Photo guide for appraising downed woody fuels in Montana forests: lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce - subalpine fir cover types

1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

Snowfall interception on branches of three conifer species

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1262-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Schmidt ◽  
David R. Gluns
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Elastic Rebound ◽  
Snow Crystals ◽  
Sigmoidal Growth

Measuring the mass of snow on cut branch tips soon after snowfalls during two winters provided comparisons of catch by Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Parry), subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm.). Analysis of these and other reported measurements confirmed (i) snow bridging by cohesion, (ii) bouncing of snow crystals by elastic rebound, and (iii) branch bending as mechanisms that determine the sigmoidal growth curves characterizing snow interception relative to snowfall. The fraction of snowfall intercepted by the branches was largest when storm accumulations were 3–4 mm water equivalent, with low specific gravity (0.04–0.07). Percent catch in snowfalls with 10 mm water and low specific gravity was near 50% for Engelmann spruce and about 45% for subalpine fir and lodgepole pine, but values decreased to near 30% in 20-mm storms. Catch was inversely proportional to the density of snow accumulations in the specific gravity range 0.04–0.13. Average branch catch was only about 10% of a storm with 10 mm water equivalent at 0.13 specific gravity. Meteorological conditions were more important than branch growth form in determining snow interception amounts on the conifers tested. The results suggest, as a hypothesis, a computational function for the fraction of snowfall caught on conifer crowns.

Nutrient release from decomposing litter in Rocky Mountain coniferous forests: influence of nutrient availability

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1576-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy E. Prescott ◽  
Barry R. Taylor ◽  
William F.J. Parsons ◽  
Daniel M. Durall ◽  
Dennis Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
P Loss ◽  
N Release ◽  
Forest Floors

We examined patterns of N and P uptake and release from a wide variety of litter types, including leaves, needles, moss, roots, and wood, for 4 years in three forests (lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Loud.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss)–lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Parry ex Engelm.)–subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) and a small clearcut, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. Decomposition was more rapid and N release began sooner in the clearcut than in the forests, but N release began at the same stage of decomposition at all sites. In most litter types, a period of net immobilization of N was followed by a period of net release; only litter types particularly rich in N had an initial leaching phase. Each litter type initially gained or lost N depending on its original concentration, such that N contents converged after 1 or 2 years. The N content at convergence differed among litter types. Phosphorus was usually released immediately. The rate of P loss also varied according to the initial P concentration, and the P contents of all litter types converged within 1 year. The availability of N and P in the forest floor did not affect the rate of N and P release from a standard substrate placed at all sites. The concentrations of N and P in the litter influenced the rate of uptake of N or P during the first 1–3 years, but was not consistently related to nutrient availability in the forest floors at the four sites.

scholarly journals Height Growth Models for High-Elevation Subalpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and Lodgepole Pine in British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Y. H. Chen ◽  
Karel Klinka
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Site Index ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

Abstract To estimate potential productivity of the high-elevation Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone of British Columbia forests, the height growth models developed from low-elevation forests are currently used to estimate site indices of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Whether these models are adequate to describe height growth of high-elevation forests is of concern. We sampled a total of 319 naturally established, even-aged, and undamaged stands with breast height age ≥50 yr (165 for subalpine fir, 87 for Engelmann spruce, and 67 for lodgepole pine) ranging widely in climate and available soil moisture and nutrients. In each sampled stand, three dominant trees were destructively sampled for stem analysis. Height growth models developed from fitting data to a conditioned logistic function explained > 97% variation in height for all three study species. Examined by residual analysis, no models showed lack of fit. These models provided more accurate estimates of site index than the currently used models developed from low-elevation stands or different species. It is recommended that the models developed in this study be applied to estimate site index of the three species in the ESSF zone in British Columbia. West. J. Appl. For. 15(2):62-69.

scholarly journals Decline of planted lodgepole pine in the southern interior of British Columbia

2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jean Mather ◽  
Suzanne W. Simard ◽  
Jean L. Heineman ◽  
Donald L. Sachs
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Moisture Regimes

Lodgepole pine is extensively planted across western Canada but little is known about development of these stands beyond the juvenile stage. We quantified stocking status and damage incidence in sixty-six 15- to 30-year-old lodgepole pine plantations that had previously been declared free-growing in the southern interior of British Columbia. The stands were located in six biogeoclimatic zones: Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF), Montane Spruce (MS), Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH), Interior Douglas-fir (IDF), Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS), and Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce (SBPS). Free-growing standards were no longer met on 27% of plantations, with the worst performance (70% no longer free-growing) in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock forests. Natural regeneration was common but it was half the size of lodgepole pine. Biotic damage, especially hard pine stem rusts, was the dominant factor reducing free-growing densities. Stands were at greater risk of reduced stocking where summer precipitation was higher or soil moisture regimes were wetter and where stands had been broadcast-burned prior to planting or received secondary treatments of brushing or pruning. Reforestation policies that encourage widespread planting of lodgepole pine, particularly in areas where lodgepole pine has limited natural occurrence such as in the ICH zone, should be reconsidered given that health problems are extensive and are expected to increase with climate change.Key words: Pinus contorta, lodgepole pine, free-growing, stocking, forest health, damage, disease

Lethal and Nonlethal Effects of the Organic Horizons of Forested Soils on the Germination of Seeds from Several Associated Conifer Species of the Rocky Mountains

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. W. Daniel ◽  
Josef Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seed Treatments ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Organic Horizons ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Nonlethal Effects

The study tests whether the lethal effect of overwintering Engelmann spruce seed in its O-horizon affects Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir seeds and whether the O-horizons of the three associated species have the same lethal effect on seeds. All seed treatments of each species were stratified in petri dishes in the pure O-horizon (unsterilized and autoclaved) of each species. Seed treatments were untreated, 10% slurry of 50% Captan and powdered 75% Captan.All untreated seeds demonstrated the lethal quality of unsterilized Engelmann spruce O-horizon. Its effects on untreated seeds and powder treated seeds were as follows: Engelmann spruce seed 3.5 and 77.3% (germination of untreated and powdered respectively), subalpine fir seed 1.3 and 20.8, Douglas-fir seed 9.5 and 84.8 and lodgepole pine seed 11.9 and 85.7. Subalpine fir O-horizon was lethal to its own seeds but only moderately harmful to seeds of other species. Douglas-fir O-horizon had a significant adverse effect on its own seeds and was only moderately harmful to seeds of other species. Lodgepole pine O-horizon was almost neutral to all seeds. Autoclaving of the O-horizons and powder treatment of seeds produced similar results.

Effects of harvesting on fine root biomass and decomposition in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia E Welke ◽  
Graeme D Hope ◽  
Gary A Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Root Dynamics ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Root Longevity ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

The effect of timber harvesting on the biomass, nutrient standing crop, and decomposition of fine roots (<2 mm) was studied in a high elevation, Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) forest. Root dynamics were compared in openings of different sizes. The sequential core method was used to collect fine root samples over 4 years. Differences in fine root biomass between opening sizes were most significant for the active fine root portion and were most pronounced in the fall compared with the spring. Active fine root biomass was significantly lower in the 10-ha clearcuts (164 kg/ha) compared with control plots (275 kg/ha). Furthermore, active fine root biomass was often lower in the 1.0-ha opening than in the 0.1-ha and control plots. A similar trend was established for inactive fine root biomass, although this was not consistent over sampling years. Nutrient concentrations of K, but no other elements, were higher in control plots. Nutrient standing crops, however, followed trends observed in fine root biomass. In the 10-ha clearcuts, the largest changes in fine root biomass occurred at the edge of the opening. The findings suggest that small (<10 ha) cutblocks may maintain greater fine root longevity.

scholarly journals Severity of Overstory Mortality Influences Conifer Recruitment and Growth in Mountain Pine Beetle-Affected Forests

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Pelz ◽  
Charles Rhoades ◽  
Robert Hubbard ◽  
Frederick Smith
Keyword(s):  
High Mortality ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Forest Recovery ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle

The severity of lodgepole pine mortality from mountain pine beetle outbreaks varies with host tree diameter, density, and other structural characteristics, influencing subcanopy conditions and tree regeneration. We measured density and leader growth of shade-intolerant lodgepole pine, shade-tolerant Engelmann spruce, and very shade-tolerant subalpine fir regeneration beneath stands that experienced moderate and high overstory lodgepole pine mortality (average 40% and 85% of total basal area) a decade earlier. Lodgepole comprised >90% of the overstory basal area and mature spruce and fir were present in both mortality levels, though live basal area and disturbance history differed. Post-beetle outbreak recruitment was high in both mortality levels, but there were more lodgepole in high than moderate mortality plots (1140 stems ha−1 vs. 60 stems ha−1) and more subalpine fir in moderate than high mortality plots (4690 stems ha−1 vs. 2870 stems ha−1). Pine advance regeneration, established prior to outbreak, was more dense in high mortality than moderate mortality sites (930 stems ha−1 vs. 310 stems ha−1), but the trend was generally the opposite for the other conifers. Lodgepole recruitment increased and subalpine fir decreased with greater forest floor light availability. All species grew faster in high mortality areas than their counterparts in moderate mortality areas. However, in high mortality areas pine grew faster than the more shade tolerant species, and in moderate mortality areas spruce and fir grew faster than pine. These species-specific responses to the degree of overstory mortality will influence future stand composition and rate of forest recovery after mountain pine beetle outbreaks.

scholarly journals Natural and Advance Regeneration of Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir Compared 21 Years After Site Treatment

1980 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Herring ◽  
R. G. McMinn
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Residual Tree ◽  
Mean Current ◽  
Picea Engelmanni

The mean height of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmanni Parry) advance growth 21 years after release by overstorey harvesting and residual tree felling, was eight times that of natural regeneration established following brush blade scarification. Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) advance growth was nine times taller than natural regeneration established on scarified soil. Mean current annual height increment of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir advance growth was 39 and 34 cm, respectively, compared with only 7 cm for natural regeneration on scarified soil. The performance gap does not appear to be narrowing. The poor performance of natural regeneration on mineral soil exposed by blade scarification is attributed to removal of organic and top mineral soil horizons beyond the immediate reach of seedlings. These soil layers remained available to the advance growth. Consideration should be given to preserving advance growth when scarification may be inappropriate.

Simulated conversion of unmanaged interior spruce-subalpine fir stands to a regulated uneven-aged structure

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Farnden
Keyword(s):  
Old Growth ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
High Q ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Interior Spruce ◽  
Growth Attributes ◽  
Tree Growth Model

A localized version of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) individual tree growth model was developed to simulate stand level impacts under a variety of uneven-aged management regimes in old-growth interior spruce-subalpine fir forests near Prince George British Columbia. Options for using uneven-aged management to satisfy a range of management objectives were simulated using different sets of BDq regulation parameters, and by varying species composition and rules for reserve trees. The greatest timber yields were attained by promoting the highest possible spruce component, using high q ratios, low to moderate maximum diameters and 20 to 25 year cutting cycles, and allowing no reserves. Using strategies to promote stand structures maintaining some old-growth attributes resulted in much lower timber yields. Key words: white spruce, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, uneven-aged management, BDq regulation, simulated yield

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