Hitching a ride: firewood as a potential pathway for range expansion of an exotic beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Morrison ◽  
Jon Sweeney ◽  
Cory Hughes ◽  
Rob C. Johns

AbstractWe investigated the potential for human-mediated range expansion of an exotic beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Rhamphini) (formerly known as Rhynchaenus fagi) on timber or firewood, which for eight to nine months of the year may harbour adults in diapause. In both relatively low-density and high-density populations, adults were found on the base, middle, and upper boles of the primary host, American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart; Fagaceae), as well as red maple (Acer rubrum Linnaeus; Sapindaceae) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sargent; Pinaceae) in the vicinity. Comparatively few individuals were found on tree branches, or in the moss, duff, or soil collected beneath beech trees. Overwintering adults appeared to favour parts of trees with relatively high bark roughness. Our study suggests that, between the months of July through May, any woody stems near areas having O. fagi outbreaks are likely to harbour adults. Moreover, as all of the trees studied are common sources of timber or firewood, the harvest and transport of wood from these areas may facilitate outbreak spread; this may explain the multiple, distantly distributed populations of O. fagi that have been reported in eastern Nova Scotia, Canada in recent years.

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1215-1227
Author(s):  
Don C. Radcliffe ◽  
Stephen N. Matthews ◽  
David M. Hix

Shade-tolerant mesophytic tree species tend to dominate the understories of present-day oak–hickory and mixed-hardwood forests in the eastern United States. We quantified the sapling density associations with abiotic and biotic variables for three important mesophytic species: red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) in southeastern Ohio. In this study, we sampled 165 permanent plots in oak-dominated, topographically diverse, mature (>90 years old), second-growth forests following a time span of 21–25 years (1993–1995 and 2016–2018) between samples on the Athens and Marietta units of the Wayne National Forest. Our models showed that sugar maple was strongly associated with high pH soils and red maple was strongly associated with low pH soils. Additionally, red maple was associated with upper slope positions and older stands, while American beech was associated with lower slopes, northeasterly aspects, and northeast-facing upper slopes. Basal area of competing species, solum depth, and management unit were not significantly related to sapling density for our focal species. American beech sapling density doubled between the two sampling periods, while densities of both maple species declined by half. Our results will help scientists and managers by providing insight into potential future composition of currently oak-dominated forests in areas without active management intervention.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 957-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Smith ◽  
Walter C. Shortle ◽  
Jody Jellison ◽  
Jon Connolly ◽  
Jonathan Schilling

The decay of coarse woody debris is a key component in the formation of forest soil and in the biogeochemical cycles of Ca and Mg. We tracked changes in density and concentration of Ca and Mg in sapwood of red maple ( Acer rubrum L.), red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.), paper birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) in Maine and New Hampshire. We repeatedly sampled 10 logs of each combination of tree species and location at the time of felling and at 2-year intervals for 6 years (birch and hemlock) or 8 years (spruce and maple). We found that density loss was essentially linear for the time period investigated, with birch and maple sapwood decaying at faster rates than spruce and hemlock. Repeated-measures analysis and regression modeling of log-transformed concentrations indicated a significant accumulation of Ca for sapwood of all tree species at both locations (30%–90% increase after 6–8 years of ground contact). Regression estimates of Mg concentration in spruce and maple declined about 20% during the 8 years of ground contact. There was no significant trend for Mg concentration in birch and hemlock. Variation in decay rates and trends in Ca and Mg concentration may be due to differences in sapwood quality, the community of wood decay fungi and associated organisms, or to abiotic conditions.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Eric Yetter ◽  
John Brown ◽  
Sophan Chhin

Traditional site index curves are frequently produced for shade-intolerant species but are scarce for shade-tolerant species. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) can be found in three distinct geographic regions (northern, central, and southern) within the Appalachian Mountains. The one commonly used set of red spruce site index curves is over ninety years old. A definite need exists for a modern, regionally applicable set of site index curves. This research sampled 83 plots randomly located in the central Appalachians of West Virginia. Three sets of anamorphic site index curves were created after careful examination of height models built using Chapman-Richards and Meyer functions. One set of curves was constructed with traditional age height pairs. The second utilized a suppression-corrected age and height pair. The third set examined diameter at breast height (DBH) and height pairs. Fit statistics indicated better performance for the suppression-corrected age–height pair site index and the DBH–height pair site index versus the traditional age–height pair models. Site index conversion equations were also investigated for the red spruce age-corrected site index. Linear regression was used to determine significant geographic and climate variables and the utility of including site index values for red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) in the model to predict red spruce site index. Significant models were found for varying combinations of species site index, climate, and geographic variables with R2adj in the range of 0.139–0.455. These new site index curves and conversion equations should provide utility for site productivity estimation and growth and yield modeling while aiding in restoration efforts for this important central Appalachian species.


2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie L. Morris ◽  
William D. Ostrofsky

Abstract In January 1998, a severe ice storm struck the northeastern United States, causing widespread injury and, in some areas, substantial damage to forest stands. In Maine, hardwood species were most severely damaged. Landowners have been concerned that thinned stands are more susceptible to ice injury than their unthinned counterparts. The objectives of this study were to investigate injury and recovery from the ice storm in recently thinned (within 5 years) and unthinned hardwood stands. Four field sites were chosen, and individuals in both thinned and unthinned areas were measured to determine damage and recovery values. Species examined included white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), red oak Quercus rubra L.), paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Damage variables measured included pre- and poststorm crown class, percent crown loss, and number and size of broken branches. Recovery variables included transparency rating, number and location of sprouts, and cambial electrical resistance readings for each individual. Results indicate that thinned stands did not suffer the effects of the 1998 ice storm greater than the unthinned stands, for all stands combined. However, some differences at individual sites were detected. We suggest that landowners should not be overly concerned with continuing to thin their hardwood stands. A thinned stand is not necessarily at greater risk for ice injury. In addition, the thinning may actually accelerate the recovery process by creating individuals that are more vigorous than their unthinned counterparts. Heavily thinned stands, however, may be at a greater risk to ice injury.North. J. Appl. For. 22(4):262–267.


1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ouellet

Six commercial species were sampled throughout Quebec and prediction equations of ovendry masses for the total above-ground tree and its components white cedar (Thuya occidentalis L.) and eastern hemlock(Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.). The deciduous species are: red maple (Acer rubrum L.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh.), and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). The components expressed in ovendry masses are: the total tree, the stem, the merchantable stem, the wood and bark of the merchantable stem, and the crown. A nonlinear model is used with the diameter at breast height and the total height as predictors. Key words: Biomass, prediction equations, eastern white cedar, eastern hemlock, red maple white ash, black ash, beech.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Alexander Elvir ◽  
Lindsey Rustad ◽  
G Bruce Wiersma ◽  
Ivan Fernandez ◽  
Alan S White ◽  
...  

The foliar chemistry of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) was studied from 1993 to 2003 at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine (BBWM). The BBWM is a paired-watershed forest ecosystem study, with one watershed treated bimonthly since 1989 with ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) at a rate of 25.2 kg N·ha–1·year–1. Foliar N concentrations were higher in all tree species within the treated watershed compared with trees within the reference watershed. Foliar Ca and Mg concentrations were lower in American beech and red spruce within the treated watershed. There were no significant differences in foliar K concentrations between watersheds. Foliar P and Mn concentration differences between watersheds were inconsistent among years. Differences in foliar N concentrations between watersheds declined over time in sugar maple but not in red spruce or American beech. Differences in foliar Ca and Mg concentrations between the treated and reference watersheds increased over time for American beech and red spruce, primarily because of a consistent decline in concentrations of these nutrients in trees within the treated watershed. No temporal trends in foliar Ca and Mg concentration differences between watersheds were observed for sugar maple.


Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Brice B. Hanberry

Forest classifications by disturbance permit designation of multiple types of both old growth forests and shorter-lived forests, which auto-replace under severe disturbance, and also identification of loss of the disturbance type and associated forest. Historically, fire and flooding disturbance regimes, or conversely, infrequent disturbance, produced unique forests such as disturbance-independent forests of American beech (Fagus grandifolia), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in the Eastern United States. However, disturbance has changed to primarily frequent mechanical overstory disturbance, resulting in novel forests. To demonstrate the transition to no-analog forests after disturbance change, I compared historical tree surveys (ca. 1837 to 1857) to current surveys in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. To establish widespread disturbance change effects, I also located where beech and hemlock are currently most abundant throughout the Eastern US compared to historical distribution of beech–hemlock forests. In the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, beech and hemlock historically were about 30% of all trees, but currently, beech and hemlock are 2% of all trees. Red maple (Acer rubrum) increased from 1% to 11% of all trees and aspen (Populus) increased from 2% to 13% of all trees. The squared-chord difference between historical and current surveys was 0.40, or dissimilar forests. Areas with ≥20% beech and hemlock or ≥15% of either species decreased from about 52 million to 6 million hectares, with current distribution restricted to the Northeastern US. Current forests are dissimilar to historical forests, and this transition appears to be driven by disturbance regimes without historical analogs. Disturbance change may provide perspective in forest management for climate change.


Author(s):  
Sara Edwards ◽  
Garrett Brodersen ◽  
Cory Hughes ◽  
Keegan Moore ◽  
Benoit Morin ◽  
...  

Pest density-plant damage relationships are essential guides for decision-making in Integrated Pest Management. In this article, we established pest density-leaf damage relationships for the beech leaf-mining weevil,<i></i> Orchestes fagi <i></i>(L.) (formerly <i></i>Rhynchaenus fagi<i></i>, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in its invasive range of Nova Scotia, Canada. Outbreaks of<i> O. fagi</i> cause tree-wide leaf necrosis in American beech (<i>Fagus grandifolia</i> Ehrh.), which can eventually result in tree mortality. In 2014 and 2016, we collected weekly samples in stands with American beech and assessed leaves for densities during different life stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae), population proxy measures (adult feeding damage, egg slits, and larval galleries), and percent necrosis. In general, feeding damage and leaf necrosis plateaued soon after end of budburst, but before larval mine expanded. This strongly suggested that leaf necrosis may be linked to damage caused by adults or mine initiation rather than that caused by larval mine expansion and gallery development. Density of <i>O. fagi</i> per leaf for life stages and population proxies all significantly explained ~ 42–81% of the variation in end-of season percent leaf necrosis. Results from this study provide a variety of relationships that could be used in both short- and long-term monitoring efforts for <i>O. fagi</i>.


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