scholarly journals Occurrence of the Maritime Shrew (Sorex maritimensis) in Black Spruce (Picea mariana) Forest Stands in Southeastern New Brunswick

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Julie Henderson ◽  
Graham Forbes

Twenty-one specimens of Sorex maritimensis (Maritime Shrew) were collected in coniferous forest of central New Brunswick, a habitat considered atypical for the species. We suggest S. maritimensis uses a wider range of habitat types than previously documented.

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangdong Lei ◽  
Changhui Peng ◽  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
Xiaolu Zhou

Historically, height–diameter models have mainly been developed for mature trees; consequently, few height–diameter models have been calibrated for young forest stands. In order to develop equations predicting the height of trees with small diameters, 46 individual height–diameter models were fitted and tested in young black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) plantations between the ages of 4 to 8 years, measured from 182 plots in New Brunswick, Canada. The models were divided into 2 groups: a diameter group and a second group applying both diameter and additional stand- or tree-level variables (composite models). There was little difference in predicting tree height among the former models (Group I) while the latter models (Group II) generally provided better prediction. Based on goodness of fit (R2and MSE), prediction ability (the bias and its associated prediction and tolerance intervals in absolute and relative terms), and ease of application, 2 Group II models were recommended for predicting individual tree heights within young black spruce and jack pine forest stands. Mean stand height was required for application of these models. The resultant tolerance intervals indicated that most errors (95%) associated with height predictions would be within the following limits (a 95% confidence level): [-0.54 m, 0.54 m] or [-14.7%, 15.9%] for black spruce and [-0.77 m, 0.77 m] or [-17.1%, 18.6%] for jack pine. The recommended models are statistically reliable for growth and yield applications, regeneration assessment and management planning. Key words: composite model, linear model, model calibration, model validation, prediction interval, tolerance interval


2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2123-2134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly P. Wickland ◽  
Jason C. Neff ◽  
Jennifer W. Harden

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) forest stands range from well drained to poorly drained, typically contain large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC), and are often underlain by permafrost. To better understand the role of soil drainage class in carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange and decomposition, we measured soil respiration and net CO2 fluxes, litter decomposition and litterfall rates, and SOC stocks above permafrost in three Alaska black spruce forest stands characterized as well drained (WD), moderately drained (MD), and poorly drained (PD). Soil respiration and net CO2 fluxes were not significantly different among sites, although the relation between soil respiration rate and temperature varied with site (Q10: WD > MD > PD). Annual estimated soil respiration, litter decomposition, and groundcover photosynthesis were greatest at PD. These results suggest that soil temperature and moisture conditions in shallow organic horizon soils at PD were more favorable for decomposition compared with the better drained sites. SOC stocks, however, increase from WD to MD to PD such that surface decomposition and C storage are diametric. Greater groundcover vegetation productivity, protection of deep SOC by permafrost and anoxic conditions, and differences in fire return interval and (or) severity at PD counteract the relatively high near-surface decomposition rates, resulting in high net C accumulation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 674-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Côté ◽  
Jean Ferron ◽  
Réjean Gagnon

We used an extensive vertebrate exclosure experiment to evaluate black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) postdispersal seed and seedling predation by invertebrates in three boreal habitats of Eastern Canada: recent burn, spruce–moss, and lichen woodland. Between 9% and 19% of seeds were eaten by invertebrates. Seed predation was higher in recent burns than in spruce–moss and lichen woodlands. Abundance and diversity of potential invertebrate seed consumers sampled in pitfall traps also varied among habitat types. Among the invertebrate seed consumers sampled, Myrmica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus adstrictus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were the most numerous; Formica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus punctatissimus (Randall, 1838) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were also present. Between 2% and 12% of juvenile black spruce seedlings were eaten by invertebrates. The most important seedling consumers were slugs (molluscs). Invertebrate predation of seeds and seedlings was highest (19% and 12%) in recent burns, indicating that invertebrate predation may significantly influence black spruce regeneration in these sites.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1754-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Johnson ◽  
N. J. Whitney

Endophytic fungi were isolated from black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) dormant buds and needles of four age-classes. Only one isolate was obtained from 400 buds. A total of 914 isolates were obtained from the needles. With increasing needle age the rate of colonization increased between current-year and 3-year-old needles from 4 to 90%, respectively. The needle segment attached to the twig was colonized more often (p < 0.05) than other segments overall and for 6 of the 11 taxa isolated. The first endophyte from current-year needles was isolated on July 14, 1988, but endophytes were obtained from needles of the other age-classes (1, 2, and 3 years) on all sampling dates between June 10 and September 16, 1988. Key words: endophyte, Picea mariana, dormand buds, needles.


1981 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 267-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Simpson ◽  
G. R. Powell

Ten young black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) plantations in northern and central New Brunswick were examined to de termine the influence of aspect, slope, tree age and tree height on pollen-cone and seed-cone production. It was found that a greater proportion of trees growing on southerly aspects produced pollen cones and seed cones than trees growing on northerly aspects. Trees growing on southerly aspects bore 2.5 and 5 times more seed cones and pollen cones, respectively, than trees growing on northerly aspects. Cone production on south-sloping sites was approximately double that on level sites. The number of seed cones was most significantly correlated with tree height. The number of pollen cones was most significantly correlated with number of seed cones.


1972 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valin G. Marshall ◽  
Evert E. Lindquist

AbstractAn eriophyoid mite, Nalepella halourga Keifer, is newly recorded in Canada from two hosts: black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP., from Ontario, and Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., from New Brunswick. For the first time this mite is reported as damaging black spruce under greenhouse conditions. A key to the eight described species of Nalepella and notes on their host associations and economic importance are included.


2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
pp. S79-S98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Harper ◽  
Catherine Boudreault ◽  
Louis DeGrandpré ◽  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Sylvie Gauthier ◽  
...  

Old-growth black spruce (Picea mariana) boreal forest in the Clay Belt region of Ontario and Quebec is an open forest with a low canopy, quite different from what many consider to be "old growth". Here, we provide an overview of the characteristics of old-growth black spruce forest for three different site types on organic, clay, and coarse deposits. Our objectives were (1) to identify the extent of older forests; (2) to describe the structure, composition, and diversity in different age classes; and (3) to identify key processes in old-growth black spruce forest. We sampled canopy composition, deadwood abundance, understorey composition, and nonvascular plant species in 91 forest stands along a chronosequence that extended from 20 to more than 250 years after fire. We used a peak in tree basal area, which occurred at 100 years on clay and coarse sites and at 200 years on organic sites, as a process-based means of defining the start of old-growth forest. Old-growth forests are extensive in the Clay Belt, covering 30–50% of the forested landscape. Black spruce was dominant on all organic sites, and in all older stands. Although there were fewer understorey species and none exclusive to old-growth, these forests were structurally diverse and had greater abundance of Sphagnum, epiphytic lichens, and ericaceous species. Paludification, a process characteristic of old-growth forest stands on clay deposits in this region, causes decreases in tree and deadwood abundance. Old-growth black spruce forests, therefore, lack the large trees and snags that are characteristic of other old-growth forests. Small-scale disturbances such as spruce budworm and windthrow are common, creating numerous gaps. Landscape and stand level management strategies could minimize structural changes caused by harvesting, but unmanaged forest in all stages of development must be preserved in order to conserve all the attributes of old-growth black spruce forest. Key words: boreal forest, old growth, paludification, Picea mariana, structural development, succession.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-398
Author(s):  
Tania Garcia Bravo ◽  
Line Rochefort ◽  
Maria Strack

Northern peatlands are sinks for atmospheric carbon (C), but peat extraction converts these ecosystems to C sources. Due to a dry regional climate, undisturbed bog peatlands in western Canada often have a tree cover of Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. Thus, a coniferous forest plantation may be an appropriate land use for cutover peatlands. This study determined the effect of a 7-year-old P. mariana plantation on C balance of a cutover peatland. We measured C stored in P. mariana biomass and carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes from bare peat at each of four fertilizer doses. Carbon stored in biomass of Betula papyrifera (Marsh.) that had spontaneously colonized the postfertilized site was also determined. Given that the water table remained very deep and that the sphagnum moss – ericaceous shrub peat-accumulating vegetation was not present, the site remained a source of C when only the planted P. mariana trees were considered, primarily in the form of CO2 emissions by soil respiration. However, C accumulation in trees, including B. papyrifera biomass, resulted in a net C sink in fertilized plots. Results from this study indicate that tree plantations on cutover peatland may be a suitable land-management strategy on sites difficult to effectively rewet.


1999 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.L. Fidgen ◽  
J.D. Sweeney ◽  
D.T. Quiring

AbstractA 2-year field study was carried out to determine densities and stage-specific survival of eggs, second- and third-instar larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults of Strobilomyia appalachensis Michelsen in a black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. (Pinaceae), seed orchard located in New Brunswick, Canada. Trends in stage-specific survival were similar for both years. Most individuals died during the second-instar stage, we suspect mostly because of failure to establish. The lowest stage survival occurred during the prepupal and pupal stages, due primarily to predation by ground-dwelling invertebrates.


1966 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Price

AbstractComparative studies on breeding and survival of Polygraphus rufipennis (Kirby) in black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP., red spruce, P. rubens Sarg, and white spruce, P. glauca (Moench) Voss, indicate that red spruce is the most favourable host. The thicker, more scaly bark of red spruce and the less frequent occurrence of competition for bark space and food by other organisms are considered as contributory to the success of beetles in this host tree.


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