Red spruce stands downwind from a coal-burning power generator: tree-ring analysis

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Arp ◽  
Justin Manasc
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Wood Formation ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Power Generator ◽  
Coal Burning

Tree rings of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) in uneven-aged forest stands downwind of an SO2, source (a coal-burning power generator) were analyzed in terms of spatial and temporal trends for bole increments and elemental concentrations (Al, Ca, Mg, K, P, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr) in xylem. Five-year core segments were pooled with respect to distance from emission source, time of wood formation, and tree age (young trees <35 years; old trees >35 years). Soil analysis was done for all stands (total of 28) by soil layer (forest floor, A and B horizons) for pH, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, Al, and oxalate-extractable Al and Fe. Also analyzed was the snowpack at each stand at three sampling dates in February and March 1986. The snow data for pH, Ca, Mg, K, and SO4 were highly variable, with some of the variability presumably related to fallout of fly ash. The soil data were also variable, but revealed a gain of water-soluble and bicarbonate-extractable SO4, and a loss of exchangeable Mg with increasing proximity to the power generator. Magnesium levels in the wood of the red spruce trees showed a similar trend. Wood concentrations for Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn were found to decrease with increasing stand age. In contrast, wood concentrations for P, K, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Cr were highest in the most recently formed xylem. Some of these variations were probably affected (i) by the affinity of the wood for each element during wood formation, and (ii) by removal through flow of xylem sap. Some of these trends may also reflect changed ion availabilities in the soil or may be due to air pollution. Trends for the age-related variations of mean bole increments in each of the uneven-aged stands were probably affected by within-stand competition, modified by selective logging, and by recurring outbreaks of spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana Clem.). An enhanced rate of SO2 emission since about 1965 may also have had a negative effect on radial bole growth. The availability of soil water appeared to be a principal factor in relating a tree growth index to year by year climate variations. This tree growth index (developed for an even-aged stand of red spruce upwind from the power generator) was positively related to precipitation of the preceding year and to precipitation in July and August (time of latewood formation). The growth index was negatively related to prolonged periods of high temperatures during earlywood formation.

Growth trends and stand dynamics in natural loblolly pine in the southeastern United States

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 660-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Van Deusen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Growth Trends ◽  
Individual Tree Growth

A number of recent studies have shown reduced stand-level and individual-tree growth in natural loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) stands in the southeastern United States. This study uses increment cores from dominant and codominant trees to determine if individual-tree growth has changed from 1915 to 1985. The cores are grouped for comparison by first sorting on the basis of median stand age and then further sorting these groups of cores by individual-tree age. These trees experienced increasing basal area increments from the mid-1940s into the mid-1970s, after which growth rates returned to preincrease levels. These data support recent findings of growth reductions, but also indicate previously unreported growth increases preceding the growth decreases. These and supplemental permanent plot data suggest that stand dynamics is a viable hypothesis for explaining these growth trends.

Timing of spring xylogenesis in temperate deciduous tree species relates to tree growth characteristics and previous autumn phenology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorène Julia Marchand ◽  
Inge Dox ◽  
Jožica Gričar ◽  
Peter Prislan ◽  
Jan Van den Bulcke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Wood Formation ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Pedunculate Oak ◽  
Temperate Deciduous ◽  
Previous Autumn

Abstract We explored the timing of spring xylogenesis and its potential drivers in homogeneous mature forest stands in a temperate European region. Three species with contrasting leaf development dynamics and wood anatomy were studied: European beech, silver birch and pedunculate oak. Detailed phenological observations of xylogenesis and leaf phenology were performed from summer 2017 till spring 2018. Cambium reactivation (CR) occurred before the buds of oak and birch were swollen, whereas these two phenological phases were concurrent for beech. On the other hand, initial earlywood vessels were fully differentiated (FDIEV) after leaf unfolding for all three species. Timing of CR was correlated to average ring-width of the last 10 years (2017–2008), tree diameter, and, partially, with tree age. In addition, the timing of FDIEV was correlated to tree age and previous’ year autumn phenology i.e., timing of wood growth cessation and onset of leaf senescence. Multivariate models could explain up to 68% of the variability of CR and 55% of the variability of FDIEV. In addition to the “species” factor, the variability could be explained by ca. 30% by tree characteristics and previous’ years autumn phenology for both CR and FDIEV. These findings are important to better identify which factors (other than environment) can be driving the onset of the growing season and highlight the influence of tree growth characteristics and previous’ year phenology on spring wood phenology, wood formation and, potentially, forest production.

Agroforestry in Eastern Otago: results from two long-term experiments

2000 ◽  
pp. 93-98
Author(s):  
G.G. Cossens ◽  
M.F. Hawke
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
Pasture Yield

During the first 20 years of a Pinus radiata tree rotation, tree growth and pasture yield were assessed under a range of tree spacings at Invermay and Akatore, two coastal sites in Eastern Otago. Pasture yield in association with trees thinned to 100 stems per hectare (sph) was comparable to that from open pasture up to a tree age of 12 years. By the 19th year, however, pasture production declined to 63% of open pasture yield at Invermay and to 42% at Akatore. At 200 and 400 sph at Akatore, pasture yield was similar to that from open pasture at tree age 12 years but declined to 27% and 0% of open pasture yield respectively by year 20. At both Invermay and Akatore, the ryegrass and clover content of open pasture was relatively constant throughout the term of the trial. However, both the ryegrass and clover content of pasture beneath trees began to decline by tree age 12 years with a very rapid decline at Akatore in the number of pasture species at 200 sph by the 19th year. No pasture remained at 400 sph, after 19 years. Livestock carrying capacity with sheep on tree treatments at Invermay decreased from 100% of open pasture at year 6 to 60% by year 10. At Akatore, livestock carrying capacity averaged over the 20-year life of the trial was 4.1 stock units per hectare with a maximum of 8.1 stock units at a tree age of 8 years. Tree growth at both sites was similar, averaging between 1 and 1.1 m/year in height over 20 years, with trees at Invermay at 100 sph averaging 9% greater height and diameter growth than at Akatore. Increasing tree stocking from 100 to 200 to 400 sph at Akatore, resulted in increased tree height, but decreased diameter at breast height. A comparison of the East Otago trees with those in a similar trial at Tikitere (Rotorua) 900 km further north indicated that the southern trees were about 6 years later in their growth pattern by tree age 20 years. On both sites, soil pH tended to be lower in the presence of trees and was significantly lower than in open pasture by year 20. The results and comparisons with the Tikitere data suggest that, in an integrated agroforestry regime, there will be livestock grazing under the trees further into the tree rotation in Otago than in North Island sites. However, slower tree growth would result in a longer rotation time to harvest. Current recommendations to farmers are to plant trees on the less productive areas of the farm and adopt a tree stocking rate which fully utilises the site. Keywords: agroforestry, livestock, pasture, Pinus radiata, soil pH, tree stocking

scholarly journals Tree growth and aboveground biomass in a tropical mountain forest thirty years after selective logging in Sarawak, Borneo

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. e01461
Author(s):  
Renee Sherna Laing ◽  
Kian Huat Ong ◽  
Roland Jui Heng Kueh ◽  
Nixon Girang Mang ◽  
Patricia Jie Hung King
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Tropical Mountain

Tree growth as affected by stem and crown structure

Trees ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Pretzsch
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Scaling Theory ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Metabolic Scaling ◽  
Crown Structure ◽  
The Future ◽  
Metabolic Scaling Theory ◽  
Crown Characteristics

Abstract Key message Prediction of tree growth based on size or mass as proposed by the Metabolic Scaling Theory is an over-simplification and can be significantly improved by consideration of stem and crown morphology. Tree growth and metabolic scaling theory, as well as corresponding growth equations, use tree volume or mass as predictors for growth. However, this may be an over-simplification, as the future growth of a tree may, in addition to volume or mass, also depend on its past development and aspects of the current inner structure and outer morphology. The objective of this evaluation was to analyse the effect of selected structural and morphological tree characteristics on the growth of common tree species in Europe. Here, we used eight long-term experiments with a total of 24 plots and extensive individual measurements of 1596 trees in monospecific stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). Some of the experiments have been systematically surveyed since 1870. The selected plots represent a broad range of stand density, from fully to thinly stocked stands. We applied linear mixed models with random effects for analysing and modelling how tree growth and productivity are affected by stem and crown structure. We used the species-overarching relationship $$\mathrm{iv}={{a}_{0}\times v}$$ iv = a 0 × v between stem volume growth, $$\mathrm{iv}$$ iv and stem volume, $$v,$$ v , as the baseline model. In this model $${a}_{0}$$ a 0 represents the allometric factor and α the allometric exponent. Then we included tree age, mean stem volume of the stand and structural and morphological tree variables in the model. This significantly reduced the AIC; RMSE was reduced by up to 43%. Interestingly, the full model estimating $$\mathrm{iv}$$ iv as a function of $$v$$ v and mean tree volume, crown projection area, crown ratio and mean tree ring width, revealed a $$\alpha \cong 3/4$$ α ≅ 3 / 4 scaling for the relationship between $$\mathrm{iv}\propto {v}^{\alpha }$$ iv ∝ v α . This scaling corresponded with Kleiber’s rule and the West-Brown-Enquist model of the metabolic scaling theory. Simplified approaches based on stem diameter or tree mass as predictors may be useful for a rough estimation of stem growth in uniform stands and in cases where more detailed predictors are not available. However, they neglect other stem and crown characteristics that can have a strong additional effect on the growth behaviour. This becomes of considerable importance in the heterogeneous mixed-species stands that in many countries of the world are designed for forest restoration. Heterogeneous stand structures increase the structural variability of the individual trees and thereby cause a stronger variation of growth compared with monocultures. Stem and crown characteristics, which may improve the analysis and projection of tree and stand dynamics in the future forest, are becoming more easily accessible by Terrestrial laser scanning.

scholarly journals Differentiating mature and old-growth forests in the Upper Foothills and Subalpine Subregions of west-central Alberta

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 602-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi E Morgantini ◽  
John L Kansas
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
West Central ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Management Area ◽  
Growth Attributes ◽  
Live Tree

Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd. is developing harvest strategies that will maintain appropriate levels of late to very late seral stages ("old growth") in its Drayton Valley Forest Management Area. This management area encompasses 490 570 ha in the Foothills and Rocky Mountain Natural Regions of west-central Alberta. In planning for future forest landscapes, Weyerhaeuser intends to maintain a range of age structures consistent with the ecological processes characteristic of each natural region and subregion. The absence of a discrete point separating mature forest from old growth means that the age at which a stand is currently identified as "old growth" and subject to special management practices is arbitrary. In a research study initiated in the summer of 2000, we seek to understand the differences in structure and composition between forests of various ages and topographic site conditions (elevation, aspect, and slope angle). Using 95 sampling plots in a 123-km2 study area in the Upper Foothills and Subalpine Natural Subregions, we quantified vegetation structure and composition for stands ranging in age from 70 to 300 years. Variables measured and analysed included live-tree height and diameter, snag density, diameter and decay class, downed woody material volume, diameter and decay class, vascular plant species richness, sapling and regeneration density, and duff depth. An old-growth index was developed for each sampled stand that took into account multiple attributes. Preliminary results indicate that specific attributes (snag basal area and density, decay stage and density of downed woody material, variation in live-tree age, and variation in live-tree height and age) separate a younger forest from a more mature one and hence may describe "old-growth" conditions. The age of onset of these old-growth attributes is variable but appears to occur between 160 and 180 years. Key factors other than stand age that contribute to or modify the development of old-growth attributes (as measured by the old-growth index) are elevation and moisture regime (as modified by site position). Further investigation is required to more accurately assess the effect of site factors on old-growth attributes. These results are now used by Weyerhaeuser to address retention of late seral stages in long-term forest planning. Key words: old growth, mature forests, old growth protection, forest management, Alberta, Weyerhaeuser, Rocky Mountains foothills

Root rot damage in naturally regenerated stands of spruce and balsam fir in Ontario

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Whitney
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Root Decay ◽  
Forest Region

In an 11-year study in northern Ontario, root rot damage was heaviest in balsam fir, intermediate in black spruce, and least in white spruce. As a result of root rot, 16, 11, and 6%, respectively, of dominant or codominant trees of the three species were killed or experienced premature windfall. Butt rot, which resulted from the upward extension of root rot into the boles of living trees, led to a scaled cull of 17, 12, and 10%, respectively, of gross merchantable volume of the remaining living trees in the three species. The total volume of wood lost to rot was, therefore, 33, 23, and 16%, respectively. Of 1108 living dominant and codominant balsam fir, 1243 black spruce, and 501 white spruce in 165 stands, 87, 68, and 63%, respectively, exhibited some degree of advanced root decay. Losses resulting from root rot increased with tree age. Significant amounts of root decay and stain (>30% of root volume) first occurred at 60 years of age in balsam fir and 80 years in black spruce and white spruce. For the three species together, the proportion of trees that were dead and windfallen as a result of root rot increased from an average of 3% at 41–50 years to 13% at 71–80 years and 26% at 101–110 years. The root rot index, based on the number of dead and windfallen trees and estimated loss of merchantable volume, also increased, from an average of 17 at 41–50 years to 40 at 71–80 years and 53 at 101–110 years. Death and windfall of balsam fir and black spruce were more common in northwestern Ontario than in northeastern Ontario. Damage to balsam fir was greater in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Forest region than in the Boreal Forest region. In all three tree species, the degree of root rot (decay and stain) was highly correlated with the number of dead and windfallen trees, stand age, and root decay at ground level (as a percentage of basal area) for a 10-tree sample.

scholarly journals Different climate sensitivity for radial growth, but uniform for tree-ring stable isotopes along an aridity gradient in Polylepis tarapacana, the world’s highest elevation tree-species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagros Rodriguez-Caton ◽  
Laia Andreu-Hayles ◽  
Mariano S Morales ◽  
Valérie Daux ◽  
Duncan A Christie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Carbon Source ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Wood Formation ◽  
Aridity Gradient ◽  
Leaf Level ◽  
Δ13c And Δ18o

Abstract Tree growth is generally considered to be temperature-limited at upper elevation treelines. Yet, climate factors controlling tree growth at semiarid treelines are poorly understood. We explored the influence of climate on stem growth and stable isotopes for Polyepis tarapacana, the world’s highest elevation tree-species found only in the South American Altiplano. We developed tree-ring width index (RWI), oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) chronologies for the last 60 years at four P. tarapacana stands located above 4,400 meters in elevation, along a 500-km latitude-aridity gradient. Total annual precipitation decreased from 300 to 200 mm from the northern to the southern sites. We used RWI as a proxy of wood formation (carbon sink) and isotopic tree-ring signatures as proxies of leaf-level gas exchange processes (carbon source). We found distinct climatic conditions regulating carbon-sink processes along the gradient. Current-growing season temperature regulated RWI at wetter-northern sites, while prior-growing season precipitation determined RWI at arid-southern sites. This suggests that the relative importance of temperature to precipitation in regulating tree growth is driven by site-water availability. In contrast, warm and dry growing-seasons resulted in enriched tree-ring δ13C and δ18O at all study sites, suggesting that similar climate conditions control carbon-source processes. Site-level δ13C and δ18O chronologies were significantly and positively related at all sites, with the strongest relationships among the southern-drier stands. This indicates an overall regulation of intercellular carbon dioxide via stomatal conductance for the entire P. tarapacana network, with greater stomatal control when aridity increases. The manuscript also highlights a coupling and decoupling of physiological processes at leaf level versus wood formation depending on their respectively uniform and distinct sensitivity to climate. This study contributes to better understand and predict the response of high-elevation Polylepis woodlands to rapid climate changes and projected drying in the Altiplano.

scholarly journals Quantifying primary and secondary humic-like substances in urban aerosol based on emission source characterization and a source-oriented air quality model

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinghua Li ◽  
Junzan Han ◽  
Philip K. Hopke ◽  
Jingnan Hu ◽  
Qi Shu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Coal Combustion ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Source Characterization ◽  
Air Quality Model ◽  
Coal Burning ◽  
Residential Coal

Abstract. Humic-like substances (HULIS) are a mixture of high molecular weight, water-soluble organic compounds that are widely distributed in atmospheric aerosol. Their sources are rarely studied quantitatively. Biomass burning is generally accepted as a major primary source of ambient humic-like substances (HULIS) with additional secondary material formed in the atmosphere. However, the present study provides direct evidence that residential coal burning is also a significant source of ambient HULIS, especially in the heating season in northern China based on source measurements, ambient sampling and analysis, and apportionment with source-oriented CMAQ modeling. Emissions tests show that residential coal combustion produces 5 to 24 % of the emitted organic carbon (OC) as HULIS carbon (HULISc). Estimation of primary emissions of HULIS in Beijing indicated that residential biofuel and coal burning contribute about 70 % and 25 % of annual primary HULIS, respectively. Vehicle exhaust, industry, and power plants contributions are negligible. Average concentration of ambient HULIS was 7.5 μg/m3 in atmospheric PM2.5 in urban Beijing and HULIS exhibited obvious seasonal variations with the highest concentrations in winter. HULISc account for 7.2 % of PM2.5 mass, 24.5 % of OC, and 59.5 % of water-soluble organic carbon, respectively. HULIS are found to correlate well with K+, Cl−, sulfate, and secondary organic aerosol suggesting its sources include biomass burning, coal combustion and secondary aerosol formation. Source apportionment based on CMAQ modeling shows residential biofuel and coal burning, secondary formation are important annual sources of ambient HULIS, contributing 57.5 %, 12.3 %, and 25.8 %, respectively.

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