Elevated mortality of residual trees following structural retention harvesting in boreal mixedwoods

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin D Bladon ◽  
Victor J Lieffers ◽  
Uldis Silins ◽  
Simon M Landhäusser ◽  
Peter V Blenis
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Structural Retention ◽  
Annual Mortality

In recent years boreal forests have been harvested to retain a portion of the original canopy, thereby providing forest structure, mostly for biodiversity reasons. Boreal mixedwood cutovers were surveyed at one and five years after harvesting with approximately 10% structural retention, to quantify the mean annual mortality rates of the residual trembling aspen, balsam poplar, paper birch and white spruce trees. For comparison, "natural" mortality rates by species were estimated from permanent sample plots in stands of similar composition. Species ranking of the annual mortality rates of residuals in areas harvested with structural retention were: poplar (10.2%) > birch (8.7%) > aspen (6.1%) > spruce (2.9%). Annual mortality rates were 2.5 to 4 times greater than in the reference stands. The majority of broadleaved species died as snags (~70%–90%), while most spruce died due to windthrow (80%). Mortality rates increased with slenderness coefficient for codominant and understory poplar and for understory birch. For aspen, codominants were most likely to die, while in spruce, dominant trees and trees with the greatest damage to the bole from harvesting operations had the highest mortality. Key words: Alberta, Betula papyrifera, dieback, harvesting damage, mixedwood forests, variable retention, Picea glauca, Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, structural retention, sustainable forest management

Are mixtures of aspen and white spruce more productive than single species stands?

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Victor J. Lieffers
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Physical Separation ◽  
Soil Resource ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods

In boreal mixedwood forests, aspen (Populus tremuloides) and white spruce (Picea glauca) commonly grow in mixture. These species may avoid competition through differential shade tolerance, physical separation of canopies, phenological differences, successional separation, and differences in soil resource utilization. Aspen may also be able to positively affect the growth of white spruce by improving litter decomposition and nutrient cycling rates, controlling grass and shrub competition, ameliorating environmental extremes, and reducing pest attack. These positive relationships likely make mixed-species stands more productive than pure stands of the same species. The evidence regarding the productivity of pure versus mixed aspen/white spruce stands in natural unmanaged forests is examined in this paper. Key words: Tree mixture; productivity; boreal mixedwoods; aspen; white spruce

Natural regeneration of white spruce in aspen-dominated boreal mixedwoods following harvesting

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Martin-DeMoor ◽  
Victor J. Lieffers ◽  
S. Ellen Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Time Of Harvest

In some boreal forests sites, there are considerable amounts of natural regeneration of white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) after logging, even without silvicultural treatments to encourage establishment. We assessed the factors controlling the amount of this regeneration 8–15 years postharvest on previously aspen-dominated ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) boreal mixedwood sites. We surveyed 162 transects across 81 cutovers, exploring the effects of mast years, season of harvest, distribution of seed trees, weather conditions around the time of harvest, and abundance of grass or woody vegetation on white spruce regeneration. Substantial amounts of naturally regenerated white spruce were found; however, sites with no seed trees had virtually no spruce regeneration. Average stocking was 7% (percentage of 9 m2 plots along a transect across a cutover that had at least one seedling), ranging from 0% to 62%. Stocking levels were higher in cutblocks that had been harvested in the summer, prior to seedfall of a mast year, and where there was a seed source within 60 m. Stocking was lower when conditions were cool and wet the year before and 2 years after harvest and when the site contained extensive cover of grass or woody vegetation.

Linking juvenile white spruce density, dispersion, stocking, and mortality to future yield

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 3173-3182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhili Feng ◽  
Kenneth J Stadt ◽  
Victor J Lieffers
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Minimum Height ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Spruce Mortality ◽  
Morisita Index

We examined methods of linking density, dispersion, and stocking information from juvenile regeneration surveys with mortality estimates to predict future yield of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in boreal mixedwoods. The study focused on data from 709 stands (7–150 years) and defined a stocked plot (10 m2) as having one or more acceptable trees. In juvenile surveys, ingress of natural spruce overwhelmed the regular planting pattern, creating clumped dispersion patterns, as indicated by the Morisita index. A function was developed to describe the relationship between stocking, density, and dispersion. In mature, permanent sample plots, only 30%–40% stocking of 10 m2 plots (700 stems·ha–1) was needed to achieve full yields. Mortality rates for planted spruce varied from 0.1% to 0.8% per year for juvenile stands and from 1.7% to 3.3% per year for mature stands. For rotation-length predictions in Alberta, 0.7% per year is likely a mean mortality loss. These findings were combined to generate stocking versus time curves at a range of mortality rates. The tallest spruce measured in each juvenile survey plot had the same mortality rate regardless of absolute size, and spruce mortality was reduced when associated with aspen. These findings call into question minimum height requirements and free-to-grow criteria in regeneration standards.

Decomposition of broadleaf and needle litter in forests of British Columbia: influences of litter type, forest type, and litter mixtures

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1742-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Prescott ◽  
L M Zabek ◽  
C L Staley ◽  
R Kabzems
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Needle Litter

We measured rates of decomposition at three sites representing the major mixedwood forest types of British Columbia: (i) boreal forests of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.); (ii) coastal forests of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.); and (iii) a wet interior forest of Douglas-fir, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Doug. ex Loud.). Mass loss of litter of each species (both pure and in combination with the other species) was measured for 2-5 years in forests of each species to determine (i) if broadleaf litter decomposed faster than needle litter, (ii) if litter decomposed faster in broadleaf or mixedwood forests than in coniferous forests, and (iii) if mixing with broadleaf hastened decomposition of needle litter. The broadleaf litters decomposed faster than needles during the first year but, thereafter, decomposed more slowly, so differences were small after 3 years. Litter tended to decompose faster in the broadleaf forests than in the coniferous forests. There was either no effect or a slight suppression of decomposition when litters were mixed; thus, there was no evidence that addition of broadleaf litter hastened decomposition of needle litter. The results clearly indicate that the mixing of needle litter with broadleaf litter is unlikely to hasten decomposition in mixedwood forests of British Columbia. The main influence of broadleaves was more rapid decomposition in broadleaf or mixedwood forest floors, which does not appear to be simply an effect of litter quality or litter mixing.

Patterns of initial versus delayed regeneration of white spruce in boreal mixedwood succession

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1597-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon S Peters ◽  
S Ellen Macdonald ◽  
Mark RT Dale
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Regeneration Period ◽  
Postfire Regeneration ◽  
Distance To Seed Source ◽  
Mixedwood Stands

The timing of white spruce regeneration in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) – white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) boreal mixedwood stands is an important factor in stand development. We examined boreal mixedwood stands representing a 59-year period of time since fire and determined (1) whether and when a delayed regeneration period of white spruce occurred, (2) whether the relative abundance of initial (<20 years) versus delayed (≥20 years postfire) regeneration is related to seed availability at the time of the fire, and (3) what are the important regeneration substrates for initial versus delayed regeneration. Initial regeneration occurred primarily on mineral soil or humus, while delayed regeneration established primarily on logs and peaked 38–44 years after fire. Of the 20 stands investigated, seven were dominated by initial regeneration, six were dominated by delayed regeneration, and seven were even mixtures of both. The dominance of a site by initial or delayed regeneration could not be simply explained by burn timing relative to mast years or distance to seed source; our results suggested that fire severity and the competitive influence of initial regeneration on delayed regeneration were important at fine scales. Based on our results we describe several possible postfire successional pathways for boreal mixedwood forests.

Decadal observations of tree regeneration following fire in boreal forests

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill F Johnstone ◽  
F S Chapin III ◽  
J Foote ◽  
S Kemmett ◽  
K Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Highly Correlated

This paper presents data on early postfire tree regeneration. The data were obtained from repeated observations of recently burned forest stands along the Yukon – British Columbia border and in interior Alaska. Postfire measurements of tree density were made periodically for 20–30 years, providing direct observations of early establishment patterns in boreal forest. Recruitment rates of the dominant tree species in both study areas were highest in the first 5 years after fire, and additional net establishment was not observed after 10 years. The postfire population of spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss s.l.) remained constant after the first decade in the two study areas. Populations of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) both declined after 10 years in mixed-species stands along the Yukon – British Columbia border. Mortality rates of aspen and pine were positively correlated with their initial densities, indicating that thinning occurred as a density-dependent process. At all sites, measurements of stand density and composition made early were highly correlated with those made late in the monitoring period, indicating that patterns of stand structure initiated within a few years after fire are maintained through subsequent decades of stand development.

scholarly journals Implications of selected approaches for regenerating and managing western boreal mixedwoods

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip G Comeau ◽  
Richard Kabzems ◽  
John McClarnon ◽  
Jean L Heineman
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
Flexible Planning ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Stand Conditions

We describe a range of approaches for managing boreal mixedwood stands composed of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in British Columbia and Alberta. Successful management of these complex forests requires a combination of well-defined objectives at the landscape level and flexible planning at the stand level. A variety of management strategies must be applied concurrently across the landscape to ensure that the natural mix of forest types and structural diversity is maintained. Selected approaches are discussed with regard to their suitability to particular stand conditions and sets of objectives, the types of tending and harvesting activities required, expected outcomes, and costs. The three approaches discussed are: 1) creation and management of two-storied intimate mixtures; 2) creation of a single-storied mixture of aspen and white spruce; and, 3) creation of a mosaic of discrete patches of each species. Key words: boreal mixedwood management, mixedwood silvicultural systems, aspen, white spruce, planning

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal patterns of Populus tremuloides regeneration in small forest openings in northern Ontario

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 548-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Groot ◽  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Jim Wood
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Silvicultural System ◽  
Forest Openings

The density, height and diameter of trembling aspen sucker regeneration was assessed over a 10-year period in openings created by harvesting in a 40-year-old, 19-m-tall aspen stand in northeastern Ontario. The 5 types of opening comprised: circular openings of 9-m- and 18-m-diameter, 150-m-long east–west strips of 9-m and 18-m width, and a 1.5 ha (100 m × 150 m) clearcut. Density of aspen regeneration was significantly affected by opening type, location relative to the opening, time since harvest, and by all interactions of these factors. Aspen densities within the circular openings declined to low levels by year 10, despite considerable initial recruitment. Trembling aspen height and diameter were significantly influenced by opening type, location relative to the opening, time since harvest, and by opening × time and location × time interactions. Trembling aspen heights in the circular openings were substantially less than in the clearcut and strip openings by year 10. The results support the traditional view that aspen is best managed under the clearcut silvicultural system, and that trembling aspen regeneration following forest harvesting can be reduced by controlling the extent or intensity of overstory removal. Finally, the results suggest that disturbances that create gaps greater than 1 tree height in width in aspen or mixedwood forests may allow gap dynamics to function. Key words: trembling aspen, silviculture, boreal mixedwoods, regeneration, forest openings

Juvenile response to conifer release alternatives on aspen-white spruce boreal mixedwood sites.Part I: Stand structure and composition

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 538-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G Pitt ◽  
F. Wayne Bell
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Fibre Production ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Stem Quality ◽  
Commercial Species ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods

Stand structure and composition for planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and other naturally regenerating commercial species were compared seven years after the testing of five conifer release alternatives on three boreal mixedwood sites. No release resulted in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) -dominated stands with 89% stocking and the highest basal areas (BAs, 5.1 m2/ha) and stem volume indices (SVIs, 10.7 m3/ha) observed. Release by manual or machine cutting increased planted spruce BA and SVI by 67 and 38%, respectively. However, this treatment also caused significant root and stump suckering of aspen, more than doubling stem densities and increasing stocking by 12% over untreated areas. Although cutting reduced the height of aspen from 6 m (untreated) to 2–3 m, equal to or just taller than planted spruce, it is likely that future growth will result in deciduous-dominated mixedwoods. Broadcast foliar application with Release® herbicide temporarily reduced the size of aspen, without causing the increased regeneration observed following cutting. This produced a more varied stand structure that promoted the stature of planted spruce, doubling dominant spruce stocking, BAs, and SVIs, and leading to a more balanced mixedwood. Broadcast release with Vision® herbicide produced conifer-dominated stands with few deciduous stems; these areas contained the lowest observed BAs (1.7 m2/ha) and SVIs (1.9 m3/ha). Relatively low planting densities (1350 sph), coupled with near complete deciduous removal in these plots, created very open-grown conditions that threaten overall productivity and stem quality of the spruce. The five approaches tested are capable of producing a range of stand conditions found in a healthy boreal mixedwood landscape. Key words: boreal mixedwoods, white spruce, trembling aspen, vegetation management, fibre production

scholarly journals Creating boreal mixedwoods by planting spruce under aspen: successful establishment in uncertain future climates

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1217-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Kabzems ◽  
Philip G. Comeau ◽  
Cosmin N. Filipescu ◽  
Bruce Rogers ◽  
Amanda F. Linnell Nemec
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Understory Vegetation ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

Planting white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) under established aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands has substantial potential for regenerating mixedwood ecosystems in the western Canadian boreal forest. The presence of an aspen overstory serves to ameliorate frost and winter injury problems and suppresses understory vegetation that may compete with white spruce. Under future climatic regimes with more frequent and severe drought episodes, underplanting may be a cost-effective strategy for lowering the risk of mortality in mixedwood regeneration. We examine the growth of white spruce during the first 18 years after being planted beneath a 39-year-old stand of trembling aspen. Treatments included thinning from over 6000 stems·ha−1 to 3000, 2000, and 1000 stems·ha−1 and fertilization. Initial stimulation of understory vegetation by fertilization had no measureable effect on spruce heights or diameters at year 18. Aspen thinning treatments did not have a significant effect on spruce height growth rates after spruce crowns had emerged above the understory shrub layer due to rapid aspen basal area increases after thinning. Small, but significant, increases for spruce height and diameter were present in the 1000 and 2000 stem·ha−1 aspen thinnings. A much wider range of aspen stand conditions may be suitable for planting spruce to create mixedwood ecosystems than has been previously considered.

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