The role of the Douglas-fir beetle and wood borers in the decomposition of and nutrient release from Douglas-fir logs

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 853-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Edmonds ◽  
Andris Eglitis

The role of insects in the decomposition of and nutrient release from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) logs was studied in the Cedar River Watershed near Seattle, Washington. In April 1976, two large-diameter (average diameter at breast height, 41.7 cm) and two small-diameter (average diameter at breast height 26.3 cm) trees were felled. Three pairs of 91 cm length sections were cut from each tree. Half the sections were covered with window screening to prevent insect entry. The number of Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonuspseudotsugae Hpk.) attacks on each section, as well as the frass production, were monitored. After 10 years, decomposition rates were determined by mass loss. Douglas-fir beetles attacked large-diameter (23 attacks/m2) and small-diameter (27 attacks/m2) log sections at similar rates. Total frass production was also similar (33.6 g•m−2 for large logs and 32.6 g•m−2 for small logs). Large-diameter unscreened log sections tended to decompose faster (k = 0.050 per year) than small diameter unscreened logs (k = 0.026 per year) owing to the presence of wood borers (Monochamusscutellatus (Say)) in the larger logs. Screening of logs to reduce insect attack tended to reduce the rate of decomposition. A brown rotting fungus (Oligoporusplacentus (Fr.) Gilb. and Ryv.) fruited on unscreened large-diameter logs. Wood borers had a greater influence on log decomposition than Douglas-fir beetles. Frass produced by the Douglas-fir beetle contributed very little to litter fall and nutrient cycling. After 10 years there was a net release of N, P, K, Ca, and Mn from decomposing logs. Only Mg was immobilized in large-diameter logs.

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Scott ◽  
Rodney Meade ◽  
Richard Leon ◽  
David Hyink ◽  
Richard Miller

Test plantations were established in western Washington and Oregon to compare tree growth at six initial planting densities ranging from 300 to 2960 trees/ha (120 to 1200/acre). A size-density relation was visually apparent 3 to 4 years after planting. Inventory data from the oldest 11 trials (5 or 6 years after planting) showed that initial spacing strongly influenced early growth of coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii). Average height and diameter at breast height were progressively larger as planting density increased; at the widest spacing (lowest stand density), average height was 75% and average diameter at breast height was 67% of that at the closest spacing. We have no firm explanation for the early faster tree growth at close spacings. Trees planted at 2960 trees/ha (1200 trees/acre) attained breast height (1.3 m) 2 years earlier than trees planted at a density of 300/ha (120/acre). This finding has practical significance to current efforts to achieve early establishment of plantations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karoline Paulino Costa ◽  
Messulan Rodrigues Meira ◽  
Silma Leite Rocha ◽  
Thaíse Ohana Moura Fernandes ◽  
Ernane Ronie Martins

ABSTRACT Dimorphandra mollis is native to the Brazilian Savanna and has social, economic and environmental importance. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and diametric distribution of Dimorphandra mollis Benth. in the Pandeiros River Environmental Protection Area, in Bonito de Minas, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Five areas were assessed, totaling five hectares (50 plots of 1,000 m2). The total number of plants, yield per plant (2018, 2019 and 2020) and diameter at breast height were recorded, considering all trees from the plots in diametric classes. The average diameter at breast height of all plants was 6.05 ± 3.07 cm, and that of the plants that produced in at least one of the evaluated years was 7.46 ± 3.15 cm. The diametric distribution showed classes with no individuals, indicating imbalance, as well as a trend to inverted “J” shape. The maximum annual yield was 8.08 kg ha-1 of dry fruits (2019), the minimum 0.42 kg ha-1 (2018), and the average 2.74 kg ha-1, with biennial characteristic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirzeta Memišević Hodžić ◽  
Dalibor Ballian

This research aims to determine the interaction of the effects of provenance and habitat conditions on provenance tests on the growth of Scots pine on two experimental plots in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Provenance tests are located on plots with different ecological conditions and altitudes: Romanija Glasinac, 1000 m, and Gostović Zavidovići, 480 m. Both tests include 11 provenances and two clonal seed plantations with 10 families in each, and five repetitions. Tree heights and diameters at breast height were measured at the age of 21 years. Interactions were determined using multivariate analysis for measured traits. The highest average heights on the provenance test Glasinac had provenances Bugojno, Romanija Glasinac, and Šipovo (8.8 m), and on the Gostović provenance Rogatica (11.0 m). The highest average diameter at breast height on the Glasinac test had Šipovo provenance (13.9 cm) and on the Gostović test Bosanski Petrovac provenance (12.3 cm). Variance analysis showed statistically significant differences among provenances in terms of diameter at breast height and height values. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of interactions of effects of provenances and habitat conditions on provenance tests. For provenances that did not show interaction, it is recommended to use provenances that performed better in the given ecological conditions, and for those that showed interaction, it is necessary to choose those provenances which are expected to show better results in given conditions later in life. The obtained results are very important for the conservation activities of this species.


1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. G. Thies ◽  
E. E. Nelson

Eight treatments involving stump removal by bulldozing in combination with nitrogen fertilization were applied to 0.04-ha circular plots in a clear-cut on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Treatments included stump removal (either all stumps removed or the plot left undisturbed) and broadcast fertilization with ammonium nitrate (0, 336, 672, or 1345 kg N ha−1). Diameter at breast height and height of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings, planted several months after treatment, were recorded five and eight seasons after outplanting. The results showed that either bulldozing stumps from the site or fertilizing with ammonium nitrate increased growth of seedlings through their eighth growing season. After eight growing seasons, bulldozing had increased seedling height by 23% and diameter at breast height by 43%; fertilizing produced increases of 13% in height and 17% in diameter at breast height.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1811-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Marra ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds

Carbon dioxide evolution rates for downed logs (coarse woody debris) and the forest floor were measured in a temperate, old-growth rain forest in Olympic National Park, Washington, using the soda lime trap method. Measurements were taken every 4 weeks from October 22, 1991, to November 19, 1992. Respiration rates for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), logs were determined for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 in two diameter classes. Overall, western hemlock logs respired at a rate 35% higher (4.37 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Respiration rates for decay class 1–2 logs of both species were similar to decay class 5 logs (4.46 and 4.07 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), but decay class 3 logs respired at a lower rate (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Seasonal patterns of respiration rates occurred, particularly for decay class 1 and 2 western hemlock logs where monthly averages ranged from a low of 2.67 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in February 1992 to a high of 8.30 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in September 1992. Rates for decay class 1–2 western hemlock logs were greater than those from the forest floor, which ranged from 3.42 to 7.13 g CO2•m−2•day−1. Respiration rates were depressed in late July and August compared with fall and spring owing to the summer drought characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Large-diameter western hemlock logs in decay class 1–2 had higher respiration rates than small-diameter logs, whereas large-diameter decay class 3 western hemlock logs had lower respiration rates than small-diameter logs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Mauro ◽  
Alessandro Leonardi ◽  
Marina Pirulli

<p>Debris flows are amongst the most hazardous landslide phenomena (Jakob & Hungr, 2005). They are mixtures of flowing water and granular materials, which range in size from microscopic soil particles to massive rock boulders. Due to their unpredictability and rapidity, they pose severe hazard on infrastructure, structures, and human lives. To dissipate the destructive kinetic energy of debris flows and induce deposition of the coarsest fraction of the flow, mitigation systems often include the use of filter barriers. Filter barriers are built both in steel and reinforced concrete, and their openings should be designed according to a reference grain diameter. This key parameter is often chosen arbitrarily due to the difficulties in considering the full grain size distribution of the deposit. Sufficiently small outlets, however, leads to premature clogging of the barriers, blocking further outflow (Ashour et al., 2017). This can result in excessive maintenance costs.</p><p>This work focuses on the clogging mechanism of three different kinds of filter barriers: nets, slit dams, and slot dams. The aim is to evaluate the influence of grainsize dispersity into the clogging/non-clogging transition. Starting from simpler monodisperse granular material, we determine via DEM simulations the particle diameter D that induces clogging in the openings, as a function of the opening size S. Thus, for monodisperse grains, a set of threshold values for S/D can be detected: on one side of the threshold the particles are too small to clog the opening, on the other side they are too large to allow free passage of the material.</p><p>However, natural debris deposits are far from uniform. To analyse the role of grainsize dispersity, bidisperse specimens are created mixing grains with two different diameters: a small diameter and a large diameter. By varying the composition of large and small particles, a transition is observed between clogging and free-flow, in analogy with what obtained in the simulation with monodisperse grains. The comparison of results obtained with bidisperse and monodisperse samples indicates that an analogy in terms of trends and thresholds exists, as long as an equivalent diameter D* is introduced for bidisperse mixtures (Marchelli, 2018). This parameter is therefore suggested as the reference diameter to be adopted in the barrier design.</p>


2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Hadfield ◽  
Paul T. Flanagan

Abstract Fresh attacks of Douglas-firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii) by Douglas-fir beetles (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) were found in a campground that had trees pruned to remove Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium douglasii) infections. All Douglas-firs with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of at least 12.7 cm were examined. Beetle attacks were found on 41% of the pruned trees and 5% of the unpruned trees. Among pruned trees, both the average number of branches pruned and the average dbh were greater in trees attacked by Douglas-fir beetles than in unattacked trees. West. J. Appl. For. 15(1):34-36.


1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Maguire ◽  
David W. Hann

Two basic taper models were analyzed for their ability to predict sapwood area at crown base. Sapwood areas were estimated on stem cross sections by measuring sapwood radii on the longest and perpendicular to longest axes and by assuming conformity to an ellipse. These data were collected on 2 to 14 points along the stems of 72 Douglas-fir trees in southwestern Oregon. Across the range in diameter at breast height, total height, and height to crown base, quadratic–quadratic segmented polynomials (T. A. Max and H. E. Burkhart. 1976. For. Sci. 25: 283–289) provided more consistent monotonie taper from breast height to crown base than F. A. Bennett and B. F. Swindel models (1972. USDA For. Serv. Res. Note SE-179). A model for predicting breast height sapwood area from only diameter at breast height, total height, and height to crown base is also presented.


Cellulose ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Pospiech ◽  
Konrad Olejnik ◽  
Urszula Mizerska ◽  
Joanna Zakrzewska

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of three types of polysiloxane microspheres on the barrier properties, structure and mechanical properties of paper. An influence of new silicon filler on properties of cellulose paper sheet was analyzed. Polysiloxane microspheres were used as an additive introduced into the network of cellulosic fibers in order to obtain new functional properties of the paper. The following types of microspheres were used in the research: M1 hydrophilic of average diameter 23.5 µm, M2 hydrophobic of average diameter 3.1 µm and M3 hydrophobic of average diameter 23.5 µm. The obtained handsheets were analyzed for changes in apparent density, roughness, tensile strength, bursting strength, and tear resistance. Wettability and resistance to liquid were characterized by contact angle measurement, penetration dynamics analysis  and uniformity of liquid penetration measured using an extended liquid penetration analyser. It was found that the presence of M2 (small diameter) microspheres improved significantly the paper’s hydrophobicity without changing the mechanical properties. The addition of M1 and M3 (large diameter) microspheres decreased the mechanical properties of the paper samples and did not improve their hydrophobicity. However, M1 microspheres resulted in increased uniformity of liquid penetration through the paper structure. The presented studies also show that it is possible to obtain paper with high hydrophobic properties only through the filling application when polysiloxane microspheres are used for this purpose. The results also indicate that it is not necessary to hydrophobize the entire material structure in order to achieve its high hydrophobicity. Graphic abstract


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