scholarly journals Effects of Fire Severity and Woody Debris on Tree Regeneration for Exploratory Well Pads in Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1330
Author(s):  
Angelo T. Filicetti ◽  
Ryan A. LaPointe ◽  
Scott E. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Debris Cover ◽  
In Fire

Restoring anthropogenic footprints to pre-disturbance conditions or minimizing their long-term impacts is an important goal in conservation. Many footprints, particularly if left alone, have wide-ranging effects on biodiversity. In Canada, energy exploration footprints result in forest dissection and fragmentation contributing to declines in woodland caribou. Developing cost effective strategies to restore forests and thus conserving the woodland caribou habitat is a conservation priority. In this study, we compared the effects of wildfire and local variation in the amount of residual woody debris on natural regeneration in jack pine on exploratory well pads in Alberta’s boreal forest. Specifically, we investigated how footprint size, fire severity (overstory tree mortality), ground cover of fine and coarse woody debris, and adjacent stand characteristics (i.e., height, age, and cover), affected tree regeneration densities and height using negative binomial count and linear models (Gaussian), respectively. Regeneration density was 30% higher on exploratory well pads than adjacent forests, increased linearly with fire severity on the exploratory well pads (2.2% per 1% increase in fire severity), but non-linearly in adjacent forests (peaking at 51,000 stems/ha at 72% fire severity), and decreased with amount of woody debris on exploratory well pads (2.7% per 1% increase in woody debris cover). The height of regenerating trees on exploratory well pads decreased with fire severity (0.56 cm per 1% increase in fire severity) and was non-linearly related to coarse woody debris (peaking at 286 cm at 9.4% coarse woody debris cover). Heights of 3 and 5 m on exploratory well pads were predicted by 13- and 21-years post-fire, respectively. Our results demonstrate that wildfires can stimulate natural recovery of fire-adapted species, such as jack pine, on disturbances as large as exploratory well pads (500–1330 m2) and that the type and amount of woody debris affects these patterns.

Coarse woody debris in old-growth temperate beech (Nothofagus) forests of New Zealand

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1989-1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn H. Stewart ◽  
Larry E. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Decay Sequence ◽  
Nothofagus Forests

The volume, biomass, and carbon and nitrogen content of coarse woody debris were measured on three 1-ha reference plots in old-growth Nothofagusfusca (Hook. f.) Oerst.–Nothofagusmenziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst. forest on the South Island of New Zealand. Two decay sequences for logs and one for standing dead trees (snags) were recognised from two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) of up to 30 variables related to physical characteristics and structural integrity. Wood volume (up to 800 m3•ha−1) and biomass were high (up to 300 Mg•ha−1), and the inside-out decay sequence from heartwood to sapwood was unusual compared with that of other temperate hardwood forests. Coarse woody debris represented significant carbon and nitrogen pools, with ca. 150 Mg•ha−1 and 370 kg•ha−1, respectively, in one stand. The coarse woody debris component of these broad-leaved evergreen hardwood forests was much higher than that reported for other temperate hardwood forests and approaches that of many northern hemisphere conifer forests. The large coarse woody debris pools are discussed in relation to live stand biomass, natural disturbances and tree mortality, and decomposition processes.

Pre-wildfire fuel reduction treatments result in more resilient forest structure a decade after wildfire

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Stevens-Rumann ◽  
Kristen Shive ◽  
Peter Fulé ◽  
Carolyn H. Sieg
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Forest Fuels ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests

Increasing size and severity of wildfires have led to an interest in the effectiveness of forest fuels treatments on reducing fire severity and post-wildfire fuels. Our objective was to contrast stand structure and surface fuel loadings on treated and untreated sites within the 2002 Rodeo–Chediski Fire area. Data from 140 plots on seven paired treated–untreated sites indicated that pre-wildfire treatments reduced fire severity compared with untreated sites. In 2011, coarse woody debris loading (woody material>7.62cm in diameter) was 257% higher and fine woody debris (woody material<7.62cm) was 152% higher on untreated sites than on treated sites. Yet, in spite of higher levels of coarse woody debris on untreated sites, loadings did not exceed recommended ranges based on published literature and many treated sites fell below recommendations. By 2011, basal area and stand density on treated sites and stand density on untreated sites met management guidelines for ponderosa pine forests, but untreated sites had basal areas well below recommendations. Snags declined over this period and only three plots had snags that met minimum size and density requirements for wildlife habitat by 2011. The effects of pre-wildfire treatments are long-lasting and contribute to changes in both overstorey and understorey fuel complexes.

Coarse woody debris dynamics in a post-fire jack pine chronosequence and its relation with site productivity

2005 ◽  
Vol 220 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 216-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brais ◽  
F. Sadi ◽  
Y. Bergeron ◽  
Y. Grenier
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Site Productivity

Geomorphic variation in riparian tree mortality and stream coarse woody debris recruitment from record flooding in a coastal plain stream

Ecoscience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Palik ◽  
Stephen Golladay ◽  
Charles Goebel ◽  
Brad W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Riparian Tree

Structural differences between forests regenerating following spruce budworm defoliation and clear-cut harvesting: implications for marten

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1965-1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Payer ◽  
Daniel J Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Understory Vegetation ◽  
Clear Cut

American marten (Martes americana Turton) avoid recent clearcuts when establishing territories but do not avoid similarly aged stands with a history of extensive tree mortality caused by the eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.). We quantified differences in overstory vegetation, understory vegetation, and coarse woody debris between stands that were clear-cut or defoliated by spruce budworms 10-20 years prior to our study. Our objectives were to identify habitat features with functional significance for marten that were lacking in managed stands and to propose goals for silvicultural practices that more closely resemble a natural disturbance (insect defoliation), thus improving habitat quality for marten. In contrast to regenerating clearcuts, defoliated stands had greater volumes of snags, downed logs, and root masses and included taller trees. Although live-tree basal area was similar between stand types, our results suggest that vertical structure provided by large snags can offset limited availability of live trees for marten, particularly where coarse woody debris and understory vegetation are plentiful. In stands under even-aged management, habitat quality for marten may be enhanced by retention of >18 m2/ha cull trees and snags. Uneven-aged silvicultural systems, which more closely mimic natural disturbance by defoliating insects, may have particular promise for maintaining marten habitat.

Retention tree characteristics have major influence on the post-harvest tree mortality and availability of coarse woody debris in clear-cut areas

2016 ◽  
Vol 369 ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aino Hämäläinen ◽  
Mika Hujo ◽  
Osmo Heikkala ◽  
Kaisa Junninen ◽  
Jari Kouki
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Tree Characteristics

scholarly journals Ground-dwelling arthropod response to fire and clearcutting in jack pine: implications for ecosystem management

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1614-1631 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.A. Venier ◽  
T.T. Work ◽  
J. Klimaszewski ◽  
D.M. Morris ◽  
J.J. Bowden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Rove Beetles ◽  
Forest Floor Disturbance

We tested the response of species composition of three dominant litter-dwelling arthropod taxa (carabid beetles, spiders, and rove beetles) to wildfire and harvest. This study was conducted in north-central Ontario (47°42′N, 83°36′W) in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) dominated stands in 2013 using pitfall trapping. Using 222 species (12 015 individuals), we compared the effects of disturbance using recently burned (3 years since fire) and clearcut sites (3 years since harvest; tree length, full tree, stump removal, and blading), as well as older, closed-canopy stands that have regenerated following clearcutting (51 years since harvest) and fire (92 years since fire), with multivariate regression trees. Taxa were more similar in the three controls (including recent fire) than between controls and harvest treatments, with increased forest floor disturbance in harvested plots being a likely explanation. In addition, taxa were different in the younger (51 years) harvest-origin plots than in the older (92 years) fire-origin plots, suggesting that communities had not yet recovered from the harvest disturbance possibly due to insufficient coarse woody debris in the younger stand. These results indicate that forest management practices that match natural forest floor disturbance could ameliorate short-term effects, whereas the maintenance of more coarse woody debris could reduce the recovery time of epigaeic communities.

Partial cutting as an analogue to stem exclusion and dieback in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) dominated boreal mixedwoods: implications for deadwood dynamicsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Forum IUFRO 1.05 Uneven-Aged Silvicultural Research Group Conference on Natural Disturbance-Based Silviculture: Managing for Complexity.

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1525-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Harvey ◽  
S. Brais
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Downed Wood

In the winter of 1998–1999, two partial harvesting treatments that removed 33% (1/3) and 61% (2/3) of stand basal area were applied to even-aged trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands and compared with unharvested control stands. Stands in the 1/3 treatment were low thinned, while stands in the 2/3 removal were crown thinned. Coarse woody debris dynamics were assessed during the following 6 years by means of permanent sampling plots and downed wood inventories. Between 1999 and 2004, tree mortality was, respectively, 18%, 17%, and 32% in control stands and 1/3 and 2/3 harvesting treatments. Although total snag density was similar between controls and partial cutting treatments, total snag basal area was significantly higher in controls in 2004. Between 1999 and 2004, net change in aspen snag density was positive for controls and negative for both partial cutting treatments. Partial cutting also exacerbated mortality of small-diameter white birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.). Downed wood volume increased by 35 m3·ha–1 in controls and by 25 m3·ha–1 in the 2/3 harvesting treatment, while it decreased by 7 m3·ha–1 in the 1/3 harvesting treatment. Coarse woody debris goals can be established in silviculture prescriptions; type, timing, and intensity of partial cutting are crucial to the outcome.

Short-term impact of post-fire salvage logging on regeneration, hazardous fuel accumulation, and understorey development in ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills, SD, USA

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara L. Keyser ◽  
Frederick W. Smith ◽  
Wayne D. Shepperd
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Black Hills ◽  
Understorey Vegetation ◽  
Salvage Logging ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Fuel Accumulation

We examined the impacts of post-fire salvage logging on regeneration, fuel accumulation, and understorey vegetation and assessed whether the effects of salvage logging differed between stands burned under moderate and high fire severity following the 2000 Jasper Fire in the Black Hills. In unsalvaged sites, fire-related tree mortality created a large standing pool of available fuel, resulting in a rapid increase in surface fuel loads. After 5 years, fine woody debris (FWD) and coarse woody debris (CWD) increased ~1380% and 980% in unsalvaged sites, resulting in FWD and CWD loads of 13 and 25 Mg ha–1, respectively. In contrast, salvage logging limited the rate of accumulation of FWD to ~110% over the same time period and total accumulation of CWD to 16 Mg ha–1. In moderate-severity sites, regeneration was 75% lower in salvaged sites owing to low seed-tree retention, suggesting a re-evaluation of salvage guidelines during future operations in the Black Hills. The likelihood of timely regeneration in high-severity sites, regardless of salvage treatment, is low. We found no discernible effect of salvage logging on understorey development 5 years after fire. Logging caused neither a reduction in total plant cover nor an increase in the abundance of exotic species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document