Stand structure and dynamics in a mixed and multilayered forest in the Upper Susa Valley, Piedmont, Italy

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Motta ◽  
J L Edouard
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Multilayered Structure ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Disturbance History ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Correct Application

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Eastern Alps ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Canopy Layer ◽  
Spatial Continuity

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.

scholarly journals Situation of Armillaria spp. and Heterobasidion spp. in Slovenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9
Author(s):  
Ana Brglez ◽  
Nikica Ogris
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Coniferous Trees ◽  
Current State ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Pinus Spp

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.

scholarly journals Effects of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) on the humus forms in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) stands

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Podrázský Vilém ◽  
Vacek Zdeněk ◽  
Kupka Ivo ◽  
Vacek Stanislav ◽  
Třeštík Michal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Exchangeable Al ◽  
Top Soil

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.

scholarly journals Growth response of mixed beech forests to climate change, various management and game pressure in Central Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 331-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Anna Prokůpková ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Daniel Bulušek ◽  
Václav Šimůnek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Great Density ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Browsing Damage

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%).

Direct seeding of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to convert Norway spruce (Picea Abies L.) forests in Europe: A review

2017 ◽  
Vol 403 ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Huth ◽  
Alexandra Wehnert ◽  
Katharina Tiebel ◽  
Sven Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
Silver Fir

An increase in the upper tree-limit of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the Alps since the mid-20th century: A land-use change phenomenon

2010 ◽  
Vol 259 (8) ◽  
pp. 1406-1415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Chauchard ◽  
Fabien Beilhe ◽  
Nicole Denis ◽  
Christopher Carcaillet
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Tree Limit

scholarly journals Climate–growth relationships at different stem heights in silver fir and Norway spruce

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 958-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke van der Maaten-Theunissen ◽  
Olivier Bouriaud
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Annual Ring ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Breast Height

We investigated the effect of climate on variations in annual ring-area increment along the stem of dominant silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees in the Black Forest, southwestern Germany, to test the hypothesis that growth allocation changes as a result of climate fluctuations. Stem discs were taken at three different stem heights: 1.30, 11.50, and 16.70 m. For each site and stem height, average annual ring-area increment chronologies were computed. In addition, we calculated ratios between ring-area increment of the upper stem discs and the disc at breast height to compare growth variations along the stem. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a highly similar growth pattern at different stem heights, where the two upper discs were most similar. Bootstrapped correlation coefficients between the ring-area increment chronologies, ratios, and monthly temperature, precipitation, and self-calibrated Palmer drought sensitivity index data were calculated to analyze differences in climate response. High temperatures in early summer were found to reduce growth of high-altitude fir in the upper stem parts, whereas high temperatures in summer limit growth of high-altitude fir and spruce, especially at breast height. For low-altitude trees, high temperatures as well as low precipitation amounts during summer were found to reduce growth at all stem heights, but more strongly at breast height. Growth at breast height seems to be biased, as it over- or underestimates annual ring-area increments along the stem (and thereby volume increment), particularly during warm and dry climate conditions.

scholarly journals European silver fir – an alternative for the dying Norway spruce in Białowieża Forest?

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-166
Author(s):  
Aleh Marozau ◽  
Miłosz Mielcarek ◽  
Grzegorz Krok ◽  
Rafał Paluch ◽  
Krzysztof Chiliński
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Abiotic Factor ◽  
Generational Change ◽  
Relict Species ◽  
Białowieża Forest ◽  
First Time ◽  
Forest District ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract The condition of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) in the Białowieża Forest is categorized as a crisis. It is believed that due to the cooling in the Holocene, the then-relict species of the forest, silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), disappeared from its ecosystems and then spruce appeared. Today’s climate change presents challenges to our civilization, including to forestry. However, there is no information at all about how this affected the silver fir in the Białowieża Forest. In the Polish part of the forest (subcompartment 498 Сi, Białowieża Forest District), for the first time a comprehensive study has been carried out on the condition of mature fir trees planted by man and on their progeny. The results indicate high forestry-taxation indicators of trees, resistance to the abiotic factor and competitiveness. Their constitution corresponds to local environmental conditions. However, the disproportionately small number of adult natural regeneration of old firs indicated some kind of malfunction in the mechanism of natural generational change.

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