A reexamination of moose damage to balsam fir–white birch forests in central Newfoundland: 27 years later

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1388-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D. Thompson ◽  
William J. Curran
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Isle Royale ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
The Mean

A 1960 study from central Newfoundland suggested that moose (Alcesalces L.) would: (i) reduce the commercial value of second-growth forests of central Newfoundland by excessive damage to balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.); (ii) eliminate white birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.) from the forest canopy; (iii) alter conifer species composition; and (iv) reduce the carrying capacity of the area for moose. We resurveyed the original study areas in 1987. Our data suggest that moose have altered species composition in favour of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) and black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) on some sites and have reduced the mean height of balsam fir trees. White birch was generally absent from the canopy. However, contrary to the 1960 prediction, moose appear to have had a positive influence on forest growth by thinning most areas to stem densities comparable with those of precommercially thinned stands. Data from this study were compared with a general model of the influence of moose on balsam fir forests developed for Isle Royale, Michigan. Our data supported two predictions from Isle Royale: moose damage was highest at low balsam fir densities and at highest moose densities. Our results contradicted a third prediction, that height growth was greater in high density stands of saplings. Also, unlike at Isle Royale, despite heavy browsing pressure for extended periods, balsam fir will continue to dominate central Newfoundland forests.

scholarly journals Mixed Regional Shifts in Conifer Productivity under 21st-Century Climate Projections in Canada’s Northeastern Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Tyler Searls ◽  
James Steenberg ◽  
Xinbiao Zhu ◽  
Charles P.-A. Bourque ◽  
Fan-Rui Meng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Model Validation ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Climate Projections

Models of forest growth and yield (G&Y) are a key component in long-term strategic forest management plans. Models leveraging the industry-standard “empirical” approach to G&Y are frequently underpinned by an assumption of historical consistency in climatic growing conditions. This assumption is problematic as forest managers look to obtain reliable growth predictions under the changing climate of the 21st century. Consequently, there is a pressing need for G&Y modelling approaches that can be more robustly applied under the influence of climate change. In this study we utilized an established forest gap model (JABOWA-3) to simulate G&Y between 2020 and 2100 under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Simulations were completed using the province’s permanent sample plot data and surface-fitted climatic datasets. Through model validation, we found simulated basal area (BA) aligned with observed BA for the major conifer species components of NL’s forests, including black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton et al.] and balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill]. Model validation was not as robust for the less abundant species components of NL (e.g., Acer rubrum L. 1753, Populus tremuloides Michx., and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Our simulations generally indicate that projected climatic changes may modestly increase black spruce and balsam fir productivity in the more northerly growing environments within NL. In contrast, we found productivity of these same species to only be maintained, and in some instances even decline, toward NL’s southerly extents. These generalizations are moderated by species, RCP, and geographic parameters. Growth modifiers were also prepared to render empirical G&Y projections more robust for use under periods of climate change.

Species Composition and Development of Second-Growth Hardwood Stands in Quebec

1968 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl H. Winget
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Minor Components ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Cutting Intensity

Second-growth, tolerant hardwood stands developed rapidly and, almost entirely from shade-tolerant advance growth, regardless of cutting intensity. Non-commercial woody species were seldom important competitors. Sugar maple, associated with beech on upland and balsam fir on lowland sites, was the dominant species. Yellow birch, basswood and hemlock, important contributors to wood volumes harvested, were minor components of second-growth stands. Valuable minor species such as red oak, white ash, and black cherry had practically disappeared. The application of known techniques for regenerating disturbance-dependent species is urgently required.

Croissance de sapinières à bouleau blanc boréales issues de coupe avec protection de la régénération

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1701-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Bertrand ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Robert L. Beauregard
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Volume Production ◽  
Rotation Age

Models of compatible volume and basal area growth and yield covering a period of 10 to 45 years after harvesting were developed for second growth boreal stands of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.). The 131 permanent plots used for the study were located near Matane, in the Gaspé Peninsula, and are part of the balsam fir–white birch ecoclimatic domain. These stands were harvested in 1934, 1944, and 1953, using a manual cut-and-bunch harvesting method that protected advance growth, and measures were taken in 1954, 1964, and 1978. The stands were moderately affected by spruce budworm outbreaks between 1950–1957 and 1975–1978. Years elapsed since release rather than total age was used as the temporal variable. Even though the characteristics of the coniferous natural regeneration were quite variable, total basal area explained an important part of growth variations of young fir stands by integrating both density and dimensions of the regeneration. Results show, within the limits of the observed densities (< 15 000 stems/ha, 10 years after harvesting), that stands with a higher basal area will have higher total and merchantable volumes at a given age; rotation age for maximum volume production will decrease correspondingly. Abundance of saplings in the initial natural regeneration can thus have an important impact on stand production and rotation age. In the case of nonoverdense young fir stands (< 15 000 stems/ha, 10 years after harvesting with no height growth impediment), the use of spacing treatments that significantly reduce total basal area could be questioned when pursuing maximum fiber production.

Évolution de la régénération de peuplements résineux et mélangés au cours des 30 années après coupe à blanc mécanisée

1998 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
François Ouellet ◽  
Roch Plusquellec ◽  
Chhun-Huor Ung
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Significant Component ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Coupe À Blanc

This paper presents results from a 30 year monitoring of 15 clearcut areas. Study areas were located before cutting in stands having an abundant advance regeneration. Four study areas were initially dominated by black spruce, four by balsam fir, three by jack pine and the last four comprised a mix of species. Stand inventories and regeneration surveys were conducted before harvesting. Harvesting was done in regular logging operations, without any special care to protect the advance growth. Regeneration surveys were taken again after harvesting, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years and 30 years after harvesting. Black spruce stands regenerated to black spruce dominated stands. Balsam fir, which was sometimes abundant in the advance regeneration, did not invade the stands and the abundance of hardwoods was temporary. In some cases a reduction in yield is to be expected. In balsam fir stands, harwoods were more aggressive. A reduction in softwood yield is predicted for three of the four cutovers. The presence of a tall regeneration seems to lead to higher yields in black spruce and balsam fir stands. The evolution of jack pine and mixed stands is quite variable. In some jack pine stands, hardwoods will constitute a significant component of the new stand. In some mixed stands, softwoods are not very abundant whereas in others they form an important part of the stand at 30 years. This study has shown an urgent need for a better understanding of stand dynamics in young stands. Such an understanding is necessary for an adequate forecast of the yield of second growth stands.

Le développement de peuplements de conifères sur une période de 50 ans après la coupe

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul-E. Vézina ◽  
Hélène Falardeau
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Pure Stand ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Key Words Development ◽  
Yield Calculation

Three stands respectively composed of black spruce, black spruce and balsam fir and a mixture of spruce, fir and boreal hardwoods originating from a clear cut, have been periodically measured over 50 years in the Saguenay region, Québec. Except for a pure stand of black spruce which never reached the same volume it had before the cut, the characteristics of the species composition and of merchantable volume were basically the same, but the trees were smaller and in greater number. This paper presents the forecasted production at 50 years derived from regeneration observations and their influence on the yield calculation in forest management. Key words : Development, production, black spruce. balsam fir.

Dégagement chimique ou manuel de plantations d'épinette noire? Étude de cas dans le domaine de la sapinière à bouleau blanc au Québec

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 973-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jobidon ◽  
Lise Charette ◽  
François Trottier
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Red Raspberry ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Chemical Release ◽  
Over Time

This study aimed at comparing manual and chemical release treatments in black spruce plantations within the balsam fir – white birch ecosystems located in the Lower-Saint-Lawrence and inland Gaspé région of Québec. Three experimental sites characterized by competition dominated by red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) were selected for the study. On each site, a completely randomized block design with seven repetitions was used. Each block was composed of four plots, each representing a vegetation treatment: a manual release, a manual release to be repeated two years later, a chemical release using Vision® (Monsanto Canada), and no treatment on a control plot. The effects of treatment on spruce growth were assessed 1, 2, and 5 years after treatment. The spruce seedlings benefited from the release treatments. After five years, spruce diameter was 25.2 to 42.9% superior, height was 12.5 to 24.8% superior and the mean volume index was 89.3 to 168.6% superior to seedlings on control plots. Moreover, growth profiles over time for the released and control seedlings were not parallel; the seedlings in the released plots showed a growth rate which was superior to that of the control plots, and differences in growth trajectories increased over time. For the three experimental sites, chemical release showed no significant advantage over manual release when assessed after five years of spruce growth variables. This result is attributed to a relatively poor vegetation regrowth after treatment. A manual release treatment was applied a second time on only one of the three sites. In this case, spruce demonstrated a significantly higher growth than on plots which were only manually released once. The survival rate was not significantly affected by either of the treatments except when seedlings suffered mechanical damage. This study supports the hypothesis whereby sites located within the balsam fir – white birch ecosystems for which vigor of competing vegetation is moderate, a manual release treatment produces similar results to a chemical release treatment in terms of black spruce growth in the ensuing years. Key words: black spruce, chemical release, competition, manual release, red raspberry, spruce plantations.

Variations de la régénération préétablie dans les sapinières boréales en fonction de leurs caractéristiques écologiques

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1779-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Côté ◽  
Louis Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Ecological Site ◽  
Advanced Regeneration ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Cluster Analysis Method ◽  
Very High ◽  
Three Phases

The renewal of boreal fir stands after harvesting is related to the abundance of fir advanced regeneration. The objective of this study was to compare the advanced regeneration in 45-years-old balsam fir stands of second growth to determine if ecological site conditions could explain some regeneration problems noted in the balsam fir – white birch ecoclimatic domain. Seven ecological phases were studied; these are among the most common in the Laurentians north of Québec. On the basis of fir seedling densities (2 years old and more), three groups could be distinguished using a cluster analysis method for grouping means. Dry balsam fir – herb-and-moss type on well drained tills formed a first group characterized with very high seedling densities (> 60 000 seedlings/ha). A second group, characterized with high seedling densities (25 000 – 40 000 seedlings/ha), was constituted of three phases with an important moss cover:the mesic balsam fir – moss-and-herb type on moderately well drained tills, the humid balsam fir – moss-and-herb type on imperfectly drained tills with seepage, and the humid balsam fir – moss type on imperfectly drained tills. A third group, with low seedling densities (< 15 000 seedlings/ha), included three phases recognized by their important herb cover associated with a less abundant moss cover: the dry balsam fir – herb type on well drained till, the mesic balsam fir – white birch – herb type on moderately well drained till, and the mesic rich balsam fir – herb type on moderately well drained tills with seepage. Low densities of fir advanced regeneration seemed to be related to the abundance of leaf litter on the forest floor that could hinder fir regeneration. Insufficient natural coniferous regeneration can be anticipated in this last group if harvesting follows the 45-year rotation currently used now in Quebec.

scholarly journals Dynamique et estimation du rendement des strates de retour après coupe totale dans la sapinière à bouleau jaune

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Dubois ◽  
Jean-Claude Ruel ◽  
Jean-Gabriel Elie ◽  
Louis Archambault
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Type Structure ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Type

A total of 48 plots originating from clearcuts were studied in the balsam fir-yellow birch ecological domain of the province of Quebec, Canada, using dendrochronology. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pre-cut stand type, structure and abundance of regeneration after logging, and soil type on stand dynamics. Results indicate a relationship between pre-cut stand type and the composition of second-growth stands. Ecological characteristics must be taken into account in order to estimate the abundance of advance regeneration and predict the evolution of stocking. Results also show that the structure of regeneration, described by a diameter index, can help in predicting yield at age 38. Devastation by the spruce budworm played a major role in second-growth stand dynamics making it difficult to predict balsam fir yield. The study has also shown an increase in intolerant hardwoods and a low softwood production on rich sites. Black spruce stands came back to black spruce.Key words: mixedwoods, succession, regeneration survey, yield, Choristoneura fumiferana

A pattern of forest types on ribbed moraines in eastern Newfoundland

1978 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Delaney ◽  
M. J. Cahill
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Vegetation Succession ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Distinctive Pattern ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Avalon Peninsula

A distinctive pattern of forest types has been observed on ribbed moraines of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland. This previously unreported pattern is interesting in that the best forests occur on the exposed tops and the theoretically less favourable north slopes. On each moraine, the south slopes characteristically had an uncommercial forest of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) (Mill.)) and black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP.), the top and upper north slopes had a forest of white birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.) and balsam fir, and the lower north slope had a pure balsam fir forest. Site descriptions are provided for each forest type and the vegetation succession following fire is proposed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document