Effects of conifer basal area on understory herb presence, abundance, and flowering in a second-growth Douglas-fir forest

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 938-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briana C Lindh
Keyword(s):  
Regression Tree ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Competitive Effects ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Understory Herb ◽  
Herb Species

Although overstory trees exert competitive effects on understory plants, it is not clear how this competition affects the distribution and performance of herb species. This study seeks to clarify the relationship between understory herb performance and overstory basal area in second-growth Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco stands. Data on 11 understory herb species were collected in a 100-ha watershed. Statistical models were constructed to control for the effects of slope, aspect, soil type, and distance from the central stream or peripheral ridge lines. Presence of old-growth associated and forest generalist herbs was positively associated with conifer basal area, as well as with north-facing aspects and proximity to the stream channel. Presence of release herbs, subordinate forest species that respond positively to canopy disturbance, was largely independent of measured variables. Abundance of individual species showed weak and inconsistent relationships with conifer basal area. In contrast, flowering of almost all species was negatively related to conifer basal area. Regression tree models suggested that conifer basal area may have stronger negative effects farther from the moist environments along stream channels. I conclude that patterns of presence of slow-growing forest species may be determined primarily by past events, while flowering better reflects current stand conditions.

scholarly journals Predicting Swiss Needle Cast Disease Distribution and Severity in Young Douglas-Fir Plantations in Coastal Oregon

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 790-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo H. Rosso ◽  
Everett M. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Disease Prediction ◽  
Needle Cast ◽  
Swiss Needle Cast ◽  
The Relationship

Swiss needle cast (SNC), caused by the fungus Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii, is producing extensive defoliation and growth reduction in Douglas-fir forest plantations along the Pacific Northwest coast. An SNC disease prediction model for the coastal area of Oregon was built by establishing the relationship between the distribution of disease and the environment. A ground-based disease survey (220 plots) was used to study this relationship. Two types of regression approaches, multiple linear regression and regression tree, were used to study the relationship between disease severity and climate, topography, soil, and forest stand characteristics. Fog occurrence, precipitation, temperature, elevation, and slope aspect were the variables that contributed to explain most of the variability in disease severity, as indicated by both the multiple regression (r 2 = 0.57) and regression tree (RMD = 0.27) analyses. The resulting regression model was used to construct a disease prediction map. Findings agree with and formalize our previous understanding of the ecology of SNC: warmer and wetter conditions, provided that summer temperatures are relatively low, appear to increase disease severity. Both regression approaches have characteristics that can be useful in helping to improve our understanding of the ecology of SNC. The prediction model is able to produce a continuous prediction surface, suitable for hypothesis testing and assisting in disease management and research.

Modèle de prédiction des essences feuillues et résineuses du Québec

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chhun-Huor Ung ◽  
Jean Beaulieu ◽  
Daniel Demers
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
The State ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Real Growth ◽  
Basic Characteristics ◽  
Softwood Species

This paper describes a prediction model adopted by the Department of Energy and Resources of Quebec to (i) update temporary sample plots and (ii) project into the future the state of permanent sample plots in Quebec forests. Predicting the growth of a forest species means predicting the state of this species in time. Three basic characteristics mark the state of a species in a given year: number of trees, their total basal area, and their total volume. To date, in Quebec, normal or empirical yield tables have been used to predict the state of some species in ideal or real growth conditions, but these yield tables apply only to pure or almost pure even-aged stands. The prediction model for hardwood and softwood species presented in this paper serves the same purpose as the yield tables; however, it differs from the yield tables in that it can predict the state of each hardwood or softwood species found in pure or mixed, even- or uneven-aged stands. The prediction model was validated for 19 species found in a pilot territory located in the Basse-Gatincau (southwestern Quebec). The paper terminates with a discussion on the limitation of the prediction model and the conditions for its use.

scholarly journals Spatial Modelling of Gully Erosion Using GIS and R Programing: A Comparison among Three Data Mining Algorithms

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Arabameri ◽  
Biswajeet Pradhan ◽  
Hamid Reza Pourghasemi ◽  
Khalil Rezaei ◽  
Norman Kerle
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Drainage Density ◽  
Gully Erosion ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Topographic Wetness Index ◽  
Boosted Regression Tree ◽  
Area Index

Gully erosion triggers land degradation and restricts the use of land. This study assesses the spatial relationship between gully erosion (GE) and geo-environmental variables (GEVs) using Weights-of-Evidence (WoE) Bayes theory, and then applies three data mining methods—Random Forest (RF), boosted regression tree (BRT), and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS)—for gully erosion susceptibility mapping (GESM) in the Shahroud watershed, Iran. Gully locations were identified by extensive field surveys, and a total of 172 GE locations were mapped. Twelve gully-related GEVs: Elevation, slope degree, slope aspect, plan curvature, convergence index, topographic wetness index (TWI), lithology, land use/land cover (LU/LC), distance from rivers, distance from roads, drainage density, and NDVI were selected to model GE. The results of variables importance by RF and BRT models indicated that distance from road, elevation, and lithology had the highest effect on GE occurrence. The area under the curve (AUC) and seed cell area index (SCAI) methods were used to validate the three GE maps. The results showed that AUC for the three models varies from 0.911 to 0.927, whereas the RF model had a prediction accuracy of 0.927 as per SCAI values, when compared to the other models. The findings will be of help for planning and developing the studied region.

Multiple-scale assessment of understory herb species diversity in pine plantations after long-term restoration

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 680-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi-Xiong Wang ◽  
Hua Guo ◽  
Xiao-An Wang ◽  
Wei-Yi Fan ◽  
Ren-Yan Duan
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Multiple Scale ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Scale Assessment ◽  
Understory Herb ◽  
Herb Species

scholarly journals Fruit color preference by birds and applications to ecological restoration

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 955-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Gagetti ◽  
A. J. Piratelli ◽  
F. C. M. Piña-Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Fruit Color ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Color Preferences ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Modeling Clay ◽  
Effect Of Light

Abstract Ecological restoration aims to retrieve not only the structure but also the functionality of ecosystems. Frugivorous birds may play an important role in this process due to their efficiency in seed dispersal. Color perception in these animals is highly developed, and then the colors of fleshy fruits may provide important clues for choosing plant species for restoration plans. This study aims to integrate bird color preferences and restoration of degraded areas, with an objective to evaluate the potential attractiveness to birds by colored fruits. We carried out an experiment with 384 artificial fruits made of edible modeling clay with the following colors: black, blue, green and red, with 96 fruits of each color in six sites, including four restored areas and two second-growth forest fragments. We also tested the possible effect of light intensity on fruit consumption by color. A total of 120 (38.6%) were assumed to be consumed by birds, and the fruit consumption varied in response to the location and light incidence. Consumption of black and blue fruits was not related to site by chance. Notwithstanding, red and black fruits were consumed significantly more than any other colors, emphasizing bird preference to these colors, regardless of location. Enrichment with shade tolerant shrubs or forest species with black or red fruits may be an alternative way to manage established restorations. In recently established or new restorations, one may introduce pioneer shrubs or short-lived forest species which have blue fruits, but also those having black or red ones.

Forest Regrowth on the Cumberland Plateau and Implications for Productive Management

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. Muller
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Cumberland Plateau ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Commercial Species

Abstract An old-growth forest and a 35-year-old, second-growth forest on the Cumberland Plateau were studied to compare species composition and structure. Species composition and total basal area of the two stands did not differ, although total stand density was 19 percent lower and basal area of commercial species was 25 percent higher in the old-growth than in the second-growth stand. Analysis of size-class distributions showed that both stands were best represented by an inverse J-shaped distribution, which best describes old-age stands. The rapid regeneration of the second-growth stand seems to be the result of minimal disturbance to accumulated nutrient pools in the soil. The importance of these accumulated nutrient pools and implications for forest management on the Cumberland Plateau are discussed.

Long-term patterns of diameter and basal area growth of old-growth Douglas-fir trees in western Oregon

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1232-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan J Poage ◽  
John C Tappeiner, II
Keyword(s):  
Large Diameter ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Site Class ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Age Range

Diameter growth and age data collected from stumps of 505 recently cut old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees at 28 sample locations in western Oregon (U.S.A.) indicated that rapid early and sustained growth of old Douglas-fir trees were extremely important in terms of attaining large diameters at ages 100–300 years. The diameters of the trees at ages 100–300 years (D100–D300) were strongly, positively, and linearly related to their diameters and basal area growth rates at age 50 years. Average periodic basal area increments (PAIBA) of all trees increased for the first 30–40 years and then plateaued, remaining relatively high and constant from age 50 to 300 years. Average PAIBA of the largest trees at ages 100–300 years were significantly greater by age 20 years than were those of smaller trees at ages 100–300 years. The site factors province, site class, slope, aspect, elevation, and establishment year accounted for little of the variation observed in basal area growth at age 50 years and D100–D300. The mean age range for old-growth Douglas-fir at the sample locations was wide (174 years). The hypothesis that large-diameter old-growth Douglas-fir developed at low stand densities was supported by these observations.

Growth of Uneven-Aged Stands in New York's Adirondack Mountains

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-139
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Temple ◽  
Ralph D. Nyland ◽  
Philip J. Craul
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Community Type ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Adirondack Mountains ◽  
Soil Series ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Periodic Treatment ◽  
Community Types ◽  
Species Groups

Abstract Prediction equations are presented for total standing volume and periodic annual increment among unevenaged stands in New York's Adirondacks. These use stand basal area, plus selected physical site and vegetal characteristics of the stand. Few plots located across a range of community types or soil series differed significantly in volume increment, suggesting that neither the community type nor soil series provides a reliable basis for forest site productivity classification. Hardwoods grow better than conifers on the deeper less podzolized soils, and individual species or species groups grow differently from one community type to another. Yet, the superior growth of one tends to compensate for the mediocre performance of others within some community types, resulting in similar levels of total stand growth between communities. Findings indicate which species to favor in marking different stands for periodic treatment. North. J. Appl. For. 4:136-139, Sept. 1987.

Distribution of cavity trees in midwestern old-growth and second-growth forests

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1481-1494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaofei Fan ◽  
Stephen R Shifley ◽  
Martin A Spetich ◽  
Frank R Thompson III ◽  
David R Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Regression Tree ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Classification And Regression Tree ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Threshold Size ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Classification And Regression ◽  
Cavity Tree

We used classification and regression tree analysis to determine the primary variables associated with the occurrence of cavity trees and the hierarchical structure among those variables. We applied that information to develop logistic models predicting cavity tree probability as a function of diameter, species group, and decay class. Inventories of cavity abundance in old-growth hardwood forests in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana found that 8–11% of snags had at least one visible cavity (as visually detected from the ground; smallest opening [Formula: see text]2 cm diameter), about twice the percentage for live trees. Five percent of live trees and snags had cavities on mature ([Formula: see text]110 years) second-growth plots on timberland in Missouri. Because snags accounted for typically no more than 10% of standing trees on any of these sites, 80–85% of cavity trees are living trees. Within the subset of mature and old-growth forests, the presence of cavities was strongly related to tree diameter. Classification and regression tree models indicated that 30 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) was a threshold size useful in distinguishing cavity trees from noncavity trees in the old-growth sample. There were two diameter thresholds in the mature second-growth sample: 18 and 44 cm DBH. Cavity tree probability differed by species group and increased with increasing decay class.

Effects of competitor spacing in a new class of individual-tree indices of competition: semi-distance-independent indices computed for Bitterlich versus fixed-area plots

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert R. Stage ◽  
Thomas Ledermann
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Area Ratio ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Competitive Effects ◽  
New Class ◽  
Distance Effects ◽  
Fixed Area ◽  
Tree Increment ◽  
Competition Indices ◽  
Selection Of

We illustrate effects of competitor spacing for a new class of individual-tree indices of competition that we call semi-distance-independent. This new class is similar to the class of distance-independent indices except that the index is computed independently at each subsampling plot surrounding a subject tree for which growth is to be modelled. We derive the effects of distance for this class as the expected value over independent samples containing a particular subject tree. In a previous paper, we illustrated distance effects implicit in eight indices of the distance-dependent class. Here, we present distance effects of four semi-distance-independent indices: density, sum of diameters, basal area, and tree-area ratio; each determined for small fixed-area plots of 0.04 ha and for Bitterlich samples of 6 m2·ha–1. We show that several members of this new class have distance effects very similar to the distance-dependent class and should, therefore, be equally effective in accounting for competitive effects in individual-tree increment models. The comparisons should inform selection of competition indices and sampling designs for growth modelling.

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