Vector competition analysis of black spruce seedling responses to nutrient loading and vegetation control

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Imo ◽  
Victor R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Competition Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Site Field

Impacts of methods to overcome competing vegetation (fertilization, herbicide application, and shading) on conventional and nutrient-loaded black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings were examined on six forest site types in northeastern Ontario using vector competition analysis. Four sites (Alnus; hardwood; mixedwood, herb rich; and mixedwood, herb poor) were selected to represent high competition, and two sites (feathermoss and Vaccinium) to represent low-competition forest sites. Although similar in biomass before planting, loaded seedlings had greater N, P, and K content than nonloaded seedlings. After planting, loaded seedlings outperformed growth of nonloaded seedlings under all vegetation-control treatments on all sites. Herbicide application eliminated noncrop vegetation but resulted in significantly higher seedling biomass only on the high-competition Alnus site. Field fertilization stimulated weed growth resulting in seedling suppression on the high-competition sites, while nutrient loading countered weed competition on most sites. Interpretation of these results by vector competition analysis revealed that, without fertilization, competition for nutrients was the primary factor limiting seedling growth, while competition for light and (or) moisture was greater after fertilizer addition on weed-prone sites. Similar interpretation revealed no seedling-weed interactions in the less competitive sites.

Vector competition analysis: a new approach for evaluating vegetation control methods in young black spruce plantations

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Imo ◽  
Victor R. Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Competition Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Growth ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Growth And Nutrition ◽  
Competition Indices

This paper reports on a new graphical analysis technique that facilitates screening alternative strategies for crop management in programs of integrated vegetation management in young forest plantations. The responsiveness of black spruce seedlings to three vegetation management measures (herbicide application, fertilization and seedling nutrient loading) on two contrasting site types (Hardwood [ST 10] and Feathermoss [ST 4]) located in northern Ontario, were compared and evaluated using vector competition analysis. The approach is based on vector diagnosis and regression analysis that compare growth and nutritional interactions between crop and non-crop plants competing for the same growth resources. Response parameters are examined in a bivariate model depicting vectors of changing biomass production or nutrient uptake relative to competition-free treatments. Although herbicide application reduced non-crop vegetation on both sites, it accelerated tree growth and nutrient uptake only in the herb-rich Hardwood site, but had no effect on seedlings in the Feathermoss site. Fertilization stimulated vegetation growth in the competitive Hardwood site causing seedling suppression, but stimulated both tree and non-crop vegetation growth in the Feathermoss site because of weaker competition. Preplant nutrient loading improved seedling growth and nutrition reducing competition of neighboring weeds. Vector competition analysis facilitated interpretation of plant interactive relationships and identification of limiting factors. Advantages over traditional competition indices are that both growth and nutrition parameters, as well as crop and non-crop responses are quantitatively and systematically evaluated, and that simultaneous comparisons simplified screening of the most effective treatments and sites for possible vegetation control. Key words: Competition indices, treatment screening, nutrient loading, fertilization, herbicide

Growth and nitrogen retranslocation of nutrient loaded Picea mariana seedlings planted on boreal mixedwood sites

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Imo ◽  
Victor R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Mobilization ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Nursery Culture ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Seedling Biomass

Enhanced nutrient mobilization from old to current growth is a key mechanism that confers competitive ability to nutrient-loaded black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings planted on high-competition forest sites in northern Ontario. This study examines effects of nutrient loading and differing vegetation management (herbicide, fertilization, shading) on growth, partitioning, and net retranslocation of N between current and old shoots of newly planted black spruce seedlings on six contrasting boreal sites. Nutrient loading during nursery culture improved seedling growth and N uptake and retranslocation after transplanting. Herbicide application accelerated growth and N uptake only on the high-competition Alnus, hardwood, and mixedwood sites but had no effect on the less competitive feathermoss and Vaccinium sites. Weed removal on competitive sites reduced N retranslocation significantly. Field fertilization reduced N retranslocation in seedlings and promoting tree growth and N uptake on the less competitive feathermoss and Vaccinium sites. However, fertilization stimulated weeds on high-competition sites suppressing seedling biomass and N uptake. Factors that seem to affect net N retranslocation include the type and level of internal N reserves, biomass and N accumulation and partitioning, external N supply, and other stresses that limit plant growth such as competition.

Exponential fertilization increases nutrient uptake and ectomycorrhizal development of black spruce seedlings

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Quoreshi ◽  
V R Timmer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Seedling Biomass ◽  
Nursery Stock ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Greenhouse Culture ◽  
Addition Rate ◽  
Exponential Fertilization ◽  
Mycorrhizal Development

Intensive fertilization may inhibit adequate mycorrhizal development for forest nursery stock production. Containerized black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings exposed to four fertilization regimes (one conventional and three exponential at 12.5, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg N/seedling, respectively) and two ectomycorrhizal inoculations (Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex St-Amans) Quel. and Laccaria bicolor (R. Mre.) Orton) were grown from seed to assess mycorrhizal formation and nutrition of young trees under intensive greenhouse culture. Exponentially increasing fertilizer additions stimulated ectomycorrhizal development (49-85%) compared with conventional constant-rate fertilization (22-26%). Exponential fertilization also increased seedling N (13-34%) and P (5-18%) uptake, although dry matter production was reduced (17-25%) at the lowest exponential addition rate. Ectomycorrhizal inoculation did not affect seedling biomass but increased uptake of N (6-17%), P (5-20%), and K (4-18%), demonstrating a potential for nutrient loading by fungi. Higher ectomycorrhizal formation found under exponential fertilization regimes was attributed to lower initial nutrient levels maintained in the growing media. Results indicate that high exponential fertilization combined with fungal inoculation may be effective for producing both nutrient-loaded and ectomycorrhizally infected planting stock.

scholarly journals The composition and diversity of natural regeneration of tree species in gaps under different intensities of forest disturbance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maame Esi Hammond ◽  
Radek Pokorný ◽  
Daniel Okae-Anti ◽  
Augustine Gyedu ◽  
Irene Otwuwa Obeng
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Disturbed Forest

AbstractThe positive ecological interaction between gap formation and natural regeneration has been examined but little research has been carried out on the effects of gaps on natural regeneration in forests under different intensities of disturbance. This study evaluates the composition, diversity, regeneration density and abundance of natural regeneration of tree species in gaps in undisturbed, intermittently disturbed, and disturbed forest sites. Bia Tano Forest Reserve in Ghana was the study area and three gaps each were selected in the three forest site categories. Ten circular subsampling areas of 1 m2 were delineated at 2 m spacing along north, south, east, and west transects within individual gaps. Data on natural regeneration < 350 cm height were gathered. The results show that the intensity of disturbance was disproportional to gap size. Species diversity differed significantly between undisturbed and disturbed sites and, also between intermittently disturbed and disturbed sites for Simpson’s (1-D), Equitability (J), and Berger–Parker (B–P) indices. However, there was no significant difference among forest sites for Shannon diversity (H) and Margalef richness (MI) indices. Tree species composition on the sites differed. Regeneration density on the disturbed site was significantly higher than on the two other sites. Greater abundance and density of shade-dependent species on all sites identified them as opportunistic replacements of gap-dependent pioneers. Pioneer species giving way to shade tolerant species is a natural process, thus make them worst variant in gap regeneration.

Effects of harvesting intensity, vegetation control and fertilization on 5–20 year post-harvest N availability in boreal jack pine and black spruce forest soils in northern Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 497 ◽  
pp. 119483
Author(s):  
Paul W. Hazlett ◽  
Caroline E. Emilson ◽  
Dave M. Morris ◽  
Robert L. Fleming ◽  
Laura A. Hawdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soils ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Harvesting Intensity

scholarly journals A Weed Compaction Roller System for Use with Mechanical Herbicide Application

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam H. Wiese ◽  
Daniel A. Netzer ◽  
Don E. Riemenschneider ◽  
Ronald S. Zalesny
Keyword(s):  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Treatment Combination ◽  
Invasive Weed ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Roller System ◽  
The Cost

Abstract We designed, constructed, and field-tested a versatile and unique weed compaction roller system that can be used with mechanical herbicide application for invasive weed control in tree plantations, agronomic settings, and areas where localized flora and fauna are in danger of elimination from the landscape. The weed compaction roller system combined with herbicide application generally had greater vegetation control compared with using only herbicide treatments or the unsprayed control. The roller system-herbicide treatment combination showed substantial total vegetation control two growing seasons after application without impacting diameter growth of the crop trees, which supports the need for less frequent entries into the field. The cost of the roller system was approximately $300.00.

Evaluation of Snow Albedo in Land Models for Weather and Climate Studies

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
Xubin Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Models ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Global Model ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Community Land Model ◽  
In Situ Data ◽  
Forest Sites

Abstract Snow albedo plays an important role in land models for weather, climate, and hydrometeorological studies, but its treatment in various land models still contains significant deficiencies. Complementary to previous studies that evaluated the snow albedo as part of an overall land model study, the snow albedo formulations as used in four major weather forecasting and climate models [European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) “Noah” land model, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Land Model (CLM3), and NCEP global model] were directly evaluated here using multiyear Boreal Ecosystem–Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) in situ data over grass and forest sites. First, four idealized cases over grass and forest sites were designed to understand better the different albedo formulations in these models. Then the BOREAS data were used to evaluate snow albedo and relevant formulations and to identify deficiencies of each model. Based on these analyses, suggestions that involve only minor changes in parameters or formulations were made to significantly reduce these deficiencies of each model. For the ECMWF land model, using the square root of snow water equivalent (SWE), rather than SWE itself, in the computation of snow fraction would significantly reduce the underestimation of albedo over grass. For the NCEP Noah land model, reducing (increasing) the critical SWE for full snow cover over short (tall) vegetation would reduce the underestimate (overestimate) of snow albedo over the grass (forest) site. For the NCAR CLM3, revising the coefficient used in the ground snow-fraction computation would substantially reduce the albedo underestimation over grass. For the albedo formulations in the NCEP global model, replacing the globally constant fresh snow albedo by the vegetation-type-dependent Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) maximum snow albedo would significantly improve the overestimation of model albedo over forest.

Ecology of cultivable yeasts in pristine forests in northern Patagonia (Argentina) influenced by different environmental factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Cecilia Mestre ◽  
Sonia Fontenla ◽  
Carlos A. Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Nothofagus Pumilio ◽  
Species Accumulation Curves ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Nothofagus Antarctica

Environmental factors influencing the occurrence and community structure of soil yeasts in forests are not well studied. There are few studies dedicated to Southern Hemisphere soil yeasts populations and even fewer focused on temperate forests influenced by volcanic activity. The present work aimed to study the ecology of soil yeast communities from pristine forests influenced by different environmental factors (precipitation, physicochemical properties of soil, tree species, soil region, and season). The survey was performed in 4 northern Patagonian forests: 2 dominated by Nothofagus pumilio and 2 by Nothofagus antarctica. Yeast communities were described with ecological indices and species accumulation curves, and their association with environmental characteristics was assessed using multivariate analysis. Each forest site showed a particular arrangement of species as a result of environmental characteristics, such as dominant plant species, nutrient availability, and climatic characteristics. Cryptococcus podzolicus was most frequently isolated in nutrient-rich soils, Trichosporon porosum dominated cold mountain forests with low nutrient and water availability in soil, and capsulated yeasts such as Cryptococcus phenolicus dominated forest sites with low precipitation. The present work suggests that environmental factors affecting yeast communities may not be the current soil characteristics but the result of complex interactions of factors including natural disturbances like volcanic activity.

scholarly journals Stand Structure, Productivity and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Oak Dominated Forests in Kumaun Himalaya

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 466-476
Author(s):  
Bijendra Lal ◽  
L.S. Lodhiyal
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Oak Tree ◽  
Quercus Leucotrichophora

Present study deals with stand structure, biomass, productivity and carbon sequestration in oak dominated forests mixed with other broad leaved tree species. The sites of studied forests were located in Nainital region between 29058’ N lat. and 79028’ E long at 1500-2150 m elevation. Tree density of forests ranged from 980-1100 ind.ha-1. Of this, oak trees shared 69-97%. The basal area of trees was 31.81 to 63.93 m2 ha-1. R. arboreum and Q. floribunda shared maximum basal area 16.45 and 16.32 m2 ha-1, respectively in forest site-1 and 2 while Quercus leucotrichophora shared maximum (35.69 m2 ha-1) in site-3. The biomass and primary productivity of tree species ranged from 481-569 t ha-1 and 16.9-20.9 t ha-1yr-1, respectively. Of this, biomass and primary productivity of oak tree species accounted for 81 to 95 and 78 to 98%, respectively. Carbon stock and carbon sequestration ranged from 228 to 270 t ha-1 and 8.0 to 9.9 t ha-1yr-1, respectively. The share of oak tree species ranged from 81 to 94.7 and 79 to 97%, respectively. The diversity of tree species ranged from 0.03 to 0.16 in forest sites-1, 2 and 3. The diversity of oak species was 0.08-0.16 in all the forest sites. Thus it is concluded that among the oak tree species, Quercus floribunda and Quercus leucotrichophora were highly dominated in the studied forests. The climax form of oak dominated trees in the studied forest sites depicted slightly lower richness and diversity of tree species compared to the forests in the region and elsewhere. As far as dry matter and carbon of forests is concerned, these estimates are close to the earlier reports of forests in the region. Therefore, studied forests have the potential to increase the diversity, productivity and carbon sequestration of forest tree species by providing the adequate scientific conservation and management inputs.

scholarly journals Constraining ecosystem model with Adaptive Metropolis algorithm using boreal forest site eddy covariance measurements

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarmo Mäkelä ◽  
Jouni Susiluoto ◽  
Tiina Markkanen ◽  
Mika Aurela ◽  
Ivan Mammarella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Metropolis Algorithm ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Eddy Covariance Measurements

Abstract. We examined parameter optimization in JSBACH ecosystem model, applied for two boreal forest sites in Finland. We identified and tested key parameters in soil hydrology and forest water and carbon exchange related formulations and optimized them using the Adaptive Metropolis algorithm for a five year calibration period (2000–2004) followed by a four year validation period (2005–2008). We were able to improve the modelled seasonal, daily and diurnal cycles of gross primary production and evapotranspiration but unable to enhance the models response to dryness. The improvements are mostly accounted for by parameters related to the ratio of leaf internal CO2 concentration to external CO2, relative humidity, transpiration and soil moisture stress.

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