Western redcedar response to precommercial thinning and fertilization through 25 years posttreatment

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren D. Devine ◽  
Constance A. Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Poor Site

There is little information available on the long-term effects of managing western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don). In a 15- to 20-year-old naturally regenerated second-growth redcedar stand on a poor site on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, we tested crop tree (largest 250 trees·ha–1) response to precommercial thinning and fertilization in a replicated study. Fertilization treatments were N or N+P applied at study installation and year 13; precommercial thinning occurred at installation. Precommercial thinning without fertilization produced a sustained increase in periodic individual-tree basal area (BA) growth rate from years 3 through 25 posttreatment. However, through year 12, higher BA growth rates resulted from fertilization. During years 13 through 25, when intraspecific competition increased, the highest BA growth rate resulted from the combination of fertilization and precommercial thinning. Compared with the unthinned–unfertilized control, fertilization without thinning increased year-25 crop-tree height by 34% and BA by 137%; thinning without fertilization increased height by 11% and BA by 91%. Height to live-crown base was decreased by thinning but increased by fertilization, while thinning significantly increased stem taper on the lower bole. Treatment responses and foliar analyses indicate crop tree growth was substantially limited by nutrient availability.

scholarly journals Adjudicating Perspectives on Forest Structure: How Do Airborne, Terrestrial, and Mobile Lidar-Derived Estimates Compare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2297
Author(s):  
Jonathon J. Donager ◽  
Andrew J. Sánchez Meador ◽  
Ryan C. Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Forest Monitoring ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Structural Configurations ◽  
Individual Trees

Applications of lidar in ecosystem conservation and management continue to expand as technology has rapidly evolved. An accounting of relative accuracy and errors among lidar platforms within a range of forest types and structural configurations was needed. Within a ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona, we compare vegetation attributes at the tree-, plot-, and stand-scales derived from three lidar platforms: fixed-wing airborne (ALS), fixed-location terrestrial (TLS), and hand-held mobile laser scanning (MLS). We present a methodology to segment individual trees from TLS and MLS datasets, incorporating eigen-value and density metrics to locate trees, then assigning point returns to trees using a graph-theory shortest-path approach. Overall, we found MLS consistently provided more accurate structural metrics at the tree- (e.g., mean absolute error for DBH in cm was 4.8, 5.0, and 9.1 for MLS, TLS and ALS, respectively) and plot-scale (e.g., R2 for field observed and lidar-derived basal area, m2 ha−1, was 0.986, 0.974, and 0.851 for MLS, TLS, and ALS, respectively) as compared to ALS and TLS. While TLS data produced estimates similar to MLS, attributes derived from TLS often underpredicted structural values due to occlusion. Additionally, ALS data provided accurate estimates of tree height for larger trees, yet consistently missed and underpredicted small trees (≤35 cm). MLS produced accurate estimates of canopy cover and landscape metrics up to 50 m from plot center. TLS tended to underpredict both canopy cover and patch metrics with constant bias due to occlusion. Taking full advantage of minimal occlusion effects, MLS data consistently provided the best individual tree and plot-based metrics, with ALS providing the best estimates for volume, biomass, and canopy cover. Overall, we found MLS data logistically simple, quickly acquirable, and accurate for small area inventories, assessments, and monitoring activities. We suggest further work exploring the active use of MLS for forest monitoring and inventory.

scholarly journals Growth and yield of teak stands at different spacing

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1109-1118
Author(s):  
Reginaldo Antonio Medeiros ◽  
Haroldo Nogueira de Paiva ◽  
Flávio Siqueira D’Ávila ◽  
Helio Garcia Leite
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Tectona Grandis ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Total Tree

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and yield of teak (Tectona grandis) stands at different spacing and in different soil classes. Twelve spacing were evaluated in an Inceptisol and Oxisol, in plots with an area of 1,505 or 1,548 m2, arranged in a completely randomized design with nine replicates. The teak trees were measured at 26, 42, 50, and 78 months of age. Total tree height was less affected by spacing. Mean square diameter was greater in wider spacing, whereas basal area and total volume with bark were greater in closer spacing. An increase in volume with bark per tree was observed with the increase of useful area per plant. For teak trees, growth stagnation happens earlier, the growth rate is higher in closer spacing, and the plants grow more in the Inceptisol than in the Oxisol.

scholarly journals Stand Structure and Composition 32 Years after Precommercial Thinning Treatments in a Mixed Northern Conifer Stand in Central Maine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Weiskittel ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic ◽  
Rongxia Li ◽  
John Brissette
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Stand Attributes ◽  
And Control

Abstract The effects of four precommercial thinning (PCT) treatments on an even-aged northern conifer stand in Maine were investigated by examining stand structure and composition 32 years after treatment. Replicated treatments applied in 1976 included: (1) control (no PCT), (2) row thinning (rowthin; 5-ft-wide row removal with 3-ft-wide residual strips), (3) row thinning with crop tree release (rowthin+CTR; 5-ft-wide row removal with crop tree release at 8-ft intervals in 3-ft-wide residual strips), and (4) crop tree release (CTR; release of selected crop trees at 8×8-ft intervals). PCT plots had more large trees and fewer small trees than the control in 2008. There were no other significant differences between the rowthin and control. The rowthin+CTR and CTR treatments had lower total and hardwood basal area (BA) and higher merchantable conifer BA than the control. CTR also resulted in more red spruce (Picea rubens [Sarg.]) and less balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.]) than the other treatments. Although stand structures for rowthin+CTR and CTR were similar, the percentage of spruce in CTR was greater. Although the less-intensive rowthin+CTR treatment may provide many of the same benefits as CTR, the latter would be the preferred treatment if increasing the spruce component of a stand is an objective. Overall, early thinning treatments were found to have long-term effects on key stand attributes, even more than 30 years after treatment in areas with mixed species composition and moderate site potential.

scholarly journals Predicting Growing Stock Volume of Eucalyptus Plantations Using 3-D Point Clouds Derived from UAV Imagery and ALS Data

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guerra-Hernández ◽  
Cosenza ◽  
Cardil ◽  
Silva ◽  
Botequim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Volume Estimation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Test Statistic ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Significant Difference

Estimating forest inventory variables is important in monitoring forest resources and mitigating climate change. In this respect, forest managers require flexible, non-destructive methods for estimating volume and biomass. High-resolution and low-cost remote sensing data are increasingly available to measure three-dimensional (3D) canopy structure and to model forest structural attributes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the individual tree volume estimates derived from high-density point clouds obtained from airborne laser scanning (ALS) and digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) in Eucalyptus spp. plantations. Object-based image analysis (OBIA) techniques were applied for individual tree crown (ITC) delineation. The ITC algorithm applied correctly detected and delineated 199 trees from ALS-derived data, while 192 trees were correctly identified using DAP-based point clouds acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), representing accuracy levels of respectively 62% and 60%. Addressing volume modelling, non-linear regression fit based on individual tree height and individual crown area derived from the ITC provided the following results: Model Efficiency (Mef) = 0.43 and 0.46, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 0.030 m3 and 0.026 m3, rRMSE = 20.31% and 19.97%, and an approximately unbiased results (0.025 m3 and 0.0004 m3) using DAP and ALS-based estimations, respectively. No significant difference was found between the observed value (field data) and volume estimation from ALS and DAP (p-value from t-test statistic = 0.99 and 0.98, respectively). The proposed approaches could also be used to estimate basal area or biomass stocks in Eucalyptus spp. plantations.

scholarly journals Regional Height–Diameter Equations for Major Tree Species of Southwest Oregon

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailemariam Temesgen ◽  
David W. Hann ◽  
Vincente J. Monleon
Keyword(s):  
Relative Position ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Fit Statistics ◽  
Alternative Measures ◽  
Southwest Oregon ◽  
Accuracy Of Prediction

Abstract Selected tree height and diameter functions were evaluated for their predictive abilities for major tree species of southwest Oregon. Two sets of equations were evaluated. The first set included four base equations for estimating height as a function of individual tree diameter, and the remaining 16 equations enhanced the four base equations with alternative measures of stand density and relative position. The inclusion of the crown competition factor in larger trees (CCFL) and basal area (BA), which simultaneously indicates the relative position of a tree and stand density, into the base height–diameter equations increased the accuracy of prediction for all species. On the average, root mean square error values were reduced by 45 cm (15% improvement). On the basis of the residual plots and fit statistics, two equations are recommended for estimating tree heights for major tree species in southwest Oregon. The equation coefficients are documented for future use.

Ectomycorrhizal mushroom response to partial cutting in a western hemlock - western redcedar forest

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 978-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Kranabetter ◽  
P Kroeger
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Taxon Richness ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Significant Block

We examined epigeous ectomycorrhizal mushroom richness and productivity after partial cutting in a western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) - western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don in Lamb.) forest of northwestern British Columbia. Mushrooms were collected throughout the fruiting season (July to October) for 3 years, starting 5 years after partial cutting, from plots with mesic soil conditions and residual basal areas ranging from 23 to 69 m2/ha for western hemlock and 0 to 26 m2/ha for western redcedar. Partial cutting had no apparent effect on mushroom phenology over the 3 years. Significant block interactions demonstrated that reductions in basal area of western hemlock could lead to positive, neutral, and negative responses in mushroom richness, biomass, and number of fruiting bodies. These responses were related to stand structure and the potential differences in tree vigour after partial cutting. In addition, there was weak evidence that western redcedar, a host for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza, had a negative effect on average taxon richness. The study demonstrated that partial-cutting systems could allow some timber removal without necessarily reducing ectomycorrhizal mushroom communities.

Genetic variation in basal area increment phenology and its correlation with growth rate in loblolly and slash pine families and clones

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica I Emhart ◽  
Timothy A Martin ◽  
Timothy L White ◽  
Dudley A Huber
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

We quantified basal area increment phenology over a 2-year period in one loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and four slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) full-sib families propagated as rooting cuttings. In 2002, basal area growth started in March and stopped in October for both species, while in 2003, initiation and cessation occurred 2 weeks earlier for all families. In both years, peaks in basal area increment occurred in short (2–3 week) periods in the early spring for all families, followed by linear basal area growth until cessation. While there were significant size differences among taxa (species and families) at age 6 and 7 years, genetic differences in basal area growth rate were only expressed during short, discrete time periods primarily in the spring and fall. Basal area growth rate increased during periods when water soil availability increased (up to 300 mm), but an excess in water availability in the soil had a negative impact on growth. Within-family individual-tree broad-sense heritabilities ranged from 0.01 to 0.37 for all traits. In general, heritabilities were higher for growth traits than for phenological traits for all families. Both the strength and direction of correlation estimates of phenological traits with growth rate varied across families and years.

Meta-analysis of understory white spruce response to release from overstory aspen

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Ken J Greenway
Keyword(s):  
Growth Response ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Response Ratio ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Individual Tree

Meta-analysis was used to summarize the research results on the growth response of understory white spruce to release from overstory aspen from different studies available from published and unpublished sources. The data were screened for the suitability for meta-analysis. Treatment effect sizes were calculated using response ratio from mean cumulative increments of released and control trees since release in height, diameter, and volume and modeled using a polynomial mixed effect regression procedure. Predictor variables include linear, quadratic, and cubic components of three independent variables — initial tree height, number of years after release, and residual basal area at release — and their linear interactions. Models with a reasonable predictive power were developed for height, diameter, and volume response, but no significant model was identified for survival. The models developed in this study can be applied to predict the growth response of understory white spruce to release, based on the growth of unreleased control trees, initial tree height, residual basal area at release, and time since release. The individual tree prediction can be easily scaled up to stand level if residual tree density and distribution is known. Key words: meta-analysis, boreal mixedwood, mixed model, polynomial regression, response ratio, growth, survival

Crown efficiency in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) spacing experiment

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1344-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert Sterba ◽  
Ralph L Amateis
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Crown Projection Area ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Crown Closure

Crown efficiency was first defined by Assmann (1961. Waldertragskunde. BLV, München) as individual tree volume increment per unit of crown projection area. He hypothesized that within a given crown class, smaller crowns are more efficient because their ratio between crown surface and horizontal crown projection is higher. Data from a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) spacing experiment were used to test if this hypothesis also holds in young loblolly pine stands and, if so, to determine if it explains the increment differences between spacings in the spacing experiment. Using individual tree height relative to plot dominant height to describe crown class, within-plot regression showed that crown efficiency decreased with crown size for trees below dominant height. This relationship was much less pronounced than indicated from Assmann's examples, although the crown surface to crown projection ratio behaved in the same way as Assmann had hypothesized. Crown efficiency as well as the crown surface to crown projection area ratio decreased with increasing density. Basal area increment per hectare increased until total crown closure approached 130% and then stayed constant. This major impact of total crown coverage brings into question the usefullness of crown efficiency as an indicator for unit area growth.

Effect of competition on individual white spruce production in young boreal mixedwood forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 726-735
Author(s):  
Sandra Carr ◽  
Guy R. Larocque ◽  
Nancy Luckai ◽  
F. Wayne Bell
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Relative Growth Rate ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Competition Indices

Increasing the production of wood fibre from conifer species such as white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) is one of many challenges in the management of boreal mixedwood forests. The effects of various competition measures on relative growth and relative growth rate variables were calculated for individual white spruce subject trees. Correlation analysis was used to explore relationships with competitor structural features, including the ratio of competitor basal area to subject tree basal area (CBAS), the ratio of competitor height to subject tree height (AHCS), and the proportion of softwood (FSW). Regression analysis was used to explore relationships with three distance-dependent competition indices. The ratio of subject tree height to diameter at breast height (DBH) (HDR), crown ratio (CR), and crown relative increment rate (CRIR) were significantly correlated with CBAS and AHCS. HDR, CR, CRIR, and DBH relative growth rate were all statistically significantly related to the competition indices. Results indicated that (i) relative growth and relative growth rate measures successfully captured a range of competition, (ii) crowns of trees with larger diameters used their horizontal growing space more efficiently to produce stemwood, and (iii) the proportion of softwood contributing to competition did not appear to influence subject tree production efficiency. Growth efficiency variables have the potential to improve our understanding of boreal mixedwood dynamics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document