Vulnerability of white spruce with slowly expanding lower boles on dry, cold sites to early seasonal attack by spruce beetles in south central Alaska

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Hard
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Kenai Peninsula ◽  
Tree Expansion ◽  
South Central ◽  
Spruce Beetle ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Tree Radial Growth

Two stands of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), one on a south aspect and one on a north aspect on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, were sampled intensively to determine site and host variables associated with high attack densities by spruce beetle, Dendroctonusrufipennis (Kirby). Attacks peaked during the early phase of tree radial growth on both aspects as the rate of tree expansion slowed. Generally, the first trees attacked, also the most heavily attacked, expanded more slowly before and after beetle attack than did trees attacked later or not at all. High attack densities were concentrated in trees on dry, cold soils. Mean percent basal-area growth of plots was inversely related to stocking of live spruce and to percentage of sample trees attacked and killed.

Mortality of white spruce during a spruce beetle outbreak on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Werner ◽  
Edward H. Holsten
Keyword(s):  
White Spruce ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Kenai Peninsula ◽  
South Central ◽  
Creek Watershed ◽  
Spruce Beetle ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact

White spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) stands in the Resurrection Creek watershed in south-central Alaska were infested by spruce bettles, Dendroctonusrufipennis Kirby, between 1974 and 1975. Thirty permanent plots were established within the infested area in 1976 to evaluate the immediate and long-term impact on white spruce stands. Plots were revisited annually for 5 years. Between 1976 and 1980, 29% of all white spruce was killed by spruce beetles. This loss accounted for 59% of the commercial white spruce volume in the watershed. Mortality was greatest in the larger diameter classes during the early part of the infestation, but smaller diameter trees were subsequently attacked as the number of noninfested trees declined. The impact of spruce beetles on structure and species composition of white spruce stands is given along with a discussion of management implications.

Radial growth after a shelterwood seed cut in a mature stand of white spruce in interior Alaska

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Youngblood
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Mature Stand ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Posttreatment Period

Radial growth following a shelterwood seed cut in a 174-year-old stand of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) in interior Alaska was compared with growth in an adjacent undisturbed stand of the same age. After a 2-year lag, radial growth of residual trees accelerated an average of 27% in 5 of the next 6 years. Net mean increase in growth after 8 years was 164%. Basal area growth of individual shelterwood trees increased 26.8% over the 14-year posttreatment period, while control trees increased 16.5%.

Susceptibility of white spruce to attack by spruce beetles during the early years of an outbreak in Alaska

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 678-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Hard ◽  
Richard A. Werner ◽  
Edward H. Holsten
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Kenai Peninsula ◽  
Spruce Beetle ◽  
Southcentral Alaska ◽  
Percent Mortality ◽  
Rating Model ◽  
Hazard Rating

Twenty-five variable sample plots were examined in mature white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) stands, in southcentral Alaska. These stands, located in the Canyon Creek – Quartz Creek valley on the Kenai Peninsula, have been infested by spruce beetle, Dendroctonusrufipennis (Kirby), since 1978. Diameter was not an important criterion for spruce susceptibility to attack or death unless large diameter was coupled with slower than average radial growth in the last 5 years, an apparent indicator of current tree vigor. A sigmoid transformation of percent mortality of spruce was inversely related to the logarithm of mean cumulative radial growth of spruce in the last 5 years and was directly related to number of spruce per hectare greater than 24.1 cm in diameter. This relationship is portrayed graphically as a rudimentary stand hazard rating model.

Assessment of sugar maple health based on basal area growth pattern

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 2074-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Duchesne ◽  
Rock Ouimet ◽  
Claude Morneau
Keyword(s):  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Tree Health ◽  
Health Decline ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Natural Range

The first tree health decline symptoms usually observed are foliar deficiency symptoms, foliage loss, and dieback. To improve the subjective nature and unspecificity of these assessments, we examined sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) radial growth and health to develop an indicator of sugar maple tree health status based on radial growth pattern. We used the basal area increment (BAI) of 328 tree-ring collections from 16 sites located in southern Quebec, throughout the sugarbush natural range, that were categorized by defoliation class. BAI of trees with decline symptoms was significantly lower than that of healthy trees in 9 of the 16 stands. BAI trends since 1955 showed an inverse relationship with tree decline class measured in 1989, irrespective of tree age. The results indicate that declining trees in these stands have not recovered based on BAI. They also suggest that the decrease in slope of BAI predated the observed symptoms of sugar maple decline by at least one decade. Results suggest that sugar maple vigor and health can be assessed by measuring tree's BAI trend, an indicator that may be useful for the diagnosis of sugar maple health and status years before the appearance of visible canopy symptoms.

White spruce regeneration following a major spruce beetle outbreak in forests on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

2008 ◽  
Vol 255 (10) ◽  
pp. 3571-3579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Boggs ◽  
Michelle Sturdy ◽  
Daniel J. Rinella ◽  
Matthew J. Rinella
Keyword(s):  
White Spruce ◽  
Kenai Peninsula ◽  
Spruce Beetle

Classification of spruce beetle hazard in Lutz spruce (Picea × lutzii) stands on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1015-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Reynolds ◽  
E.H. Holsten
Keyword(s):  
Decision Tree ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Model Verification ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Validation Data ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Kenai Peninsula ◽  
Area Loss ◽  
Spruce Beetle ◽  
High Hazard

Stand data from Lutz spruce (Picea × lutzii Little) forest types occurring on the Kenai Peninsula were analyzed by tree-based classification to develop a decision tree for classifying spruce beetle (Dendroctonusrufipennis Kby.) hazard. Model development and validation data sets contained 100 and 34 stand observations, respectively. The final decision-tree structure yielded seven possible hazard outcomes based on total stand basal area, percentage of total basal area composed of spruce, percentage of spruce basal area composed of trees with diameter >25 cm, stand elevation, and stand aspect. Three paths in the decision tree led to low-hazard outcomes (spruce basal area loss ≤10%); one path led to a high-hazard outcome (spruce basal area loss >40%). No paths through the decision tree led to a medium-hazard outcome (spruce basal area loss >10%, but ≤40%), but three less precise outcomes of low–medium and medium–high hazard were considered useful and retained in the final model. Results of model verification were considered very acceptable; in the worst case, predictions of high hazard were correct for 73% of the observations. Model validation results were also considered very acceptable considering the small number of observations available for this phase of analysis.

Growth of aspen and white spruce on naturally saline sites in northern Alberta: Implications for development of boreal forest vegetation on reclaimed saline soils

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.B. Lilles ◽  
B.G. Purdy ◽  
S.E. Macdonald ◽  
S.X. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Saline Soils ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern Alberta ◽  
Over Time

Lilles, E. B., Purdy, B. G., Macdonald, S. E. and Chang, S. X. 2012. Growth of aspen and white spruce on naturally saline sites in northern Alberta: Implications for development of boreal forest vegetation on reclaimed saline soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 213–227. We examined height and basal area growth over time for trembling aspen and white spruce in plots along a salinity gradient at six naturally saline sites in northern Alberta, as a benchmark for forest productivity on reclaimed saline sites. We measured root distributions and analyzed foliage for ions, nutrients and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. Both species grew on soil conditions previously considered unsuitable for forest vegetation [pH>8.5; electrical conductivity>10 dS m−1, sodium adsorption ratio>13 at depth (50–100 cm)] yet there was little evidence of nutritional toxicities or deficiencies. Aspen basal area growth decreased 50% as salinity increased, but aspen was commercially productive (site index=22) on soils with electrical conductivity of 7.8 dS m−1at 50–100 cm depth. Growth of white spruce seemed to be unaffected by salinity level differences, but 78% of white spruce site indexes were less than 13 and would be considered non-productive. Both species showed growth declines over time, compared with non-saline reference growth curves, and rooted primarily in the forest floor and top 20 cm of soil. This suggests that rooting limitations may constrain longer-term productivity of forests established on sites with salinity at depth.

scholarly journals Forest Succession Following a Spruce Budworm Outbreak in Minnesota

1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold O. Batzer ◽  
Michael P. Popp
Keyword(s):  
Forest Succession ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Before And After

Plots in 24 spruce-fir stands in northeastern Minnesota studied throughout the period 1957 to 1962 at the time of a spruce budworm outbreak were remeasured in 1979. Composition of the overstory changed from an average of 79% of the basal area in host species before to 31% after the budworm outbreak. Twelve percent of the stands showed growth in nonhost species that more than offset the loss in balsam fir and white spruce. The understory was minimally stocked with balsam fir in two-thirds of the stands. Only 4% of the regeneration was spruce. Even so, some well-established white spruce seedlings were found in two-thirds of the stands. Red maple was the most abundant hardwood invader. Raspberry, hazel and mountain maple were the principal shrub species limiting balsam fir reproduction Shrubs were most abundant in stands where balsam fir mortality had exceeded 80%. Half of the stands had seedlings that originated both before and after the outbreak; 45% had seedlings that originated only after the outbreak; and 5% had seedlings that originated only before the outbreak. Stands having moderate mixture of nonhost species in the over-story prior to the budworm outbreak had the most balsam fir regeneration. This resulted from seed produced by surviving balsam fir trees after the outbreak. Key words: Choristoneura fumiferana, Abies balsamea, Balsam fir, spruce-fir shrubs

Nutrient–Growth Relationships in the Grand'Mère White Spruce Plantations before and after Fertilization

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 640-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Truong Dinh Phu ◽  
J. Daniel Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Main Element ◽  
Limited Growth ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Multiple Correlation Analysis

Relationships were studied between the concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg in the needles and the growth of planted white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) on sandy marine and associated soils at Grand'Mère, Quebec. Multiple correlation analysis indicated a positive and highly significant relationship between K concentrations and growth expressed in terms of basal area and total volume. Foliar N was positively and significantly correlated with basal area and Mg with total volume. There was a negative relationship between P concentrations and both basal area and total volume. However, the coefficients of partial correlation for N, Mg, and P were low.Significant increases in increments of basal area and total volume were obtained with 50 and 100 kg/ha K, 5 and 10 years after application. There was a moderate response in total basal area to rates of 57.5 and 115 kg/ha N in the first 5 years only. No growth response was obtained with 45 kg/ha Mg for either period of observation. K, N, and Mg were applied as K2SO4, urea, and MgSO4 respectively. No significant residual effects of N or K on foliar levels of N, K, and Mg could be established 10 years after treatment, although a marked and significant residual effect of Mg on foliar Mg concentrations could still be detected in the fertilized plots. Thus, K appeared to be the main element that limited growth of white spruce in these plantations.

scholarly journals Drought-Induced Reductions and Limited Recovery in the Radial Growth, Transpiration, and Canopy Stomatal Conductance of Mongolian Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv): A Five-Year Observation

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongzhong Dang ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Wenbin Yang ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Jun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Canopy Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Tree Radial Growth

Determining plant–water relationships in response to drought events can provide important information about the adaptation of trees to climate change. The Mongolian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv), as one of the major tree species to control soil loss and desertification in northern China, has experienced severe degradation in recent decades. Here, we aimed to examine the impacts of a two-year consecutive drought and another year of drought on the radial growth, transpiration, and canopy stomatal conductance of Mongolian Scots pine over a five-year period, especially in terms of its recovery after drought. The study period during 2013–2017 consisted of a ‘normal’ year, a ‘dry year’, a ‘very dry’ year, a ‘wet’ year, and a ‘dry’ year, according to annual precipitation and soil moisture conditions. Based on measurements of the sap flow and diameters at breast height of 11 sample trees as well as the concurrent environmental factors, we quantified the reductions in tree radial growth, transpiration, and canopy stomatal conductance during the drought development as well as their recovery after the drought. The results showed that the tree radial growth, transpiration, and canopy stomatal conductance of Mongolian Scots pines decreased by 33.8%, 51.9%, and 51.5%, respectively, due to the two consecutive years of drought. Moreover, these reductions did not fully recover after the two-year drought was relieved. The minimum difference of these parameters between before and after the two-year consecutive drought period was 8.5% in tree radial growth, 45.1% in transpiration levels, and 42.4% in canopy stomatal conductance. We concluded that the two consecutive years of drought resulted in not only large reductions in tree radial growth and water use, but also their lagged and limited recoveries after drought. The study also highlighted the limited resilience of Mongolian Scots pine trees to prolonged drought in semi-arid sandy environmental conditions.

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