scholarly journals Long-term decline of sugar maple following forest harvest, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie L. Cleavitt ◽  
John J. Battles ◽  
Chris E. Johnson ◽  
Timothy J. Fahey
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Forest Recovery ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Advance Regeneration

Forest harvesting can impact site quality by removing essential nutrients, exacerbating the effects of historic base cation losses associated with acid deposition. We studied the 30-year trajectory of forest recovery from clearcutting (whole-tree harvest (WTH)) in a forest originally dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). At both the watershed scale (21.9 ha) and the “detailed” plot scale (1 m2), a dramatic decline of sugar maple was observed, along with maintenance of American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and an increase in birch, mainly yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.). Many of the “detailed” plots where sugar maple failed to recruit became unoccupied rather than being “won” by another species. The decline of sugar maple was most severe in the upper elevation zones of the watershed, where low base status (especially Ca) of the soils was a likely driver. The results support previous studies indicating that regeneration by sugar maple is severely compromised on base cation depleted soils. Lower survival of seedlings for sugar maple emphasized the importance of maintaining advance regeneration to favor desired species such as sugar maple. Foresters should consider that sites with low base saturation and exchangeable Ca are likely to exhibit regeneration failure for sugar maple in the long term, even those with initial dominance by this species.

Present-day expansion of American beech in northeastern hardwood forests: Does soil base status matter?

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2273-2282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Duchesne ◽  
Rock Ouimet
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Soil Base ◽  
Large Area ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots

Recently, sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) decline in northeastern North America has been regarded as a major factor structuring hardwood forests by favouring American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) in the understory of maple-dominated stands. To determine whether soil fertility differences associated with sugar maple decline may have promoted the expansion of American beech, we explored the relationships between the soil base status and the sapling and tree strata density and composition, using data from 426 permanent sample plots distributed throughout Quebec. Our results indicate that American beech is currently expanding in the sugar maple range of Quebec. The abundance and proportion of American beech in the sapling stratum are mainly associated with the proportion of American beech in the tree stratum, the relative basal area of dead sugar maple trees, and the base status of soils. In accordance with the many studies reporting on the high sensitivity of sugar maple to the acid–base status of soils and the decline of the sugar maple population, this study supports the hypothesis that soil base cation depletion, caused in part by atmospheric acid deposition, is among the main factors involved in the present-day expansion of American beech over a large area in Quebec.

Long-term impact of liming on growth and vigor of northern hardwoods

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1295-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Long ◽  
Stephen B. Horsley ◽  
Thomas J. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Crown Health ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
Species Specific

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is a keystone species in the northern hardwood forest, and decline episodes have negatively affected the growth and health of sugar maple in portions of its range over the past 50+ years. Crown health, growth, survival, and flower and seed production of sugar maple were negatively affected by a widespread decline event in the mid-1980s on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania. A long-term liming study was initiated in 1985 to evaluate responses to a one-time application of 22.4 Mg·ha–1 of dolomitic limestone in four northern hardwood stands. Over the 23-year period ending in 2008, sugar maple basal area increment (BAINC) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in limed plots from 1995 through 2008, whereas American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) BAINC was unaffected. For black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), the third principal overstory species, BAINC and survival were reduced in limed plots compared with unlimed plots. Foliar Ca and Mg remained significantly higher in sugar maple foliage sampled 21 years after lime application, showing persistence of the lime effect. These results show long-term species-specific responses to lime application.

Leaf- and plant-level carbon gain in yellow birch, sugar maple, and beech seedlings from contrasting forest light environments

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilou Beaudet ◽  
Christian Messier ◽  
David W Hilbert ◽  
Ernest Lo ◽  
Zhang M Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaf Level ◽  
Plant Level

Leaf-level photosynthetic-light response and plant-level daily carbon gain were estimated for seedlings of moderately shade-tolerant yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and shade-tolerant sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) growing in gaps and under a closed canopy in a sugar maple stand at Duchesnay, Que. All three species had a higher photosynthetic capacity (Amax) in the gaps than in shade, but yellow birch and beech responded more markedly than sugar maple to the increase in light availability. The high degree of plasticity observed in beech suggests that the prediction that photosynthetic plasticity should decrease with increasing shade tolerance may not hold when comparisons are made among a few late-successional species. Unit-area daily carbon gain (CA) was significantly higher in the gaps than in shade for all three species, but no significant difference was observed between light environments for plant-level carbon gain (CW). In shade, we found no difference of CA and CW among species. In gaps, beech had a significantly higher CA than sugar maple but similar to that of birch, and birch had a significantly higher CW than maple but similar to that of beech. Sugar maple consistently had lower carbon gains than yellow birch and beech but is nevertheless the dominant species at our study site. These results indicate that although plant-level carbon gain is presumably more closely related to growth and survival of a species than leaf-level photosynthesis, it is still many steps removed from the ecological success of a species.

scholarly journals Height Development of Upper-Canopy Trees Within Even-Aged Adirondack Northern Hardwood Stands

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph D. Nyland ◽  
David G. Ray ◽  
Ruth D. Yanai
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Canopy Trees

Abstract Knowledge of the relative rates of height growth among species is necessary for predicting developmental patterns in even-aged northern hardwood stands. To quantify these relationships, we used stem analysis to reconstruct early height growth patterns of dominant and codominant sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.), and America beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) trees. We used three stands (aged 19, 24, and 29 years) established by shelterwood method cutting preceded by an understory herbicide treatment. We analyzed 10 trees of each species per stand. Height growth was similar across stands, allowing us to develop a single equation for each species. Our data show that yellow birch had the most rapid height growth up to approximately age 10. Both sugar maple and white ash grew more rapidly than yellow birch beyond that point. Beech consistently grew the slowest. White ash had a linear rate of height growth over the 29-year period, while the other species declined in their growth rates. By age 29, the heights of main canopy trees ranged from 38 ft for beech to 51 ft for white ash. Both yellow birch and sugar maple averaged 46 ft tall at that time. By age 29, the base of the live crown had reached 17, 20, 21, and 26 ft for beech, sugar maple, yellow birch, and white ash, respectively. Live–crown ratios of upper-canopy trees did not differ appreciably among species and remained at approximately 40% for the ages evaluated. These results suggest that eliminating advance regeneration changes the outcome of competition to favor species other than beech. North. J. Appl. For. 21(3):117–122.

Short- and long-term nutritional effects and retention of potassium derived from fertilizer in a sugar maple stand in southern Quebec

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-495
Author(s):  
Chloé McMillan ◽  
Benoît Côté ◽  
William H. Hendershot
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Maple Leaves ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Understory Plant ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
K Fertilization

The short-term (1–3 years) and long-term (23 years) effects of liming combined with potassium (K) fertilization on forest nutrition and K cycling were examined in a sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stand in southern Quebec. Sugar maple leaves were sampled annually from 1988 (prefertilization year) to 1991 and in 2011–2012. Ten understory plant species, sugar maple sapwood, and soils were also sampled in 2012 and analyzed for K, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and rubidium (Rb). The recovery of fertilizer K was determined using the Rb/K reverse tracer method. Fertilization neither increased growth nor maintained higher sugar maple leaf K levels over the long term; however, leaf K to Ca and K to Mg ratios were still higher in fertilized plots than in control plots in 2012. The percentage of leaf K derived from fertilizer peaked 3 years after fertilization (36% ± 5%) and was down to 1989 levels by 2012 (15% ± 6%). Understory vegetation generally showed no differences in leaf K concentration between treatments, but percent K from fertilizers was greater than 25% in several species. There was no significant effect of fertilization on soil K, Ca, and Mg availability by 2012. Our results suggest that significant amounts of fertilizer K are still present on the site after 23 years but that base cation levels in leaves and upper soil horizons have returned to near prefertilization levels except for a slight enrichment in K. Although small, the effects of fertilization with liming on soil fertility and plant nutrient status in a maple stand can be long lasting.

Reply to comment by Messier et al. on “Present-day expansion of American beech in northeastern hardwood forests: Does soil base status matter?”Appears in Can. J. For. Res. 39: 2273–2282 (2009).

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 654-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Duchesne ◽  
Rock Ouimet
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Large Body ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Soil Base ◽  
American Beech ◽  
The One

We respond to the comment by Messier et al. (2011. Can. J. For. Res. 41: 649–653) on our recent paper questioning the possible influence of the base status of soils in the present-day expansion of American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) in Quebec (2009. Can. J. For. Res. 39: 2273–2282). From our observations, as well as from a large body of scientific evidence reporting on the high sensitivity of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) to the acid–base status of soils, we hypothesized that soil base cation depletion, caused in part by atmospheric deposition, is among the main factors involved in the present-day expansion of American beech over large areas in Quebec. Clearly, we suggested in our paper that acid deposition might act with other factors to explain the expansion of American beech. In this context, our conclusions are far from any oversimplified explanation, as stated by Messier et al., but rather, they point out a level of complexity above the one currently discussed.

POTENTIAL SEX PHEROMONE COMPONENTS OF THE SADDLED PROMINENT (LEPIDOPTERA: NOTODONTIDAE)

2000 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Silk ◽  
G.C. Lonergan ◽  
D.C. Allen ◽  
J. Spear-O’Mara
Keyword(s):  
Sex Pheromone ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Crown Dieback

Significant outbreaks of saddled prominent, Heterocampa guttivitta (Walker), have been recorded in northern hardwood stands throughout the northeastern United States since 1907 and were first noted in Ontario in 1938 (Martinat and Allen 1988). The insect overwinters as a pupa beneath litter, adult emergence begins in late May and peaks in mid-June, and oviposition activity ends in early July. Consequently, the major impact of defoliation usually occurs in late summer feeding. Principal hosts are sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marsh. (Aceraceae), American beech, Fagus grandifolia (Ehrh.) (Fagaceae), and yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton (Betulaceae) (Rush and Allen 1987). Two successive years of severe (>75%) defoliation of sugar maple result in significant growth loss (Bauce and Allen 1991), and heavy mortality may occur to understory sugar maple (Grimble and Newel1 1973). The quantity and sugar content of sugar maple sap are dramatically reduced the spring following heavy (>50%) defoliation (Magasi 1981; Handy 1968). Heavy to severe defoliation may cause crown dieback and defoliation and, in concert with other stresses, may initiate maple decline (Giese et al. 1964). Currently, monitoring and evaluation of saddled prominent populations must rely on egg sampling (Grimble and Kasile 1974), a time-consuming process that is inconvenient for survey personnel and landowners. A sex pheromone has not been identified for this species (nor for any other North American Notodontidae) and would be a potentially useful tool for detecting incipient outbreaks, predicting population levels, and evaluating population trends.

Allometric equations for young northern hardwoods: the importance of age-specific equations for estimating aboveground biomass

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 881-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farrah R. Fatemi ◽  
Ruth D. Yanai ◽  
Steven P. Hamburg ◽  
Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur ◽  
Mary A. Arthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Northern Hardwood

Estimates of aboveground biomass and nutrient stocks are commonly derived using equations that describe tree dimensional relationships. Despite the widespread use of this approach, there is little information about whether equations specific to stand age are necessary for accurate biomass predictions. We developed equations for small trees (2–12 cm diameter) of six species in four young northern hardwood stands. We then compared our equations with equations used frequently in the literature that were developed in mature stands (Whittaker et al. 1974. Ecol. Monogr. 44: 233–252). Our equations for yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) predicted 11%–120% greater stem wood for individual trees compared with the equations from Whittaker et al. and, on average, 50% greater aboveground yellow birch biomass in the four stands that we studied. Differences were less pronounced for sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.); our equations predicted, on average, 9% greater aboveground stand biomass for sugar maple and 3% lower biomass for American beech compared with Whittaker et al. Our results suggest that stand age may be an important factor influencing the aboveground allometry and biomass of small yellow birch trees in these developing northern hardwood stands.

scholarly journals Comment on “Present-day expansion of American beech in northeastern hardwood forests: Does soil base status matter?”Appears in Can. J. For. Res. 39: 2273–2282 (2009).

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Messier ◽  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
Jacques Brisson ◽  
Martin J. Lechowicz ◽  
Dominique Gravel
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Soil Base ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Atmospheric Acid Deposition

In a recent rapid communication, Duchesne and Ouimet (2009. Can. J. For. Res. 39: 2273–2282) reported that the current expansion of American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) in Quebec is mainly caused by soil base cation depletion due to atmospheric acid deposition. They based their conclusions on an examination of the relationships between stem densities in the sapling and tree strata compared against canopy composition and the availability of base cations in 426 sample plots. Here in this comment, we raise some shortcomings with their study and provide a more prudent and complete perspective on the complex dynamics associated with fluctuations in American beech and sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.).

American beech and sugar maple sapling relative abundance and growth are not modified by light availability following partial and total canopy disturbances

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bannon ◽  
Sylvain Delagrange ◽  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Canopy Opening ◽  
Unmanaged Forest

Studies have reported divergent results on the effect of soil fertility and canopy opening on understory density and growth of sugar maple (AS; Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (FG; Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gradient of canopy opening and soil fertility on the density and growth of AS and FG saplings in southwestern Quebec, Canada. We investigated 56 stands containing both AS and FG that were subjected to different disturbance history types (DHTs) (UF, unmanaged forest; PC, partial cut; and CC, clearcut) on various soil types. AS and FG absolute and relative sapling density varied greatly among the 56 stands; however, no significant effects of DHT, soil nutrient availability, or their interaction were found. Both species responded positively in terms of radial growth to canopy openings, with FG growth being slightly better than AS growth in PC stands compared with other canopy treatments. Contrary to our hypothesis, AS did not show significantly higher growth than FG following clear-cutting. These results do not support the idea that AS abundance and growth could be promoted by increasing the intensity of the canopy opening during harvest, at least on the generally acidic and base-poor soils that were investigated.

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