scholarly journals The Structure of Northern Siberian Spruce–Scots Pine Forests at Different Stages of Post-Fire Succession

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia I. Stavrova ◽  
Vadim V. Gorshkov ◽  
Paul N. Katjutin ◽  
Irina Ju. Bakkal

The process of post-fire recovery in mixed Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests (Picea obovata Ledeb.-Pinus sylvestris L.), typical for the European North-West, was studied in the Kola peninsula (Russia). We used the spatial–temporal approach to reveal the size structure (diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution) and vital state of Siberian spruce and Scots pine stands, tree regeneration and species structure of the dwarf shrub–herb and lichen–moss layers at different stages of post-fire succession (8–380 years after the fire). It was found that in both forest-forming species, the process of stand stratification results in the allocation of two size groups of trees. In Siberian spruce, these groups persist throughout the succession. In Scots pine, DBH distributions become more homogeneous at the middle of succession (150–200 years after the fire) due to the extinction of small-size individuals. Siberian spruce stands are dominated by moderately and strongly weakened trees at all succession stages. The vitality status of Scots pine stands is higher compared to Siberian spruce up to 150 years after a fire. The dynamics of regeneration activity is similar in both species, with a minimum at the middle of the restoration period. The results indicate that in Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests, the stand structure and regeneration activity differs substantially in the first half of succession (up to 200 years after the fire) and become similar in the late-succession community. The study of lower layers revealed that the cover of moss–lichen and dwarf shrub–herb layers stabilize 150 years after a fire. Changes in species structure in both layers are observed until the late stage of succession. The originality of the structure and dynamics of mixed Siberian spruce–Scots pine forests is revealed based on a comparison with pure Siberian spruce forests in the same region.

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-278
Author(s):  
Olena Andreieva ◽  
Anatoliy Goychuk

AbstractScots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most spread forest tree species in Polissya and the most damaged by foliage browsing and stem insects. The aim of this study was to reveal the changes in the distribution of different forest site conditions for 2010–2019 in Scots pine forests of the selected forestry enterprises of Polissya and possible consequences for the spread of foliage browsing insects. Database of Production Association ‘Ukrderzhlisproekt’ (by 2010 and 2019) was analysed for five State Forest Enterprises (FE) that are located in the Central (Zhytomyr Region) and Western (Rivne and Volyn Regions) Polissya, where the large scale outbreaks of stem pests were registered last decade.The types of forest site conditions were designated in accordance with the Ukrainian typology. Distribution of the forest area by trophotops and hygrotops was evaluated for the forest-covered area, for Scots pine stands, and for pure Scots pine stands in 2010 and in 2019.For 2010–2019, the area of all Scots pine forests and its proportion in the forest-covered area has significantly decreased in the most of analysed forest enterprises. The change for 2010–2019 in the distribution both by the tropho-tops and by hygrotops of the entire forest-covered area, the area of all Scots pine forests and pure pine forests is not statistically significant. However, in assessment year 2019, the proportion of stands in the moist types of forest site conditions slightly increased. It may be the result of the stands’ mortality in the driest sites after an outbreak of bark beetles. A greater decrease in the proportion of Scots pine forest area in the dry poor, fresh poor, and dry relatively poor forest site conditions was found in the western direction. Therefore, the noted decrease in the foci areas of foliage browsing insects in Polissya in 2010–2012 compared to the 2000–2002 could be associated with a decrease in the most preferred stands, namely the poorest and driest types of forest site conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 169 (5) ◽  
pp. 260-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wohlgemuth ◽  
Violette Doublet ◽  
Cynthia Nussbaumer ◽  
Linda Feichtinger ◽  
Andreas Rigling

Vegetation shift in Scots pine forests in the Valais accelerated by large disturbances In the past dozen years, several studies have concluded a vegetation shift from Scots pine to oak (pubescent and sessile) forests in the low elevated zones of the Valais. It is, however, not fully clear in which way such a vegetation shift actually occurs and on which processes such a shift would be based. Two studies, one on the tree demography in the intact Pfynwald and the other on the tree regeneration on the large Leuk forest fire patch, serve to discuss different aspects of the shift from Scots pine to oak. The forest stands of Pfynwald consist of 67% Scots pines and 14% oaks. Regenerating trees are 2–3.5 times more frequent in small gaps than under canopy. In gaps of the Upper Pfynwald, seedlings and saplings of Scots pine are three times more abundant than oaks, while both species regenerate in similar quantities under canopy. In the Lower Pfynwald, young oaks – especially seedlings – are more frequent than Scots pines. A different process is going on at the lower part in the Leuk forest fire patch where Scots pines prevailed before the burn of 2003. While Scots pines regenerate exclusively close to the edge of the intact forest, oaks not only resprout from trunk but also profit from unlimited spreading of their seeds by the Eurasian jay. Regeneration from seeds are hence observed in the whole studied area, independent of the proximity of seed trees. After the large fire disturbance, a mixed forests with a high share of oaks is establishing, which translates to a rapid vegetation shift. The two trajectories are discussed in the light of climate change.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Szmidla ◽  
Miłosz Tkaczyk ◽  
Radosław Plewa ◽  
Grzegorz Tarwacki ◽  
Zbigniew Sierota

Common mistletoe is increasingly mentioned as contributing not only to the decline of deciduous trees at roadside and in city parks, but to conifers in stands. The presence of Viscum in fir stands has been known for many years, but since 2015 has also been the cause of damage to pine. In 2019, mistletoe was observed on 77.5 thousand hectares of Scots pine stands in southern and central Poland. Drought resulting from global climate change is implicated as an important factor conducive to weakening trees and making them more susceptible to the spread of mistletoe and other pests. This paper presents an overview of the latest information on the development of this semi-parasitic plant in Poland, its impact on tree breeding traits and raw material losses, as well as current options for its prevention and eradication.


1995 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lust ◽  
B. Muys

This  study evaluates three important parameters of biodiversity in first  generation Scots pine forests on sandy soils: herbal layer, natural  regeneration and stand structure. The research was undertaken in the Belgian  Campine Region, where the original oak-birch forest had been destroyed in the  course of time and finally been replaced by monocultures of Scots pine. These  pine forests are characterised by a low biodiversity. In maturing stands of  this type, however, a spontaneous increase of biodiversity is noticed.     Herbal species diversity is very limited in all age classes. Spontaneous  establishment of Scots pine seedlings is presently a widespread phenomenon in  aging stands. Different regeneration patterns are found. Mainly due to the  lengthening of the rotation in combination with the ingrowth of several  hardwood species, the homogeneous Scots pine stands are gradually and  spontaneously transformed into heterogeneous mixed stands, featuring a  noticeable increase of biodiversity.     Nevertheless, selected human interventions may further increase  biodiversity. The fundamental management principles are discussed: avoidance  of big disturbances, lengthening of the rotation period, use of native tree  species, utilization of natural regeneration, protection of small valuable  biotopes and permanent monitoring.


2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 384-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kestutis Armolaitis ◽  
Vidas Stakenas

An area in Lithuania containing coniferous stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce that were dead or damaged due to nitrogen pollution by a nitrogen fertilizer plant (JV Achema) was found to have expanded between 1974 and 1989 to a distance of 20 to 25 km northeast of the plant in the direction of prevailing winds. Over the last 10 years, when nitrogen pollution by the plant had decreased, a clear process of recovery of the damaged ecosystems could be observed. The following features of this process as it occurred in damaged Scots pine stands are discussed: (1) refoliation (or decreased defoliation) of damaged trees, where a clear positive trend could be observed; (2) changes in the species composition and in the covering by ground vegetation, where small changes and indication of less-nitrophilous species coverage could be detected; and (3) chemical and acidity changes in Luvisols and Arenosols, where a significant decrease could be seen especially concerning nitrate concentrations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-75
Author(s):  
Paweł Horodecki ◽  
Katarzyna Wiczyńska ◽  
Andrzej M. Jagodziński

Abstract The ‘Czmoń’ nature reserve (23.65 ha) was established in 1998 to protect one of the best-retained areas of natural oak-hornbeam forest (Galio-Carpinetum) in the center of the Wielkopolska Region. Apart from oak-hornbeam forest, the ash-elm riparian forest (Querco-Ulmetum) and alder riparian forest (Fraxino-Alnetum) are found in the reserve. These plant communities, both natural and degenerated as a consequence of previous forest management, have created the convenient conditions for assessment the phytocoenoses’ regeneration potential. The aim of this study was to assess the age and species structure of woody species natural regeneration of the whole area of the nature reserve. To achieve that target, during August and September 2012, 142 sample plots were established with the total area 3550 m2 on which tree and shrub composition and densities were calculated. Woody species regeneration created various diverse communities among individual sub-units, however oak-hornbeam forest species were predominant in the whole regeneration layer. The character of a ‘natural’ forest was retained on a part of the stands. Moreover, regeneration in degenerated parts of the ‘Czmoń’ nature reserve stands is changing according to potential vegetation. Whereas, the establishment of gaps in the Scots pine stands using artificial regeneration was not worthwhile. The natural regeneration structure under the canopy layer of Scots pine stands unambiguously supports the claim that phytocoenoses can regenerate on their own. In spite of the oak regeneration being infrequent, all stands within the ‘Czmoń’ nature reserve retain substantial rejuvenation potential


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyrki Hytönen ◽  
H Hökkä ◽  
M Saarinen

We studied the success of natural regeneration eight years after seed tree cutting on four drained peatland Scots pine stands in central and northern Finland (Parkano, Sievi, Vaala, Simo) when retaining ca. 50 Scots pine stems ha-1 followed by site preparation. The total number and the number of crop seedlings and their mean height were investigated by species and methods of site preparation (control, scalping, mounding). The results showed that the total seedling numbers were very high (9,100 – 51,000 ha-1) in all sites and treatments. The share of downy birch seedlings was 64 –76 %. The total number of crop seedlings varied from 1,450 to 2,000 ha-1 (2,000 maximum density accepted), with number of Scots pine seedlings varying from 600 in Parkano to 1,950 ha-1 in Sievi. Site preparation increased the number of pine crop seedlings on two of the four sites: at Parkano by 900 – 1,100 seedlings ha-1 and at Vaala by 600 – 800 seedlings ha-1. On average, the number of pine crop seedlings was slightly higher and that for all birch seedlings clearly higher when site preparation was applied. About 22 – 81% of crop seedlings were grown in a prepared surface in scalped plots and 75-91% on mounded plots. The mean height of the crop seedlings was not significantly affected by the site preparation treatment. With respect to the minimum requirements set for the regeneration result required by forest legislation, seed tree cutting appeared to provide sufficient regeneration in eight years in terms of the total seedling density and the number of crop seedlings when downy birches were included. The beneficial effect of soil preparation was seen in the increased share of Scots pine crop seedlings.


1988 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Schepper

The  study describes the natural regeneration state of a forest on coarse sandy  soils. The natural regeneration was studied in three different ecological  conditions: in 30 to 60 year old Scots pine stands, in a 62 year old mixed  stand of pedunculate oak and red oak, and on the free field.     The analysis of the regeneration groups revealed that the first settler  maintained a dominant social position during the following years after the  settlement. The structural basis is consequently laid out early. This means  that the forest practice has to consider the very first phase of the  regeneration as determining for the following evolution of the regeneration  groups.


1987 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lust

In 70  years old homogeneous Scots pine stands, bordered by a hardwood belt, an  analysis was made about the spontaneous ingrowth of natural seedlings. The  analysis involved especially the following points: species and stem number,  influence of the hardwood belts, diameter and height distribution, age,  growth and structure. From the age of 30 years, a spontaneous regeneration of  hardwoods established in Scots pine stands. There are on average 7,000 plants  per ha, 80 % of which are black cherry and another fair number are red oak  and pedunculate oak. The regeneration has an average age of 25 to 30 years,  it is uneven aged, contains several diameter and height classes and has  already partially penetrated the upper stratum.     The spontaneous ingrowth allows to convert in a simple way the homogeneous  coniferous stands into mixed hardwood stands.


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