Some Lessons Learned on Early Survival and Growth of Containerized, Locally-Sourced Ponderosa Pine Seedlings in the Davis Mountains of Western Texas, US

The ponderosa pine forests in the Davis Mountains of western Texas recently experienced a major mortality event caused, in part, by an extended regional drought that predisposed trees and stands to mortality from both western pine beetle and wildfires. The loss of many overstory pines and the scarcity of natural ponderosa pine regeneration pose a considerable challenge to restoration. A commissioned study investigated artificial regeneration using containerized ponderosa pine seedlings with multiple planting seasons and vegetation management alternatives. Early survival was statistically greater for dormant season plantings than monsoon season plantings. Vegetation management treatments influenced early growth, survival, and herbivory rates. Physical weed control, which consisted of fibrous weed mats around the base of planted seedlings, showed early advantages over some vegetation management treatments in growth, survival and herbivory deterrence, but all vegetation management treatments had similar survival and herbivory results after 2.5 years. Early survival was poor in all treatments, mainly due to herbivory, which was identified as the principal short-term obstacle to artificial regeneration of ponderosa pine in the Davis Mountains. The larger question regarding feasibility of recovery in this isolated population, particularly if local climatic conditions become increasingly unfavorable, remains.

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Predicting mortality of ponderosa pine regeneration after prescribed fire in the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA

International Journal of Wildland Fire ◽

10.1071/wf07163 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 176 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Mike Battaglia ◽

Frederick W. Smith ◽

Wayne D. Shepperd

Keyword(s):

Prescribed Fire ◽

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Flame Length ◽

Black Hills ◽

Tree Size ◽

Crown Fire ◽

Crown Volume ◽

Pine Seedlings ◽

Pine Regeneration ◽

Related Mortality

Reduction of crown fire hazard in Pinus ponderosa forests in the Black Hills, SD, often focuses on the removal of overstorey trees to reduce crown bulk density. Dense ponderosa pine regeneration establishes several years after treatment and eventually increases crown fire risk if allowed to grow. Using prescribed fire to control this regeneration is hampered by the limited knowledge of fire-related mortality threshold values for seedlings (<1.4 m tall) and saplings (0.25 to 10 cm diameter at breast height). The present study was initiated to assess fire-related mortality of ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings on prescribed burns across the Black Hills. We established plots in several burn units after the first post-fire growing season to measure crown volume scorch, crown volume consumption, basal scorch, and ground char for ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of mortality based on tree size, flame length, and direct fire effects. Tree size, flame length, crown damage, ground char, and basal char severity were all important factors in the prediction of mortality. Observed mortality was >70% for seedlings but was only 18 to 46% for sapling-sized trees. The differences in mortality thresholds for ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings highlight their susceptibility to different damage pathways and give managers several options when designing burn prescriptions.

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Double whammy: high-severity fire and drought in ponderosa pine forests of the Southwest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2012-0404 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 570-583 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Melissa Savage ◽

Joy Nystrom Mast ◽

Johannes J. Feddema

Keyword(s):

Pinus Ponderosa ◽

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Fire Regime ◽

American Southwest ◽

Forest Recovery ◽

Type Model ◽

Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽

High Severity ◽

Pine Regeneration ◽

Drought Conditions

We examine regeneration dynamics across landscapes under extreme climate conditions and a human-altered fire regime in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson & C. Lawson) forests of the American Southwest. Our research asks how well these forests recover when unprecedented conditions of a high-severity fire regime combine with historical drought conditions. Tree recruitment is documented at five sites in New Mexico after high-severity fires that burned forests in the drought that prevailed from ∼1945 to 1958. We develop a water-balance type model to evaluate how altered microclimate conditions in the years after a fire and during a drought may inhibit ponderosa pine regeneration in comparison with drought conditions alone. We empirically identify two pathways of forest recovery following high-severity fires during drought: recovery to nonforest types, either dense shrubfields or shrubs in grasslands (four sites) or recovery to hyperdense forest (one site). Model simulations predict fewer favorable opportunities for germination, fewer periods favorable for seedling establishment, shortening of favorable establishment periods, and more adverse conditions because of later spring and earlier fall hard freezes. Our research suggests that a specific climate window critical to the capacity of southwestern ponderosa pine trees to regenerate is narrowed by a synchronous occurrence of high-severity fire and drought.

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Moisture and vegetation cover limit ponderosa pine regeneration in high-severity burn patches in the southwestern US

Fire Ecology ◽

10.1186/s42408-021-00095-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Megan P. Singleton ◽

Andrea E. Thode ◽

Andrew J. Sánchez Meador ◽

Jose M. Iniguez

Keyword(s):

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Seedling Establishment ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Seedling Density ◽

Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽

High Severity ◽

Pine Regeneration ◽

Core Areas ◽

Gambel Oak ◽

Patch Edge

Abstract Background Fire regimes are shifting in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson)-dominated forests, raising concern regarding future vegetation patterns and forest resilience, particularly within high-severity burn patches. The southwestern US has recently experienced a marked increase in large fires that produce large, high-severity patch interiors, with few surviving trees. These areas could be more susceptible for forest loss and conversions to alternative vegetation types than areas closer to the forest edge with more available seed sources. To better understand forest recovery, we surveyed ponderosa pine regeneration within edge and core areas (>200 m from edge) of high-severity patches in ten fires that burned between 1996 to 2008 across Arizona and New Mexico, USA. Specifically, we compared regeneration density, height, and canopy cover in patch edge and core areas and used generalized linear models to investigate the abiotic and biotic factors that contribute to ponderosa pine seedling establishment and density. Results High-severity burn-patch edge and core plots were not significantly different in seedling density, height, or canopy cover across fires. Seedling establishment was more likely at higher-elevation mesic sites and less likely when Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.) was more abundant. Seedling density was negatively impacted by shrub, grass, and Gambel oak cover. Conclusions Regeneration density varied among fires but analysis of regeneration in aggregated edge and core plots showed that abundance of seed availability was not the sole factor that limited ponderosa pine regeneration, probably because of surviving tree refugia within high-severity burn patches. Furthermore, our findings emphasize that ponderosa pine regeneration in our study area was significantly impacted by xeric topographic environments and vegetation competition. Continued warm and dry conditions and increased wildfire activity may delay the natural recovery of ponderosa pine forests, underscoring the importance of restoration efforts in large, high-severity burn patches.

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Vegetation management for reducing mortality of ponderosa pine seedlings from Thomomys spp.

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/0261-2194(95)00034-j ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 505-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Richard M. Engeman ◽

Victor G. Barnes ◽

Richard M. Anthony ◽

Heather W. Krupa

Keyword(s):

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Vegetation Management ◽

Pine Seedlings

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Damage reduction to ponderosa pine seedlings from northern pocket gophers by vegetation management through grass seeding and herbicide treatment

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation ◽

10.1016/s0964-8305(98)00010-9 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 42 (2-3) ◽

pp. 115-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R.M Engeman ◽

V.G Barnes ◽

R.M Anthony ◽

H.W Krupa

Keyword(s):

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Vegetation Management ◽

Pocket Gophers ◽

Damage Reduction ◽

Herbicide Treatment ◽

Pine Seedlings

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Natural regeneration responses to thinning and burning treatments in ponderosa pine forests and implications for restoration

Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1007/s11676-021-01404-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tzeidle N. Wasserman ◽

Amy E. M. Waltz ◽

John Paul Roccaforte ◽

Judith D. Springer ◽

Joseph E. Crouse

Keyword(s):

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Prescribed Burning ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Pine Forests ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Regeneration Dynamics ◽

Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽

Pine Regeneration ◽

Mechanical Thinning

AbstractUnderstanding naturally occurring pine regeneration dynamics in response to thinning and burning treatments is necessary not only to measure the longevity of the restoration or fuels treatment, but also to assess how well regeneration meets forest sustainability guidelines and whether natural regeneration is sufficient for maintaining a sustainable forest structure and composition. A synthesis review was carried out on the effects of mechanical thinning and prescribed burn treatments on natural pine regeneration response in frequent-fire ponderosa pine forests across the western United States. The focus was on site-specific variability in pine regeneration dynamics, temporal trends in regeneration presence and abundance, and response to treatment as described in the current literature using 29 studies that met our evidence-based review protocols. Data showed that the effects of thinning and burning treatments on regeneration depended on time since treatment. Mechanical thinning, prescribed burning, and thinning plus burn treatments all increased seedling density, but there was high variability among sites and studies. There were mixed results in the short-term (< 10 years) with both increasing and decreasing regeneration, and a general increase in regeneration 11 − 20 years post-treatment. Some long-term studies (> 20 years) concluded that stands can return to pre-treatment densities in terms of total trees per hectare and forest floor duff levels when there are no maintenance treatments applied. Several studies showed the average ponderosa pine seedling presence, survival and growth found in today’s forests to be at a high density; this combined with missed fire cycles could contribute to future fire risk and reduce the efficacy of maintaining fuel reduction goals.

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Silvicultural characteristics of a Scots pine stand on drift sands

Silva Gandavensis ◽

10.21825/sg.v57i0.884 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 57 ◽

Author(s):

D. Maddelein ◽

N. Lust

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Rotation Period ◽

Average Height ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Pedunculate Oak ◽

Black Cherry ◽

Humus Layer ◽

Pine Seedlings ◽

Pine Regeneration

The study of a seventy years old stand of Scots pine on drift sands proves that Scots pine growth on these sites was and is still relatively good: average diameter 27.6 cm, average height 19.4 m, standing volume 213 m3 and an annual increment of 4.9 m3.ha-1.yr-1. All Scots pines belong to the upper storey. Yet considerable differences in crown development and vitality are observed. The current growth rate and the spontaneous settlement of pine seedlings under canopy show the ideal conditions for the creation of a high forest with reserves. Anyway a rotation period of more than 70 years is recommendable. On several places a consolidated regeneration of Scots pine seedlings under canopy occur. Groups with a stem number of 700 to 3,500 seedlings per are, ranging in age from 3 to 11 years and in height from 10 to 170 cm, are present. This Scots pine regeneration has developed in a normal mor humus layer and in a dense Deschampsia mat. Broadleaved regeneration is not so abundant, and consists for 75 % of black cherry. Absence of seed trees, browsing damage and the exclusive character of black cherry are the limiting factors for the installation and survival of valuable indigenous species, such as pedunculate oak. Provided that black cherry is removed and that the regeneration is protected against wild damage, it is possible to create a mixed forest dominated by Scots pine but with a considerable admixture of indigenous broadleaved trees. However, if black cherry will not be sufficiently controlled, it can be expected that in a first phase black cherry will dominate the understorey, that it will prevent the regeneration of all other species and that, very soon, it will form an almost single-species dominated stage in forest succession.

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Evaluation of Physical Barriers to Protect Ponderosa Pine Seedlings from Pocket Gophers

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/14.3.164 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 164-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael J. Pipas ◽

Gary W. Witmer

Keyword(s):

Pinus Ponderosa ◽

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Seedling Mortality ◽

Pocket Gophers ◽

Thomomys Talpoides ◽

Pine Seedlings ◽

Physical Barriers ◽

Growth Of Seedlings ◽

Medium Weight ◽

Better Than

Abstract A 2 yr study on the Rogue River and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon evaluated physical barriers for protection of Pinus ponderosa seedlings against damage by Thomomys talpoides. Seedlings protected with one of three weights of: (1) plastic mesh tubing (Vexar®) or (2) sandpapertubing (Durite®) were evaluated against control seedlings. On the Rogue River sites, Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (62.6%), followed by the controls (59.1%), then Durite® seedlings (17.9%). Gophers were the primary cause of death for the Vexar® seedlings, versus desiccation for the Durite® seedlings. On the Mt. Hood sites, heavyweight Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (35.4%), medium-weight Durite® seedlings the lowest (2.7%). Seedling mortality caused by gophers was highest for controls (70.2%), followed by light-weight (62.2%) and heavy-weight (53.9%) Vexar® treatments. Overall survival was low (Rogue River = 42%, Mt. Hood = 19.8%). Growth was greatest for the control seedlings but only significantly greater than growth of Durite® seedlings on the Rogue River sites. Growth of seedlings was not compromised by the Vexar® tubing. Although neither type of tubing was highly protective, Vexar® tubes performed better than Durite® tubes. West. J. Appl. For. 14(3):164-168.

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Influence of Agisoft Metashape Parameters on UAS Structure from Motion Individual Tree Detection from Canopy Height Models

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12020250 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 250

Author(s):

Wade T. Tinkham ◽

Neal C. Swayze

Keyword(s):

Structure From Motion ◽

Ponderosa Pine ◽

Point Cloud ◽

Image Resolution ◽

Canopy Height ◽

Computer Hardware ◽

Forest Monitoring ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽

Tree Detection

Applications of unmanned aerial systems for forest monitoring are increasing and drive a need to understand how image processing workflows impact end-user products’ accuracy from tree detection methods. Increasing image overlap and making acquisitions at lower altitudes improve how structure from motion point clouds represents forest canopies. However, only limited testing has evaluated how image resolution and point cloud filtering impact the detection of individual tree locations and heights. We evaluate how Agisoft Metashape’s build dense cloud Quality (image resolution) and depth map filter settings influence tree detection from canopy height models in ponderosa pine forests. Finer resolution imagery with minimal filtering provided the best visual representation of vegetation detail for trees of all sizes. These same settings maximized tree detection F-score at >0.72 for overstory (>7 m tall) and >0.60 for understory trees. Additionally, overstory tree height bias and precision improve as image resolution becomes finer. Overstory and understory tree detection in open-canopy conifer systems might be optimized using the finest resolution imagery that computer hardware enables, while applying minimal point cloud filtering. The extended processing time and data storage demands of high-resolution imagery must be balanced against small reductions in tree detection performance when down-scaling image resolution to allow the processing of greater data extents.

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