Distribution of black spruce versus eastern larch along peatland gradients: relationship to relative stature, growth rate, and shade tolerance

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 1514-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy G. Montague ◽  
Thomas J. Givnish
Keyword(s):  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Larix Laricina ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Natural Gradient ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Historic Change

The relative abundance and performance of black spruce (Picea mariana) and eastern larch (Larix laricina) were quantified along fertility gradients in two peatlands in northern Wisconsin. We hypothesized that (i) the distribution of these two dominants should correspond to the portions of the gradient where each has an advantage in stature and (or) rate of height growth relative to its principal competitor; that (ii) larch should have a higher rate of height growth on wetter, more minerotrophic sites, based on the costs and benefits of its deciduous habit; and that (iii) spruce should be more shade tolerant and increase in abundance during succession. Our findings largely support these hypotheses, and (at the hydrologically stable site) provide the first circumstantial evidence for the competitive sorting of woody species along a natural gradient. The incongruity of interspecific differences in height and growth at one of the two sites is evidence for an historic change in the environment there, involving a shift in hydrology around 1925. Keywords: competitive sorting, deciduousness, evergreenness, Larix, Picea, Thuja.

scholarly journals Comparative Height Growth of Eastern Larch and Black Spruce in Northwestern Ontario

1978 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 296-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Mead
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Larix Laricina ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Spruce Stands

Height growth of eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) was determined using standard stem analysis methods on trees from two sites in northwestern Ontario. The data were obtained from mixed larch-spruce stands which were relatively undisturbed. The larch exhibited substantially better height growth than the spruce through age 65.

Evaluating relationships among tree growth rate, shade tolerance, and browse tolerance following disturbance in an eastern deciduous forest

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2460-2469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Krueger ◽  
Chris J. Peterson ◽  
Alejandro Royo ◽  
Walter P. Carson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Eastern Deciduous Forest ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
The Impact

Interspecific differences in shade tolerance among woody species are considered a primary driving force underlying forest succession. However, variation in shade tolerance may be only one of many interspecific differences that cause species turnover. For example, tree species may differ in their sensitivity to herbivory. Nonetheless, existing conceptual models of forest dynamics rarely explicitly consider the impact of herbivores. We examined whether browsing by white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) alters the relationship between light availability and plant performance. We monitored growth and survival for seedlings of six woody species over 2 years within six windthrow gaps and the nearby intact forest in the presence and absence of deer. Browsing decreased seedling growth for all species except beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). More importantly, browsing altered growth rankings among species. Increased light availability enhanced growth for three species when excluded from deer, but browsing obscured these relationships. Browsing also reduced survival for three species; however, survival rankings did not significantly differ between herbivory treatments. Our results indicated that browsing and light availability operated simultaneously to influence plant growth within these forests. Thus, existing models of forest dynamics may make inaccurate predictions of the timing and composition of species reaching the canopy, unless they can account for how plant performance varies as a result of a variety of environmental factors, including herbivory.

Canopy stratification, age structure, and development of multicohort stands of eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, and red spruce

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1799-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Fajvan ◽  
Robert S. Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Eastern Hemlock ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Cohort Model ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Partial Harvesting

The causes of canopy stratification were investigated in five mixed stands of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr.), and white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) in eastern Maine. All species were present in all crown classes; however, there was a clear pattern of pine dominance and eventual emergence. Red spruce was prevalent in the middle stratum, and hemlock most common in the lower strata. Canopy stratification was caused by interspecific differences in shade tolerance and height growth, and by multicohort structures. The multicohort structures developed as a result of episodic partial disturbances such as spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana Clemens) outbreaks and partial harvesting that both initiated regeneration and released previously suppressed trees of older, surviving cohorts. Spatial and temporal variability in disturbances created extremely variable patterns of competition among cohorts, resulting in a more complex developmental pattern than would be found in a single-cohort model involving stand-replacing disturbances.

Boreal forest provenance tests used to predict optimal growth and response to climate change: 2. Black spruce

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Thomson ◽  
Claire L. Riddell ◽  
William H. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Survival Data ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Optimal Performance ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Contour Lines ◽  
Provenance Trials ◽  
Maximum Temperatures

Height, diameter, and survival data were obtained from 20 range-wide black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) provenance trials established from 1973 to 1977. Population response functions based on February minimum temperatures were developed for 23 Ontario and Great Lakes states provenances to predict climate values maximizing height growth for individual seed sources. Site transfer functions based on February maximum temperatures and May maximum temperatures were developed for five test sites to predict climate values maximizing height growth for test locations. Contour lines representing optimal performance were fitted to current (1961–1990) and future (2041–2070) climate grids. For black spruce seed sources from the east of Lake Superior and Lake Huron, optimal height growth was achieved between 45° and 47°N; for the western sources optimal performance moved north between 46° and 48°N. In eastern Ontario, height growth of northern sources may increase with transfer to warmer environments and with future temperature increases. Central sources are currently growing at or close to optimum and will be negatively affected by increased future temperatures. Southern sources may currently benefit from transfer to cooler environments, and the effects of global warming may cause significant height growth loss and the potential extirpation of local populations.

Coexistence of Abies mariesii and Abies veitchii in a subalpine fir-wave forest

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2142-2152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Ugawa ◽  
Kojiro Iwamoto ◽  
Kenji Fukuda
Keyword(s):  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Central Japan ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Abies Veitchii ◽  
Abies Mariesii ◽  
Seedling Bank ◽  
Mature Stand ◽  
Sapling Bank

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the coexistence of Abies mariesii Masters and Abies veitchii Lindl. in a fir-wave forest, we surveyed the population dynamics of the two Abies species throughout stand development on Mount Shimagare, central Japan. We established three belt transects and found that, overall, A. veitchii dominated this fir-wave forest. However, A. mariesii dominated the canopy initially, whereas A. veitchii increased as stand development progressed; thus, dominant A. mariesii was eventually replaced by A. veitchii. This replacement was explained by the presence of an A. mariesii sapling bank that formed under the canopy of a mature stand and by the large A. veitchii seedling bank resulting from greater seed production. For ordinary canopy individuals, which are taller than midcanopy individuals, the increase in height suggested that taller individuals grow faster vertically regardless of species; moreover, height growth did not differ significantly between the two Abies species, which facilitated the growth of A. mariesii into the canopy and the production of seeds for the next generation. We concluded that the persistence of A. mariesii in this fir-wave forest is supported by its shade tolerance.

Survival and Growth of Planted Black Spruce, Alder, Aspen and Willow After Fire on Black Spruce/Feather Moss Sites in Interior Alaska

1987 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Zasada ◽  
Rodney A. Norum ◽  
Christian E. Teutsch ◽  
Roseann Densmore
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Balsam Poplar ◽  
Feather Moss ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Broad Leaved Species

Seedlings of black spruce, aspen, green alder, and grayleaf willow planted on black spruce/feather moss sites in the boreal forest in interior Alaska survived and grew relatively well over a 6-year period after prescribed burning. Survival of black spruce was significantly greater than that of the broad-leaved species, but height growth was significantly less. Development of feltleaf willow and balsam poplar from unrooted cuttings was poor. Severity of burn appeared to have an important effect on height growth of all species but not on seedling survival. Key words: Planting, Picea, Alnus, Populus, Salix, microsite.

Light threshold for optimal black spruce (Piceamariana) seedling growth and development under brush competition

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1629-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jobidon
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Growth Increment ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Light Interception ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Competing Vegetation ◽  
Total Height

Light threshold is suggested as a method for quantifying brush competition in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P) plantations and predicting losses in tree growth as measured by the relative growth rate (RGR). The severity of the competing vegetation (expressed in terms of density and height) around 300 planted tree seedlings, and the growth status of the seedlings (expressed in terms of total height and current height growth increment), were analyzed simultaneously with multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), with one level of light quantity (photosynthetically active radiation) reaching the upper one-half of the tree seedlings as the predictor variable. This study showed that it is possible to establish a competitive status based on light interception, thus allowing a grouping of seedlings with similar growth characteristics and severity of competition. Canonical analysis showed that 60% of full sunlight reaching the upper one half of spruce seedlings can be defined as a threshold to significantly discriminate between stressed and unstressed tree seedlings, based on the above-mentioned variables and also based on spruce basal stem diameter. For spruce total height, current height increment, and basal stem diameter, significant differences were found between plots above and below this threshold, averaging 18.5, 44.7, and 23.2%, respectively. Measuring the intensity of light reaching the upper one half of the spruce seedlings also significantly explains spruce relative growth rates, expressed in terms of height growth increment and basal stem diameter growth increment over the following two growing seasons. The light threshold used in the MANOVA and the ANOVA showed significant differences between plots above and below the threshold, averaging 70 and 58% for spruce height and basal stem diameter RGRs, respectively. Instead of measuring competing vegetation variables and relative height of a crop species to infer light interception, this study demonstrated that a direct measure of light attenuation at the tree seedling level can be used to assess the competitive status and predict losses in tree growth for the period of time required by the seedlings to emerge from the vegetation cover. Moreover, this study demonstrated that canonical relations, rather than linear relations, explain the pattern of competition for light between young spruce seedlings and brushlike vegetation. The light threshold suggested in this study has potential for assessing interspecific competition problems in young black spruce plantations and is proposed as a tool to support a containment strategy of vegetation management.

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