Rate and causes of decline of mature and overmature balsam fir and spruce stands in New Brunswick, Canada

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2479-2490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lesley Taylor ◽  
David A MacLean
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Insect Outbreak ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Species Groups

Data from 585 balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and spruce (Picea spp.) permanent sample plots (PSPs) >50 years old in New Brunswick, Canada, measured between 1987 and 1998, were used to quantify the timing, magnitude, and causes of decline in stand growth, measured as negative net volume increment. Plots were subdivided into classes based on species group, ecoregion, and volume-development pattern (decreasing, fluctuating, stable, or increasing volume with time). Decline began at an earlier age in balsam fir – spruce (BFSP) PSPs (~70 years old) than in spruce – balsam fir (SPBF) PSPs (~120 years). One-third of plots (29%) fell into the decreasing volume-development category. Variation in the proportion of decreasing plots occurred among ecoregions (range 0%–60%) and, to a lesser extent, among species groups (26%–33%). Decreasing BFSP plots exhibited double the rate of volume loss of their SPBF counterparts (–7.4 and –3.9 m3·ha–1·year–1, respectively). Decline was caused by an increased rate of mortality, which was highest in the decreasing volume-development classes (7.5 m3·ha–1·year–1) and lowest in the increasing volume-development classes (1.4 m3·ha–1·year–1). Growth of surviving trees remained relatively stable (2.5–4.2 m3·ha–1·year–1) among volume-development classes. Blowdown was the biggest cause of tree mortality, accounting for approximately 50% of dead trees in BFSP and SPBF plots. The rate of mortality was influenced by ecoregion, species, and the combined effect of previous insect-outbreak and wind disturbances.

scholarly journals FUNGOUS DETERIORATION OF BALSAM FIR KILLED BY SPRUCE BUDWORM IN NORTHWESTERN NEW BRUNSWICK

1964 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Stillwell ◽  
D. J. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
One Year ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
Heavy Mortality

The rate of fungous deterioration was determined for 292 balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) killed by the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) in an area of heavy tree mortality in northern New Brunswick. Trees dead less than one year and up to seven years were examined. Fifty fir trees dead 0 to 2 years in a light mortality area were also examined. Trees in the heavy mortality area deteriorated much more slowly than those examined by other workers in Ontario. Stereum chailletii (Pers.) Fr. and S. sanguinolentum (Alb. & Schw. ex Fr.) Fr. caused most of the incipient and advanced decay in New Brunswick, whereas S. chailletii caused all the incipient decay in trees dead less than one year in Ontario but was replaced after one year by Polyporus abietinus Dicks, ex Fr. which then caused most of the advanced decay. Advanced decay progressed faster in trees in the light mortality area in New Brunswick than in trees in the heavy mortality area. Nineteen species of basidiomycetes were associated with sapwood decay. Comments concerning the position and frequency of fungous occurrence in the different parts of the tree in relation to the number of years since death are made for eight of the more commonly isolated fungi. The introduction of S. chailletii into living trees by woodwasps and the differences observed in the development of P. abietinus in dead trees in the two regions are discussed.

Dead wood dynamics in declining balsam fir and spruce stands in New Brunswick, Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Taylor ◽  
David A. MacLean
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
History Of

Forest management prescriptions increasingly incorporate snag and downed dead wood (DDW) guidelines. This study utilizes permanent inventory plots to determine dead wood dynamics in 33 balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) – spruce ( Picea spp.) (BFSP) and 17 spruce – balsam fir (SPBF) stands in New Brunswick, Canada. Stands were declining, unmanaged, and had a history of recurrent spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) outbreaks and aerial insecticide spraying. Fixed-area sampling matched remnants of 1165 dead trees and 864 corresponding pieces of DDW to plot trees that died over the last 15–18 years with known year and cause of death. Declining BFSP stands had the highest accumulation of dead wood (196 m3/ha) compared with SPBF and nondeclining BFSP (122 m3/ha and 77 m3/ha, respectively). Dead wood dynamics were influenced by cause of death, as a function of differences in tree height at death affecting snag decay, fragmentation, and fall. One-half of all dead trees never made a significant contribution to the snag population (25% uprooted and 25% stem breakage), and attrition resulted in only 50% of snags standing with a mean height of 6 m 15–20 years after death. This study will be of direct value to those managing or modeling dead wood dynamics in similar forests.

Short-term impact of a spruce budworm outbreak on a deer wintering area

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Potvin
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Deer Population ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Wintering Area ◽  
The Impact

The impact of the current budworm outbreak on deer (Odocoileusvirginianusborealis Miller) was studied from 1972 to 1979 in a wintering area located at the northern extremity of Témiscouata Lake, Québec. This area encompassed 20 km2 and consisted mostly of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) and spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) stands which suffered high mortality in 1975. The proportion of coniferous cover dropped from 66 to 29% as a result of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the area occupied by deer and the deer population itself remained quite stable. Deer progressively deserted balsam fir - spruce stands and sought shelter in cedar (Thujaoccidentalis L.) stands that are well distributed throughout the study area. Elimination of balsam fir from the shrub layer of the more severely affected stands resulted in a loss of two-thirds of the browse biomass and invasion by raspberry (Rubusidaeus L.). Conversely, tree lichens on dead trees have become an important new food source. The impact of large-scale tree mortality by the budworm in wintering areas sharing the same ecological conditions may depend on the presence or absence of cedar stands as an alternative coniferous cover type.

Predicting Tree Mortality Induced by Spruce Budworm: A Discussion

1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 294-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Blais
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Reliable Prediction ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Term Management ◽  
Forest Managers

Forest managers have expressed the need for guidelines that would predict, up to 5 years, the annual spruce budworm damage on a stand basis. Reasons why reliable prediction is generally not possible are discussed. It is suggested that long-term management programs, that would take into consideration periodic losses resulting from recurring budworm outbreaks and that would be based on regional differences in the vulnerability of fir-spruce stands, should be implemented. Key words: Spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana; forest management; tree mortality; defoliation; stand vulnerability, balsam fir, Abies balsamea.

Influence of plant-hardiness zone, shoot length, and crown class on the incidence of gouting by the balsam woolly adelgid on balsam fir

2010 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 466-472
Author(s):  
Bertrand Guillet ◽  
Andrew Morrison ◽  
Drew Carleton ◽  
Don Ostaff ◽  
Dan Quiring
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Parabolic Relationship ◽  
Balsam Woolly Adelgid ◽  
Shoot Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Plant Hardiness

AbstractWe collected midcrown branches of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae), at six different sites located in five different plant-hardiness zones, along a north–south transect in New Brunswick, Canada, to evaluate the effect of plant-hardiness zone, crown class (overstory versus understory), and shoot length during the previous 10 years on the annual incidence of gouting by the balsam woolly adelgid, Adelges piceae (Ratzeburg) (Homoptera: Adelgidae). Site, crown class, and their interaction, along with the square of shoot length, explained 78% of the variation in gouting. Variations in gouting attributed to plant-hardiness zone were probably primarily due to variation in mean January temperature: at each site, the mean January temperature was positively and closely related to the mean level of gouting. The level of gouting was consistently higher on trees in the understory than on those in the overstory. Shoot length was parabolically related to the proportion of shoots with gout. The parabolic relationship between shoot size and the level of gouting is similar to that previously reported for galling adelgids, and suggests that gouting by A. piceae may be greatest on trees with an intermediate growth rate.

A study of fungal endophytes of needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada, using culture and electron microscope techniques

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 3513-3516 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Johnson ◽  
Norman J. Whitney
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Intercellular Spaces ◽  
Parenchyma Cells ◽  
Spruce Needles ◽  
Petiole Segment

Endophytic fungi were isolated from the interiors of surface-sterilized needles of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens) in New Brunswick, Canada. Four different fungi were isolated frequently. One species, designated X-W, was isolated exlusively from the petiole segment of red spruce needles. There was no difference in the variety of species isolated from fir needles from two sites, but a difference in frequency of species did exist. Micrographs of the interior of balsam fir needles showed hyphae occupying intercellular spaces and adhering to the outer walls of parenchyma cells. No penetration of cells by either fungus was observed.

Windthrow and growth response following a spruce budworm inspired, variable retention harvest in New Brunswick, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 659-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward A. Wilson ◽  
David A. MacLean
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth Release ◽  
Variable Retention ◽  
Variable Retention Harvest

Forest management regimes increasingly focus on the emulation of natural disturbance events, e.g., fire or insect outbreaks, to help increase ecosystem sustainability. We determined the residual stand response to a variable retention harvest inspired by spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) outbreaks in New Brunswick, Canada. Our objectives were to analyze the differences between surviving residual trees and those that succumbed to windthrow and to quantify growth release. The treatment was based on harvesting the estimated spruce budworm outbreak mortality, i.e., 90% of mature balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., 60% of mature spruce (Picea spp.), and no hardwoods. Windthrow increased with the proportion of trees harvested and averaged 52% over 7–9 years in these stands with high balsam fir – spruce content. One-third of 42 harvested plots sustained >30% windthrow, whereas 73% of 11 similar unharvested plots had <10% windthrow. Balsam fir had higher windthrow than spruce at 53% and 41%, respectively. Windthrown balsam fir trees had significantly larger diameters at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m), larger heights, and smaller crown ratios than surviving residual trees. Substantial growth release occurred, with DBH increment of residual trees 48%–64% greater than trees in unharvested plots. Balsam fir and intolerant hardwoods exhibited the largest growth response. We suggest that future spruce budworm inspired harvests in stands with high balsam fir – spruce content use two or three entries about 5 years apart to reduce windthrow.

A stand density management diagram for balsam fir in New Brunswick

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 700-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Penner ◽  
D E Swift ◽  
R. Gagnon ◽  
J. Brissette
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Quadratic Mean ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Quadratic Mean Diameter ◽  
Stand Density Management

A stand management density diagram (SDMD) is presented for balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests in New Brunswick. The SDMD incorporates a maximum size density line, as well as quadratic mean diameter and top height isolines. Several mortality functions are evaluated. The resultant SDMD should be a useful tool for projecting early stand development and determining the timing and intensity of thinnings. Key words: Acadian Forest Region, mortality curves

scholarly journals Vulnerability of Conifer Regeneration to Spruce Budworm Outbreaks in the Eastern Canadian Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Lavoie ◽  
Miguel Montoro Girona ◽  
Hubert Morin
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Insect Outbreaks ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is the main defoliator of conifer trees in North American boreal forests, affecting extensive areas and causing marked losses of timber supplies. In 2017, spruce budworm affected more than 7 million ha of Eastern Canadian forest. Defoliation was particularly severe for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), one of the most important commercial trees in Canada. During the last decades, intensive forest exploitation practices have created vast stands of young balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and black spruce. Most research focused on the impacts of spruce budworm has been on mature stands; its effects on regeneration, however, have been neglected. This study evaluates the impacts of spruce budworm on the defoliation of conifer seedlings (black spruce and balsam fir) in clearcuts. We measured the cumulative and annual defoliation of seedlings within six clearcut black spruce stands in Quebec (Canada) that had experienced severe levels of defoliation due to spruce budworm. For all sampled seedlings, we recorded tree species, height class, and distance to the residual forest. Seedling height and species strongly influenced defoliation level. Small seedlings were less affected by spruce budworm activity. As well, cumulative defoliation for balsam fir was double that of black spruce (21% and 9%, respectively). Distance to residual stands had no significant effect on seedling defoliation. As insect outbreaks in boreal forests are expected to become more severe and frequent in the near future, our results are important for adapting forest management strategies to insect outbreaks in a context of climate change.

Accuracy of aerial sketch-mapping estimates of spruce budworm defoliation in New Brunswick

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2099-2108 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Wayne E. MacKinnon
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Decision Support Systems ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Small Aircraft

The accuracy of aerial sketch-mapping estimates of spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) defoliation was evaluated from 1984 to 1993 in 222–325 sample plots in spruce (Picea sp.)–balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) stands in New Brunswick. Operational aerial defoliation estimates were used, wherein all productive forest in known budworm infestation zones was surveyed each year from small aircraft with flight lines 2–5 km apart, and rated in classes of nil (0–10%), light (11–30%), moderate (31–70%), and severe (71–100%). Aerial defoliation estimates were compared with ground-based binocular estimates of current defoliation for an average of 10 trees/plot (range 5–20). Overall, 56% of plots were correctly rated by aerial sketch mapping in four classes (nil, light, moderate, and severe), with 37% of the plots underestimated and 7% overestimated. The predominant error (26% of plots) was rating defoliation as nil (0–10%) from the air when it was actually light (11–30%). This error was deemed not important in terms of predicting tree response, since data from the literature indicated that defoliation less than 30% did not cause tree mortality, although if continued, it would reduce growth. Using three defoliation classes (by combining nil and light, 0–30%), 82% of the plots were correctly classified by aerial sketch mapping. The probability of correct aerial classification of defoliation was significantly affected by defoliation class, weather conditions prior to and during observation flights, and the defoliation class × weather interaction. It was concluded that aerial sketch mapping of spruce budworm defoliation is a viable technique that can be used for both surveys and decision support systems that estimate forest response to budworm outbreaks and management activities.

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