Fire disturbance during climate change: failure of postfire forest recovery on a boreal floodplain

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 2294-2305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Élodie Bouchon ◽  
Dominique Arseneault

We used tree remains to document the failure of postfire forest recovery following a 1941 fire on a boreal floodplain along a third-order stream in northern Quebec. Two sites, one with postfire shrubs and the other an unburned forest, were studied. Tree remains on the floodplain and within the stream channel at the shrub site suggest the former presence of a forest stand similar to present-day vegetation at the forest site. At both sites, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) has been the dominant tree species, whereas eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) have made up only a small proportion of all living and dead stems. Sustained tree recruitment before the mid-19th century was followed by much reduced recruitment, in synchrony with the well-documented increasing trend of winter precipitation in northern Quebec. In combination with more frequent spring floods during the 20th century, the 1941 fire at the shrub site probably reduced the density of conifer stems, increased the abundance of shrubs, and excluded the fire-sensitive balsam fir and eastern larch. The fire also abruptly increased inputs of tree remains into the stream channel. Because of low establishment rate and slow growth of postfire conifers, forest recovery towards prefire tree density is unlikely under present-day conditions. Frequent fires in boreal landscapes, along with the anticipated increase of precipitation, suggest that some floodplains and associated streams may respond similarly to future climate change.

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Tyler Searls ◽  
James Steenberg ◽  
Xinbiao Zhu ◽  
Charles P.-A. Bourque ◽  
Fan-Rui Meng

Models of forest growth and yield (G&Y) are a key component in long-term strategic forest management plans. Models leveraging the industry-standard “empirical” approach to G&Y are frequently underpinned by an assumption of historical consistency in climatic growing conditions. This assumption is problematic as forest managers look to obtain reliable growth predictions under the changing climate of the 21st century. Consequently, there is a pressing need for G&Y modelling approaches that can be more robustly applied under the influence of climate change. In this study we utilized an established forest gap model (JABOWA-3) to simulate G&Y between 2020 and 2100 under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Simulations were completed using the province’s permanent sample plot data and surface-fitted climatic datasets. Through model validation, we found simulated basal area (BA) aligned with observed BA for the major conifer species components of NL’s forests, including black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton et al.] and balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill]. Model validation was not as robust for the less abundant species components of NL (e.g., Acer rubrum L. 1753, Populus tremuloides Michx., and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Our simulations generally indicate that projected climatic changes may modestly increase black spruce and balsam fir productivity in the more northerly growing environments within NL. In contrast, we found productivity of these same species to only be maintained, and in some instances even decline, toward NL’s southerly extents. These generalizations are moderated by species, RCP, and geographic parameters. Growth modifiers were also prepared to render empirical G&Y projections more robust for use under periods of climate change.


2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2160-2172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Simard ◽  
Serge Payette

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) is the dominant tree species of the southernmost (48°N) lichen woodlands in eastern Canada. Most spruce trees in mature lichen woodlands appear to be declining, as shown by the massive invasion of the epiphytic lichen Bryoria on dead branches of dying trees. A dendroecological study was undertaken to identify the main causal factors of the decline. A decline index based on the abundance of Bryoria on spruce trees was used to distinguish healthy from damaged lichen–spruce woodlands and to select sampling sites for tree-ring measurements. Three conifer species (black spruce, balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.)) were sampled to compare their growth patterns in time and space. In the late 1970s and mid-1980s, black spruce and balsam fir experienced sharp and synchronous radial-growth reductions, a high frequency of incomplete and missing rings, and mass mortality likely caused by spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) defoliation. Jack pine, a non-host species, showed no such trend. Because black spruce layers were spared, lichen woodlands will eventually regenerate unless fire occurs in the following years. Black spruce decline can thus be considered as a normal stage in the natural dynamics of the southern lichen woodlands.


2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Mailly ◽  
Mélanie Gaudreault

The objective of this study was to develop variable growth intercept models for coniferous species of major importance in Quebec using Nigh's (1997a) modelling technique. Eighty-three, 68, and 70 stem analysis plots of black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill) were used, respectively. The growth intercept models for black spruce were the most precise, followed by those for jack pine and finally by those for balsam fir, based on the root mean square errors. Results indicated that the accuracy of the models was good, relative to those previously published for other species in Canada. Interim testing of the models revealed a low mean error for all three species that may not be of practical significance for site index determination, although more data should be obtained to further test the models. Key words: balsam fir, black spruce, growth intercept, jack pine, model, nonlinear regression, site index


2011 ◽  
Vol 87 (05) ◽  
pp. 669-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Riopel ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel

For certain mature forests dominated by balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) or black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP), it may be preferable to harvest trees with diameter at breast height greater than 15 cm while conserving smaller ones. This treatment, called harvesting with protection of small merchantable trees, produces strips, where partial cutting is applied, alternating with corridors, which are disturbed by heavy equipment during harvesting. This project studied stocking levels five years after treatment on 4896 sub-plots of 4 m2 in 22 blocks. Stocking coefficients (SC) for coniferous and deciduous species were modeled in order to identify variables affecting stocking. The strips had well-distributed coniferous regeneration, while SC in the corridors were more variable and lower, occasionally less than 60%. Black spruce-dominated sites were not as well stocked as balsam fir-dominated sites. Stocking levels of protected coniferous merchantable trees positively influence coniferous and deciduous SC in the corridors. The presence of coniferous species is also affected by harvest season and total annual rainfall. Alternative silvicultural treatments applicable in certain corridors are presented.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1128-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Gagné ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Jean Huot

Abundance and species diversity of small mammals were compared among three regeneration methods used in boreal balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests. Those methods were natural regeneration after "careful logging" to retain advance regeneration and planting (black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) followed by herbicide (Vision®) release or brushsaw cutting release. Deciduous vegetation was reduced for two growing seasons in both plantation types after treatment, and foliar arthropods decreased for one growing season. In herbicide-treated plantations, red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) shrub cover, near-ground vegetation, and production of berries were reduced for two growing seasons. After herbicide release, the abundance of the red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi (Vigors)) was significantly lowered for two growing seasons. This negative effect was associated with reduced cover during the first two post-treatment growing seasons. In the short term, herbicide-treated plantations constitute poorer red-backed vole habitats than brushsaw plantations. In early successional boreal balsam fir stands, planting did not markedly affect small mammals probably because natural regeneration was common in these plantations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Moroni ◽  
P. Q. Carter ◽  
D. A.J. Ryan

The effect of harvesting and slash piling on soil respiration, temperature and moisture was examined in a balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and a black spruce (Picea marinara) forest located in western Newfoundland, Canada, 2 mo to 2.5 yr following harvesting. Within 4 mo of harvesting, soil temperature, moisture, and soil respiration rates were affected by harvesting and slash piling. Clearcut areas without slash (CC-S) had significantly lower soil respiration rates than uncut forests (F). However, clearcut areas with slash cover (CC+S) had significantly higher soil respiration rates than CC-S. When harvested areas with and without slash were combined, harvesting decreased soil respiration in the black spruce forest but had no effect on soil respiration in the balsam fir forest. Harvesting increased soil temperatures at 10 cm, however CC+S temperatures were cooler than CC-S temperatures. Harvested areas tended to dry faster than F, although soil moisture levels at >3.5 cm were not significantly depleted. However, there was evidence of soil drying at <3.5 cm. Soil temperature (at 10 cm) at the time of measurement was most strongly correlated to rates of soil respiration. Temporal variability and treatment effects (harvesting and slash piling) played a minor role in explaining soil respiration rates when variations in soil respiration were adjusted for 10-cm soil temperature,. Soil moisture levels (3.5-9.5 cm depth), which did not vary widely, also played a minor role in explaining soil respiration rates.Key words: Clearcut, Abies balsamea, Picea marinara, carbon dioxide, greenhouse gas


2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (06) ◽  
pp. 777-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Gordon J. Kayahara ◽  
Stephen Foley ◽  
Cory Wiseman

In spring 2007, young conifers suffered extensive needle and bud injury near Hearst, Kapuskasing, and Cochrane in northeastern Ontario, Canada. Analysis of weather data revealed that the damage was likely caused by earlier than normal loss of cold hardiness during higher than normal temperatures in late April and early May. The dehardened trees were damaged in the cold days that followed. We report the survival and growth of eastern larch (Larix laricina), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and black spruce (Picea mariana) in the affected area based on field assessments and stem analysis of affected trees following the event. Total survival through six growing seasons following damage was 98% in eastern larch but only about 70% in balsam fir and black spruce. The effect of the damage on tree growth was greater and longer lasting for diameter than height. Both survival and growth reductions were associated with high levels of mature needle loss and bud damage. Implications of these findings for forest management are discussed in light of expected climate change.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Lavoie ◽  
Miguel Montoro Girona ◽  
Hubert Morin

Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is the main defoliator of conifer trees in North American boreal forests, affecting extensive areas and causing marked losses of timber supplies. In 2017, spruce budworm affected more than 7 million ha of Eastern Canadian forest. Defoliation was particularly severe for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), one of the most important commercial trees in Canada. During the last decades, intensive forest exploitation practices have created vast stands of young balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and black spruce. Most research focused on the impacts of spruce budworm has been on mature stands; its effects on regeneration, however, have been neglected. This study evaluates the impacts of spruce budworm on the defoliation of conifer seedlings (black spruce and balsam fir) in clearcuts. We measured the cumulative and annual defoliation of seedlings within six clearcut black spruce stands in Quebec (Canada) that had experienced severe levels of defoliation due to spruce budworm. For all sampled seedlings, we recorded tree species, height class, and distance to the residual forest. Seedling height and species strongly influenced defoliation level. Small seedlings were less affected by spruce budworm activity. As well, cumulative defoliation for balsam fir was double that of black spruce (21% and 9%, respectively). Distance to residual stands had no significant effect on seedling defoliation. As insect outbreaks in boreal forests are expected to become more severe and frequent in the near future, our results are important for adapting forest management strategies to insect outbreaks in a context of climate change.


2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1758-1765 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Piercey-Normore ◽  
J A Bérubé

Armillaria ostoyae (Romagnesi) Herink causes root disease in conifers of the northern hemisphere. Pathogenicity tests of established conifer trees with A. ostoyae, has never been done in the boreal forest. Seven forest plots were selected in Newfoundland; a black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) plantation, a naturally regenerated black spruce stand, a balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stand with hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria (Guen.)) defoliation, two balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae (Ratz.)) infested balsam fir stands (thinned and unthinned sites), a balsam fir sawfly (Neodiprion abietis Harris) defoliated balsam fir stand, and an artificially defoliated black spruce stand. Roots of fir and spruce trees were inoculated with two isolates of A. ostoyae and re-examined after 2 years. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in root infection within plots for different types of host stress to examine the response of trees to controlled inoculations of A. ostoyae. There was a statistically significant difference in number of infected roots between the two isolates used as inoculum. There was significantly more root response with severity of infection within all sites except both adelgid plots. A marginally significant relationship between tree health and root infection was present in the balsam fir sawfly plot. There was a significantly larger number of infected roots associated with rhizomorphs in the naturally regenerated black spruce stand and the artificially defoliated balsam fir stand. These results suggest that stress prediposes the host tree to root infection by A. ostoyae.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document