Mixedwood silviculture in North America: the science and art of managing for complex, multi-species temperate forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Kenefic ◽  
John M. Kabrick ◽  
Benjamin Knapp ◽  
Patricia Raymond ◽  
Kenneth Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Science And Art ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Silvicultural System

Temperate mixedwoods (hardwood – softwood mixtures) in central and eastern U.S. and Canada can be classified into two overarching categories: those with shade-tolerant softwoods maintained by light to moderate disturbances and those with shade-intolerant to mid-tolerant softwoods maintained by moderate to severe disturbances. The former includes red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), or eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) in mixture with northern hardwood species; the latter includes pine (Pinus) – oak (Quercus) mixtures. Such forests have desirable socio-economic values, wildlife habitat potential, and/or adaptive capacity, but management is challenging because one or more softwood species in each can be limited by depleted seed sources, narrow regeneration requirements, or poor competitive ability. Appropriate silvicultural systems vary among mixedwood compositions depending on shade tolerance and severity of disturbance associated with the limiting softwoods, site quality, and level of herbivory. Sustainability of mixedwood composition requires that stand structure and composition be managed at each entry to maintain vigorous trees of species with different growth rates and longevities and to encourage development of advance reproduction or seed-producing trees of desired species. Regardless of silvicultural system, maintaining seed sources of limiting softwoods, providing suitable germination substrates, and controlling competition are critical. Here, we describe commonalities among temperate mixedwoods in central and eastern North America, and present a framework for managing them.

scholarly journals Interference to Hardwood Regeneration in Northeastern North America: The Effects of Raspberries (Rubus spp.) Following Clearcutting and Shelterwood Methods

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo J. Donoso ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Northeastern North America ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Shallow Soils ◽  
A Site

Abstract Rubus often becomes the most prominent vegetation within 2–3 years following heavy overstory disturbances at mesic sites within temperate forests of northeastern North America. This review draws together available literature about its dynamics and effects, focusing primarilyon raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis Porter). It covers some key ecologic functions of raspberries related to nutrient leaching, microclimate near the ground, and organic matter decomposition. It also summarizes published information about the potentialinterference with desirable tree regeneration at northern hardwood sites within the region. The review concentrates on raspberry (Rubus spp.) dynamics and effects following clearcutting, shelterwood method, and other heavy overstory disturbances. Findings indicate that raspberries commonlydevelop into a dense cover after cutting and other overstory disturbances reduce the stocking of northern hardwood stands by 40% or more. Ecologically, they shade the ground, intercept and transpire water, and reduce the rate of litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, all of whichreduce leaching from a site. On poorly drained, droughty, and shallow soils, raspberries have reportedly delayed the development of hardwood regeneration. However, by 5–7 years, rapidly developing hardwood species have normally grown through the Rubus at most other sites, andthe emerging tree community has formed a closed canopy by 10–15 years. The presence of abundant, well-developed, and well-distributed advance tree regeneration ensures prompt restocking of new hardwoods, seems to minimize the potential for interference by raspberries, and precludes anyneed to release the tree seedlings from a raspberry cover. North. J. Appl. For. 23(4):288 –296.

scholarly journals Relating Ecological Properties of Habitat Types to Differences in Aspen Stand Structure and Succession for Managing Timber and Wildlife Resources

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Felix ◽  
Henry Campa
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Texture Gradient ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Vegetation Development ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Ecological Objectives ◽  
Ecological Differences

Abstract Because aspen (Populus spp.) can grow on a range of site conditions, understanding spatial and temporal variability in aspen physiognomy is challenging but critical for developing plans to meet economic and ecological objectives. The objectives of this study were to quantify temporal differences in aspen physiognomy within and among different habitat types (HTs) in Michigan and to recommend how these results could be used to sustain timber and wildlife resources. We spatially defined HT boundaries and investigated ecological differences of aspen in three age classes (20‐29, 50‐59, and >70 years) and five HTs, ranging from xeric sand to mesic loamy soils. HTs characterized by xeric soils supported bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) and oak (Quercus), mesic sandy soils supported the greatest (P < 0.10) conifer cover, and mesic loamy soils supported a thick understory and mixed hardwood species. Timber (pulpwood) volume of stands >50 years differed (P < 0.10) between HTs (58.40‐82.15 m3/ha in the 50-year age class; 77.94‐100.84 m3/ha in the 70-year age class) and was lowest in HTs on extremes of the soil moisture and texture gradient. The results define geographic areas with different potentials for vegetation development, aspen structure, timber production, and wildlife habitat suitability.

scholarly journals Evaluating and modeling variation in site-level maximum carrying capacity of mixed-species forest stands in the Acadian Region of northeastern North America

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (03) ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Weiskittel ◽  
Christian Kuehne
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Mixed Species

Currently no universal approach exists to estimate regional site-level maximum carrying capacity in terms of stand densityindex (SDIMAX) of mixed species stands across contrasting forest ecosystems. Regional research efforts that account forinfluential stand-level variables and species traits are needed to reliably derive SDIMAX under varying environmental conditions and stand characteristics. This study used regionally comprehensive forest inventory data from various permanentsampling efforts to evaluate the effects of contrasting biotic and abiotic stand- and site-level factors on SDIMAX of multiple-species, structurally heterogeneous stands of the climatically diverse Acadian Forest Region of North America. Specifically,we aimed to i) quantify the stand-level maximum size-density line for an array of forest stands found across the study area,irrespective of stand structure; ii) evaluate the relationship between this stand-specific estimate of SDIMAX and various other stand-level attributes; and, iii) develop a generalized SDIMAX prediction model using SDIMAX estimates from objective i) aswell as potential regional drivers of SDIMAX from objective ii). The most influential stand-level factors on SDIMAX were proportion of total stand basal area in hardwood species, basal area weighted mean specific gravity, range in stem diameter, andspecies diversity. Direct climatic variables were not included in our SDIMAX prediction model due to the limited variationexplained, but relationships with elevation and a site quality index based on these climatic variables were. Overall, we con-clude that i) variation in SDIMAX appears to be mostly driven by the softwood to hardwood ratio of the mixed species,structurally complex stands evaluated in our study and ii) the general approach offers a viable framework for estimating sitemaximum carrying capacity at a regional-scale and effectively managing stand density accordingly.

An assessment of expert-based marten habitat models used for forest management in Ontario

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 801-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Bowman ◽  
Jean-François Robitaille
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Habitat Models ◽  
Development Stages

We used marten snow tracking data and a previously developed empirical habitat model from northeastern Ontario to validate a number of expert-based, non-spatial marten habitat models. In particular, we tested the non-spatial Ontario Wildlife Habitat Analysis Model, the Boreal East Habitat Suitability Matrix (including tests of both standard forest units and development stages), and Allen's (1982) HSI model. Marten habitat use as measured by tracks in the snow was consistent with predictions of all the expert-based models, suggesting that these models correctly characterized the stand-level forest cover selected by marten in winter. Suitability ranks for individual stands derived from standard forest units and development stages also were consistent with their use by marten. The empirical model was consistent with the expert-based models in that it considered suitable forest stands to be those with tall trees dominated by spruce (Picea spp.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees, with a large amount of coarse woody debris, and high canopy closure. Our findings suggested that the expert-based models were able to characterize stand structure used by marten despite some of the models using only inputs available from stand inventories. This was accomplished because stand structural elements such as coarse woody debris were integrated into OWHAM and HSM indirectly, through relationships with stand age and species composition. Key words: boreal forest, forest inventory, habitat, habitat suitability, guidelines, Forest Ecosystem Classification, landscape, Martes americana, resource selection, snow tracking, spatial autocorrelation, stand structure

Nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes support host and geographic speciation in tree pathogens belonging toGremmeniellaspp.

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1151-1159 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Dusabenyagasani ◽  
G Laflamme ◽  
R C Hamelin
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
North American ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Host Specialization ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Group I ◽  
Geographic Separation ◽  
Pinus Spp

We detected nucleotide polymorphisms within the genus Gremmeniella in DNA sequences of β-tubulin, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, and mitochondrial small subunit rRNA (mtSSU rRNA) genes. A group-I intron was present in strains originating from fir (Abies spp.) in the mtSSU rRNA locus. This intron in the mtSSU rRNA locus of strains isolated from Abies sachalinensis (Fridr. Schmidt) M.T. Mast in Asia was also found in strains isolated from Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. in North America. Phylogenetic analyses yielded trees that grouped strains by host of origin with strong branch support. Asian strains of Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerberg) Morelet var. abietina isolated from fir (A. sachalinensis) were more closely related to G. abietina var. balsamea from North America, which is found on spruce (Picea spp.) and balsam fir, and European and North American races of G. abietina var. abietina from pines (Pinus spp.) were distantly related. Likewise, North American isolates of Gremmeniella laricina (Ettinger) O. Petrini, L.E. Petrini, G. Laflamme, & G.B. Ouellette, a pathogen of larch, was more closely related to G. laricina from Europe than to G. abietina var. abietina from North America. These data suggest that host specialization might have been the leading evolutionary force shaping Gremmeniella spp., with geographic separation acting as a secondary factor.Key words: Gremmeniella, geographic separation, host specialization, mitochondrial rRNA, nuclear genes.

scholarly journals How geographic and climatic factors affect the adaptation of Douglas-fir provenances to the temperate continental climate zone in Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzena Niemczyk ◽  
Daniel J. Chmura ◽  
Jarosław Socha ◽  
Tomasz Wojda ◽  
Piotr Mroczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality ◽  
Seed Origin ◽  
Continental Climate

AbstractThe contribution of Douglas-fir (Df) to European forests is likely to increase as the species is a potential adaptation option to climate change. In this study, we investigated growth and survival of Df seed sources to fill a knowledge gap regarding recommendations for the future use of Df provenances in Poland. Our experimental test site represents the most continental climate among all Df trials installed in the IUFRO 1966–67 test series in Europe. At this unique single site, we evaluated the performance of 46 Df provenances from North America, and nine local landraces of unknown origin. Repeated measurements of tree diameter, height, and volume were analysed, to age 48, representing integrated responses to geographic and climatic conditions. Significant variation in survival and productivity-related traits were found, with the interior Df provenances performing best, in contrast to previous European reports. The higher survivability and volume of the interior provenances resulted from their superior frost resistance. The low precipitation seasonality at the location of seed origin provided an additional advantage to the trees at the test site. Geographic and climatic factors of seed origin explained most of the variation in productivity (77 and 64%, respectively). The tested landraces exhibited diverse performance, implying that naturalized local seed sources in Poland need improvement and perhaps enrichment with new genetic material from North America, while considering geography and climate. Assisted migration programs should consider the limitations imposed by both frost and drought events in guiding future Df selections for continental climates. Further field testing, early greenhouse screening and DNA testing are also recommended.

Variation in canopy gap formation among developmental stages of northern hardwood stands

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1875-1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally E. Dahir ◽  
Craig G. Lorimer
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Turnover Time ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Mature Stands

Trends in gap dynamics among pole, mature, and old-growth northern hardwood stands were investigated on eight sites in the Porcupine Mountains of western upper Michigan. Recent gaps (created between 1981 and 1992) were identified using permanent plot records of tree mortality, while older gaps (1940–1981) were identified using stand reconstruction techniques. Although canopy gaps were somewhat more numerous in pole and mature stands, gaps were <25% as large as those in old-growth stands because of smaller gap-maker size, and the proportion of stand area turned over in gaps was only about half as large. Gap makers in younger stands generally had mean relative diameters (ratio of gap-maker DBH to mean DBH of canopy trees) <1.0 and were disproportionately from minor species such as eastern hophornbeam (Ostryavirginiana (Mill.) K. Koch). Gap makers in old-growth stands had mean relative diameters >1.5 and were predominantly from the dominant canopy species. Even in old-growth forests, most gaps were small (mean 44 m2) and created by single trees. Based on the identity of the tallest gap tree in each gap, nearly all shade-tolerant and midtolerant species have been successful in capturing gaps, but gap capture rates for some species were significantly different from their relative density in the upper canopy. The tallest gap trees of shade-tolerant species were often formerly overtopped trees, averaging more than 60% of the mean canopy height and having mean ages of 65–149 years. Canopy turnover times, based on gap formation rates over a 50-year period, were estimated to average 128 years for old-growth stands dominated by sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and 192 years for old-growth stands dominated by hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carrière). While these estimates of turnover time are substantially shorter than maximum tree ages observed on these sites, they agree closely with independent data on mean canopy residence time for trees that die at the average gap-maker size of 51 cm DBH. The data support previous hypothetical explanations of the apparent discrepancy between canopy turnover times of <130 years for hardwood species and the frequent occurrence of trees exceeding 250 years of age.

Rhizosphaera pini. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Diamandis
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
North America ◽  
Picea Abies ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Tsuga Diversifolia ◽  
Needle Blight

Abstract A description is provided for Rhizosphaera pini. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Abies balsamea, A. cephallonica, A. fraseri, A. grandis, A. pectinata, A. veitchii, Pinus sp., Tsuga diversifolia, also possibly Picea abies. DISEASE: Needle blight of firs. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Asia (Japan), Europe (Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy), North America (Canada, USA). TRANSMISSION: Not known.

Isthmiella faullii. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Cannon
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
North America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
New Hampshire ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Needle Blight ◽  
Juvenile Plants

Abstract A description is provided for Isthmiella faullii. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Apparently confined to Abies balsamea. DISEASE: Causes a needle blight of Abies balsamea. According to Darker (1932), it 'is the commonest and most destructive of the Hypodermataceae on Abies balsamea in eastern North America'. It is particularly damaging to seedlings and juvenile plants. In northern Ontario, from where the disease was originally identified, infection occurs during the summer, but signs of the disease do not appear until the following spring, when needles become brown and conidiomata develop, conidia being discharged in July, and shortly after this ascomata begin to form, maturing in July of the following year. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Reported from Canada: Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and USA: Michigan and New Hampshire. TRANSMISSION: Through air dispersal of ascospores, which directly infect the leaves (Darker, 1932).

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