Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of ponderosa pine needles in a Mediterranean-type climate

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Hart ◽  
Mary K. Firestone ◽  
Eldor A. Paul
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Young Growth

A litter-bag technique was used to measure decay rates and assess changes in organic and inorganic constituents of ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Laws.) needle litter during decomposition over a 2-year period in old- and young-growth forests in the Sierra Nevada of California. Rates of mass loss were among the lowest reported for temperate and boreal forests, with annual decomposition constants of about 0.08 and 0.18 year−1 for the old- and young-growth forests, respectively. Apparently, the temporal separation of warm temperatures and moist conditions found in Mediterranean-type climates severely limits decomposition in these coniferous forests. In the old-growth forest, comparison of estimates of tree nutrient uptake with net releases of nutrients from fine litter during their 1st year of decomposition suggests that recent litter fall potentially acts as a significant source of P, Mg, and K for tree uptake in this forest; in contrast, recently fallen litter acts as a net sink for N, S, and Ca. Despite initially lower indices of litter quality for litter originating from the old–growth relative to the young–growth forest, no significant difference in decomposition rates of these two litter age-classes was found when placed at either site. This result does not support the hypothesis that decreases in decomposition rates during forest development are driven by decreases in the quality of litter fall.

Decomposition and nutrient release from green needles of western hemlock and Pacific silver fir in an old-growth temperate rain forest9 Olympic National Park, Washington

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1049-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Edmonds ◽  
Ted B. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
National Park ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Olympic National Park ◽  
Significant Difference

Decomposition rates and nutrient dynamics (for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Na) were determined for green needles of western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forb.) in an old-growth forested watershed (58 ha West Twin Creek) in the Hoh River valley, Olympic National Park, Washington. The influence of temperature and substrate chemistry on decomposition was determined. Temperature was the dominant factor controlling decomposition rates in the first year in this watershed, with the fastest decomposition at an elevation of 275 m (lower watershed) and the slowest decomposition at 725 m (upper watershed). After 12 months mass loss averaged 36% in the lower watershed and 28% in the upper watershed. There was no significant difference in decomposition rates between species. Substrate chemistry, i.e., the lignin/N ratio, became a more important factor than temperature as decomposition proceeded. After 37 months mass loss for needles averaged 61% for western hemlock and 50% for Pacific silver fir, with no difference by watershed location. After 61 months both types of substrates appeared to be approaching similar substrate chemistry and similar decomposition rates and there were no significant differences by species or watershed location. Decomposition constants (k values) after 61 months were 0.26 and 0.20 year−1 for western hemlock needles in the lower and upper watershed, respectively, and 0.22 and 0.19 year−1 for Pacific silver fir needles in the lower and upper watershed, respectively. Nitrogen was immobilized during the first 12 months of decomposition in needles of both species and then released. No other elements were immobilized during the initial (0- to 12-month) decomposition period, except for Ca in Pacific silver fir needles. However, in the 37- to 61-month period there was a considerable immobilization of Mg and Na in both species in the upper and lower watershed and K and Mn in both species in the upper watershed.

Decay and nitrogen dynamics of litter from disjunct, congeneric tree species in old-growth stands in northeastern China and Wisconsin

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyuan Geng ◽  
John Pastor ◽  
Bradley Dewey
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Nitrogen Dynamics ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Congeneric Species ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Litter Bag ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Litter Decay

Decay and nitrogen dynamics of leaf litter from four tree species in an old-growth forest in northeastern China was measured in a litter-bag experiment and compared with decomposition of congeneric species in a Wisconsin old-growth forest with similar climatic regimes and soil. Leaf litter decay in both China and Wisconsin decreased in the order Acer > Populus > Quercus > Pinus and was negatively correlated with initial lignin content (r = 0.961, P < 0.001). Decay was also correlated with other chemical properties depending on locale. In contrast with decay rates, N-immobilization kinetics were not correlated with litter chemistry or comparable between congeners. Principal component analysis showed that almost half the total variation in litter decay is explained by grouping congeneric species according to litter quality. In northern mixed hardwood–conifer forests, generic similarity implies functional similarity in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Key words: decomposition, China, litter, nitrogen, Wisconsin.

Dynamics of coarse woody debris and decomposition rates in an old-growth forest in lower tropical China

2010 ◽  
Vol 259 (8) ◽  
pp. 1666-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Fang Yang ◽  
Yue-Lin Li ◽  
Guo-Yi Zhou ◽  
K.O. Wenigmann ◽  
De-Qiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Tropical China

scholarly journals Lignin, cellulose and nutrient deposition in litters of Bambusa vulgaris stands in a regenerating forest in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 929-939
Author(s):  
Tolulope V. BORISADE
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Cellulose Content ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Constant Weight ◽  
Nutrient Deposition ◽  
Regeneration Status ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bambusa Vulgaris ◽  
Ground Fire ◽  
Total Lignin

The lignin, cellulose and nutrient deposition of litters were assessed in four 0.06 ha plots of Bambusa vulgaris stands in a regenerating forest in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 35 years after ground fire, with a view to providing information on these parameters which are generally lacking in the forest ecosystem. The collected litters were sorted into leaves and twigs, oven-dried at 70 °C to a constant weight, ground and analysed for lignin, cellulose and nutrients. The total lignin and cellulose content in the litters showed significant (p≤0.05) monthly variation. There was no significant (p ≥ 0.05) difference in the monthly nutrient deposition of Na, Mg, K, Fe, N, P, Mn, Zn and Cu, but there was significant difference in the monthly nutrient deposition of C and Ca through the litter fall fraction (p ≤ 0.05) in the bamboo stands in the secondary rainforest. The depositions of C, N, Ca, Mg and Cu were higher in the bamboo stands but lower in Na, Mn and Zn deposition in 1990 and 2013 studies. The bamboo stands contributed significantly to the carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics and regeneration status of the forest.

Terrestrial invertebrates as salmonid prey and nitrogen sources in streams: contrasting old-growth and young-growth riparian forests in southeastern Alaska, U.S.A.

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1259-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S Wipfli
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Power ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Young Growth

Terrestrial-derived invertebrate (TI) inputs into streams and predation on them by salmonids (40-180 mm fork length) were measured in six coastal Alaska stream reaches from April through October 1993-1994; riparian habitat of three stream reaches contained conifer-dominated old-growth (no timber harvesting) and three were alder-dominated young-growth (31 years postclearcutting). Data from pan-traps placed on stream surfaces showed that TI biomass and nitrogen inputs averaged up to 66 and 6 mg ·m-2 ·day-1, respectively, with no significant difference between habitats. Stomach contents from coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), cutthroat trout (O. clarki), and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) revealed that TI and aquatic-derived invertebrates (AI) were equally important prey. Additionally, salmonids from young-growth systems ingested a greater TI proportion than those from old-growth systems. There were trends but no significant differences between habitats of TI and AI biomass ingested; however, statistical power was <0.30. These results showed that TI were important juvenile salmonid prey and that a riparian overstory with more alder and denser shrub understory may increase their abundance. Riparian vegetation management will likely have important consequences on trophic levels supporting predators, including but not limited to fishes.

Lichen communities in two old-growth pine (Pinus) forests

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher WAGNER ◽  
Lyndsay J. SCHRAM ◽  
Richard Troy McMULLIN ◽  
Shelley L. HUNT ◽  
Madhur ANAND
Keyword(s):  
Woody Debris ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Old Growth Forests

AbstractMany lichen species have specific environmental requirements for colonization. Old-growth forests contain microhabitats required by a particular suite of lichens. In Ontario, Canada, old-growth forests are increasingly uncommon and the lichen communities within some of these forests are not well known. To better understand the lichen communities that inhabit old-growth forests in the province, we examined the lichen biota on coarse woody debris (CWD) and trees in a red pine (Pinus resinosa) and a white pine (Pinus strobus) dominated stand in northern Ontario. Lichen diversity was assessed on different forms of CWD and trees in each forest. Lichen diversity did not differ significantly between CWD types in the red pine forest, but was significantly different in the white pine forest. There was no significant difference in lichen diversity amongst different decay stages of CWD in either forest. In both forests, lichen communities on stumps, logs, and snags differed from lichen communities present on trees. A variety of CWD types is important for overall lichen species richness in the red pine forest. Our results demonstrate to land managers that different types of old-growth forests are ecologically unique, even those dominated by tree species in the same genus. Management of an old-growth forest should suit its individual ecology.

Stump injections with soil fumigants to eradicate Armillariellamellea from young-growth ponderosa pine killed by root rot

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Filip ◽  
Lewis F. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Disulfide ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Fungal Antagonist ◽  
Soil Fumigants ◽  
Young Growth

Root rot caused by Armillariellamellea (Vahl ex Fr.) Karst. creates unproductive disease centers in young-growth ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Laws.) after removal of the old-growth timber. The fungus persists in stumps in these centers keeping the land unproductive indefinitely. Armillariellamellea was effectively eradicated from infected stumps by insitu fumigation with methyl bromide, Vorlex, chloropicrin, carbon disulfide, and Vapam. The fungal antagonist Trichoderma appeared to be unaffected by the fumigants except for methyl bromide, which resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of Trichoderma over control stumps.

scholarly journals Influence of Treefall Gaps on Distributions of Breeding Birds Within Interior Old-Growth Stands in Białowieża Forest, Poland

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Treefall Gaps ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Phylloscopus Sibilatrix ◽  
Young Growth

AbstractBreeding birds were counted using point counts at 50 treefall gaps and 50 closed-canopy sites within one of the largest tracts of old-growth forest in Europe. Numbers of species and individuals were slightly, but significantly, higher at gaps. Overall bird species composition differed substantially at gaps and non-gaps. Dunnock (Prunella modularis), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), and Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) were significantly more abundant at gaps. Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) and Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) were significantly more abundant at non-gaps. Warblers (Sylviidae), ground insectivores, ground nesters, and short-distance migrants were significantly more abundant at gaps, but no species groups were more abundant at non-gaps. Eight species breeding in forest edges and young plantations in eastern Poland were not recorded in natural treefall gaps. The proportion of tropical migrant passerines was considerably higher in closed-canopy stands (0.47) than at gaps (0.29), which contrasts with the situation in most managed European forests where the highest proportions of tropical migrants typically occur in young-growth forests.

Interrelationships among northern flying squirrels, truffles, and microhabitat structure in Sierra Nevada old-growth habitat

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Pyare ◽  
William S Longland
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Flying Squirrels ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrels ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Microhabitat Structure

During 1997-1998, we investigated the influence of both the relative abundance of truffles, preferred food items, and microhabitat structure on the occurrence of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus Shaw) in old-growth forest habitat of the Sierra Nevada Range, U.S.A. Following live-trapping sessions, we searched the forest floor for truffle diggings and sampled the soil for truffles. Diggings were more abundant where flying squirrels were captured, suggesting squirrels were active near areas of the forest floor where truffles had recently been excavated. The frequency of sampling plots with truffles was higher where squirrels were captured, further suggesting preferences for microhabitats where truffles were more abundant. We also measured 15 microhabitat variables at trap stations to evaluate the influence of aboveground microhabitat characteristics on squirrel occurrence. Results indicated that flying squirrels preferred microhabitats with understory cover, which may minimize predation from aerial predators like spotted owls (Strix occidentalis Merriam). Neither abundance of coarse woody debris, a feature conducive to fungal growth, nor the abundance of potential nesting sites (i.e., snags) measurably influenced squirrel occurrence. While various aboveground forest-microhabitat characteristics affect the use of old-growth forests by flying squirrels, these animals refine their use of these forests based on fine-scale changes in the availability of a highly preferred and ephemeral food item.

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