The effect of advance regeneration height on future yield of black spruce stands

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pothier ◽  
René Doucet ◽  
Jocelyn Boily
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Index Site ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Height

The advance regeneration often present following clear-cutting in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands is generally composed of individuals of various heights. This initial height difference is hypothesized to affect the yield of the future stand. Height of the advance regeneration at time of release was determined on several black spruce trees within 33 stands distributed across the boreal forest of the province of Quebec, Canada. From these data, a regeneration structure index was developed and used to explain a part of the variation in subsequent stand yield. Dominant trees of stands developing for 38 to 65 years since clear-cutting generally originated from the tallest advance regeneration at time of release. Stands with the tallest regeneration at time of release produced the largest yields for a given site quality and number of years since harvesting. A 3-m increase in advance-regeneration height resulted in a similar yield gain as a 3-m increase in site index. Site indices calculated from age-height relationships of dominant trees originating from tall advance regeneration were less than those calculated from trees that have undergone a relatively short period of suppression. These results suggest that traditional management tools developed for fire-origin black spruce stands, i.e., stands mainly composed of seed-origin trees established after perturbation, should be adjusted for clearcut-origin stands that largely develop from advance regeneration.

Croissance juvénile de marcottes d'épinette noire en régénération après récolte du couvert dominant

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1396-1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Boily ◽  
René Doucet
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Management Unit ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Ecological Regions ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Height

Annual height growth of natural regeneration was measured in 18- to 21-year-old clear-cuts of black spruce stands growing on sites of contrasted drainage, in two ecological regions of the Haute-Gatineau-et-Cabonga management unit in western Quebec. Most regeneration was established by layering and was growing slowly on all sites at time of release by clear-cutting of the main stand. Height growth rates increased rapidly thereafter on mesic sites: about 7 to 8 years after release, it reached 15 cm or more per year, and 32 to 45 cm per year 20 years after harvest. On moist sites, growth rates of 15 cm per year were attained only 10 to 15 years after release, and did not exceed 25 cm at age 20. These results show that growth of black spruce natural regeneration is controlled more by site quality than by the mechanism responsible for reproduction.

Ten-year results of strip clear-cutting in Quebec black spruce stands

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cutting System

Regeneration of first-cut strips in a two-cut system of strip clear-cutting was compared to that of large clear-cutting in four different areas representative of the black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands of the boreal forest of Quebec. Seedlings were more evenly distributed in clearcut strips than in large clearcuts. Differences of about 10 000 black spruce seedlings per hectare and 20% of stocking were observed in favour of clearcut strips compared to large clearcuts. Black spruce stocking was about 14% larger on lowland than on upland sites but height growth was better on upland sites. A regeneration problem similar to that of large clearcuts was observed when the second strips were cut. One year after cutting these second strips, winter harvesting resulted in a 23% gain in black spruce stocking as compared to summer harvesting. Even if black spruce stocking marginally increased during the years following winter harvesting, the height advantage of the preserved advance growth justifies the application of this harvesting method. The strip clear-cutting system effectively improved the stocking of former black spruce stands but if the stocking level of advance growth is adequate, careful harvesting to preserve advance regeneration should be the preferred method since it would be more cost-efficient.

scholarly journals A Height Growth Model and Associated Growth Intercept Models for Estimating Site Index in Black Spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.) Plantations in Northern Ontario, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-137
Author(s):  
Martin M. Kwiaton ◽  
Jian R. Wang ◽  
Douglas E.B. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Growth Intercept

Abstract Site quality is a key component of growth and yield models because height growth rates are known to be influenced by available site resources. Accurate prediction of future growth and yield requires site quality information for both plantations and natural stands. The forest industry in northern Ontario relies on high-quality wood and fiber from black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.); therefore, these tools are essential to ensure sustainable forest management. Although there are site index (SI) models for natural-origin black spruce stands in northern Ontario, models for estimating site quality of young black spruce plantations have not been developed. We used stem analysis data collected from 62 plantations (>40 years of age) of pure black spruce across northern Ontario to develop height growth, SI, and variable growth intercept models. The distinct height growth patterns we observed may be attributed to early silvicultural treatments (site preparation and herbicide) in plantations allowing black spruce trees to attain breast height (1.3 m) faster than in fire-origin stands in northern Ontario. Our models can be used to estimate site quality of black spruce plantations, a key consideration for silviculture and forest management planning. We also compare our managed stand SI model to one we developed from a comparable subset of data from black spruce growing in unmanaged stands and propose a method to assign an SI with a common base age to pure upland black spruce stands regardless of origin.

Suitability of two methods of evaluating site quality for sugar maple in central Ontario

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Buda ◽  
Jian R Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Index Site ◽  
Species Mixture ◽  
Stand Conditions

Stem analyses data collected in central Ontario stands were used to develop site index (height and age) and site form (height and diameter) models and curves for sugar maple. The suitability of both methods for evaluating sugar maple site productivity was examined. Two different equation forms were evaluated for both site index and site form models. A common modification of Richard's (1959) equation was most suitable for predicting dominant height at index age (site index) and reference diameter (site form). Potential effects of species mixture on sugar maple site index were examined. We found no significant effects on sugar maple height growth and site index in mixed stand conditions common in the region when compared to pure stands. The potential of site form as an alternative to site index was investigated through correlation analyses with site index and other site variables known to influence sugar maple height growth. Site form was not related to site index, nor any site variables related to sugar maple height growth. It is therefore inadequate for evaluating sugar maple site quality. We recommend height growth models and site index curves developed in this study be used to replace those from other regions currently used in central Ontario. Key words: site index, site form, sugar maple, site quality evaluation, mixedwood, uneven-aged

scholarly journals A NEW APPROACH TO THE NORTHERN SPRUCE REGENERATION PROBLEM

1954 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Normal Concentration ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Seed Supply ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Intensive Work

Lack of reproduction of black spruce, Picea mariana, in pure black spruce stands in old cut-over areas, has always been a great subject of discussion and one for intensive work among foresters. Many reasons such as the absence of an adequate seed supply stored on top of humus, or adverse germination conditions are said to be partly responsible.This study on the humus of this unregenerated cut-over area, indicates clear cutting of this stand will influence the normal concentration of definite micro-nutrients such as manganese and magnesium.The augmentation of manganese in the soil has a detrimental effect on the growth of plants when, its concentration is too high. The diminution of magnesium, which is an element necessary to stimulate the growth, must create abnormal nutritive conditions of the habitat. This visible lack of equilibrium might be the cause of the absence of seedlings of Picea mariana on certain parts of this cut-over area.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SITE INDEX AND FOLIAGE NITROGEN AT TWO CROWN LEVELS FOR MATURE BLACK SPRUCE

1964 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Quality

The concentration of nitrogen in current year lateral needles of 122 mature dominant and codominant black spruce trees (Picea mariana Mill.) growing on different site qualities has been studied. Analyses carried out on needles collected at the end of the growing season and within two feet of both the top and base of the crown indicated that samples obtained from either position on the crown can be related to site index or site quality. It seems, therefore, that the concentration of nitrogen in needles from the lower branches is as good a criterion of growth or productivity as that in the needles from the upper branches.

Mechanical stability of black spruce in the clay belt region of northern Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1080-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. Smith ◽  
M. Watts ◽  
D. F. James
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Static Force ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Height ◽  
The Stability

Black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) is an important pulpwood species that grows on peatland sites in the clay belt region of northern Ontario. The mechanical stability of spruce found on these sites is crucial in determining how tall a stand can grow before losses due to windthrow become excessive. In this study, the stability of a sample of 58 black spruce trees, in stands of various height and density classes, was measured by winching them over and determining their critical turning moment. Regression analysis was used to express critical turning moment as a function of tree height, dominant stand height, and stand stocking. An analysis was carried out to estimate turning moments due to static wind action on the sample trees and predicting the wind speeds required to produce the static force needed to cause windthrow. A comparison of the measured critical turning moments to the estimated wind-generated critical turning moments was used to identify the wind speeds that have enough static force to cause windthrow. A table of critical wind speeds, based on a reference wind, is given for black spruce stands of various heights and densities. Based on these wind speeds and winds associated with periodic storms, black spruce stands can be expected to become susceptible to windthrow once dominant stand height reaches 20 to 21 m. Stand stability increases with stand density owing to the greater ability of dense stands to dissipate incoming winds and the added stability of interlocking root systems. These results suggest that the black spruce stands growing on peatland sites in the clay belt should be harvested before dominant stand height reaches a maximum of 20 to 21 m to avoid excessive losses due to windthrow.

An assessment of the structural method of deriving a black spruce site equation

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1181-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor G. Smith ◽  
Martin Watts
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Structural Method ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Stochastic Error ◽  
Stand Height

To date, methods of deriving site index (S) equations assume that stochastic error is only present in the regressor. This paper develops a method, termed the "structural method," which recognizes that both dominant stand height (H) and S measurements contain stochastic error. To achieve this, the structural method utilizes the structural relationship that exists between H and S to derive an S equation. S equations are derived for black spruce, Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P., using the structural method and various other methods, with linear and nonlinear models that are currently in use. Data used in the study consist of 56 black spruce permanent sample plots, containing a total of 382 observations, from north central Ontario and the Clay Belt Region of northern Ontario. This data set is split into 36 plots (260 observations) for deriving S equations and 20 plots (122 observations) for testing the equations for accuracy in predicting H, S, and future H. The equations are also examined for bias over stand age. Results show that height development of black spruce is not asymptotic and is best described by a linear model. Overall, the structural method provides the most accurate S equation within the range of the data. It predicted 90% of the H test observations with an error of 0.4 m or less, 89% of the S test observations with an error of 0.4 m or less, and 90% of the future H test observations with an error of 0.7 m or less. The structural method also has the advantage of producing only one equation for predicting both H and S. This enables estimates of both H and S to be made from one graph of H over age by S classes.

Adjustment of the age–height relationship for uneven-aged black spruce stands

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 2003-2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Ouzennou ◽  
David Pothier ◽  
Frédéric Raulier
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Height Model

Site index (SI) is commonly used in natural stands, even when their diameter distribution deviates from that of the monospecific, even-aged, fully stocked stands used to develop basic age–height relationships. Since deviations from basic age–height trajectories can be reflected in deviations of stand diameter distribution from a bell shape, we incorporated different diameter diversity indices into an age–height equation to help improve height predictions and determine which index is best related to stand dominant height. This procedure was performed using black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands from a large network of permanent sample plots established across the province of Quebec, Canada. The age–height model that minimized the Akaike’s information criterion used the Shannon evenness index (ESh) as an equation modifier accounting for the diameter diversity variable. The model showed that for stands established on relatively poor sites (SI = 9), no substantial differences in dominant height were found between two contrasting ESh values. For SI = 15, however, the larger ESh value increased the dominant height by as much as 1 m at 80 years. These results suggest that introduction of ESh into an age–height model can improve calculation of site index, particularly in regions characterized by the presence of numerous uneven-aged stands.

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.

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