Nutrient removals with harvesting and by deep percolation from white birch (Betula papyrifera [Marsh.]) sites in central Newfoundland

The effects of conventional stem-only and whole-tree harvesting on nutrient losses in biomass removal and in leachate fluxes over a 3-yr period after cutting three white birch stands in central Newfoundland were determined. Losses of nutrients in biomass were proportionately greater with more intensive harvesting as tree components with higher nutrient concentrations (branches, foliage) were removed. Stem-only harvesting removed 126, 9, 51, 126 and 23 kg ha–1 of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in biomass, respectively. Whole-tree harvesting led to a 19% increase in biomass removal as compared to stem-only harvesting, but nutrient removals with whole-tree harvesting increased by 127% for N, 138% for P, 151% for K, 72% for Ca and 90% for Mg. Nutrient losses in deep percolation of soil solution during the first 3 yr after harvesting were generally greater following stem-only than whole-tree harvesting. This may be the result of increased leaching from slash, increased mineralization beneath slash, and retardation by slash of the successional vegetation that could act as a nutrient sink. In the first 3 yr following harvesting, leaching losses after whole-tree harvesting were 4, 0.2, 8, 23 and 7 kg ha–1 of N, P, K, Ca and Mg, respectively, as compared with 9, 0.1, 7, 28 and 9 kg ha–1 of N, P, K, Ca and Mg after stem-only harvesting. Nutrient losses in leachate were generally small compared to losses in biomass removal. Key words: Intensive harvesting; slash; nutrient budget; sustainable site productivity; Betula papyrifera (Marsh.)

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Strong negative impacts of whole tree harvesting in pine stands on poor, sandy soils: A long-term nutrient budget modelling approach

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2015.07.028 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 356 ◽

pp. 101-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

P. Vangansbeke ◽

A. De Schrijver ◽

P. De Frenne ◽

A. Verstraeten ◽

L. Gorissen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sandy Soils ◽

Nutrient Budget ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Modelling Approach ◽

Tree Harvesting

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Whole-tree harvesting at clear-felling: Impact on soil chemistry, needle nutrient concentrations and growth of Scots pine

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1080/02827581003667314 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 148-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Anna Saarsalmi ◽

Pekka Tamminen ◽

Mikko Kukkola ◽

Reijo Hautajärvi

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Soil Chemistry ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

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Determining and Evaluating Nutrient Losses Following Whole-tree Harvesting of Aspen

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600030035x ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 626-631 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

D. R. Silkworth ◽

D. F. Grigal

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Losses ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

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Assessing Biomass Removal and Woody Debris in Whole-Tree Harvesting System: Are the Recommended Levels of Residues Ensured?

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12060807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 807

Author(s):

Abdelwahab Bessaad ◽

Isabelle Bilger ◽

Nathalie Korboulewsky

Keyword(s):

Coarse Woody Debris ◽

Woody Debris ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Field Methods ◽

Biomass Harvesting ◽

Biomass Removal ◽

Technical Effort ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

Forest biomass is a sustainable source of renewable energy and a valuable alternative to finite fossil fuels. However, its overharvesting may lead to soil nutrient depletion and threaten future stand productivity, as well as affect the habitat for biodiversity. This paper provides quantitative data on biomass removal, fine woody debris [d ≤ 7 cm], and coarse woody debris [d > 7 cm] left on the forest floor in whole tree harvesting systems. Using tree allometric equations and inventory field methods for woody debris estimation, we assessed biomass removal on nine fuelwood harvesting sites in Central France, as well as fine and coarse woody debris left on the sites. The aboveground biomass estimates showed a high variability between the studied sites, it varied between 118 and 519 Mg ha−1. However, less variability was found among sites managed as coppice-with-standards 174 ± 56 Mg ha−1. Exported biomass was 107 ± 42 Mg ha−1 on average, including 35 ± 9% of fine wood. The amounts of both fine and coarse woody debris left on sites were generally less than 10% of the total harvested biomass in 2/3 of the studied sites. These amounts are lower than the minimum retention levels recommended by the sustainable forest biomass harvesting guidelines. Therefore, more technical effort and additional management measures should be taken to ensure more woody debris, especially in poor forest soils and thus, to guarantee a sustainable biomass harvesting.

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Regrowth and nutrient accumulations following whole-tree harvesting of a maple–oak forest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x91-184 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 1305-1315 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

T. R. Crow ◽

G. D. Mroz ◽

M. R. Gale

Keyword(s):

Net Primary Production ◽

Woody Species ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Herbaceous Species ◽

Successional Species ◽

Woodland Herbs ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

The rates of biomass and N, P, K, Ca, and Mg accumulations were measured in a mixed hardwood – Haplorthod ecosystem following whole-tree harvesting and compared with preharvest conditions. Stand biomass and net primary production averaged 150.7 Mg/ha and 7.3 Mg•ha−1•year−1, respectively, in the preharvest forest. An estimated 100 Mg/ha of biomass was removed in a commercial whole-tree harvesting operation during the dormant season. Regrowth during the 4 years after harvest was categorized into the following floristic groups: woody plants, woodland herbaceous species that were part of the preharvest forest, early successional species that colonized the site after harvest, and graminoids. Woodland herbaceous and woody species dominated the recovery vegetation and together accounted for more than 70% of the nutrients captured by vegetation throughout the postharvest measurement period. Extensive clonal structures for many woody species and two common woodland herbaceous species, Pteridiumaquilinum (L.) Kuhn and Astermacrophyllus L., resulted in their rapid recovery. Rapid growth along with high nutrient concentrations (especially K for woodland herbs) provided effective mechanisms for conserving nutrients following disturbance. After the first growing season following whole-tree harvesting, 44% of the total aboveground dry weight was in woody vegetation, 46% in woodland herbs, 9% in early successional species, and 1% in graminoids, compared with 73, 17, 7, and 3% for the same categories by year 4. Annual rates of N, K, and Mg uptake by plants should equal or exceed their preharvest rates within 5 years after harvest; those for Ca and P take longer.

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Imitated Whole Tree Harvesting Show Negligible Effect on Economic Value of Spruce Stands

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 841

Author(s):

Iveta Desaine ◽

Annija Kārkliņa ◽

Roberts Matisons ◽

Anna Pastare ◽

Andis Adamovičs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Economic Value ◽

Forest Types ◽

Spruce Stands ◽

The Difference ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

The increased removal of forest-derived biomass with whole-tree harvesting (WTH) has raised concerns about the long-term productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystems. If true, this effect needs to be factored in the assessment of long-term feasibility to implement such a drastic forest management measure. Therefore, the economic performance of five experimental plantations in three different forest types, where in 1971 simulated WTH event occurred, was compared with pure, planted and conventionally managed (CH) Norway spruce stands of similar age and growing conditions. Potential incomes of CH and WTH stands were based on timber prices for period 2014–2020. However, regarding the economics of root and stump biomass utilization, they were not included in the estimates. In any given price level, the difference of internal rate of return between the forest types and selected managements were from 2.5% to 6.2%. Therefore, Norway spruce stands demonstrate good potential of independence regardless of stump removal at the previous rotation.

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Whole-tree Harvesting Depletes Soil Nutrients

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x74-077 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 530-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Edwin H. White

Keyword(s):

Soil Nutrients ◽

Nutrient Removal ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Site Conditions ◽

Nutrient Pool ◽

Whole Tree Harvesting ◽

The Impact ◽

Whole Tree ◽

Tree Harvesting

This paper reports the effects of whole-tree harvesting of eight cottonwood stands on the soil nutrient pool. The data indicate possible site degradation by depletion of soil reserves of N, P, and K but not Ca and Mg on a range of alluvial site conditions in Alabama. Foresters must establish the rate of nutrient removal in intensive tree cropping systems for a variety of species and sites and develop prescriptions to minimize the impact.

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