Five-year vegetation control effects on aboveground biomass and nitrogen content and allocation in Douglas-fir plantations on three contrasting sites

2011 ◽  
Vol 262 (12) ◽  
pp. 2187-2198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren D. Devine ◽  
Timothy B. Harrington ◽  
Thomas A. Terry ◽  
Robert B. Harrison ◽  
Robert A. Slesak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Vegetation Control

Five-year growth responses of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and western redcedar seedlings to manipulated levels of overstory and understory competition

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2439-2453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy B Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Foliar Nitrogen ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Vegetation Control

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) seedlings were planted in March 2001 within three clearcut-harvested, shelterwood, or thinned stands of mature Douglas-fir near Olympia, Washington. From 2002 to 2005, areas of vegetation control of 0, 4.5, or 9 m2 were maintained with herbicides around a total 162 seedlings per species. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was 34%, 62%, and 100% of full sunlight in thinned stands, shelterwoods, and clearcuts, respectively. Effects of overstory level and vegetation control on seedling growth and resource availability generally were additive. Seedling stem volume index in clearcuts averaged four to eight times that observed in thinned stands, and with vegetation control, it averaged two to four times that observed without it. In thinned stands, relative growth rate of seedling stem volume index had a positive linear relationship with PAR (R2 = 0.38). Foliar nitrogen content of Douglas-fir explained 71% of the variation in relative growth rate. Factors explaining the most variation in foliar nitrogen content differed between thinned stands (PAR, R2 = 0.34) and clearcuts or shelterwoods (midday water potential, R2 = 0.63), suggesting that light and root competition, respectively, were the primary growth-limiting factors for these overstory levels.

scholarly journals Variability of nitrogen content in the needles of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mir/Franco) provenances

Genetika ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Lavadinovic ◽  
Vasilije Isajev ◽  
Zoran Miletic ◽  
Milun Krstic
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Mineral Nutrition ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Provenance Test ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Geographical Characteristics

Nitrogen content in the needles of twenty Douglas-fir provenances, originating from different sites within the native range of the species in the USA, was studied in a Douglas-fir provenance test established at the montane beech site on acid brown soil. Based on the variability of nitrogen content in the needles, the intensity and dynamics of the physiological processes of Douglas-fir mineral nutrition were analyzed as the indicators of Douglas-fir adaptive potential to the sites in Serbia. All the trees of the study provenances were of the same age and grown under the same site and population conditions. The quantities of nitrogen absorbed in Douglas-fir needles were correlated with the geographical characteristics of the native sites of the observed provenances. The differences in nitrogen content in Douglas-fir needles point out the variability in the intensity of the physiological processes in the genotypes of the different provenances. Since the study Douglas-fir trees are cultivated on relatively small areas, in more or less equal general conditions, it can be concluded that the parameters of mineral nutrition depend on the genotypes constituting the gene pool of the study Douglas-fir provenances.

Response of aboveground biomass increment, growth efficiency, and foliar nutrients to thinning, fertilization, and pruning in young Douglas-fir plantations in the central Oregon Cascades

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1278-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Velazquez-Martinez ◽  
David A. Perry ◽  
Tom E. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Biomass Increment ◽  
Oregon Cascades

The effect of thinning and cultural practices (multinutrient fertilization, pruning) on total aboveground biomass increment and growth efficiency was studied over three consecutive 2-year periods (1981–1987) in young Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations. Net aboveground biomass increment over the 6-year period averaged 14.5, 7.8, and 5.5 Mg•ha−1•year−1 for the high-, medium-, and low-density plots, respectively. Growth efficiency, after dropping sharply between leaf area indexes of 1 and 6 m2/m2, remained relatively constant up to a leaf area index of 17, the highest measured. Consequently, aboveground biomass increment continued to increase at leaf area indexes well above that at which the Beer–Lambert law predicts maximum light should be absorbed. Foliage analyses indicate that thinning improved nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium nutrition and increased the translocation of potassium from 1-year-old foliage to support new growth. However, fertilization increased foliar nitrogen and phosphorus contents only when coupled with pruning, suggesting that trees favor total leaf area over individual needle nutrition. Indications of potassium and magnesium limitations in this study are supported by other recent studies in Douglas-fir. Further work on the role of multinutrient deficiencies in this species is warranted.

scholarly journals Soil phosphorus fractions vary with harvest intensity and vegetation control at two contrasting Douglas-fir sites in the Pacific northwest

Geoderma ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 350 ◽  
pp. 73-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. DeBruler ◽  
Stephen H. Schoenholtz ◽  
Robert A. Slesak ◽  
Brian D. Strahm ◽  
Timothy B. Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Phosphorus Fractions ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Soil Phosphorus Fractions ◽  
Harvest Intensity ◽  
The Pacific

Effects of logging debris treatments on five-year development of competing vegetation and planted Douglas-fir

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy B. Harrington ◽  
Stephen H. Schoenholtz
Keyword(s):  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Scotch Broom ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Survival And Growth

Although considerable research has focused on the influences of logging debris treatments on soil and forest regeneration responses, few studies have identified whether debris effects are mediated by associated changes in competing vegetation abundance. At sites near Matlock, Washington, and Molalla, Oregon, studies were initiated after timber harvest to quantify the effects of three logging debris treatments (dispersed, piled, or removed) on the development of competing vegetation and planted Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii ). Each debris treatment was replicated with initial and annual vegetation control treatments, resulting in high and low vegetation abundances, respectively. This experimental design enabled debris effects on regeneration to be separated into effects mediated by vegetation abundance and those independent of vegetation abundance. Two to three years after treatment, covers of Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link) at Matlock and trailing blackberry ( Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schltdl.) at Molalla were over 20% greater where debris was piled than where it was dispersed. Debris effects on vegetation abundance were associated with 30% reductions in the survival of Douglas-fir at Matlock (r2 = 0.62) and the stem diameter at Molalla (r2 = 0.39). Douglas-fir survival and growth did not differ among debris treatments when effects were evaluated independent of vegetation abundance (i.e., with annual vegetation control), suggesting negligible short-term effects of debris manipulation on soil productivity.

Distribution and increment of biomass in adjacent young Douglas-fir stands with different early growth rates

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 722-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Espinosa Bancalari ◽  
David A. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Biomass Increment ◽  
Anaerobic Soils

Total biomass increments were determined for three adjacent 22-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations in the Oregon Coast Range that had widely different early growth rates. Estimated total aboveground biomass of the stands, designated slow, intermediate, and fast, was 98.7, 148.7, and 203.7 Mg•ha−1, respectively; estimated mean biomass increment in the 5 years previous to sampling was 8.9, 12.6, and 12.3 Mg•ha−1•year−1. The slow stand had a greater proportion of aboveground biomass in branches and a smaller proportion in stem wood than the intermediate and fast stands. Differences in biomass increment were primarily due to stem rather than crown growth. Total below ground biomass was highest in the fast stand, the difference being due to roots >5 mm in diameter; weight of roots <5 mm was greater in the slow and intermediate stands. Roots >5 mm comprised about 77% of the total root system in those stands and 90% in the fast stand. Increment of roots >5 mm was 2.2, 2.5, and 3.0 Mg•ha−1•year−1 in the slow, intermediate, and fast stands. The ratio of productivity to total leaf nitrogen suggests that nitrogen is a principal limiting resource in the intermediate stand. The fast stand, with a leaf area index 50% greater than the others, is probably limited by light. The slow stand has anaerobic soils during at least part of the year, which may restrict rooting depth and thereby induce water stress during summer drought.

Use of growth curve derivatives to illustrate acceleration and deceleration of growth in young plantations under variable competition

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2515-2522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Newton ◽  
Elizabeth C Cole
Keyword(s):  
Growth Period ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Richards Equation ◽  
Second Derivative ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Second Derivatives

Deceleration of growth rates can give an indication of competition and the need for thinning in early years but can be difficult to detect. We computed the first and second derivatives of the von Bertalanffy – Richards equation to assess impacts of density and vegetation control in young plantations in western Oregon. The first derivative describes the response in growth and the second derivative describes the change in growth over time. Three sets of density experiments were used: (i) pure Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), (ii) mixed Douglas-fir and grand fir (Abies grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl.), and (iii) mixed western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.). Original planting densities ranged from 475 to 85 470 trees·ha–1 (4.6 m × 4.6 m to 0.34 m × 0.34 m spacing); western hemlock and red alder plots were weeded and unweeded. For the highest densities, the second derivative was rarely above zero for any of the time periods, indicating that the planting densities were too high for tree growth to enter an exponential phase. As expected, the lower the density, the greater and later the peak in growth for both the first and second derivatives. Weeding increased the growth peaks, and peaks were reached earlier in weeded than in unweeded plots. Calculations of this sort may help modelers identify when modifiers for competition and density are needed in growth equations. Specific applications help define onset of competition, precise determining of timing of peak growth, period of acceleration of growth, and interaction of spacing and age in determination of peaks of increment or acceleration or deceleration.

Accumulation of Organic Matter in a Series of Douglas-fir Stands

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Turner ◽  
James N. Long
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Density Maximum ◽  
Crown Closure

The total aboveground biomass of a series of Douglas-fir stands which are located in western Washington increased with age while the foliar biomass and total crown biomass reached a steady state of about 11 000 kg/ha at between 40 and 50 years, depending upon stand density. Maximum wood productivity occurred near the time of crown closure, but the age of crown closure varied, with denser stands reaching crown closure at a younger age. Understory aboveground biomass and returns represented a significant portion of stand organic matter before crown closure but decreased in importance as the stand increased in age. In terms of relative contribution to stand organic matter, the vascular species of the understory were supplanted by mosses during the later stages of stand development. While the understory represented a small proportion of organic matter distribution, that is, less than 5% of standing plant biomass, it was a significant proportion of total productivity (up to 17%) and an even higher proportion of organic matter that was returned to the forest floor (up to 43% of total return). The forest floor in this series of stands did not reach a steady state but continued to increase in weight. The decomposition rate appeared to decrease with age.

scholarly journals Ten-Year Growth Response of Young Douglas-Fir to Variable Density Varnishleaf Ceanothus and Herb Competition

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Monleon ◽  
M. Newton ◽  
C. Hooper ◽  
J. C. Tappeiner
Keyword(s):  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
The Other ◽  
Plantation Establishment ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Tree Diameter

Abstract The effect of different densities of varnishleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus) and herbaceous vegetation control on stem diameter, height, and volume of plantation Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii vat. menziesii) seedlings was examined during the 10 yr following planting. Initial densities of ceanothus ranged between 0 and 15,000 seedlings/ha and were obtained by interplanting ceanothus germinants or chemical thinning after clearcutting and broadcast-burning. Herbaceous vegetation control was achieved by a single application of glyphosate following planting, with shrub seedlings covered. Ceanothus density in the range of 0 to 6,750 plants/ha did not have an effect on Douglas-fir diameter, height, or volume at age 10; however, Douglas-fir growth was significantly decreased when ceanothus densities reached 15,000 plants/ha. Ten years after planting, Douglas-fir volume in the treatments with 6,750 ceanothus/ha or less was 1.7 times greater than that in the 15,000 ceanothus/ha treatment. On the other hand, removal of herbaceous vegetation after planting significantly increased tree diameter, height, and volume, regardless of ceanothus density. Even 10 yr after the application of the treatment, trees without early herb competition grew faster and had mean dbh, height, and volume that were 1.02 cm, 0.55 m, and 12.98 dm³/tree greater respectively than those with herbs. Thus, a treatment at plantation establishment to control herbaceous vegetation and to reduce ceanothus density to less than 7,000 plants/ha will ensure an increase in growth and stocking for at least 10 yr. West. J. Appl. For. 14(4):208-213.

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