Impacts of repeated fertilization on fine roots, mycorrhizas, mesofauna, and soil chemistry under young interior spruce in central British Columbia

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 889-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Berch ◽  
Robert P. Brockley ◽  
Jeff Battigelli ◽  
Shannon Hagerman
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Fine Root Length ◽  
Interior Spruce

We assessed soil biota and soil chemistry in a 20-year-old interior spruce ( Picea glauca × engelmannii) stand in the interior of British Columbia 10 years after initiation of annual fertilization. Treatments included an unfertilized control, ON1 (having received per hectare 800 kg nitrogen (N), 350 kg phosphorus (P), 400 kg potassium (K)), and ON2 (having received per hectare 1400 kg N, 350 kg P, 400 kg K). Micronutrients were added periodically. There was more mineralizable N and NO3-N in the forest floor and upper mineral soil of ON2 plots than in the controls or ON1. Forest floor NH4-N increased with each level of fertilizer application. Total forest floor N, total sulphur, and exchangeable magnesium were higher with both levels of fertilization than with the unfertilized control. For the forest floor, available P and exchangeable K were highest in ON1. Forest floor densities of Acari, Prostigmata, and Oribatida were greater in fertilized plots than unfertilized control plots. In mineral soil, only Oribatida increased significantly with fertilization. Fertilization increased fine root length in ON1 relative to the control and ON2, but ectomycorrhizal colonization did not differ among treatments. These results contrast with previously reported responses to similar fertilizer treatments under lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) in which negative responses of fine roots and soil biota to repeated nutrient additions were observed.

Impacts of repeated fertilization on components of the soil biota under a young lodgepole pine stand in the interior of British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1415-1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M Berch ◽  
Robert P Brockley ◽  
Jeff P Battigelli ◽  
Shannon Hagerman ◽  
Brian Holl
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Available P ◽  
Fine Root Length

We studied elements of the soil biota in a 24-year-old lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stand in interior British Columbia 10 years after initiation of annual fertilizer treatments. The treatments included an unfertilized control, ON1 (650 kg nitrogen (N), 400 kg phosphorus (P), 400 kg potassium (K)), and ON2 (1350 kg N, 400 kg P, 400 kg K). In the forest floor, the C/N ratio was lower in ON1 and ON2 than in the unfertilized control, while available P and exchangeable magnesium were higher; NO3 was higher only in ON2. In the upper mineral soil, available P was higher in ON1 and ON2, while NO3 was higher only in ON2. In both the forest floor and upper mineral soil, microbial activity was higher in ON1 than in the unfertilized control or ON2. In the forest floor and mineral soil, Acari density, especially Oribatida and Prostigmata, was higher in ON2 than in ON1 and the unfertilized control. In contrast, Collembola density, especially Hypogastruridae, increased in ON2 relative to that in other treatments. ON2 had less lodgepole pine fine-root length, fewer ectomycorrhizal roots, fewer active fine roots, more nonmycorrhizal fine roots, and a different ectomycorrhizal community structure than ON1 and the unfertilized control. These dynamic changes to the soil biota appear to reflect changes to the plant community in response to fertilization.

Seedling response following partial cutting in lodgepole pine forests on caribou winter range in west-central British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Daintith ◽  
M J Waterhouse ◽  
H M Armleder
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
West Central ◽  
Interior Spruce

Group selection and irregular group shelterwood silvicultural systems were applied to older lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests in west-central British Columbia to determine their potential for maintaining northern caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat. These silvicultural systems created small openings 15–30 m wide,which were planted with lodgepole pine and interior spruce (Picea glauca x Picea engelmannii) seedlings. Fifth-year survival and growth results indicate that either species could adequately regenerate the small openings created by partial cutting. Pine survival in the partial cuts (93–95%) was comparable to the clearcuts (94%). Pine height and height growth did not vary significantly between treatments; however, diameters were significantly larger in the clearcuts. After five years across all treatments, pine seedlings were 38–42 cm tall with diameters ranging from 7–11 mm. Spruce survival varied considerably between the clearcuts (35–98%) but was more consistent in the partial cuts (66–97%). Total height and height growth differed significantly among treatments, with the shortest spruce seedlings found in the clearcuts. Seedling diameter did not differ among treatments. Average fifth-year height ranged from 31 cm to 44 cm and diameters ranged from 7 mm to 9 mm. To maintain caribou habitat, species should be planted in similar proportions to the pre-harvest stand composition to avoid potential impacts on the terrestrial and arboreal lichens, which are important caribou forage. Key words: caribou, lodgepole pine, partial cutting, planted seedlings, interior spruce, group selection, irregular group shelterwood

scholarly journals Planted stock performance 10 years after partial cutting in west-central British Columbia

2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Waterhouse ◽  
E. C. Wallich ◽  
N. M. Daintith ◽  
H. M. Armleder
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Partial Harvest ◽  
Interior Spruce

Mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests were harvested using group selection (GS) (0.02-ha openings) and irregular group shelterwood (IGS) (0.05-ha openings) systems to maintain arboreal and terrestrial lichens in the winter range of northern woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Ten years after planting, lodgepole pine showed excellent survival, but were smaller in the partial cut openings compared to the clearcuts. Pine grew less in the Sub-Boreal Pine–Spruce biogeoclimatic subzone (SBPSxc) than in the Montane Spruce subzone (MSxv), and trees were smaller in the GS versus IGS treatment within the MSxv subzone. Interior spruce (Picea glauca × engelmannii) grew best in the MSxv and partial cut treatments, but was significantly affected by summer frost in the clearcuts. In an operational-scale Adaptive Management trial, openings were enlarged to 0.15 ha, and both pine and spruce showed excellent survival, minimal frost damage, and 10-year size similar to clearcut conditions. This study suggests that lodgepole pine and interior spruce can be successfully regenerated in partial cut openings with acceptable growth in gaps of 0.15 ha. Key words: caribou, group selection, interior spruce, irregular group shelterwood, light level, lodgepole pine, Montane Spruce zone, partial harvest, soil moisture, soil temperature, Sub-Boreal Pine Spruce zone, summer frost

Soil chemistry changes after 27 years under four tree species in southern Ontario

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 1648-1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Anne France ◽  
Dan Binkley ◽  
David Valentine
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Acid Neutralization ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Silver Maple ◽  
Paper Birch

After 27 years of stand development, the accumulated forest floor under replicated plots of white pine (Pinusstrobus L.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), paper birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.), and silver maple (Acersaccharinum L.) ranged from 240 g/m2 under maple to 3680 g/m2 under white pine. Forest floor pH ranged from a low under maple of 3.7 to a high under white spruce of 5.9. No significant differences were found in pH in 0–15 cm depth mineral soil; however, substantial differences in the acid neutralization capacities were evident among species, with soils under maple showing the lowest capacity to resist further acidification.

The effect of wildfire on soil chemistry in four forest types in interior Alaska

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1389-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. T. Dyrness ◽  
K. Van Cleve ◽  
J. D. Levison
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Available P ◽  
Ph Effects ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Surface Mineral

Soil chemical properties were studied after a wildfire in stands of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), paper birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.), and quaking aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.). Samples of the forest floor and surface 5 cm of mineral soil were collected from burned sites and unburned controls and analyzed soon after the fire. With the exception of soil pH, effects of the fire on soil chemistry differed among the four forest types. Generally, amounts of exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg did not appreciably increase in the forest floor and surface mineral soil except in heavily burned areas in white spruce and black spruce. Fire reduced amounts of N by about 50% in white spruce, aspen, and birch forest floors. In black spruce, quantities of N were slightly higher in heavily burned locations. Forest floor C:N ratios were substantially lower in heavily burned locations in white spruce and black spruce than in unburned controls. Burning did not have a marked influence on supplies of available P in the forest floor, except in heavily burned black spruce, where average amounts were 12.50 g/m2 versus only 0.46 g/m2 in the control. Burning caused more moderate gains in available P in surface mineral soils under aspen and white spruce. We concluded that fire caused marked short-term changes in soil chemistry in the four forest types. How long these changes will persist is unknown.

Conservation and divergence of gene expression plasticity followingc. 140 million years of evolution in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and interior spruce (Picea glauca × Picea engelmannii)

2014 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. 578-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Yeaman ◽  
Kathryn A. Hodgins ◽  
Haktan Suren ◽  
Kristin A. Nurkowski ◽  
Loren H. Rieseberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Interior Spruce

Decadal observations of tree regeneration following fire in boreal forests

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill F Johnstone ◽  
F S Chapin III ◽  
J Foote ◽  
S Kemmett ◽  
K Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Highly Correlated

This paper presents data on early postfire tree regeneration. The data were obtained from repeated observations of recently burned forest stands along the Yukon – British Columbia border and in interior Alaska. Postfire measurements of tree density were made periodically for 20–30 years, providing direct observations of early establishment patterns in boreal forest. Recruitment rates of the dominant tree species in both study areas were highest in the first 5 years after fire, and additional net establishment was not observed after 10 years. The postfire population of spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss s.l.) remained constant after the first decade in the two study areas. Populations of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) both declined after 10 years in mixed-species stands along the Yukon – British Columbia border. Mortality rates of aspen and pine were positively correlated with their initial densities, indicating that thinning occurred as a density-dependent process. At all sites, measurements of stand density and composition made early were highly correlated with those made late in the monitoring period, indicating that patterns of stand structure initiated within a few years after fire are maintained through subsequent decades of stand development.

Substrate and litterfall effects on conifer seedling survivorship in southern boreal stands of Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 672-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Josée Simard ◽  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Winter Survival ◽  
Thuja Occidentalis ◽  
Seedling Survivorship ◽  
Conifer Seedling

Most conifer seeds die as seeds or seedlings within 5 years after dispersal. Understanding what factors keep a few of them alive is essential if natural regeneration is to be maintained in managed forests. For example, decaying logs and the conifer seedlings that often grow on them are rare under certain canopies such as deciduous trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). We conducted a seeding experiment to evaluate the role of certain substrates, and litterfall, on early conifer survivorship. Seeds of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and eastern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) were sown during 2 consecutive years on mineral soil, relocated logs, and litter in deciduous aspen and coniferous (Thuja occidentalis dominated) stands. Seedling survivor ship was monitored at the end of the first growing season and 1 year after each sowing. Conifer seedling survivorship was equivalent or greater under aspen than under cedar-dominated canopies. Picea and Thuja survivorship was highest on decaying logs of approximately 9 cm high (compared with logs buried at forest floor level) and lowest on forest floor litter during both the first growing season and the following autumn–winter. Abies survivorship was little affected by substrate type, except for low autumn–winter survival on litter. Thuja autumn–winter survival was significantly reduced by litterfall in both deciduous and coniferous stands.

Spruce growth response specificity after treatment with plant growth-promoting Pseudomonads

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Shishido ◽  
Christopher P Chanway
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Growth Promotion ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Seed Collection ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Growth Promoting

Naturally regenerating hybrid spruce seedlings (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss beta Picea engelmannii Parry) were collected from sites near Mackenzie, Salmon Arm, and Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Bacteria were isolated from roots and screened in greenhouse trials for their ability to enhance spruce growth. Three strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas were selected for study based on their disparate geographic origins and their capacity to consistently stimulate spruce seedling growth in screening trials. Factorial experiments were performed in the greenhouse to evaluate the effectiveness of these Pseudomonas strains with different spruce ecotypes. Factors tested were spruce seed sources, Pseudomonas isolates, and forest floor soils originating from different sites. Three levels of each factor were studied: one spruce seedlot, one Pseudomonas isolate, and one forest floor type each originated from a site at Mackenzie, Salmon Arm, and Williams Lake, British Columbia. Fourteen weeks after treatments were established, spruce biomass accumulation was greatest when spruce ecotypes were inoculated with bacteria originating from the same geographical area as spruce seed. However, Pseudomonas strains originating from sites other than the seed collection area also stimulated seedling growth significantly, rendering the difference in growth promotion between bacterial treatments small and insignificant. In addition, spruce growth promotion was not enhanced when seed was treated with combinations of Pseudomonas strains and forest floor soils originating from the same forest ecosystem. We conclude that specificity between spruce ecotypes and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria strains can be detected under carefully controlled conditions, thereby supporting the hypothesis that growth-promoting bacteria may adapt to their plant hosts. However, the growth advantage accruing to seedlings treated with bacteria originating from the same ecosystem is small and suggests that it is not necessary to match Pseudomonas strains with spruce ecotypes and soil types for effective seedling growth promotion.Key words: Pseudomonas, spruce, specificity, growth promotion.

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