similar among sites, suggesting that differences in soil chemistry were influenced by forest composition rather than parent material. Litter in deciduous-dominated stands had lower C/N, and soils were less acidic than conifer-dominated sites. Deciduous stands also had much shorter elemental residence times in the organic horizons, especially for base cations (Ca, Mg, K) compared with conifer-dominated sites, although total soil nutrient pools were relatively consistent among sites. A change from stands with greater conifer abundance to mixed hardwoods has likely led to more rapid cycling of elements in forests, particularly for base cations. These differences are apparent at small scales (100 m2) in mixed forests that characterize many forested regions in Eastern North America and elsewhere.

A comparison of pre-European settlement (1857) and current (1981-1995) forest composition in central Ontario

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M Jackson ◽  
Fred Pinto ◽  
Jay R Malcolm ◽  
Edward R Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
White Birch ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Eastern White Cedar ◽  
Western Half

Presettlement forest composition along a 278 km long transect through central Ontario was recreated from Ontario land survey notes (1857) and compared with existing forest composition as derived from Forest Resource Inventories (1981-1995). Trends through time were analyzed by means of detrended correspondence analysis and univariate statistics (paired t tests and Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-ranks tests). Ordinations based on the first tree taxon listed in a stand and on all tree taxa provided similar results. The eastern half of the transect was initially dominated by boreal conifers, whereas the western half supported stands typical of Ontario's Great Lakes - St. Lawrence (GLSL) region. Significant reductions of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) and significant increases of poplar (Populus spp.) and white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) were observed within the boreal half. A significant reduction in eastern white cedar and an increase poplar were observed in the western half. Changes in the boreal region strongly support previous studies conducted over shorter time periods and may be attributed to clear-cut harvesting. The persistence of shade-tolerant hardwoods within the GLSL region can be attributed to the prevalence of small-scale disturbances associated with partial-cut harvesting systems.

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