Snowfall interception on branches of three conifer species

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1262-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Schmidt ◽  
David R. Gluns
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Elastic Rebound ◽  
Snow Crystals ◽  
Sigmoidal Growth

Measuring the mass of snow on cut branch tips soon after snowfalls during two winters provided comparisons of catch by Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Parry), subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta var. latifolia Engelm.). Analysis of these and other reported measurements confirmed (i) snow bridging by cohesion, (ii) bouncing of snow crystals by elastic rebound, and (iii) branch bending as mechanisms that determine the sigmoidal growth curves characterizing snow interception relative to snowfall. The fraction of snowfall intercepted by the branches was largest when storm accumulations were 3–4 mm water equivalent, with low specific gravity (0.04–0.07). Percent catch in snowfalls with 10 mm water and low specific gravity was near 50% for Engelmann spruce and about 45% for subalpine fir and lodgepole pine, but values decreased to near 30% in 20-mm storms. Catch was inversely proportional to the density of snow accumulations in the specific gravity range 0.04–0.13. Average branch catch was only about 10% of a storm with 10 mm water equivalent at 0.13 specific gravity. Meteorological conditions were more important than branch growth form in determining snow interception amounts on the conifers tested. The results suggest, as a hypothesis, a computational function for the fraction of snowfall caught on conifer crowns.

Height growth–elevation relationships in subalpine forests of interior British Columbia

1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Klinka ◽  
H. Y. H. Chen ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
R. E. Carter
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Study Species

Stem analysis data from even-aged Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) and subalpine fir [Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.] stands on zonal sites in the Engelmann Spruce—Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone of British Columbia were used to examine the relationships of site index and height growth and elevation, latitude, and longitude. Elevation and latitude were found to be strongly negatively correlated with site index of both study species. Spruce site index (bh age 50) was predicted to decrease 2.9 m and fir site index 2.5 m with every 100 m and 1° increase in elevation and latitude, respectively; however, (i) site index of both species appeared to decline faster with increasing latitude than elevation, and (ii) decrease appeared to be faster for spruce than for fir. Comparison of height growth curves for stands on zonal and azonal sites with similar site index from different elevations and latitudes suggested that there are probably inconsequential differences between the shape of curves for either species. These findings imply that (i) subalpine fir is better adapted to subalpine boreal climates than Engelmann spruce and (ii) development of polymorphic site index curves for estimating site index of both species may be appropriate. Key words: elevation, latitude, longitude, site index, height growth, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Engelmann Spruce—Subalpine Fir zone

Nutrient release from decomposing litter in Rocky Mountain coniferous forests: influence of nutrient availability

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1576-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy E. Prescott ◽  
Barry R. Taylor ◽  
William F.J. Parsons ◽  
Daniel M. Durall ◽  
Dennis Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
P Loss ◽  
N Release ◽  
Forest Floors

We examined patterns of N and P uptake and release from a wide variety of litter types, including leaves, needles, moss, roots, and wood, for 4 years in three forests (lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Loud.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss)–lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce (Piceaengelmannii Parry ex Engelm.)–subalpine fir (Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) and a small clearcut, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. Decomposition was more rapid and N release began sooner in the clearcut than in the forests, but N release began at the same stage of decomposition at all sites. In most litter types, a period of net immobilization of N was followed by a period of net release; only litter types particularly rich in N had an initial leaching phase. Each litter type initially gained or lost N depending on its original concentration, such that N contents converged after 1 or 2 years. The N content at convergence differed among litter types. Phosphorus was usually released immediately. The rate of P loss also varied according to the initial P concentration, and the P contents of all litter types converged within 1 year. The availability of N and P in the forest floor did not affect the rate of N and P release from a standard substrate placed at all sites. The concentrations of N and P in the litter influenced the rate of uptake of N or P during the first 1–3 years, but was not consistently related to nutrient availability in the forest floors at the four sites.

scholarly journals Height Growth Models for High-Elevation Subalpine Fir, Engelmann Spruce, and Lodgepole Pine in British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Y. H. Chen ◽  
Karel Klinka
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Site Index ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

Abstract To estimate potential productivity of the high-elevation Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone of British Columbia forests, the height growth models developed from low-elevation forests are currently used to estimate site indices of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Whether these models are adequate to describe height growth of high-elevation forests is of concern. We sampled a total of 319 naturally established, even-aged, and undamaged stands with breast height age ≥50 yr (165 for subalpine fir, 87 for Engelmann spruce, and 67 for lodgepole pine) ranging widely in climate and available soil moisture and nutrients. In each sampled stand, three dominant trees were destructively sampled for stem analysis. Height growth models developed from fitting data to a conditioned logistic function explained > 97% variation in height for all three study species. Examined by residual analysis, no models showed lack of fit. These models provided more accurate estimates of site index than the currently used models developed from low-elevation stands or different species. It is recommended that the models developed in this study be applied to estimate site index of the three species in the ESSF zone in British Columbia. West. J. Appl. For. 15(2):62-69.

Clonal growth in spire-shaped Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir trees

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. Shea ◽  
Michael C. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Starch Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Starch Gel ◽  
Significant Size

The existence of multitrunk clusters in all-aged stands of spire-shaped Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir trees was documented and their origin was investigated using starch gel electrophoresis. Identical genotypes at nine variable loci demonstrated that most of the multitrunk clusters resulted from clonal growth of one individual. Significant differences in allele frequencies between clonal and nonclonal individuals in fir, but not spruce, suggest that there is a genetic component to clonal growth. Comparisons of sizes and ages among individuals with clonal growth and (or) sexual reproduction showed significant size and age differences, depending on mode of propagation, in spruce, and significant size differences in fir. In both species seed production was the predominant method of propagation and trees with seed production or seed production plus clonal growth were larger in size, but not necessarily older, than nonreproductive trees or those with clonal growth only. The fact that some trees had only clonal growth, some trees had only seed production, and some trees had both suggests that each type of propagation is advantageous under certain microenvironmental conditions. Results showing that it was impossible to determine visually if a given multitrunk cluster was composed of a single or multiple genets have implications for demographic and genetic studies in these and related conifer species.

scholarly journals Decline of planted lodgepole pine in the southern interior of British Columbia

2010 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jean Mather ◽  
Suzanne W. Simard ◽  
Jean L. Heineman ◽  
Donald L. Sachs
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Moisture Regimes

Lodgepole pine is extensively planted across western Canada but little is known about development of these stands beyond the juvenile stage. We quantified stocking status and damage incidence in sixty-six 15- to 30-year-old lodgepole pine plantations that had previously been declared free-growing in the southern interior of British Columbia. The stands were located in six biogeoclimatic zones: Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF), Montane Spruce (MS), Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH), Interior Douglas-fir (IDF), Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS), and Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce (SBPS). Free-growing standards were no longer met on 27% of plantations, with the worst performance (70% no longer free-growing) in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock forests. Natural regeneration was common but it was half the size of lodgepole pine. Biotic damage, especially hard pine stem rusts, was the dominant factor reducing free-growing densities. Stands were at greater risk of reduced stocking where summer precipitation was higher or soil moisture regimes were wetter and where stands had been broadcast-burned prior to planting or received secondary treatments of brushing or pruning. Reforestation policies that encourage widespread planting of lodgepole pine, particularly in areas where lodgepole pine has limited natural occurrence such as in the ICH zone, should be reconsidered given that health problems are extensive and are expected to increase with climate change.Key words: Pinus contorta, lodgepole pine, free-growing, stocking, forest health, damage, disease

Lethal and Nonlethal Effects of the Organic Horizons of Forested Soils on the Germination of Seeds from Several Associated Conifer Species of the Rocky Mountains

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. W. Daniel ◽  
Josef Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seed Treatments ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Organic Horizons ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Nonlethal Effects

The study tests whether the lethal effect of overwintering Engelmann spruce seed in its O-horizon affects Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir seeds and whether the O-horizons of the three associated species have the same lethal effect on seeds. All seed treatments of each species were stratified in petri dishes in the pure O-horizon (unsterilized and autoclaved) of each species. Seed treatments were untreated, 10% slurry of 50% Captan and powdered 75% Captan.All untreated seeds demonstrated the lethal quality of unsterilized Engelmann spruce O-horizon. Its effects on untreated seeds and powder treated seeds were as follows: Engelmann spruce seed 3.5 and 77.3% (germination of untreated and powdered respectively), subalpine fir seed 1.3 and 20.8, Douglas-fir seed 9.5 and 84.8 and lodgepole pine seed 11.9 and 85.7. Subalpine fir O-horizon was lethal to its own seeds but only moderately harmful to seeds of other species. Douglas-fir O-horizon had a significant adverse effect on its own seeds and was only moderately harmful to seeds of other species. Lodgepole pine O-horizon was almost neutral to all seeds. Autoclaving of the O-horizons and powder treatment of seeds produced similar results.

scholarly journals Within-Site Variability of Liana Wood Anatomical Traits: A Case Study in Laussat, French Guiana

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicien Meunier ◽  
Sruthi M. Krishna Moorthy ◽  
Hannes P. T. De Deurwaerder ◽  
Robin Kreus ◽  
Jan Van den Bulcke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Hydraulic Architecture ◽  
Woody Vines ◽  
Wood Trait ◽  
The Individual

Research Highlights: We investigated the variability of vessel diameter distributions within the liana growth form among liana individuals originating from a single site in Laussat, French Guiana. Background and Objectives: Lianas (woody vines) are key components of tropical forests. Lianas are believed to be strong competitors for water, thanks to their presumed efficient vascular systems. However, unlike tropical trees, lianas are overlooked in field data collection. As a result, lianas are often referred to as a homogeneous growth form while little is known about the hydraulic architecture variation among liana individuals. Materials and Methods: We measured several wood hydraulic and structural traits (e.g., basic specific gravity, vessel area, and vessel diameter distribution) of 22 liana individuals in a single sandy site in Laussat, French Guiana. We compared the liana variability of these wood traits and the correlations among them with an existing liana pantropical dataset and two published datasets of trees originating from different, but species-rich, tropical sites. Results: Liana vessel diameter distribution and density were heterogeneous among individuals: there were two orders of magnitude difference between the smallest (4 µm) and the largest (494 µm) vessel diameters, a 50-fold difference existed between extreme vessel densities ranging from 1.8 to 89.3 vessels mm−2, the mean vessel diameter varied between 26 µm and 271 µm, and the individual theoretical stem hydraulic conductivity estimates ranged between 28 and 1041 kg m−1 s−1 MPa−1. Basic specific gravity varied between 0.26 and 0.61. Consequently, liana wood trait variability, even within a small sample, was comparable in magnitude with tree surveys from other tropical sites and the pantropical liana dataset. Conclusions: This study illustrates that even controlling for site and soil type, liana traits are heterogeneous and cannot be considered as a homogeneous growth form. Our results show that the liana hydraulic architecture heterogeneity across and within sites warrants further investigation in order to categorize lianas into functional groups in the same way as trees

Effects of harvesting on fine root biomass and decomposition in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia E Welke ◽  
Graeme D Hope ◽  
Gary A Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Root Dynamics ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Root Longevity ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

The effect of timber harvesting on the biomass, nutrient standing crop, and decomposition of fine roots (<2 mm) was studied in a high elevation, Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) forest. Root dynamics were compared in openings of different sizes. The sequential core method was used to collect fine root samples over 4 years. Differences in fine root biomass between opening sizes were most significant for the active fine root portion and were most pronounced in the fall compared with the spring. Active fine root biomass was significantly lower in the 10-ha clearcuts (164 kg/ha) compared with control plots (275 kg/ha). Furthermore, active fine root biomass was often lower in the 1.0-ha opening than in the 0.1-ha and control plots. A similar trend was established for inactive fine root biomass, although this was not consistent over sampling years. Nutrient concentrations of K, but no other elements, were higher in control plots. Nutrient standing crops, however, followed trends observed in fine root biomass. In the 10-ha clearcuts, the largest changes in fine root biomass occurred at the edge of the opening. The findings suggest that small (<10 ha) cutblocks may maintain greater fine root longevity.

A unifying statistical model for QTL mapping of genotype × sex interaction for developmental trajectories

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Changxing Ma ◽  
James M. Cheverud ◽  
Rongling Wu
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Growth Trajectories ◽  
Mathematical Functions ◽  
Maximal Growth Rate ◽  
Developmental Features

Most organisms display remarkable differences in morphological, anatomical, and developmental features between the two sexes. It has been recognized that these sex-dependent differences are controlled by an array of specific genetic factors, mediated through various environmental stimuli. In this paper, we present a unifying statistical model for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are responsible for sexual differences in growth trajectories during ontogenetic development. This model is derived within the maximum likelihood context, incorporated by sex-stimulated differentiation in growth form that is described by mathematical functions. A typical structural model is implemented to approximate time-dependent covariance matrices for longitudinal traits. This model allows for a number of biologically meaningful hypothesis tests regarding the effects of QTL on overall growth trajectories or particular stages of development. It is particularly powerful to test whether and how the genetic effects of QTL are expressed differently in different sexual backgrounds. Our model has been employed to map QTL affecting body mass growth trajectories in both male and female mice of an F2 population derived from the large (LG/J) and small (SM/J) mouse strains. We detected four growth QTL on chromosomes 6, 7, 11, and 15, two of which trigger different effects on growth curves between the two sexes. All the four QTL display significant genotype-sex interaction effects on the timing of maximal growth rate in the ontogenetic growth of mice. The implications of our model for studying the genetic architecture of growth trajectories and its extensions to some more general situations are discussed.

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