Tree growth, foliar chemistry, and nitrogen cycling across a nitrogen deposition gradient in southern Appalachian deciduous forests

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1901-1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny L Boggs ◽  
Steven G McNulty ◽  
Michael J Gavazzi ◽  
Jennifer Moore Myers
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Foliar Chemistry ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Foliar N ◽  
Southern Appalachian ◽  
Deposition Gradient ◽  
Response Variables

The declining health of high-elevation red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) in the southern Appalachian region has long been linked to nitrogen (N) deposition. Recently, N deposition has also been proposed as a source of negative health impacts in lower elevation deciduous forests. In 1998 we established 46 plots on six sites in North Carolina and Virginia dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt). We evaluated several response variables across an N deposition gradient, including annual basal area growth; foliage percent N, Al, P, K, Mg, and Ca; and forest floor percent N, Mg, and C, pH, and potential net nitrification and N mineralization rates. We found a significant linear relationship between N deposition and basal area growth in sugar maple, but not in American beech or yellow birch. In addition, we found a significant relationship between N deposition and foliar chemistry (foliar %N in all species, foliar Mg/N and %K in sugar maple, and %P in sugar maple and yellow birch). Foliar %N of the three studied species was high relative to values reported in other studies in the United States and Canada. Several forest floor response variables (%N, C/N, pH, Mg/N, and potential net nitrification and N mineralization rates and nitrification/mineralization fractions) were also correlated with N deposition. The correlations between the above response variables and N deposition are consistent with the influence of chronic N deposition on forested ecosystems measured in other regions and suggest that chronic N deposition may be influencing forest structure and chemistry within the southern region.

Exploring the Recruitment Dynamics of Sugar Maple and Yellow Birch Saplings into Merchantable Stems Following Harvesting in the Acadian Forest Region of New Brunswick, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Noel ◽  
Jules Comeau ◽  
Salah-Eddine El Adlouni ◽  
Gaetan Pelletier ◽  
Marie-Andrée Giroux
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
Silvicultural Treatment ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Acadian Forest

The recruitment of saplings in forest stands into merchantable stems is a very complex process, thus making it challenging to understand and predict. The recruitment dynamics in the Acadian Forest Region of New Brunswick are not well known or documented. Our objective was to draw an inference from existing large scale routine forest inventories as to the different dynamics behind the recruitment from the sapling layer into the commercial tree size layer in terms of density and occurrence of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) following harvesting, by looking at many factors on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales using models. Results suggest that the variation in density and probability of occurrence is best explained by the intensity of silvicultural treatment, by the merchantable stem density in each plot, and by the proportion of merchantable basal area of each group of species. The number of recruits of sugar maple and yellow birch stems tend be higher when time since last treatment increases, when mid to low levels of silvicultural treatment intensity were implemented, and within plots having intermediate levels of merchantable stem density. Lastly, our modeling efforts suggest that the probability of occurrence and density of recruitment of both species tend to increase while its share of merchantable basal area increases.

Eleven-year response of foliar chemistry to chronic nitrogen and sulfur additions at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Alexander Elvir ◽  
Lindsey Rustad ◽  
G Bruce Wiersma ◽  
Ivan Fernandez ◽  
Alan S White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Fagus Grandifolia ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Foliar Chemistry ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Foliar N ◽  
Paired Watershed ◽  
Over Time

The foliar chemistry of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) was studied from 1993 to 2003 at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine (BBWM). The BBWM is a paired-watershed forest ecosystem study, with one watershed treated bimonthly since 1989 with ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) at a rate of 25.2 kg N·ha–1·year–1. Foliar N concentrations were higher in all tree species within the treated watershed compared with trees within the reference watershed. Foliar Ca and Mg concentrations were lower in American beech and red spruce within the treated watershed. There were no significant differences in foliar K concentrations between watersheds. Foliar P and Mn concentration differences between watersheds were inconsistent among years. Differences in foliar N concentrations between watersheds declined over time in sugar maple but not in red spruce or American beech. Differences in foliar Ca and Mg concentrations between the treated and reference watersheds increased over time for American beech and red spruce, primarily because of a consistent decline in concentrations of these nutrients in trees within the treated watershed. No temporal trends in foliar Ca and Mg concentration differences between watersheds were observed for sugar maple.

Résultats après 5 ans d'un essai de coupe de jardinage dans une érablière

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1623-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Majcen ◽  
Yvon Richard
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Area Selection ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Rate Of Growth ◽  
Experimental Area ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Tree Injuries ◽  
Gross Rate

To study the effects of selection cutting and to determine the optimal residual basal area after such cuttings, an experimental area was established in Sainte-Véronique (Quebec) in 1983. Five-year results indicate that the gross rate of growth increases when residual basal area decreases. The best net annual basal area growth lies between 0.40 and 0.43 m2/ha in selection plots; this is almost twice the growth of control plots. Sugar maple regeneration is excellent no matter the residual basal area. Selection cuttings also resulted in a good yellow birch regeneration, and survival is better, after 5 years, in high residual basal area plots. Yellow birch regeneration is almost absent in control plots. When all factors (growth in basal area, regeneration, and tree injuries) are considered, block 2, with a residual basal area of 19.3 m2/ha, gives the best results after 5 years.

Accroissement d'une érablière à la suite de coupes d'éclaircie: résultats de 20 ans

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Thinning Intensity ◽  
Sugar Maples ◽  
Significant Difference

Two intensities of thinning were executed in a 50-year-old sugar maple stand of the Station forestière de Duchesnay (46°57′N, 71°39′W). Initial basal area was reduced by 22 and 35% in moderate and heavy thinned plots, respectively. Twenty years after treatment, basal area of thinned plots approached that of controls and their basal area in sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) was larger than that of controls. Diameter growth of sugar maples was proportional to the intensity of thinning and a significant difference was detected between thinned and unthinned plots. Net increment of the 70 sampled plots was proportional to the intensity of thinning but mortality was inversely related to the thinning level. Ingrowth was also proportional to the intensity of thinning but its impact on net increment was relatively low. Ten years following treatment, the number of saplings of yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britt.) increased with increasing thinning intensity. However, the number of sugar maple saplings remains stable among treatments for all measurement periods. Diameter growth was not affected in sugar maples with annual tapping in comparison to sugar maples with no tapping during the whole study period.

Dynamique forestière après coupe partielle dans la Forêt expérimentale du Lac Édouard, Parc de la Mauricie, Québec

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 672-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Claude Delisle ◽  
Mathieu Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Softwood Species

Forest dynamics following a partial cut conducted in the early 1950s in the Lac Édouard Experimental Forest in the Mauricie National Park, Quebec, Canada, were studied. Changes in vegetation were analyzed for the period between 1946 and 2001 in 109 mesic stands of the sugar maple – yellow birch bioclimatic domain. Three cutting intensities were considered: 1) low intensity, 15–30% of the basal area; 2) moderate intensity, 30–45% of the basal area; and 3) uncut. More than fifty years following cutting, the original relative proportion of the deciduous and softwood species was maintained. The relative proportion of basal area occupied by softwood species relative to the total basal area varied only from 2.0% to 7.4%. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) basal area increased in forest types Cornus (Co) and Oxalis-Cornus (O-Co) whereas balsam fir basal area decreased. In the Viburnum-Oxalis (Vi-O) forest type, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) basal area increased and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) decreased. Cutting areas were not invaded by competition species such as mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lamb.). In the Co and O-Co forest types, the regeneration density is probably sufficient to maintain the current cover type. In the Vi-O forest type, where moderate partial cutting was conducted, the deciduous component could substantially increase. Stands reacted positively to partial cutting. The increased growth of residual stems and the arrival of new stems resulted in 2001 total basal areas that were equal to or larger than those observed before cutting (1946). Key words: forest dynamics, partial cutting, yellow birch, red spruce, balsam fir

scholarly journals Birch and conifer deadwood favour early establishment and shade tolerance in yellow birch juveniles growing in sugar maple dominated stands

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Bastien Lambert ◽  
Aitor Ameztegui ◽  
Sylvain Delagrange ◽  
Christian Messier
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Reduced Height

Small-seeded tree species such as yellow birch (YB, Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) require deadwood or mineral soil for their establishment. Although much research has been done comparing YB germination on leaf litter vs. exposed mineral soil, less is known about deadwood as a seedbed and how different seedbeds affect YB early growth along light availability and size gradients. We examine how three common seedbeds (deadwood, moss cover on deadwood, and mineral soil) affected establishment and growth, biomass partitioning, and morphological traits of YB juveniles growing in the understory of temperate mixed deciduous and coniferous forests in southern Quebec. A total of 274 YB were sampled in four sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) dominated northern hardwood stands where selective cuts had been applied 6 and 15 years prior to sampling. Over 75% of the YB found on deadwood were on material of birch and conifer origin, although these species made less than 40% of the basal area. YB juveniles growing on deadwood showed traits that improve survival in shade such as reduced height growth for tall plants, higher efficiency in resource capture, and multilayered crowns. Our results demonstrate the importance of deadwood of birch and conifer origin in maintaining an abundant, natural, spatially well-distributed, and multistoried regeneration of YB.

scholarly journals Long-Term Growth of Crop Trees After Release in Northern Hardwoods

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Leak ◽  
Dale S. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
And Control

Abstract Diameter growth of crop trees of paper birch, sugar maple, yellow birch, white ash, beech, and red maple was remeasured for 31 yr following a heavy release, light release, species removal, and control applied to an evenaged 25 yr old northern hardwood stand in New Hampshire. Under all regimes, final dbh of sampled crop trees was positively related to initial dbh. White ash showed no significant or consistent increase in final dbh in response to treatment, expressed in terms of residual basal area per acre. Paper birch, beech, and red maple had final average diameters up to about 2 in. larger due to heavy release as compared with the control. Sugar maple showed a gain of up to 1 in. in final dbh over the 3l yr period, while yellow birch showed a similar, though nonsignificant, gain. The study shows the long-term effects of release treatments, and the importance of releasing larger trees and responsive species. North J. Appl. For. 14(3):147-151.

Effect of Thinning on the Production of High-quality Wood in a Quebec Northern Hardwood Stand

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Roberge
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Diameter Class ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Thinning Intensity ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Birch Trees ◽  
Stem Quality ◽  
Fire Origin

In 1963, two intensities of thinning were carried out in a 60-year-old northern hardwood stand of fire origin. Yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britt.) made up as much as 40% of the total number of trees 9 cm d.b.h. and up. By 1973, both sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch had responded to thinning, the former more than the latter. The percentages of yellow birch trees had not changed regardless of treatment. There were between 120 and 129 trees/ha of the 25–39 cm diameter class in the unthinned as well as in the thinned areas. Basal area of the trees 9 cm d.b.h. and up had increased by 5.4, 7.6, and 8.1 m2/ha in the unthinned, 20% thinned, and 40% thinned area, respectively. A decrease in stem quality was not observed, even at the 40% thinning intensity. Both thinning intensities were thus successful except that they somewhat favored sugar maple at the expense of yellow birch.

Coupes par bandes dans des peuplements de feuillus—Résultats après 14 ans

1985 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Louis Boivin
Keyword(s):  
Main Part ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
The Future ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Mature Stands ◽  
Regeneration Study

Clearcutting of 20, 40 and 60 m wide strips was done in 1970 in Malakoff township, in the lower part of the Dumoine river watershed. A regeneration study took place in 1984.Analysis of results shows that the strips are well regenerated. The proportion of yellow birch grows with the width of the strips, that is, from 20 to60 m. To this effect strips of 60 m seem to be better for regenerating yellow birch but the future of this species seems to be better ensured in 40-m-wide strips.Yellow birch and sugar maple constitute the main part of the actual stands. If treatment is done and if observed trends persist, yellow birch should account for 21, 26 and 44% of the stems in mature stands of the 20-, 40- and 60-m strips respectively. With treatment, the presence of yellow birch could be increased to nearly 48%.

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