Dynamics of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regeneration in a mixed stand under uneven-aged management

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Grassi ◽  
Gianfranco Minotta ◽  
Giustino Tonon ◽  
Umberto Bagnaresi

In a 0.75-ha plot in a Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) – silver fir (Abies alba Miller) stand in Comelico (Italian eastern Alps), we analysed (i) the distribution and growth of natural regeneration of Norway spruce and silver fir as affected by stand structure and (ii) the age structure of all saplings between 0.2 and 10 m in height in a 30-year-old gap. In both species, most natural regeneration was clumped and located at the margin of the gaps; however, fir saplings were more represented in understorey environments and less represented in gaps as compared with spruce. Age structure of natural regeneration in the selected gap revealed that the majority (75%) of saplings appeared after the formation of the gap; however, for regeneration taller than 2 m (which has a better chance of reaching the uppermost canopy layer), saplings already present at gap formation predominated. We conclude that (i) gap edges represent a preferential regeneration niche in this forest and (ii) saplings established before gap formation can play an important role in gap refilling. These results provide useful information to ensure, through silvicultural practices, favourable conditions for the temporal and spatial continuity of the regeneration process.

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Š. Hofmeister ◽  
M. Svoboda ◽  
J. Souček ◽  
S. Vacek

Two permanent sample plots (both 0.25 ha) were established in a mixed forest in the Orlické hory Mts. Protected Landscape Area (northeastern Bohemia) to analyze the natural regeneration of Norway spruce (<I>Picea abies</I> [L.] Karst.) and silver fir (<I>Abies alba</I> Mill.). All the seedlings (height 0.1–0.5 m), saplings (height 0.5 m, <I>d</I><sub>1.3</sub> 3 cm) and trees (<I>d</I><sub>1.3</sub> > 3 cm) were localized and measured. The analysis of the spatial pattern and statistical evaluation were carried out by means of Ripley’s <I>K</I>-function. All the growth stages of the spruce and the fir showed an aggregated (clump) pattern, whereas the regeneration of fir was positively correlated with mature spruces and the regeneration of spruce was in a positive relation with mature firs. The results indicate that for germination and stable growth in the first stages of development, the fir can find more favourable conditions under the crowns of spruce trees and the spruce under mature firs.


2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 398-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Dobrowolska

The main task of the study was to investigate the growth conditions of silver fir natural regeneration in the Karkonosze Mts. (Poland). The paper examines the quantity and quality of light reaching the forest floor in stands of different canopies. The aim of the study was also to define the optimal site conditions for silver fir planting under stand canopy. Data on the natural regeneration and stand structure of each investigated stand were collected on circular plots in a grid of 15 × 15 m in 1999 and 2000. Biometric measurements of fir plants planted under various stand canopies were done three times (May 1999, autumn 2000 and 2001). It was found that the fir was not a dominant tree in all size classes from seedlings to saplings. Seedlings (both phases) of spruce, beech, sycamore and rowan occurred in all studied stands. The optimal conditions for fir development were found under larch canopy. That was demonstrated by the highest increment of height, diameter and offshoots. The worst conditions for fir growth were under beech and spruce canopy, which was indicated by the lowest diameter and height. The highest PAR was recorded under pine canopy, whereas the lowest one under beech canopy. Beech stand induced a lower R:FR ratio than the other tree species both on sunny and cloudy days. The highest R:FR ratio was found under the canopy of larch and pine stands.


2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Motta ◽  
J L Edouard

Size, age, and spatial structures were studied in a mixed, multilayered forest located in the Upper Susa Valley in Piedmont, Italy, using complete stem mapping, dendrochronology, and spatial analysis on a 1-ha permanent plot. All trees with a diameter >4 cm at 50 cm height (991) and stumps (322) were mapped, measured, and cored. The 639 cross-dated samples were used to reconstruct the disturbance history, and dendroecological results were then compared with information on forest and land use from documentary archives. The stand has undergone substantial shifts in forest structure and species composition over the last 200 years, from an open structure with larch (Larix decidua Mill.), Swiss mountain pine (Pinus uncinata L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and scattered regeneration to a dense multilayered structure with silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce with dense regeneration. Shifts in dominance and structure were found to be consistent with land-use changes rather than with disturbance history. These results confirm the importance of multiple sources of independent data to characterize the disturbances that have affected the origin and development of stands heavily impacted by humans. Knowledge of stand history and understanding of potential ecological transformations are essential for the correct application of close-to-nature silvicultural practices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Milan Barna ◽  
Angel Ferezliev ◽  
Hristo Tsakov ◽  
Ivan Mihál

AbstractWe investigated the current health condition (defoliation), state of natural regeneration, and mycoflora and phytopathogen-caused attacks in Scots pine forests (Pinus sylvestris L.) planted in the 1960s in areas affected by wind disturbances in the West Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. Some damage types (resin outflow and anthropogenic damage) were present to a low extent in the research plots (S – Selishte and PK – Pobit Kamak). Some were missing completely (damage by deer and other animals, the presence of lignicolous fungi and abiotic damage). The most important results of this study were the following: i) the occurrence of the bark beetle pest Tomicus minor Hartig (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) was recorded on average in 4.6 (S) and 2.3 (PK) of fallen shoots under the tree crown within 1 m diameter around the stem; ii) significant damage to tree crowns due to the loss of assimilation organs in Scots pine trees (28% – S and 39% – PK, respectively) was several times higher than that recorded in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) (10%); iii) tree species composition resulting from natural regeneration showed 95–100% proportion of Norway spruce despite the predominance of Scots pine in the maternal stand. These observations might provide evidence of unsuitable environmental conditions in the studied localities for pine forests on the southern range of the natural P. sylvestris occurrence. Forest management in similar ecological and climatic conditions should aim at significant diversification of the forest stand structure by utilizing tree species suitable for the given ecosystems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9
Author(s):  
Ana Brglez ◽  
Nikica Ogris

Species of the genus Armillaria and Heterobasidion are among the most common causes of stem and root rot in Slovenia. Armillaria spp. infects deciduous and coniferous trees, while Heterobasidion spp. mainly threatens Norway spruce (Picea abies), pines (Pinus spp.), and silver fir (Abies alba). On the basis of the data about the sanitary felling of infected trees, we estimated the current state and calculated the proportions represented in total felling, total sanitary felling, total sanitary felling due to diseases, in wood stock, and in increments from 2013 to 2017. Since 2014, there has been a constant increase in the sanitary felling of deciduous and coniferous trees due to infections with Armillaria spp. In 2017, 32,849 m3 of timber were harvested due to Armillaria spp. Given the present situation, we assume that the amount of sanitary felling will continue to increase, but it will not account for large shares in wood stock or increment (< 1 %). In 2017, sanitary felling of infected conifers represented 27.6 % of all sanitary felling due to diseases. In the case of deciduous trees, the share was lower, i.e. 7.1 %. Armillaria spp. was the main cause of sanitary felling due to disease (51.9 %) in the Postojna forest management unit (FMU), while elsewhere shares of up to 10 % were recorded. With Heterobasidion spp., the amount of felling is decreasing over the years. In 2017, 33,922 m3 of wood, accounting for 15.7 % of the total sanitary felling due to disease, were felled due to Heterobasidion spp. A comparison of the felling of Norway spruce, silver fir, and Scots pine due to Heterobasidion spp. shows the different proportions of felling within the total sanitary felling due to the diseases. In Norway spruce, it is on average 79.5 %, in silver fir 12.9 %, and in Scots pine 34.3 %. We assume that the volume of timber harvested due to Heterobasidion spp. will gradually decrease over the years due to the lower wood stocks of Norway spruce, which has recently been hit by numerous natural disasters and infestation of bark beetles. However, the incidence will be higher due to climate change affects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Podrázský Vilém ◽  
Vacek Zdeněk ◽  
Kupka Ivo ◽  
Vacek Stanislav ◽  
Třeštík Michal ◽  
...  

The effects of silver fir (Abies alba Miller) on the soil compared to Norway spruce (Picea abies (Linnaeus) H. Karsten) were evaluated. Altitude of the study site is 790 m a.s.l., mild slope of 10° facing SW, forest site is spruce-beech on acid soil. The forest floor and top soil horizons (L + F1, F2 + H, Ah) were sampled in 4 replications beneath unmixed Norway spruce and silver fir groups. Comparing the soil-forming effects of both species, few significant differences were found in the Ah horizon – contents of total C, N, exchangeable Al and plant available Ca were higher beneath spruce. The soil improving role of silver fir compared to spruce was confirmed at the studied locality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 331-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Anna Prokůpková ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Daniel Bulušek ◽  
Václav Šimůnek ◽  
...  

The growth, structure and production of mixed beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests were analysed  in the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic. The objective of the paper was to evaluate stand structure, timber production and dynamics of forests with historically different silvicultural practices in relation to climate conditions, management and game damage. The results indicate that scree forests (coppices and coppices with standards) were stands with high-rich species diversity and structure compared to herb-rich beech forests (high forests) with higher timber production. The Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was the most sensitive tree species compared to low growth variability in European beech. The climate factors had the highest effect on radial growth from June to August. Natural regeneration showed great density potential (13,880–186,462 recruits·ha<sup>–1</sup>), especially in expansion of maples and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). However, recruits were seriously limiting by damage caused by hoofed game, especially in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.; 53% browsing damage), wych elm (Ulmus glabra Hudson; 51%) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.; 50%).


2017 ◽  
Vol 403 ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Huth ◽  
Alexandra Wehnert ◽  
Katharina Tiebel ◽  
Sven Wagner

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