The role of soil drainage class in carbon dioxide exchange and decomposition in boreal black spruce (Picea mariana) forest stands

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2123-2134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly P. Wickland ◽  
Jason C. Neff ◽  
Jennifer W. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Soil Drainage ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Drainage Class ◽  
Surface Decomposition ◽  
Soc Stocks

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) forest stands range from well drained to poorly drained, typically contain large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC), and are often underlain by permafrost. To better understand the role of soil drainage class in carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange and decomposition, we measured soil respiration and net CO2 fluxes, litter decomposition and litterfall rates, and SOC stocks above permafrost in three Alaska black spruce forest stands characterized as well drained (WD), moderately drained (MD), and poorly drained (PD). Soil respiration and net CO2 fluxes were not significantly different among sites, although the relation between soil respiration rate and temperature varied with site (Q10: WD > MD > PD). Annual estimated soil respiration, litter decomposition, and groundcover photosynthesis were greatest at PD. These results suggest that soil temperature and moisture conditions in shallow organic horizon soils at PD were more favorable for decomposition compared with the better drained sites. SOC stocks, however, increase from WD to MD to PD such that surface decomposition and C storage are diametric. Greater groundcover vegetation productivity, protection of deep SOC by permafrost and anoxic conditions, and differences in fire return interval and (or) severity at PD counteract the relatively high near-surface decomposition rates, resulting in high net C accumulation.

Individual height–diameter models for young black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) plantations in New Brunswick, Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangdong Lei ◽  
Changhui Peng ◽  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
Xiaolu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Tolerance Intervals ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii

Historically, height–diameter models have mainly been developed for mature trees; consequently, few height–diameter models have been calibrated for young forest stands. In order to develop equations predicting the height of trees with small diameters, 46 individual height–diameter models were fitted and tested in young black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) plantations between the ages of 4 to 8 years, measured from 182 plots in New Brunswick, Canada. The models were divided into 2 groups: a diameter group and a second group applying both diameter and additional stand- or tree-level variables (composite models). There was little difference in predicting tree height among the former models (Group I) while the latter models (Group II) generally provided better prediction. Based on goodness of fit (R2and MSE), prediction ability (the bias and its associated prediction and tolerance intervals in absolute and relative terms), and ease of application, 2 Group II models were recommended for predicting individual tree heights within young black spruce and jack pine forest stands. Mean stand height was required for application of these models. The resultant tolerance intervals indicated that most errors (95%) associated with height predictions would be within the following limits (a 95% confidence level): [-0.54 m, 0.54 m] or [-14.7%, 15.9%] for black spruce and [-0.77 m, 0.77 m] or [-17.1%, 18.6%] for jack pine. The recommended models are statistically reliable for growth and yield applications, regeneration assessment and management planning. Key words: composite model, linear model, model calibration, model validation, prediction interval, tolerance interval

Structure, composition, and diversity of old-growth black spruce boreal forest of the Clay Belt region in Quebec and Ontario

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
pp. S79-S98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Harper ◽  
Catherine Boudreault ◽  
Louis DeGrandpré ◽  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Sylvie Gauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Old Growth Forests

Old-growth black spruce (Picea mariana) boreal forest in the Clay Belt region of Ontario and Quebec is an open forest with a low canopy, quite different from what many consider to be "old growth". Here, we provide an overview of the characteristics of old-growth black spruce forest for three different site types on organic, clay, and coarse deposits. Our objectives were (1) to identify the extent of older forests; (2) to describe the structure, composition, and diversity in different age classes; and (3) to identify key processes in old-growth black spruce forest. We sampled canopy composition, deadwood abundance, understorey composition, and nonvascular plant species in 91 forest stands along a chronosequence that extended from 20 to more than 250 years after fire. We used a peak in tree basal area, which occurred at 100 years on clay and coarse sites and at 200 years on organic sites, as a process-based means of defining the start of old-growth forest. Old-growth forests are extensive in the Clay Belt, covering 30–50% of the forested landscape. Black spruce was dominant on all organic sites, and in all older stands. Although there were fewer understorey species and none exclusive to old-growth, these forests were structurally diverse and had greater abundance of Sphagnum, epiphytic lichens, and ericaceous species. Paludification, a process characteristic of old-growth forest stands on clay deposits in this region, causes decreases in tree and deadwood abundance. Old-growth black spruce forests, therefore, lack the large trees and snags that are characteristic of other old-growth forests. Small-scale disturbances such as spruce budworm and windthrow are common, creating numerous gaps. Landscape and stand level management strategies could minimize structural changes caused by harvesting, but unmanaged forest in all stages of development must be preserved in order to conserve all the attributes of old-growth black spruce forest. Key words: boreal forest, old growth, paludification, Picea mariana, structural development, succession.

scholarly journals Occurrence of the Maritime Shrew (Sorex maritimensis) in Black Spruce (Picea mariana) Forest Stands in Southeastern New Brunswick

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Julie Henderson ◽  
Graham Forbes
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Habitat Types

Twenty-one specimens of Sorex maritimensis (Maritime Shrew) were collected in coniferous forest of central New Brunswick, a habitat considered atypical for the species. We suggest S. maritimensis uses a wider range of habitat types than previously documented.

Pretransplant fertilization of containerized Picea mariana seedlings: calibration and bioassay growth response

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2089-2098 ◽  
Author(s):  
V R Timmer ◽  
Y Teng
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Intact Control ◽  
Nutrient Reserve ◽  
Soil Bioassays ◽  
Plant Dry Mass

The role of the root plug as a nutrient source for newly planted seedlings was evaluated for one growing season on soil bioassays retrieved from a boreal forest site. Intact (control) and bare-rooted (peat plug removed) black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings reared in Jiffy pellets, some fertilized before ("spiked" with 60 mg N) or after (topdressed with 300 mg N) planting, were transplanted to potted soil blocks (bioassays) under greenhouse conditions. Compared with the intact control, bare-rooting alone reduced plant dry mass (16%) and N, P, and K (15%–25%) uptake, but increased these parameters (62%–101%) when combined with topdressing, suggesting that the root plug served as a crucial nutrient reserve soon after transplanting. Nutrient spiking or topdressing alone stimulated growth and nutrient uptake as well (35%–118%), but generated the largest response (81%–205%) when applied together. Mortality (7%–18%) occurred only with bare-rooting treatments. The responses reflected the sensitivity of seedlings to nutrient supply changes both in root plugs and in field soils. Nutrient spiking was more efficient in improving seedling performance than traditional topdressing because of reduced fertilizer requirements and closer availability of added nutrients for early root development.

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