scholarly journals Contrasting conifer species productivity in relation to soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of British Columbia perhumid rainforests

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1247-1260
Author(s):  
John Marty Kranabetter ◽  
Ariana Sholinder ◽  
Louise de Montigny
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Element Ratios ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Temperate rainforest soils of the Pacific Northwest are often carbon (C) rich and encompass a wide range of fertility, reflecting varying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. Soil resource stoichiometry (C : N : P) may provide an effective measure of site nutrient status and help refine species-dependent patterns in forest productivity across edaphic gradients. We determined mineral soil and forest floor nutrient concentrations across very wet (perhumid) rainforest sites of southwestern Vancouver Island (Canada) and employed soil element ratios as covariates in a long-term planting density trial to test their utility in defining basal area growth response of four conifer species. There were strong positive correlations in mineral soil C, N, and organic P (Po) concentrations and close alignment in C : N and C : Po both among and between substrates. Stand basal area after 5 decades was best reflected by mineral soil and forest floor C : N, but in either case included a significant species–soil interaction. The conifers with ectomycorrhizal fungi had diverging growth responses displaying either competitive (Picea sitchensis) or stress-tolerant (Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii) attributes, in contrast to a more generalist response by an arbuscular mycorrhizal tree (Thuja plicata). Despite the consistent patterns in organic matter quality, we found no evidence for increased foliar P concentrations with declining element ratios (C : Po or C : Ptotal) as we did for N. The often high C : Po ratios (as much as 3000) of these soils may reflect a stronger immobilization sink for P than N, which, along with ongoing sorption of PO4-, could limit the utility of C : Po or N : Po to adequately reflect P supply. The dynamics and availability of soil P to trees, particularly as Po, deserves greater attention, as many perhumid rainforests were co-limited by N and P, or, in some stands, possibly P alone.

scholarly journals Soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry (C : N : P) in relation to conifer species productivity and nutrition across British Columbia perhumid rainforests

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Marty Kranabetter ◽  
Ariana Sholinder ◽  
Louise de Montigny
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Element Ratios ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Temperate rainforest soils of the Pacific Northwest are often carbon (C) rich and encompass a wide range in fertility reflecting varying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. Soil resource stoichiometry (C : N : P) may provide an effective measure of site nutrient status and help refine species-dependent patterns in forest productivity across edaphic gradients. We described the nature of soil organic matter for mineral soil and forest floor substrates across very wet (perhumid) rainforest sites of southwestern Vancouver Island (Canada), and employed soil element ratios as covariates in a long-term planting density trial to test their utility in defining basal area growth response of four conifer species. There were strong positive correlations in mineral soil C, N and organic P (Po) concentrations, and close alignment in C : N and C : Po both among and between substrates. Stand basal area after five decades was best reflected by soil C : N but included a significant species-soil interaction. The conifers with ectomycorrhizal fungi had diverging growth responses displaying either competitive (Picea sitchensis) or stress-tolerant (Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii) attributes, in contrast to a more generalist response by an arbuscular mycorrhizal tree (Thuja plicata). Despite the consistent patterns in organic matter quality we found no evidence via foliar nutrition for increased P availability with declining element ratios as we did for N. The often high C : Po ratios (as much as 3000) of these soils may reflect a stronger immobilization sink for P than N, which, along with ongoing sorption of PO4−, could limit the utility of C : Po or N : Po to adequately reflect P supply. The dynamics and availability of soil P to trees, particularly as Po, deserves greater attention as many perhumid rainforests were co-limited by N and P, or, in some stands, possibly P alone.

Different nitrogen sources for fertilizing western hemlock in western Washington

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Radwan ◽  
D. S. DeBell ◽  
S. R. Webster ◽  
S. P. Gessel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Western Washington

Effects of different sources of fertilizer N on selected chemical characteristics of soils and foliage, and on growth of western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) were compared at three different sites in western Washington. Treatments were the following: untreated control (O), ammonium nitrate (AN), ammonium sulfate (AS), calcium nitrate (CN), urea (U), and urea – ammonium sulfate (US). Fertilizers were applied in the spring (April–May) at 224 kg N/ha. Forest floor and mineral soil, to a depth of 5 cm, and foliage were sampled periodically for 2 years. Height and diameter of selected trees were measured periodically for 4 years. Results are reported mostly for two sites, one in the Cascade Range and one in the coastal zone in western Washington. The pH of forest floor and mineral soil varied by treatment, and the two urea fertilizers caused substantial initial rise. Effects on soil and foliar nutrients varied by fertilizer, sampling date, and location. In general, all fertilizers increased NH4 N, N03 N, and total N in the forest floor and mineral soil, and total N in the foliage. Also, with some exceptions, especially with foliar P in the Cascade site, fertilization reduced foliar content of important nutrients. At the Cascade site, 4-year growth responses in height, basal area, and volume averaged over all fertilizers were 30, 34, and 32%, respectively. AN, AS, CN, and urea resulted in height growth significantly (P < 0.20) higher than that of the control. Significant basal area growth and volume-growth responses were produced by AN, CN, and US. No significant height-growth response to any fertilizer occurred in the coastal stand; basal area growth and volume-growth responses averaged 27 and 21%, respectively, and best response occurred with urea. These results suggest that the low and inconsistent response of hemlock to N fertilization cannot be improved by applying some N fertilizer other than urea. Factors limiting response to N fertilization may be associated with availability of native N and other nutrients or other characteristics of hemlock sites and stands.

Stand growth responses after fertilization for thinned lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and spruce in forests of interior British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1471-1482
Author(s):  
Woongsoon Jang ◽  
Bianca N.I. Eskelson ◽  
Louise de Montigny ◽  
Catherine A. Bealle Statland ◽  
Derek F. Sattler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses

This study was conducted to quantify growth responses of three major commercial conifer species (lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), and spruce (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelm. × Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière))) to various fertilizer blends in interior British Columbia, Canada. Over 25 years, growth-response data were repeatedly collected across 46 installations. The fertilizer blends were classified into three groups: nitrogen only; nitrogen and sulfur combined; and nitrogen, sulfur, and boron combined. The growth responses for stand volume, basal area, and top height were calculated through absolute and relative growth rate ratios relative to a controlled group. Fertilizer blend, inverse years since fertilization, site index, stand density at fertilization, and their interactions with the fertilizer blend were used as explanatory variables. The magnitude and significance of volume and basal area growth responses to fertilization differed by species, fertilizer-blend groups, and stand-condition variables (i.e., site index and stand density). In contrast, the response in top height growth did not differ among fertilization blends, with the exception of the nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer subgroup for lodgepole pine. The models developed in this study will be incorporated into the current growth and yield fertilization module (i.e., Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields (TIPSY)), thereby supporting guidance of fertilization applications in interior forests in British Columbia.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis on the impacts of partial cutting on forest structure and carbon storage

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 3691-3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
S. Q. Zhao ◽  
S. Liu ◽  
J. Oeding
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Recovery Time ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Cutting Intensity ◽  
Stand Basal Area ◽  
Area And Volume

Abstract. Partial cutting, which removes some individual trees from a forest, is one of the major and widespread forest management practices that can significantly alter both forest structure and carbon (C) storage. Using 748 observations from 81 studies published between 1973 and 2011, we synthesized the impacts of partial cutting on three variables associated with forest structure (mean annual growth of diameter at breast height (DBH), stand basal area, and volume) and four variables related to various C stock components (aboveground biomass C (AGBC), understory C, forest floor C, and mineral soil C). Results show that the growth of DBH increased by 111.9% after partial cutting, compared to the uncut control, with a 95% bootstrapped confidence interval ranging from 92.2 to 135.9%, while stand basal area and volume decreased immediately by 34.2% ([−37.4%, −31.2%]) and 28.4% ([−32.0%, −25.1%]), respectively. On average, partial cutting reduced AGBC by 43.4% ([−47.7%, −39.3%]), increased understory C storage by 391.5% ([220.0%, 603.8%]), but did not show significant effects on C stocks on forest floor and in mineral soil. All the effects, if significant (i.e., on DBH growth, stand basal area, volume, and AGBC), intensified linearly with cutting intensity and decreased linearly over time. Overall, cutting intensity had more strong impacts than the length of recovery time on the responses of those variables to partial cutting. Besides the significant influence of cutting intensity and recovery time, other factors such as climate zone and forest type also affected forest responses to partial cutting. For example, a large fraction of the changes in DBH growth remains unexplained, suggesting the factors not included in the analysis may play a major role. The data assembled in this synthesis were not sufficient to determine how long it would take for a complete recovery after cutting because long-term experiments were scarce. Future efforts should be tailored to increase the duration of the experiments and balance geographic locations of field studies.

Analysis of stand basal area development of thinned and unthinned Acer rubrum forests in the upper Great Lakes region, USA

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin L. Pszwaro ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Thomas E. Burk ◽  
Matthew B. Russell ◽  
Brian J. Palik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wide Range

Red maple (Acer rubrum L.), historically a common but not abundant tree species in North America, has increased in abundance throughout its range over the last several decades; however, it has received little attention in growth and yield studies. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effects of stocking level and stand density on overall patterns of red maple stand productivity and (ii) quantify these relationships across a wide range of stand age, site quality, geographic location, and climatic conditions. We used long-term measurements from 52 sites in Wisconsin and Michigan to examine growth responses of even-aged red maple stands to various levels of thinning. Using linear, mixed-effects modeling, future stand-level red maple basal area was modeled as a function of stand and plot characteristics and climatic variables. Growing season precipitation and its interaction with initial red maple basal area were significant predictors; however, they only collectively reduced the mean squared error by 2.1% relative to a base model containing solely stand and plot factors. Model projections indicated there was little difference in predicted future basal area for the range of climate conditions experienced by these stands highlighting red maple’s wide tolerance of environmental conditions across the region.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis on the impacts of partial cutting on forest structure and carbon storage

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 787-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
S. Q. Zhao ◽  
S. Liu ◽  
J. Oeding
Keyword(s):  
Forest Structure ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage

Abstract. Partial cutting, which removes some individual trees from a forest, is one of the major and widespread forest management practices that can significantly alter both forest structure and carbon (C) storage. Using 746 observations from 82 publications, we synthesized the impacts of partial cutting on three variables associated with forest structure (i.e. mean annual growth of diameter at breast height (DBH), basal area (BA), and volume) and four variables related to various C stock components (i.e. aboveground biomass C (AGBC), understory C, forest floor C, and mineral soil C). Results shows that the growth of DBH elevated by 112% after partial cutting, compared to the uncut control, while stand BA and volume reduced immediately by 34% and 29%, respectively. On average, partial cutting reduced AGBC by 43%, increased understory C storage by 392%, but did not show significant effects on C storages on forest floor and in mineral soil. All the effects on DBH growth, stand BA, volume, and AGBC intensified linearly with cutting intensity (CI) and decreased linearly with the number of recovery years (RY). In addition to the strong impacts of CI and RY, other factors such as climate zone and forest type also affected forest responses to partial cutting. The data assembled in this synthesis were not sufficient to determine how long it would take for a complete recovery after cutting because long-term experiments were rare. Future efforts should be tailored to increase the duration of the experiments and balance geographic locations of field studies.

Recruitment of Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, and Populus tremuloides across a burn severity gradient following wildfire in the southern boreal forest of Quebec

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1845-1857 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Greene ◽  
J Noël ◽  
Y Bergeron ◽  
M Rousseau ◽  
S Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Seed Supply

Most studies of postfire tree recruitment have occurred in severely burned portions, despite the fact that partial burning is common. In this study we examined regeneration following a 1997 fire in the boreal forest of Quebec. A model of postfire recruitment was elaborated using parameters such as the proportion of trees killed (severity), the proportions of postfire seedbed types and their associated juvenile survivorship, the available seed supply, the available bud supply (for Populus tremuloides Michx.), and the granivory rate. All three species had peak recruitment in the first or second summer, and the recruitment episode was essentially finished after the third year. Mineral soil and surviving Sphagnum were the best seedbeds for both conifer species. Seedbed frequency was essentially independent of crown fire severity except for surviving Sphagnum, which was concentrated primarily where severity was light. Conifer fecundity was much lower in the lightly burned stands, a result we attribute to a higher granivory rate. The fecundity (seedlings/basal area for the conifers or suckers/basal area for Populus) in the severe sites was typical of the few other North American studies of postfire recruitment, where the published data permit us to make the comparison.

scholarly journals Effect of Thinning and Harvest Type on Storage and Losses of Phosphorous inPinus taedaL. Plantations in Subtropical Argentina

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Andrés Martiarena ◽  
Jorge Luis Frangi ◽  
Martín Alcides Pinazo ◽  
Alejandra Von Wallis ◽  
Roberto Antonio Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stability Index ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Thinning Intensity ◽  
P Content ◽  
Misiones Province ◽  
Total P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thinning intensity and different harvest types on ecosystem P conservation in 20-year-oldPinus taedaplantation ecosystems at Misiones province, Argentina. The plantation was established in 1985, thinned at three intensities—0, 33, and 66% of basal area of control plots removed by thinning—and harvested in 2005. The nutrient content at harvest was determined for tree, shrub, and herb layers, the forest floor and upper mineral soil. Two harvest types were simulated: stem only and whole tree. Total P content was 56.8, 46.8, and 38.6 kg· ha−1for 0, 33, and 66% thinning, respectively. Total P exported by harvest was different among treatments, the highest at 0% thinning treatment. Phosphorus stability index values indicated that the P most conservative management option is 66% thinning, harvest of stem only and retention of forest floor, understory, and harvest residues.

The influence of understory vine maple on forest floor and mineral soil properties in coastal temperate forests

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Tashe ◽  
M. G. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Available P ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Exchangeable Bases ◽  
Mineralizable N

In coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest, vine maple (Acer circinatum Pursh) is a common understory tree species. We studied the influence of vine maple, growing in the understory of a stand of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] and western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (RAF.) Sarg.], on forest floor and mineral soil properties. Fifteen (in a 75-yr-old stand) and 12 (in a 130-yr-old stand) plots containing vine maple were compared to paired plots without the influence of vine maple. Mull humus was dominant under vine maples, while mor humus was mainly found under conifers at the 130 yr-old stand. Common to both stands in the upper mineral soil were greater mineralizable N and total exchangeable bases under vine maple. At the 75-yr-old stand, the forest floor had a higher pH and greater total exchangeable base concentration, while the mineral soil had a lower C:N ratio, greater NO3-availability and lower available P concentration and content under vine maple compared to conifers. The 130-yr-old stand had less available P content and greater concentrations of mineralizable N and exchangeable Mg in the forest floor under vine maple. Results suggest that the presence of vine maple may enhance the availability of N and exchangeable bases, but may adversely affect P availability. Key words: Vine maple, soil-plant interactions, forest floor, Acer circinatum

Nutrient management in a Pinusradiata plantation after thinning: the effect of thinning and residues on nutrient distribution, mineral nitrogen fluxes, and extractable phosphorus

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1278-1291 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Clive Carlyle
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Nutrient Distribution ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Residue Retention

The effects of thinning and residues on nutrient distribution, N fluxes, and extractable P were studied for 3 years after the first thinning of a 10-year-old Pinusradiata D. Don plantation. Treatments were (i) unthinned, (ii) thinned to 52% of basal area with all residues removed (zero residue; ZR), (iii) thinned with all residues retained and spread uniformly (normal residue; NR), and (iv) thinned with all residues retained plus the addition of those removed from the ZR treatment, approximately doubling the amount of residue in treatment NR (high residue; HR). The total nutrient contents of trees (above ground), residues, forest floor, and the top 0.30 m of mineral soil were 1206 kg N•ha−1, 126 kg P•ha−1, 828 kg K•ha−1, and 1272 kg Ca•ha−1 after thinning. Residues contained 11, 10, 10, and 7% of site N, P, K, and Ca, respectively. Thinning without residue retention (unthinned cf. ZR) elevated mean monthly maximum soil temperatures at a depth of 50 mm by up to 5.3 °C in summer and 1 °C in winter. Thinning had no effect on forest floor or mineral soil (0–0.30 m) moisture content. In the unthinned treatment an average of 25 kg N•ha−1•year−1 was mineralized, all of which was taken up by the trees, and there was no leaching. Thinning caused a 10% increase in rates of N mineralization and uptake and a small transient increase in soil mineral N concentrations, but had no effect on leaching. Maintenance of prethinning levels of N uptake by the remaining trees (after a 48% reduction in basal area) suggests that uptake per tree was approximately doubled. Maintenance of N uptake after thinning was consistent with maintenance of basal area growth (m2•ha−1) and an increase in foliar N concentrations. Thinning had no effect on extractable P in the forest floor or mineral soil. The retention of residues (NR and HR) decreased mean monthly maximum and elevated mean monthly minimum soil temperatures relative to the ZR treatment, and the effect increased with the amount of residue. Forest floor moisture content increased with the amount of residue, but residue retention had no effect on mineral soil moisture. Rates of mineralization were higher in the presence of residue and annual averages were 28, 33, and 42 kg N•ha−1•year−1 for ZR, NR, and HR treatments, respectively. Despite increased N mineralization in the presence of residue there was no leaching and all the additional N was taken up by the trees. Basal area increment increased in the presence of residue (P = 0.235) and was 10.7 (ZR), 11.1 (NR), and 11.8 (HR) m2•ha−1 over 4 years of measurement.

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