Douglas-fir – spruce for the 22nd century? Review of the recent Czech literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Подразски ◽  
Vilem Podrazski ◽  
Матвеев ◽  
Sergey Matveev
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Middle Europe ◽  
The Stability

Presented paper summarizes the knowledge concerning the cultivation of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii /Mirb./ Franco), its production as well as its non-production forest functions in the conditions of the Czech Republic/Middle Europe. It analyzes the research outcomes from the point of view of volume and value production in comparison with domestic tree species, from the point of view of the soil effects and effects on the ground vegetation diversity, and from point of view of stability and cultivation in the last period. Main aim is represented by the comparison with the Norway spruce, which can be with advantages replaced by this species, with favourable impact on amount and value of the timber production, on the soil and biodiversity status of the ground vegetation. The Norway spruce is heavily affected and endangered by the coming or supposed climatic changes. Also the stability of forest stands can be supported considerably replacing Norway spruce by Douglas-fir. This species can represent suitable alternative to the Norway spruce in lower and middle altitudes and it can contribute highly to the competitiveness not only of the Czech, but European forestry too, increasing stability and production, decreasing the negative effects of the tree species changes in the past.

scholarly journals Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and its role in the Czech forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Jan Mondek ◽  
Martin Baláš
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Native Tree Species ◽  
The Stability

The presented study summarizes the results concerning the effects of cultivation of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) in the Czech Republic. It focuses on more recent results, published especially in the last decades, it includes also older relevant data. It describes the intensity of production as well as non-production forest functions in the conditions of the Czech Republic. It analyses the research results concerning the volume and value production in comparison with native tree species, also documents effects on soil and herb vegetation diversity in forest ecosystems, and from point of view of stability and cultivation in the last period. Main target is defined by the comparison with the Norway spruce, which can be with advantages substituted partly by this species, with favourable impact on amount and value of the timber production, on the forest soil and ground vegetation biodiversity status. Also the stability of forest stands can be supported considerably. This species represents important alternative to the Norway spruce in lower and middle altitudes and it can contribute considerably to the competitiveness of the Czech forestry.

scholarly journals Potential of Douglas­‑fir as a partial substitute for Norway spruce – review of the newest Czech literature

Beskydy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilém Podrázský
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Native Tree ◽  
Soil Effects ◽  
Native Tree Species ◽  
The Stability

Presentation summarizes the results concerning the effects of cultivation of Douglas­‑fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii /Mirb./ Franco), especially in the last decades, on the intensity of production as well as non­‑production forest functions in the conditions of the Czech Republic. It analyzes the research outcomes from the point of view of volume and value production in comparison with other native tree species, from the point of view of the soil effects and effects on the ground vegetation diversity, and from point of view of stability and cultivation in the last period. Main aim is represented by the comparison with the Norway spruce, which can be with advantages replaced by this species, with favourable impact on amount and value of the timber production, on the soil and biodiversity status of the ground vegetation. Also the stability of forest stands can be supported considerably. Douglas­‑fir represents favourable alternative to the Norway spruce in lower and middle altitudes and it can contribute highly to the competitiveness of the Czech forestry.

scholarly journals The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site Conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (-1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Feliksik ◽  
Sławomir Wilczyński
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Diameter Increment

The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site ConditionsDendroclimatic studies were carried out in the experimental stands composed of many tree species situated in the Polish part of the Baltic sea-coast. Increment cores were taken from a 100-years old trees of 2 native species: Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) and 3 nonnative species: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis(Bong.) Carr.) and Silver fir (Abies albaMill.). Thirty trees of each species were cored. The relationships between the diameter increment and the thermal and pluvial conditions during the period from 1925 to 2005 were analyzed on the basis of standardized tree-ring chronologies and climatic data. It was found that precipitation and temperature of the growing season and months preceding that season affected the annual diameter increment of all investigated tree species. The current year winter and early spring temperatures as well as February and August precipitation had a similar effect on the variation of diameter increment of trees. On the other hand thermal and pluvial conditions of the current year June differentiated the increment rhythm of individual species. A very strong negative effect on diameter growth of trees was observed in the case of winter and early spring frosts. Norway spruce turned out to be a species most resistant to low temperatures. The investigated tree species, especially Norway spruce, was susceptible to water deficiency in the soil during spring and summer. In the case of Scots pine a high precipitation in June stimulated its growth. The diameter increments of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Scots pine, and Silver fir were more strongly connected with air temperature than with precipitation. So called all-species chronology of tree-ring width, constructed during this study, permitted to verify the factors having a similar effect on growth response of the investigated tree species. It reflected the mutual characteristics of diameter increments of trees of various species.

scholarly journals High Canopy Cover of Invasive Acer Negundo L. Affects Ground Vegetation Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Vasilyevich Veselkin ◽  
Denis Igorevich Dubrovin ◽  
Liliya Alexandrovna Pustovalova
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Large City ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Acer Negundo

Abstract We assessed the link between canopy cover degree and ground vegetation diversity under alien the ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) and other (native or alien) tree species. We investigated urban and suburban forests in the large city of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Forests were evaluated on two spatial scales. Through an inter-habitat comparison completed over three years, we recorded canopy cover and plant diversity among 13 sample plots of 20 × 20 m where A . negundo dominated and 13 plots where other tree species dominated. In an intra-habitat comparison, we recorded canopy cover and ground vegetation diversity among 800 sample plots measuring 1 m2 in the extended urbanised forest, which featured abundant alien (308 plots) and native trees (492 plots). We observed decreased diversity among vascular ground plant species by 40% (inter-habitat) and 20% (intra-habitat) in areas dominated by the A. negundo compared to areas dominated by native tree and shrub species. An abundance of A . negundo was accompanied by increased canopy cover. We found a negative relationship between canopy cover and the number of understory herbaceous species. Thus, the interception of light and the restriction of its amount for other species is a main factor supporting the negative influence of A . negundo on native plant communities.

scholarly journals High Canopy Cover of Invasive Acer Negundo L. Affects Ground Vegetation Diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Veselkin ◽  
Denis Dubrovin ◽  
Liliya Pustovalova
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Large City ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Acer Negundo

Abstract We assessed the link between canopy cover degree and ground vegetation diversity under alien ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) and other (native or alien) tree species. We investigated urban and suburban forests in the large city of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Forests were evaluated on two spatial scales. Through an inter-habitat comparison we recorded canopy cover and plant diversity among 13 sample plots of 20 × 20 m where A. negundo dominated and 13 plots where other tree species dominated. In an intra-habitat comparison, we recorded canopy cover and ground vegetation diversity among 800 sample plots measuring 1 m2 in the extended urbanised forest, which featured abundant alien (308 plots) and native trees (492 plots). We observed decreased diversity among vascular ground plant species by 40% (inter-habitat) and 20% (intra-habitat) in areas dominated by A. negundo compared to areas dominated by native tree and shrub species. An abundance of A. negundo was accompanied by increased canopy cover. We found a negative relationship between canopy cover and the number of understory herbaceous species. Thus, the interception of light and the restriction of its amount for other species is a main factor supporting the negative influence of A. negundo on native plant communities.

Interaction of Douglas-fir with red alder and salal foliage litter during decomposition

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Fyles ◽  
I.H. Fyles
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Ericaceous Shrub

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) foliage litter was incubated in the laboratory in 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100% mixtures with foliage litters from red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.), a nitrogen-fixing tree species, and salal (Gaultheriashallon Pursh) an ericaceous shrub. Mass loss and mineral nitrogen content were measured at eight dates during the 32-week incubation. The occurrence of interaction between litters, observed as deviation from a linear trend across mixtures at each date, was determined by polynomial contrasts. Douglas-fir–red alder mixtures decomposed faster than predicted by mass loss from pure litters throughout the study, apparently because of nitrogen mineralized by the red alder component. Douglas-fir–salal mixtures decomposed more slowly than predicted between 7 and 25 weeks. The study demonstrates the potential for litters to interact with positive or negative effects on decomposition rates and emphasizes the need to examine such interactions if litter decomposition in the field is to be understood.

scholarly journals Can Visual Aesthetic Components and Acceptance Be Traced Back to Forest Structure?

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 701
Author(s):  
Frieder Füger ◽  
Franka Huth ◽  
Sven Wagner ◽  
Norbert Weber
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Visual Aesthetics ◽  
Visual Diversity

The importance of local forests as places of recreation and human well-being depends very much on their visual impact on human perception. Forest managers, therefore, seek to achieve structural elements or attributes that can be used to enhance the visual aesthetics of managed forest ecosystems. The following survey was undertaken in the Tharandter Forest in Saxony (Germany). The field interviews were focussed on visual aesthetics and acceptance. The statements of the 53 participants in the survey were used to analyse views concerning typical Norway spruce forest types: with the regeneration of deciduous tree species in the background, without regeneration, and with European beech as a second layer in the foreground. The evaluation of the questionnaires confirmed a clear ranking. The forest view with the regeneration of deciduous tree species received the highest number of positive scores, followed by the forest view with beech as a second layer. The forest view characterised by pure and dense Norway spruce trees received the worst rating, differing significantly from the other two, on the basis of the spatial arrangement, visual diversity and acceptance. Linear mixed models demonstrated that visual aesthetics was mostly explained by visual diversity as a result of tree species diversity or mixtures and age structures, the diversity of surrounding structures and colours, ground vegetation or visibility.

scholarly journals Climate Response of Douglas Fir Reveals Recently Increased Sensitivity to Drought Stress in Central Europe

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Vejpustková ◽  
Tomáš Čihák
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Climate Response ◽  
Mixed Stands

Research Highlights: In Central Europe, Douglas fir became more responsive to summer drought in recent years. Background and Objectives: Until now, Douglas fir has been considered a tree species resistant to drought. However, how Douglas fir will be able to cope with the increasing frequency and intensity of summer heat waves remains a question. The long-term variability in the climate response of Douglas fir in Central European conditions has not been fully explored. The aim of the study was to identify climatic factors controlling the stem radial growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and to examine the temporal changes in tree responses to key climatic variables related to drought stress. Materials and Methods: We analysed the pattern of the climate–growth relationship of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, growing in mixed stands distributed between 260 and 600 m above sea level, which corresponds with the altitudinal zone of intensive spruce dieback in the Czech Republic. Nine-site tree-ring-width chronologies were developed for each tree species. Pointer year analysis and correlation analysis in combination with principal component analysis were used to identify climatic factors limiting their growth. Moving correlation function was computed to assess temporal changes of the climate–growth relationship. Results: In the entire 1961–2015 period, growth of both species was positively related to summer precipitation. The response to temperature differed between species. While spruce was negatively affected by the temperatures in summer months, the increments of Douglas fir were positively correlated with the temperatures in February and March. However, moving correlation analysis revealed recently increasing sensitivity to summer temperatures also for Douglas fir. Higher responsiveness of Douglas fir to drought was also revealed by the increasing frequency of negative pointer years in the 2003–2015 period. Conclusions: The recommendations of Douglas fir as a suitable alternative tree species for declining spruce stands at lower altitudes must be regarded with caution.

Gebirgswaldpflege – es kommt auf den Standort an | Mountain silviculture – it all depends on the site

2001 ◽  
Vol 152 (5) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Frehner
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Mountain Forests ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Snow Mould ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Protection Forests

The article shows that knowledge of the site of a particular forest stand, together with research results and experience, can provide information that is important for the cultivation of mountain forests, including knowledge of the composition of the tree species and the structure and growth capacity of natural forest. Furthermore, certain sites can, thus, be characterized by factors that influence restocking, such as snow mould,lush ground vegetation or low temperature. The guidelines«minimale Pflegemassnahmen» – «Minimal tending of protection forests» (WASSER und FREHNER, 1996) are based on this principle. For individual sites, warnings about natural dangers such as rock fall or statements concerning nature conservation can be made (e.g., the occurrence of tree species, suitability as a biotope for Capercaille). In conclusion, two research projects on the relationship between site and natural dangers will be presented.

Site classification in a mixed hardwood forest (Hallerbos, Belgium) with a homogeneous ground vegetation dominated by Hyacinthoides non-scripta (L.) Chouard ex. Rothm.

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Maddelein ◽  
B. Muys ◽  
J. Neirynck ◽  
G. Sioen
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Site Classification ◽  
Species Classification ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Understorey Vegetation

The  forest of Halle (560 ha), situated 20 km south of Brussels is covered by a  beech (Fagus sylvatica)  forest, locally mixed with secundary species (Tilia,  Fraxinus, Acer, Quercus,... ). In almost all  stands, herbal vegetation is dominated by bluebell (Hyacinthoides  non-scripta).     The research intended to classify 36 plots of different tree species  composition according to their site quality. Three classification methods  were compared: the first one based on the indicator value of the understorey  vegetation, a second one on the humus morphology and a last one on some  quantitative soil characteristics. According to the plant sociological site  classification, the plots have the same site quality. However, humus forms  differ apparently and significant differences were found in pH value and base  cation saturation of the soil, abundance and biomass of earthworms and  biomass of the ectorganic horizon. Tree species proved to be the main cause  of these differences.     The results illustrate that the herbal vegetation is not always a reliable  indicator of site quality. In the case of a homogeneous vegetation dominated  by one or more indifferent species, classification on humus morphology or  soil analysis are more appropriate. In the forest of Halle, the tree species  is probably the main cause of the observed differences in site quality.

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