An inventory-based approach for modeling single-tree storm damage — experiences with the winter storm of 1999 in southwestern Germany

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1636-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schmidt ◽  
Marc Hanewinkel ◽  
Gerald Kändler ◽  
Edgar Kublin ◽  
Ulrich Kohnle

Based on individual tree damage data dating back to the gale “Lothar” (winter 1999) in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, a statistical model was developed to estimate the risk of storm damage for individual trees. The data were compiled from the National German Forest Inventory. The model attempts to separate the effects of tree-specific variables, topography, site conditions and flow field related effects on damage probability. The crucial problem of missing information on the actual flow field parameters was solved by applying a generalized additive model that enables the simultaneous fit of a spatial trend function. The geographical location of risk hotspots as predicted by the model correspond well to the actual distribution pattern of storm damage as assessed by the forest service. Tree height proved to be one of the most important factors affecting the level of damage, while height to diameter at breast height ratio influences damage probability to a much lesser extent. The Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) group has the highest potential to be damaged followed by the silver fir ( Abies alba Miller) – Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) group and the Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) – larches ( Larix spp.) group. Predicted probabilities for deciduous trees are generally lower than those of conifers. West- to south-exposed locations bear a considerably higher damage risk and waterlogged soils show an increased predicted probability compared with slightly or not waterlogged soils.

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2437-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus J. Puettmann ◽  
Anthony W. D’Amato ◽  
Ulrich Kohnle ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus

This study investigated the individual-tree diameter response of mature silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) to reproduction harvests (Femelschlag: an irregular group shelterwood method) on six sites in the Black Forest, Germany. On each site, four different treatments were applied, including a control treatment and short-, medium, and long-term regeneration periods aimed at the complete removal of overstory trees within 20, 35, and 50 years, respectively. These treatments created a wide variety of growing conditions for individual trees. Relationships between relative diameter growth and stand-level and neighborhood interaction indices were evaluated. Growing conditions for individual trees in control conditions were best characterized using Lorimer’s index for a 16 m radius neighborhood. Equations predicting tree growth in control stands underpredicted initial growth of trees after harvesting operations, suggesting a release effect that is not captured by postharvest density. This effect was larger for smaller trees and influenced by removal intensity. Growth response to density reductions was also influenced by previous harvests. Our results suggest that the growth response of mature trees to reproduction harvests may become an important consideration when increased emphasis is placed on managing for long-term regeneration periods.


2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-352
Author(s):  
Stanisław Niemtur ◽  
Elżbieta Chomicz ◽  
Mariusz Kapsa

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse butt rot incidences in silver fir stands of selected nature reserves and national parks. The study included 11 stands in Carpathian forests and for comparison 4 stands outside the Carpathians. To identify butt rot in fir trees, we used the non-invasive method of acoustic tomography. We tested 30 randomly selected fir trees in each of the 15 stands using Picus Sonic tomography to determine butt rot occurrence and to assess the proportion (%) of healthy wood in cross-sections of the tree trunk. The results indicate significant differences in the frequency of butt rot in silver fir at the individual level as well as the population level. This variability in frequency was not dependent on geographical location of the investigated stands


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-165
Author(s):  
Igor Štefančík ◽  
Rudolf Petráš ◽  
Julián Mecko ◽  
Jiří Novák

Abstract Value production is one of the most important information for comparing different tree species composition and management strategies in forestry. Although the value production of forest stands is affected by various factors thinning can be considered as one of the most important one. This paper aims at the evaluation of qualitative and value production in mixed Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands, which were managed by crown thinning for a period of 44 to 50 years and/or left to self-development. More than 1,500 individual trees aged from 61 to 132 years from 15 subplots established in western part of the Low Tatras Mts. and the Great Fatra Mts. in Slovakia were assessed. The proportion of stems in the highest quality A (stem quality classes) reached a low percentage, i.e. 12% in beech, 28% in spruce and 13% in fir out of the number of evaluated trees. The percentage of the highest quality log classes (assortments I + II) of beech ranged from 0 to 23% and of coniferous ones from 2 to 12%. Regarding the management method used, this percentage accounted for 0.1 to 23% for plot with self-development, whereas in plots with tending it was from 1 to 23%. Value production of coniferous tree species was always higher compared to beech, regardless of the management method. Regarding individual tree species, we found the highest value production in fir (81.4 € m−3) and the lowest in beech (46.5 € m−3).


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 2614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Amiri ◽  
Peter Krzystek ◽  
Marco Heurich ◽  
Andrew Skidmore

Knowledge about forest structures, particularly of deadwood, is fundamental for understanding, protecting, and conserving forest biodiversity. While individual tree-based approaches using single wavelength airborne laserscanning (ALS) can successfully distinguish broadleaf and coniferous trees, they still perform multiple tree species classifications with limited accuracy. Moreover, the mapping of standing dead trees is becoming increasingly important for damage calculation after pest infestation or biodiversity assessment. Recent advances in sensor technology have led to the development of new ALS systems that provide up to three different wavelengths. In this study, we present a novel method which classifies three tree species (Norway spruce, European beech, Silver fir), and dead spruce trees with crowns using full waveform ALS data acquired from three different sensors (wavelengths 532 nm, 1064 nm, 1550 nm). The ALS data were acquired in the Bavarian Forest National Park (Germany) under leaf-on conditions with a maximum point density of 200 points/m 2 . To avoid overfitting of the classifier and to find the most prominent features, we embed a forward feature selection method. We tested our classification procedure using 20 sample plots with 586 measured reference trees. Using single wavelength datasets, the highest accuracy achieved was 74% (wavelength = 1064 nm), followed by 69% (wavelength = 1550 nm) and 65% (wavelength = 532 nm). An improvement of 8–17% over single wavelength datasets was achieved when the multi wavelength data were used. Overall, the contribution of the waveform-based features to the classification accuracy was higher than that of the geometric features by approximately 10%. Our results show that the features derived from a multi wavelength ALS point cloud significantly improve the detailed mapping of tree species and standing dead trees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Unuk Nahberger ◽  
Gian Maria Niccolò Benucci ◽  
Hojka Kraigher ◽  
Tine Grebenc

AbstractSpecies of the genus Tuber have gained a lot of attention in recent decades due to their aromatic hypogenous fruitbodies, which can bring high prices on the market. The tendency in truffle production is to infect oak, hazel, beech, etc. in greenhouse conditions. We aimed to show whether silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) can be an appropriate host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, and how earthworms in the inoculation substrate would affect the mycorrhization dynamics. Silver fir seedlings inoculated with Tuber. aestivum were analyzed for root system parameters and mycorrhization, how earthworms affect the bare root system, and if mycorrhization parameters change when earthworms are added to the inoculation substrate. Seedlings were analyzed 6 and 12 months after spore inoculation. Mycorrhization with or without earthworms revealed contrasting effects on fine root biomass and morphology of silver fir seedlings. Only a few of the assessed fine root parameters showed statistically significant response, namely higher fine root biomass and fine root tip density in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 6 months after inoculation, lower fine root tip density when earthworms were added, the specific root tip density increased in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 12 months after inoculation, and general negative effect of earthworm on branching density. Silver fir was confirmed as a suitable host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, with 6% and 35% mycorrhization 6 months after inoculation and between 36% and 55% mycorrhization 12 months after inoculation. The effect of earthworms on mycorrhization of silver fir with Tuber aestivum was positive only after 6 months of mycorrhization, while this effect disappeared and turned insignificantly negative after 12 months due to the secondary effect of grazing on ectomycorrhizal root tips.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Cristian Gheorghe Sidor ◽  
Radu Vlad ◽  
Ionel Popa ◽  
Anca Semeniuc ◽  
Ecaterina Apostol ◽  
...  

The research aims to evaluate the impact of local industrial pollution on radial growth in affected Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands in the Tarnița study area in Suceava. For northeastern Romania, the Tarnița mining operation constituted a hotspot of industrial pollution. The primary processing of non-ferrous ores containing heavy metals in the form of complex sulfides was the main cause of pollution in the Tarnița region from 1968 to 1990. Air pollution of Tarnița induced substantial tree growth reduction from 1978 to 1990, causing a decline in tree health and vitality. Growth decline in stands located over 6 km from the pollution source was weaker or absent. Spruce trees were much less affected by the phenomenon of local pollution than fir trees. We analyzed the dynamics of resilience indices and average radial growth indices and found that the period in which the trees suffered the most from local pollution was between 1978 and 1984. Growth recovery of the intensively polluted stand was observed after the 1990s when the environmental condition improved because of a significant reduction in air pollution.


2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 773-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad Philipp Noetzli ◽  
Beat M�ller ◽  
Thomas Niklaus Sieber

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document