scholarly journals Comparative growth trends of five northern hardwood and montane tree species reveal divergent trajectories and response to climate

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Kosiba ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Shelly A. Rayback ◽  
Gary J. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch

In the northeastern United States, tree declines associated with acid deposition induced calcium depletion have been documented, notably for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). There is conflicting evidence concerning whether co-occurring tree species capitalized on these declines or suffered similar growth reductions and on how growth has fluctuated relative to environmental variables. We examined five species along three elevational transects on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont: sugar maple, red spruce, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). We found baseline differences in growth. Red maple and yellow birch had the highest growth, sugar maple and red spruce had intermediate growth, and balsam fir had the lowest growth. While some year-to-year declines were associated with specific stress events, protracted patterns such as recent increases in red spruce and red maple growth were correlated with increased temperature and cooling degree days (heat index). For most species and elevations, there was a positive association between temperature and growth but a negative association with growth in the following year. Based on our comparisons, for some species, growth at Mt. Mansfield aligns with regional trends and suggests that patterns assessed here may be indicative of the broader region.

Substrate type and the distribution of sugar maple at its elevational limit in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D Demers ◽  
Thomas D Lee ◽  
James P Barrett
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Substrate Type ◽  
Yellow Birch

The relationships between tree species distribution and substrate characteristics were examined at the upper elevational limit of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) in the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. Four tree species were studied: sugar maple, balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton). At 51 individual trees (>=2.5 cm diameter at breast height) of each species, "substrate type" was described based on the parent material, soil horizons, depth and texture of the B and C horizons, nature of surface boulders, and the depth to and type of impermeable layer. Substrate type was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with tree species. Sugar maple was relatively more frequent on deep fine and compact tills, less frequent on washed or shallow till, and absent on shallow, organic, or grus (weathered granite) substrates. Red spruce, balsam fir, and yellow birch were less sensitive to substrate type. Red spruce and yellow birch were most frequent on organic material or grus over rock. Balsam fir most frequently occurred on washed till. As the frequency of substrates favorable to sugar maple declined with elevation, it is possible that the upper elevational range limit of this species is influenced by substrate availability.

Succession forestière après feu dans la sapinière à bouleau jaune du Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec

1997 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jacques Morissette ◽  
Michèle Bernier-Cardou
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Hardwood Species

Forest successions following a forest fire that occurred in 1932 were studied on mesic sites of the boreal mixedwood forest of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec, Canada. Physiographic, soil and vegetation data were collected in 28 ecosystems distributed on a topographic gradient. The vegetation composition of the main canopy, 64 years after the fire, varied according to topographic situation. The proportion of tolerant hardwood species (yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.)) increased toward upper slopes whereas it was the opposite for coniferous species (white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss), balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)), as their proportion increased toward lower slopes. Intolerant hardwood species (white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)) were abundant in all ecosystems. The distribution pattern of regeneration density and stocking of tolerant hardwoods and conifers was similar to that of the main canopy. The majority of commercial species, including tolerant species, established rapidly after the fire. Only eastern white cedar (Thuya occidentalis L.), which is a species typical of late succession, did not grow back. Ten years after the fire, 78% of the sampled dominant trees were established. Competition caused by mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lam.) did not seem to be as important after fire compared with the situation after clearcutting. Results showed that after the elimination of intolerant species, the vegetation composition should evolve toward the potential vegetation (climax) of the toposequence, that is, the sugar maple - yellow birch type on upper slopes, the balsam fir - yellow birch type on midslopes and the balsam fir - yellow birch - cedar type on lower slopes. Key words: succession, fire, yellow birch, balsam fir, mountain maple.

scholarly journals Simulated winter warming has negligible effects on germination success of Acadian Forest tree species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Robert Vaughn ◽  
Anthony R. Taylor ◽  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Loïc D'Orangeville
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Winter Warming ◽  
Germination Success ◽  
Acadian Forest

Dormant seeds that require long periods of cold stratification to become germinable may be most sensitive to increases in winter temperatures caused by anthropogenic climate change. In this study, we used outdoor plots with infrared heaters to simulate the effects of projected winter warming (+6°C) for Canada’s Acadian Forest Region and compared seed germination success of tree species with varying stratification requirements. We evaluated four seedlots each of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton). Three central findings emerged from this study: (1) none of the tested species were significantly affected by warming; (2) the random effect of seedlot explained more variation in germination success of deciduous species than it did for conifers; and (3) balsam fir seedlots exhibited considerable differences in their response to warming, implying intraspecific variation in depth of dormancy. These results suggest seed germination success of the tested tree species may not be impeded by their individual seed characteristics under the magnitude of winter warming projected over the coming century in our study area.

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.

Interspecific variation in susceptibility to windthrow as a function of tree size and storm severity for northern temperate tree species

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D Canham ◽  
Michael J Papaik ◽  
Erika F Latty
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Old Growth

Studies of wind disturbance regimes have been hampered by the lack of methods to quantify variation in both storm severity and the responses of tree species to winds of varying intensity. In this paper, we report the development of a new, empirical method of simultaneously estimating both local storm severity and the parameters of functions that define species-specific variation in susceptibility to windthrow as a function of storm severity and tree size. We test the method using data collected following a storm that struck the western Adirondack Mountains of New York in 1995. For intermediate-sized stems (e.g., 40 cm DBH), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) showed the highest rates of windthrow across virtually all levels of storm severity, while yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) had the lowest rates of windthrow. For much of the range of storm severity, the probability of windthrow for the most susceptible species was at least twice as high as for the least susceptible species. Three of the species, yellow birch, red spruce, and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), had significantly lower probability of windthrow at a given storm severity in old-growth stands than in second-growth stands. Our results suggest that the distinctive abundance of these three species in old-growth forests of the Adirondacks is due, at least in part, to their ability to survive the intermediate-scale disturbance events that appear to dominate the natural disturbance regime in this region.

scholarly journals Gap dynamics in Balsam Fir, Abies balsamea - Yellow Birch, Betula alleghaniensis, forests of Québec

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rémi Hébert ◽  
Jean Huot
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Regeneration Process ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Gap Dynamics ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Gap Characteristics

To determine if gap dynamics can play an important role in the natural regeneration process of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)-Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) forests and to determine the effects of gap characteristics on regenerating woody species, we sampled 119 gaps from 64 forest stands in La Mauricie National Park. Gaps averaged 184.5 m² in size. The mean gap age was 7.8 years. Gaps were usually created by broken or uprooted trees and only rarely resulted from Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreaks. We found 25 species that regenerated in the gaps or under the forest cover. When considering all species, significantly more stems/ha were in gaps than under the forest cover. Gap characteristics generally did not influence regenerating woody species. We present a comprehensive model of gap dynamics in Balsam Fir-Yellow Birch forests, starting from a dense canopy, continuing with the creation and colonization of gaps, and ending to the closure of the canopy. Gap dynamics play an important role in the natural regeneration process of Balsam Fir-Yellow Birch forests.Afin de déterminer si la dynamique par trouée peut jouer un rôle important comme processus naturel de régénération de la sapinière à Bouleau Jaune et aussi afin de déterminer les effets des caractéristiques des trouées sur la régénération, nous avons échantillonné 119 trouées dans 64 peuplements forestiers au parc national de la Mauricie. Ces ouvertures avaient une superficie moyenne de 184,5 m². L’âge moyen des ouvertures était de 7,8 ans. Elles étaient généralement créées par un arbre cassé ou déraciné. Peu d’ouvertures étaient créées par des épidémies de la Tordeuse des Bourgeons de l’Épinette. Au total, 25 espèces en régénération ont été rencontrées dans les ouvertures ou sous le couvert forestier. En considérant toutes les espèces, il y avait significativement plus de tiges/ha dans les ouvertures que sous le couvert forestier. Les caractéristiques des trouées n’influençaient généralement pas la régénération. Nous présentons un modèle complet sur la dynamique par trouée dans la sapinière à Bouleau jaune, commençant avec une canopée dense, continuant avec la création et la colonisation des trouées, et se terminant avec la fermeture de la canopée. La dynamique par trouée joue un rôle important dans le régime de perturbations de la sapinière à Bouleau jaune.

Évaluation de la coupe avec protection de la régénération et des sols comme méthode de régénération de peuplements mélangés du domaine bioclimatique de la sapinière à bouleau jaune de l'est du Québec, Canada

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Laflèche ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Louis Archambault
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Commercial Species ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
Growth Projection ◽  
The Impact

The effect of careful logging to preserve advance growth was studied in mixedwood stands of the balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) - yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) eco-climatic domain in eastern Quebec, Canada. The study is based on 19 sites harvested five years earlier. In each cutover, 50 sample plots have been established to quantify the abundance of regeneration five years after logging. This cutting method proved to be ineffective in limiting the invasion of competiting species such as mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lam.) and pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica (L.), which fully occupied the sites with 25 092 and 5619 stems ha−1 respectively. Balsam fir was abundant after five years in the study area with 13 500 stems ha−1 but two thirds of the seedlings were smaller than 30 cm. Soil disturbance was minimal, probably limiting the establishment of yellow birch, which reached a density of 1416 stems ha−1 five years after logging. Height growth projection of regeneration over five years showed that competiting species should still dominate the sites. Commercial species should improve their position but would still account for only 40% of dominant stems. It is therefore unlikely that this regeneration method will be successful in bringing back the initial stand composition in a short period of time. The next stands will probably contain a high proportion of intolerant species with a dominance of paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) over yellow birch. In the near future, cleaning operations should be conducted to reduce the impact of competing vegetation and make sure that balsam fir will remain in the main canopy.

Concentrations of Ca and Mg in early stages of sapwood decay in red spruce, eastern hemlock, red maple, and paper birch

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 957-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Smith ◽  
Walter C. Shortle ◽  
Jody Jellison ◽  
Jon Connolly ◽  
Jonathan Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Eastern Hemlock ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Decay Fungi ◽  
Paper Birch

The decay of coarse woody debris is a key component in the formation of forest soil and in the biogeochemical cycles of Ca and Mg. We tracked changes in density and concentration of Ca and Mg in sapwood of red maple ( Acer rubrum L.), red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.), paper birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) in Maine and New Hampshire. We repeatedly sampled 10 logs of each combination of tree species and location at the time of felling and at 2-year intervals for 6 years (birch and hemlock) or 8 years (spruce and maple). We found that density loss was essentially linear for the time period investigated, with birch and maple sapwood decaying at faster rates than spruce and hemlock. Repeated-measures analysis and regression modeling of log-transformed concentrations indicated a significant accumulation of Ca for sapwood of all tree species at both locations (30%–90% increase after 6–8 years of ground contact). Regression estimates of Mg concentration in spruce and maple declined about 20% during the 8 years of ground contact. There was no significant trend for Mg concentration in birch and hemlock. Variation in decay rates and trends in Ca and Mg concentration may be due to differences in sapwood quality, the community of wood decay fungi and associated organisms, or to abiotic conditions.

Dynamique de la sapinière à bouleau jaune de l'est après une épidémie de tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Pominville ◽  
Stéphane Déry ◽  
Louis Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
The Dead

An outbreak of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), occurred between 1974 and 1987, in Quebec, in the eastern balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, - yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton, ecoclimatic sub-domain. The effect of this disruption has been assessed in mesic balsam fir stands killed during the outbreak, in mesic balsam fir stands partially damaged and in the following stands, also partially damaged: mesic yellow birch – balsam fir stands, mesic white birch, Betulapapyrifera Marsh., - balsam fir stands, mesic balsam fir – yellow birch stands, mesic balsam fir – white birch stands and xeric balsam fir stands. To that effect, surveys were led before, immediately after, and about five years after the outbreak in two blocks that have not been protected with insecticides. These blocks, located in Charlevoix and in Shipshaw management units, are second growth stands originating from clearcuts which occured about 50 years ago. Approximately five years after the outbreak, abundant coniferous regeneration was found everywhere except in the mesic yellow birch –balsam fir stand and in the dead mesic balsam fir stand, where softwood represented less than 50% of the regeneration. On the other hand, young softwood stems were located under the regeneration of white birch and of mountain maple, Acer spicatum Lam, in dead balsam fir stands, in balsam fir – white birch stands, as well as in living balsam fir stands and under mountain maple in yellow birch – balsam fir stands and in balsam fir – yellow birch stands. Our age structures indicate that softwood advance growth was relatively rare in these stands. Thus, during the opening of the canopy by the spruce budworm, intolerant hard-woods and shrubs invaded the still available microsites. In the dead balsam fir stands, stocking of the dominant hardwood regeneration stems is equivalent to that of softwood. Thus, dead balsam fir stands are turning to mixed stands. Xeric stands will remain softwood stands since they show luxuriant softwood regeneration dominating in height. In the other stands, we will have to wait the harvest period before we can adequately assess succession.

Calcium and magnesium in wood of northern hardwood forest species: relations to site characteristics

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Arthur ◽  
T G Siccama ◽  
R D Yanai
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Hardwood Forest ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forest ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood

Improving estimates of the nutrient content of boles in forest ecosystems requires more information on how the chemistry of wood varies with characteristics of the tree and site. We examined Ca and Mg concentrations in wood at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Species examined were the dominant tree species of the northern hardwood forest and the spruce-fir forest. The concentrations of Ca and Mg, respectively, in lightwood of these species, mass weighted by elevation, were 661 and 145 µg/g for sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), 664 and 140 µg/g for American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), 515 and 93 µg/g for yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), 525 and 70 µg/g for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), 555 and 118 µg/g for balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and 393 and 101 µg/g for white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.). There were significant patterns in Ca and Mg concentrations with wood age. The size of the tree was not an important source of variation. Beech showed significantly greater concentrations of both Ca (30%) and Mg (33%) in trees growing in moist sites relative to drier sites; sugar maple and yellow birch were less sensitive to mesotopography. In addition to species differences in lightwood chemistry, Ca and Mg concentrations in wood decreased with increasing elevation, coinciding with a pattern of decreasing Ca and Mg in the forest floor. Differences in Ca and Mg concentration in lightwood accounted for by elevation ranged from 12 to 23% for Ca and 16 to 30% for Mg for the three northern hardwood species. At the ecosystem scale, the magnitude of the elevational effect on lightwood chemistry, weighted by species, amounts to 18% of lightwood Ca in the watershed and 24% of lightwood Mg but only 2% of aboveground biomass Ca and 7% of aboveground Mg.

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