Multiple resource limitation and ontogeny combined: a growth rate comparison of three co-occurring conifers

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica B. Lilles ◽  
Rasmus Astrup
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Light Soil ◽  
Interior Spruce ◽  
Sapling Growth

The combined effects of light, soil fertility, and ontogenetic changes on plant growth rates are poorly understood, yet these three factors play fundamental roles in structuring plant communities. We sought to determine how lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia), interior spruce (Picea glauca × engelmanii (Moench) Voss), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) sapling growth responds to the combination of light, soil fertility, and ontogeny and how these three dominant conifer species in sub-boreal forests of British Columbia differ in their responses. Using maximum likelihood methods, we found that 0.20–4 m tall sapling growth rates changed during ontogeny and were limited by both light and soil resources. The strongest differences among species’ growth rates were due to tree size, with smaller differences due to soil fertility, and there were no differences among species in the shape of their growth responses to light. Rank order in growth rates for small saplings (pine > spruce > fir) inversely corresponded to classic shade-tolerance ratings, thus supporting the carbon balance theory. Interior spruce height growth rates increased relative to lodgepole pine with increasing soil fertility, clearly matching the landscape-scale increase in canopy dominance of interior spruce over lodgepole pine with increasing soil fertility.

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

Stand growth responses after fertilization for thinned lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and spruce in forests of interior British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1471-1482
Author(s):  
Woongsoon Jang ◽  
Bianca N.I. Eskelson ◽  
Louise de Montigny ◽  
Catherine A. Bealle Statland ◽  
Derek F. Sattler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Growth Responses

This study was conducted to quantify growth responses of three major commercial conifer species (lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson), interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), and spruce (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelm. × Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière))) to various fertilizer blends in interior British Columbia, Canada. Over 25 years, growth-response data were repeatedly collected across 46 installations. The fertilizer blends were classified into three groups: nitrogen only; nitrogen and sulfur combined; and nitrogen, sulfur, and boron combined. The growth responses for stand volume, basal area, and top height were calculated through absolute and relative growth rate ratios relative to a controlled group. Fertilizer blend, inverse years since fertilization, site index, stand density at fertilization, and their interactions with the fertilizer blend were used as explanatory variables. The magnitude and significance of volume and basal area growth responses to fertilization differed by species, fertilizer-blend groups, and stand-condition variables (i.e., site index and stand density). In contrast, the response in top height growth did not differ among fertilization blends, with the exception of the nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer subgroup for lodgepole pine. The models developed in this study will be incorporated into the current growth and yield fertilization module (i.e., Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields (TIPSY)), thereby supporting guidance of fertilization applications in interior forests in British Columbia.

The influence of light quality and carbon dioxide enrichment on the growth and physiology of seedlings of three conifer species. I. Growth responses

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hoddinott ◽  
Rickey Scott
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Light Quality ◽  
Flux Ratio ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates

Plant growth responds to light quality, as evaluated by the red/far-red (R/FR) quantum flux ratio, and to the level of CO2. Pinus banksiana, Picea mariana and Picea glauca seedlings were raised at 350, 700, or 1050 μL∙L−1 CO2 and high or low R/FR ratios and growth was measured over a 16-week growth period. Far-red rich light enhanced the whole plant and height relative growth rates of Pinus banksiana. The three species showed species specific responses in plant organ relative growth rates and partitioning ratios. On the basis of their biomass partitioning the species would be ranked Pinus banksiana < Picea mariana < Picea glauca for shade tolerance. In commercial operations, seedlings grown for outplanting are selected, in part, on the basis of plant form as described by the stem height/diameter ratio. More desirable ratios were obtained at ambient CO2 concentrations for Pinus banksiana and Picea mariana in red rich light and for Picea glauca in far-red rich light. Keywords: seedling growth, light quality, CO2 enrichment.

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

scholarly journals Lodgepole pine and interior spruce radial growth response to climate and topography in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alberta

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Frances Ackerman ◽  
David Goldblum
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Interior Spruce

Climate change may have spatially variable impacts on growth of trees in topographically diverse environments, making generalizing across broad spatial and temporal extents inappropriate. Therefore, topography must be considered when analyzing growth response to climate. We address these topo-climatic relationships in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, focusing on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden) and interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea engelmannii hybrid Parry) growth response to climate, Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), aspect, and slope angle. Climate variables correlate with older lodgepole pine growth on south- and west-facing slopes, including previous August temperature, winter and spring precipitation, and previous late-summer and current spring PDSI, but younger lodgepole pine were generally less sensitive to climate. Climate variables correlate with interior spruce growth on all slope aspects, with winter temperature and PDSI important for young and old individuals. Numerous monthly growth–climate correlations are not temporally stable, with shifts over the past century, and response differs by slope aspect and angle. Both species are likely to be negatively affected by moisture stress in the future in some, but not all, topographic environments. Results suggest species-specific and site-specific spatiotemporally diverse climate–growth responses, indicating that climate change is likely to have spatially variable impacts on radial growth response in mountainous environments.

Stem- and stand-level growth and mortality following partial cutting in eastern boreal poplar – white spruce stands

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Brais ◽  
Brian D. Harvey ◽  
Arun K. Bose
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Partial Cutting

Variable retention (VR) and partial cutting are both considered important silvicultural tools of natural disturbance or ecosystem based forest management approaches. Partial harvesting differs from VR in that post-treatment growth responses and stand regeneration are the primary objective rather than the maintenance of biodiversity. This partial cutting study is undertaken in mixed poplar (Populus spp.) – white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) stands in the eastern Canadian boreal mixedwood forest. It compares, at the tree level, absolute growth rates (AGR) and relative growth rates (RGR) of basal area (BA) and stem survival; and at the stand level, it also compares absolute BA growth, mortality, and sapling density 10 years following treatment. The completely randomized experiment was established with four intensities of partial cutting (0, 50%, 65%, and 100% of poplar BA). All partial cutting intensities had a significant and similar positive effect on AGR of residual spruce stems. Complete poplar removal resulted not only in the highest increase in RGR of suppressed and intermediate spruce stems, but also in higher spruce mortality. Removal of 50% of the initial poplar stand BA provided the best trade-off between positive residual stem growth of spruce and poplar and limited post-treatment mortality.

scholarly journals An investigation into the contrasting growth response of lodgepole pine and white spruce to harvest-related soil disturbance

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Kranabetter ◽  
S. Dube ◽  
E.B. Lilles
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Species Response

Losses in forest productivity through poor soil management are typically evaluated by changes in crop production, but conflicting growth responses among co-occurring species can challenge criteria for sustainability. In this study, we evaluate species response to compaction and organic matter removal by contrasting the growth and foliar attributes at age 20 of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) and hybrid white spruce (Picea glauca × engelmannii (Moench) Voss) in sub-boreal forests of central British Columbia. Bole volume increment was stable for lodgepole pine, averaging a 6 % difference across treatments. White spruce, in contrast, often had large growth increases on forest floor retained – compacted plots (average of 63 % gain) but reductions in productivity on the forest floor removed – compacted plots (40 % decline). Foliar nitrogen concentrations converged across treatments for both species, despite the removal of over 50 % of the site N capital. Some key differences in species traits were suggested by foliar δ15N, attributed to deeper rooting of pine, and foliar δ13C, indicating possibly higher CO2 assimilation potential for spruce. The implication is that standard metrics of sustainable forestry are contingent upon tree autecology and that comprehensive assessments of land management require a measure of collective species response.

Planting stock performance: Site and RGP effects

1995 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 739-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Simpson ◽  
Alan Vyse
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Root Growth Potential ◽  
South Central ◽  
Interior Spruce

Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca (Beissn.) Franco], interior spruce [Picea glauca Moench (Voss), Picea engelmannii (Parry) and their naturally occurring hybrids] and lodge-pole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) seedlings were planted on several forest sites in south central British Columbia. At planting, root growth potential (number of newly elongated roots longer than 10 mm per seedling) was determined. Trees were assessed for survival and height for at least five years. Survival of Douglas-fir and growth of all three species was affected by planting site, probably reflecting moisture and growing season temperature differences among sites. High (> 70%) survival, but not total height or mean annual relative growth rate was associated with root growth potential levels greater than 10 new roots per seedling in interior spruce and lodgepole pine. Survival and growth of Douglas-fir were not related to root growth potential. Fertilization of interior spruce seedlings at planting decreased survival 18% over seven growing seasons, and did not affect growth of surviving seedlings. Key words: reforestation, root growth potential, seedling quality, Douglas-fir, interior spruce, lodgepole pine, field performance

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 Sapling and coppice biomass heritabilities and potential gains from Eucalyptus polybractea progeny trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beren Spencer ◽  
Richard Mazanec ◽  
Mark Gibberd ◽  
Ayalsew Zerihun
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Sapling Growth ◽  
Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Breeding Selections ◽  
Cross Site

AbstractEucalyptus polybractea has been planted as a short-rotation coppice crop for bioenergy in Western Australia. Historical breeding selections were based on sapling biomass and despite a long history as a coppice crop, the genetic parameters of coppicing are unknown. Here, we assessed sapling biomass at ages 3 and 6 from three progeny trials across southern Australia. After the second sapling assessment, all trees were harvested. Coppice biomass was assessed 3.5 years later. Mortality following harvest was between 1 and 2%. Additive genetic variance for the 6-sapling estimate at one site was not significant. Sapling heritabilities were between 0.06 and 0.36 at 3 years, and 0.18 and 0.20 at 6 years. The heritability for the coppice biomass was between 0.07 and 0.17. Within-site genetic and phenotypic correlations were strong between all biomass assessments. Cross-site correlations were not different from unity. Selections based on net breeding values revealed positive gains in sapling and coppice biomass. Lower or negative gains were estimated if 3-year sapling selections were applied to the coppice assessments (−7.1% to 3.4%) with useful families culled. Positive gains were obtained if 6-year sapling selections were applied to the coppice assessment (6.4% to 9.3%) but these were lower than those obtained by applying coppice selections to the coppice assessment (8.4% to 14.8%). Removal of poor performing families and families that displayed fast sapling growth rates but under-performed as coppice will benefit potential coppice production. These results indicate that selections should be made using coppice data.

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