Initial size hierarchy development within second-growth black spruce stands

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1720-1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Initial Size ◽  
Size Hierarchy ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Size Inequality ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Tree Vigour

Size hierarchy development is a commonly observed structural feature within naturally regenerating forest tree populations. The objective of this study was to describe initial size hierarchy development within second-growth black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands. Three dense black spruce stands that developed naturally following conventional cut and skid harvesting, conducted in 1970, were selected for analysis within insular Newfoundland. Employing historical stand reconstruction techniques within 13 temporary sample plots of variable size, temporal and spatial establishment patterns, structural development patterns, and competitive relationships were described. Size inequality peaked during the period in which 87.5% of the population became established (degree of inequality within the height and volume frequency distributions as measured by the Gini coefficient). Subsequently, size inequality and asymmetry decreased (degree of asymmetry within the volume frequency distribution as measured by the skewness coefficient and Shapiro–Wilk's W statistic). The rate of decline in size inequality and asymmetry was inversely proportional to stand density. Temporal declines in individual-tree vigour across size classes were approximately proportional (vigour as measured by relative volume production rate). These patterns suggested competition was symmetric (individuals share the finite environmental resources equally or in direct proportion to their relative sizes). However, variation in individual-tree vigour, possibly due to temporal and spatial establishment pattern heterogeneity, negated the conclusive acceptance of the resource depletion hypothesis. Based on these observations, a size hierarchy developmental pattern is proposed for second-growth black spruce stands.

Predicting basal area increment in a spatially explicit, individual tree model: a test of competition measures with black spruce

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Mailly ◽  
Sylvain Turbis ◽  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Competition Index ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Spatial Indices ◽  
Crown Shape ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Competition Indices

A current trend in the development of forest stand models is to use spatially explicit, individual-tree information to simulate forest dynamics with increased accuracy. By adding spatial information, such as tree coordinates, crown shape, and size, it is hypothesized that the computation of the model's driving function is improved over traditional competition indices, especially when simulating multistoried stands. In this paper, we want to test whether computationally demanding competition indices outperform traditional indices in predicting mean basal area increment. The study was undertaken in old, uneven-aged black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands in northeastern Quebec, Canada. The predictability of individual tree growth rates was related to crown dimensions and other stand and tree variables measured in the field. Data were collected from 90 trees coming from stands of varying site quality (range 9.6–16.5 m height at 50 years, age taken at 1 m) and age (range 66–257 years). Hegyis's distance-dependent competition index was found to be the most strongly correlated competition measure (r = 0.57) with mean basal area growth of the last 20 years. This value, 12% higher than the value obtained from the best distance-independent competition index (r = 0.45), clearly shows that precision gains can be achieved when estimating basal area increment with spatial indices in black spruce stands. Using indices computed from virtual hemispherical images did not prove superior to simpler distance-dependent indices based on their individual correlations with basal area increment. When included in a basal area increment model for the last 20 years of growth, however, the gains in precision were comparable to Hegyi's competition index. This indicates that indices derived from a hemispherical approach have some value in spatially explicit forest simulations models but that further tests using younger stands are needed to confirm this result in black spruce stands.

An individual-tree basal area growth model for black spruce in second-growth peatland stands

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannu Hökkä ◽  
Arthur Groot
Keyword(s):  
Growth Model ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Random Parameter ◽  
Considerable Change ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Area Growth

A basal area growth model was developed to predict the growth of individual trees in second-growth black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands on northeastern Ontario peatlands. The data were derived from stem analysis trees collected in 1985 and 1986 from stands harvested 47-68 years earlier. For a period starting from the date of data collection and going back to 10 years from the harvesting, tree basal area growth, diameters, and stand characteristics were retrospectively calculated at 5-year intervals. To estimate previous mortality, self-thinning relationships for black spruce were applied. In the model, 5-year basal area growth of a tree was expressed as a function of tree diameter, stand-level competition, tree-level competition, and peat thickness. There was considerable change in the growth-size relationship over time. A random parameter approach was applied in model construction to account for the spatial and temporal correlations of the observations. The proposed model explicitly incorporates factors normally included in a "random error" term and, therefore, should provide more sensitive tests of the contributions of the various factors to growth prediction. The estimated model showed only slight bias against the modeling data and the predicted stand basal area development was comparable with that given in other studies.

Évolution de la régénération de peuplements résineux et mélangés au cours des 30 années après coupe à blanc mécanisée

1998 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
François Ouellet ◽  
Roch Plusquellec ◽  
Chhun-Huor Ung
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Significant Component ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Coupe À Blanc

This paper presents results from a 30 year monitoring of 15 clearcut areas. Study areas were located before cutting in stands having an abundant advance regeneration. Four study areas were initially dominated by black spruce, four by balsam fir, three by jack pine and the last four comprised a mix of species. Stand inventories and regeneration surveys were conducted before harvesting. Harvesting was done in regular logging operations, without any special care to protect the advance growth. Regeneration surveys were taken again after harvesting, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years and 30 years after harvesting. Black spruce stands regenerated to black spruce dominated stands. Balsam fir, which was sometimes abundant in the advance regeneration, did not invade the stands and the abundance of hardwoods was temporary. In some cases a reduction in yield is to be expected. In balsam fir stands, harwoods were more aggressive. A reduction in softwood yield is predicted for three of the four cutovers. The presence of a tall regeneration seems to lead to higher yields in black spruce and balsam fir stands. The evolution of jack pine and mixed stands is quite variable. In some jack pine stands, hardwoods will constitute a significant component of the new stand. In some mixed stands, softwoods are not very abundant whereas in others they form an important part of the stand at 30 years. This study has shown an urgent need for a better understanding of stand dynamics in young stands. Such an understanding is necessary for an adequate forecast of the yield of second growth stands.

Croissance en hauteur à long terme de la régénération préétablie dans des pessières noires boréales régénérées par marcottage, au Québec

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raynald Paquin ◽  
René Doucet
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Effective Age ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
To Come

Height-growth patterns of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) in the boreal forest were studied in layer-origin stands released by clear-cutting in the first half of this century. Most stems responded to release brought about by clear-cutting of the main stand. Initially, small stems responded more rapidly and more strongly, but their height-growth rate culminated between 20 and 30 years following release, the same period when height-growth rate culminated for the taller, older stems. After the culmination period, growth rates were independent of height at the time of release. Consequently, the taller stems at time of release were able to maintain their dominant position. Height growth over the recent years indicates that this position could be maintained in the years to come, and even indefinitely. It seems that second-growth black spruce stands behave like even-aged stands despite their uneven-aged structure. Consequently, years since release and stem height are more accurate measures of stem effective age than total age. Moreover, the taller stems in the understory, which are usually considerably older, should be considered to be as valuable as smaller regeneration when a stand is cut.

Age and size structure of natural and second-growth peatland Piceamariana stands

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Groot ◽  
Brian J. Horton
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Natural Stands ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Site Types

Age and size structures were determined in 40 stands of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) growing on peatlands and transitional peatlands in northeastern Ontario, Canada. Natural and second-growth stands representing several site types were examined. The age structure of natural black spruce stands varied from even aged in young stands (<160 years) to uneven aged in older stands. Uneven-aged black spruce stands on nutrient-poor peats appear to be self perpetuating in the absence of intense disturbance. Natural stands on more fertile peats or on transitional peatlands are less likely to escape disturbance and more likely to undergo succession to other species. Second-growth stands, which originated after forest harvesting 50–70 years ago, were uneven-aged, although a high frequency of stems commonly occurred in the age-class associated with the time of harvesting. The age and size structures of second-growth stands currently differ from that of natural stands, but will likely become similar to natural stands over time.

Aboveground dry matter partitioning, size variation, and competitive processes within second-growth black spruce stands

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1917-1929 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.F. Newton ◽  
P.A. Jolliffe
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Dry Matter Partitioning ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Mass Distributions ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Curvilinear Relationships

Three density-stressed black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) populations that naturally regenerated following harvesting in 1970 were selected for study within central insular Newfoundland. Employing historical tree and stand reconstruction techniques, bark, stem, branch, foliage, and total mass distributions were estimated by age-class. Regression analysis was used to assess the effect of density stress on distributional indices, and stepwise multivariate analysis of variance was used to investigate dry matter partitioning patterns. Bark and foliar mass proportions increased with increasing density stress, whereas stem and branch mass proportions declined. Among components, decreased stem proportions best expressed the effects of increasing density stress on dry matter partitioning. Asymmetry within the mass frequency distributions for bark, branch, and foliar components shifted from negative skewness at low relative densities to positive values at high relative densities. Inequality (mass concentration) within the stem mass frequency distributions remained constant, whereas inequality within the bark mass frequency distribution declined in direct proportion to increasing density stress. Inequality within both the branch and foliar mass distributions had curvilinear relationships with increasing density stress: inequality increased from low to intermediate levels of density stress, but declined thereafter. Specific leaf areas did not differ among trees of varying size, suggesting that competition for light may not have been of consequence within the sampled stands. The results are consistent with a resource depletion competitive process, implying that competition within the dense second-growth black spruce stands may have been principally for belowground resources.

Assessing processes of intraspecific competition within spatially heterogeneous black spruce stands

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
P F Newton ◽  
P A Jolliffe
Keyword(s):  
Resource Competition ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Stem Growth ◽  
Growth Data ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Local Competition ◽  
Standardized Regression Coefficients ◽  
Spruce Stands

The objective of this study was to develop and subsequently apply an individual-tree analytical approach for assessing resource competition processes within monospecific, even-aged, and spatially heterogeneous black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands. The approach consisted of five basic steps: (1) ranking competitors with respect to subject tree size using a relative scale, (2) stratifying competitors into competition strata based on their relative size differential with respect to a subject tree, (3) quantifying the intensity of competition within each stratum using spatially explicit local competition indices and subsequently formulating directional-specific cumulative indices, (4) regressing relative measures of stem growth against each directional-specific index, and (5) graphically and statistically assessing differences in resultant standardized regression coefficients as competition accumulated upward from below and downward from above. This analytical framework was used with stem growth data derived from 401 subject trees situated within 18 monospecific, even-aged, density-stressed, and spatially heterogeneous black spruce stands. The results indicated directional-specific asymmetrical relationships between subject trees and their neighbours in which increasing competition from above resulted in declines in stem production. Consequently, these results were in accord with those expected when competition is dominated by a resource preemption process.

Lumber grade yield, and value of plantation-grown black spruce from 3 stands in northwestern Ontario

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas E.B. Reid ◽  
Steven Young ◽  
Queju Tong ◽  
S Y Zhang ◽  
Dave M Morris
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Intensive Silviculture ◽  
Bending Modulus ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Design Values

Three black spruce plantations in northwestern Ontario, with varied stand densities and site indices were studied to determine lumber properties and yield. Based on visual grading rules, each stand produced at least 87% No. 2 and Better grade lumber. Wane and skip were the 2 most prominent defects causing lumber downgrades. The compliance of visually graded No. 2 and Better lumber with bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) design values for visual grades varied among stands, as did the proportion that qualified as machine stress-rated (MSR) lumber. MOE and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) differed among stands, consistent with differences in MSR yield. The stand with the highest density and the lowest site index produced the highest yield of MSR grade lumber, but not the highest compliance with bending MOE design values. Regardless of the grading scenario, the most productive stand with the largest average tree size produced the highest value per hectare ($28K per ha) under an MSR grading scenario. These results suggest that MSR grading can improve revenues, and that it will be needed to maintain market confidence in the quality of lumber from second-growth black spruce stands. Key words: lumber quality, Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP, market value, density regulation, stand-level effects, intensive silviculture

Évolution de la structure diamétrale et production ligneuse des pessières noires issues de coupe et de feu

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Hubert Morin ◽  
Réjean Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Initial Structure ◽  
Evolution Pattern ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Diameter Structure ◽  
Recruitment Period ◽  
Fire Origin

The widespread use of careful logging in the province of Quebec raises many questions about the effects of this practice on the structure and productivity of boreal black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands compared with fire-origin stands that are currently being harvested. The objective of this study is to describe and compare the evolution pattern of the diameter structure of stands originating from fire or logging dating back to the first half of the 20th century. The dendrochronological approach allowed the reconstitution of the dynamics of 40- to 96-year-old stands. Second-growth stands differ from fire-origin stands by their highly hierarchized initial structure. After the recruitment period, the degree of hierarchy of the structure of second-growth and fire-origin stands is comparable. After logging, the diameter structure of black spruce stands keeps a higher skewness index than that of stands originating from fire. For both stand types the skewness decreases or remains constant with time, which invalidates the model proposed by Mohler et al. (C.L. Mohler, P.L. Marks, and D.G. Sprugel. 1978. J. Ecol. 66: 599–614). This observation questions the existence of a strong asymmetric competition among trees in black spruce stands. Results indicate that the yield of black spruce stands originating from clearcuts from the early 20th century is higher than or equal to fire-origin stands mainly because (i) basal area was maintained to levels higher than or equal to fire-origin stands and (ii) most advanced growth was taller that 1 m at the time of logging.

scholarly journals Dynamique et estimation du rendement des strates de retour après coupe totale dans la sapinière à bouleau jaune

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Dubois ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Jean-Gabriel Elie ◽  
Louis Archambault
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Type Structure ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Type

A total of 48 plots originating from clearcuts were studied in the balsam fir-yellow birch ecological domain of the province of Quebec, Canada, using dendrochronology. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pre-cut stand type, structure and abundance of regeneration after logging, and soil type on stand dynamics. Results indicate a relationship between pre-cut stand type and the composition of second-growth stands. Ecological characteristics must be taken into account in order to estimate the abundance of advance regeneration and predict the evolution of stocking. Results also show that the structure of regeneration, described by a diameter index, can help in predicting yield at age 38. Devastation by the spruce budworm played a major role in second-growth stand dynamics making it difficult to predict balsam fir yield. The study has also shown an increase in intolerant hardwoods and a low softwood production on rich sites. Black spruce stands came back to black spruce.Key words: mixedwoods, succession, regeneration survey, yield, Choristoneura fumiferana

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