scholarly journals Prediction of Competition Indices in a Norway Spruce and Silver Fir-Dominated Forest Using Lidar Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 2734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Versace ◽  
Gianelle ◽  
Frizzera ◽  
Tognetti ◽  
Garfì ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Lidar Data ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Competition Indices

Competitive interactions are important predictors of tree growth. Spatial and temporal changes in resource availability, and variation in species and spatial patterning of trees alter competitive interactions, thus affecting tree growth and, hence, biomass. Competition indices are used to quantify the level of competition among trees. As these indices are normally computed only over small areas, where field measurements are done, it would be useful to have a tool to predict them over large areas. On this regard, remote sensing, and in particular light detection and ranging (lidar) data, could be the perfect tool. The objective of this study was to use lidar metrics to predict competition (on the basis of distance-dependent competition indices) of individual trees and to relate them with tree aboveground biomass (AGB). The selected study area was a mountain forest area located in the Italian Alps. The analyses focused on the two dominant species of the area: Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst). The results showed that lidar metrics could be used to predict competition indices of individual trees (R2 above 0.66). Moreover, AGB decreased as competition increased, suggesting that variations in the availability of resources in the soil, and the ability of plants to withstand competition for light may influence the partitioning of biomass.

Individual-tree growth dynamics of mature Abies alba during repeated irregular group shelterwood (Femelschlag) cuttings

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2437-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus J. Puettmann ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Ulrich Kohnle ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Individual Trees

This study investigated the individual-tree diameter response of mature silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) to reproduction harvests (Femelschlag: an irregular group shelterwood method) on six sites in the Black Forest, Germany. On each site, four different treatments were applied, including a control treatment and short-, medium, and long-term regeneration periods aimed at the complete removal of overstory trees within 20, 35, and 50 years, respectively. These treatments created a wide variety of growing conditions for individual trees. Relationships between relative diameter growth and stand-level and neighborhood interaction indices were evaluated. Growing conditions for individual trees in control conditions were best characterized using Lorimer’s index for a 16 m radius neighborhood. Equations predicting tree growth in control stands underpredicted initial growth of trees after harvesting operations, suggesting a release effect that is not captured by postharvest density. This effect was larger for smaller trees and influenced by removal intensity. Growth response to density reductions was also influenced by previous harvests. Our results suggest that the growth response of mature trees to reproduction harvests may become an important consideration when increased emphasis is placed on managing for long-term regeneration periods.

scholarly journals Butt rot occurrence in plus trees of Silver fir Abies alba Mill. and Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) from the Carpathians

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-220
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Chomicz-Zegar ◽  
Stanisław Niemtur ◽  
Mariusz Kapsa ◽  
Sławomir Ambroży
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Wood Decay ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Butt Rot ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Individual Trees

Abstract Due to its hidden character, butt rot occurrence is not commonly included in the assessment of plus trees’ health status. Thus, the trees’ varied susceptibility to wood decay is not a target of breeding efforts. The aim of the study was to determine the extent of butt rot in fir and spruce plus trees from Carpathian seed stands. We employed the novel and non-invasive diagnostic method of sonic tomography to determine presence and severity of decay at the base of 110 plus trees of silver fir and 42 of Norway spruce. Butt rot in various stages of development occurred in 63% of investigated fir trees and in 45% of spruce trees. The proportion of damaged wood on the tomogram ranged from 0–38% in fir and 0–47% in spruce with similar average proportions of solid wood in all forest districts. The vast majority of trees was in the range of 80–90% solid wood. Plus trees of fir and spruce were affected by butt rot to a similar extent and the degree of damage increased with age in both species. However, a large variation in susceptibility to butt rot was found between individual trees leading to the conclusion that the identification of old trees, which wood is not decayed, may be the basis for further research on the resistance to butt rot.

scholarly journals Situation of Armillaria spp. and Heterobasidion spp. in Slovenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9
Author(s):  
Ana Brglez ◽  
Nikica Ogris
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Coniferous Trees ◽  
Current State ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Pinus Spp

Species of the genus Armillaria and Heterobasidion are among the most common causes of stem and root rot in Slovenia. Armillaria spp. infects deciduous and coniferous trees, while Heterobasidion spp. mainly threatens Norway spruce (Picea abies), pines (Pinus spp.), and silver fir (Abies alba). On the basis of the data about the sanitary felling of infected trees, we estimated the current state and calculated the proportions represented in total felling, total sanitary felling, total sanitary felling due to diseases, in wood stock, and in increments from 2013 to 2017. Since 2014, there has been a constant increase in the sanitary felling of deciduous and coniferous trees due to infections with Armillaria spp. In 2017, 32,849 m3 of timber were harvested due to Armillaria spp. Given the present situation, we assume that the amount of sanitary felling will continue to increase, but it will not account for large shares in wood stock or increment (< 1 %). In 2017, sanitary felling of infected conifers represented 27.6 % of all sanitary felling due to diseases. In the case of deciduous trees, the share was lower, i.e. 7.1 %. Armillaria spp. was the main cause of sanitary felling due to disease (51.9 %) in the Postojna forest management unit (FMU), while elsewhere shares of up to 10 % were recorded. With Heterobasidion spp., the amount of felling is decreasing over the years. In 2017, 33,922 m3 of wood, accounting for 15.7 % of the total sanitary felling due to disease, were felled due to Heterobasidion spp. A comparison of the felling of Norway spruce, silver fir, and Scots pine due to Heterobasidion spp. shows the different proportions of felling within the total sanitary felling due to the diseases. In Norway spruce, it is on average 79.5 %, in silver fir 12.9 %, and in Scots pine 34.3 %. We assume that the volume of timber harvested due to Heterobasidion spp. will gradually decrease over the years due to the lower wood stocks of Norway spruce, which has recently been hit by numerous natural disasters and infestation of bark beetles. However, the incidence will be higher due to climate change affects.

scholarly journals Tree Species Classification in a Temperate Mixed Mountain Forest Landscape Using Random Forest and Multiple Datasets

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 4657
Author(s):  
Rafael Hologa ◽  
Konstantin Scheffczyk ◽  
Christoph Dreiser ◽  
Stefanie Gärtner
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Forest Landscape ◽  
Species Classification ◽  
Tree Species Composition

For monitoring protected forest landscapes over time it is essential to follow changes in tree species composition and forest dynamics. Data driven remote sensing methods provide valuable options if terrestrial approaches for forest inventories and monitoring activities cannot be applied efficiently due to restrictions or the size of the study area. We demonstrate how species can be detected at a single tree level utilizing a Random Forest (RF) model using the Black Forest National Park as an example of a Central European forest landscape with complex relief. The classes were European silver fir (Abies alba, AA), Norway spruce (Picea abies, PA), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, PS), European larch (Larix decidua including Larix kampferii, LD), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, PM), deciduous broadleaved species (DB) and standing dead trees (snags, WD). Based on a multi-temporal (leaf-on and leaf-off phenophase) and multi-spectral mosaic (R-G-B-NIR) with 10 cm spatial resolution, digital elevation models (DTM, DSM, CHM) with 40 cm spatial resolution and a LiDAR dataset with 25 pulses per m2, 126 variables were derived and used to train the RF algorithm with 1130 individual trees. The main objective was to determine a subset of meaningful variables for the RF model classification on four heterogeneous test sites. Using feature selection techniques, mainly passive optical variables from the leaf-off phenophase were considered due to their ability to differentiate between conifers and the two broader classes. An examination of the two phenological phases (using the difference of the respective NDVIs) is important to clearly distinguish deciduous trees from other classes including snags (WD). We also found that the variables of the first derivation of NIR and the tree metrics play a crucial role in discriminating PA und PS. With this unique set of variables some classes can be differentiated more reliably, especially LD and DB but also AA, PA and WD, whereas difficulties exist in identifying PM and PS. Overall, the non-parametric object-based approach has proved to be highly suitable for accurately detecting (OA: 89.5%) of the analyzed classes. Finally, the successful classification of complex 265 km2 study area substantiates our findings.

scholarly journals Effects of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) on the humus forms in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) stands

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Podrázský Vilém ◽  
Vacek Zdeněk ◽  
Kupka Ivo ◽  
Vacek Stanislav ◽  
Třeštík Michal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Exchangeable Al ◽  
Top Soil

The effects of silver fir (Abies alba Miller) on the soil compared to Norway spruce (Picea abies (Linnaeus) H. Karsten) were evaluated. Altitude of the study site is 790 m a.s.l., mild slope of 10° facing SW, forest site is spruce-beech on acid soil. The forest floor and top soil horizons (L + F1, F2 + H, Ah) were sampled in 4 replications beneath unmixed Norway spruce and silver fir groups. Comparing the soil-forming effects of both species, few significant differences were found in the Ah horizon – contents of total C, N, exchangeable Al and plant available Ca were higher beneath spruce. The soil improving role of silver fir compared to spruce was confirmed at the studied locality.

Direct seeding of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to convert Norway spruce (Picea Abies L.) forests in Europe: A review

2017 ◽  
Vol 403 ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Huth ◽  
Alexandra Wehnert ◽  
Katharina Tiebel ◽  
Sven Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Silver Fir

scholarly journals Climate–growth relationships at different stem heights in silver fir and Norway spruce

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 958-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen ◽  
Olivier Bouriaud
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Annual Ring ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Breast Height

We investigated the effect of climate on variations in annual ring-area increment along the stem of dominant silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees in the Black Forest, southwestern Germany, to test the hypothesis that growth allocation changes as a result of climate fluctuations. Stem discs were taken at three different stem heights: 1.30, 11.50, and 16.70 m. For each site and stem height, average annual ring-area increment chronologies were computed. In addition, we calculated ratios between ring-area increment of the upper stem discs and the disc at breast height to compare growth variations along the stem. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a highly similar growth pattern at different stem heights, where the two upper discs were most similar. Bootstrapped correlation coefficients between the ring-area increment chronologies, ratios, and monthly temperature, precipitation, and self-calibrated Palmer drought sensitivity index data were calculated to analyze differences in climate response. High temperatures in early summer were found to reduce growth of high-altitude fir in the upper stem parts, whereas high temperatures in summer limit growth of high-altitude fir and spruce, especially at breast height. For low-altitude trees, high temperatures as well as low precipitation amounts during summer were found to reduce growth at all stem heights, but more strongly at breast height. Growth at breast height seems to be biased, as it over- or underestimates annual ring-area increments along the stem (and thereby volume increment), particularly during warm and dry climate conditions.

scholarly journals European silver fir – an alternative for the dying Norway spruce in Białowieża Forest?

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-166
Author(s):  
Aleh Marozau ◽  
Miłosz Mielcarek ◽  
Grzegorz Krok ◽  
Rafał Paluch ◽  
Krzysztof Chiliński
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Abiotic Factor ◽  
Generational Change ◽  
Relict Species ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
First Time ◽  
Forest District ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract The condition of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) in the Białowieża Forest is categorized as a crisis. It is believed that due to the cooling in the Holocene, the then-relict species of the forest, silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), disappeared from its ecosystems and then spruce appeared. Today’s climate change presents challenges to our civilization, including to forestry. However, there is no information at all about how this affected the silver fir in the Białowieża Forest. In the Polish part of the forest (subcompartment 498 Сi, Białowieża Forest District), for the first time a comprehensive study has been carried out on the condition of mature fir trees planted by man and on their progeny. The results indicate high forestry-taxation indicators of trees, resistance to the abiotic factor and competitiveness. Their constitution corresponds to local environmental conditions. However, the disproportionately small number of adult natural regeneration of old firs indicated some kind of malfunction in the mechanism of natural generational change.

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