Densities of breeding birds and changes in vegetation in an Alaskan boreal forest following a massive disturbance by spruce beetles

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 1678-1690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M Matsuoka ◽  
Colleen M Handel ◽  
Daniel R Ruthrauff
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Dendroctonus Rufipennis ◽  
Individual Bird ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
Spruce Mortality

We examined bird and plant communities among forest stands with different levels of spruce mortality following a large outbreak of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) in the Copper River Basin, Alaska. Spruce beetles avoided stands with black spruce (Picea mariana) and selectively killed larger diameter white spruce (Picea glauca), thereby altering forest structure and increasing the dominance of black spruce in the region. Alders (Alnus sp.) and crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) were more abundant in areas with heavy spruce mortality, possibly a response to the death of overstory spruce. Grasses and herbaceous plants did not proliferate as has been recorded following outbreaks in more coastal Alaskan forests. Two species closely tied to coniferous habitats, the tree-nesting Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) and the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), a major nest predator, were less abundant in forest stands with high spruce mortality than in low-mortality stands. Understory-nesting birds as a group were more abundant in forest stands with high levels of spruce mortality, although the response of individual bird species to tree mortality was variable. Birds breeding in stands with high spruce mortality likely benefited reproductively from lower squirrel densities and a greater abundance of shrubs to conceal nests from predators.

Causality in mortality patterns of spruce trees during a spruce budworm outbreak

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Osawa
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Spruce Mortality

Patterns of tree mortality in the species complex of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and their possible hybrids that developed during a spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) outbreak in Maine, U.S.A., were analyzed in relation to five hypotheses of their causal mechanisms. The observed patterns of spruce mortality were primarily a result of the phenotypic variation among the spruces. Close relationships among the mean hybrid index of spruce trees in a plot and such stand variables as balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) basal area and drainage index are likely to have created coincidental correlations between tree mortality and those variables that do not necessarily reflect causality.

Nest predation and breeding activity of songbirds in riparian and nonriparian black spruce strips of central Quebec

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 922-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marylène Boulet ◽  
Marcel Darveau ◽  
Louis Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Pass System ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Gray Jays ◽  
Riparian Strips

The black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) forests of Quebec are often harvested according to a single-pass system where clearcuts are separated by 20- to 60-m-wide forest strips. Little is known about the suitability of these strips as habitats for breeding birds. We selected five nonriparian strips, five riparian strips, and five forest control sites located in a forested area of central Quebec. During 1997–1998, we monitored the predation of artificial bird nests baited with a common quail (Coturnix coturnix L.) egg and a plasticine egg and the breeding activity of adult songbirds in strips and controls. Artificial nest predation was high in all sites (72%). The most common predators were specialists of mature coniferous forests: gray jays (Perisoreus canadensis L.) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben). In forest-dwelling bird species, the number of breeding pairs was lower in strips than in controls. We conclude that the small number of forest-dwelling breeding birds observed in strips is not related to an increase in predation pressure following harvest of adjacent forests and that forest strips are not suitable breeding habitats for these species.

Evaluation of funnel traps for estimating tree mortality and associated population phase of spruce beetle in Utah

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2574-2584 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Matthew Hansen ◽  
Barbara J Bentz ◽  
A Steven Munson ◽  
James C Vandygriff ◽  
David L Turner
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Recursive Partitioning ◽  
Dendroctonus Rufipennis ◽  
Beetle Population ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Spruce Beetle ◽  
Funnel Trap ◽  
Spruce Mortality

Although funnel traps are routinely used to manage bark beetles, little is known regarding the relationship between trap captures and tree mortality near the trap. We conducted a 4 year study in Utah to examine the correlation between funnel-trap captures of spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) and mortality of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) within a 10 ha block of the trap. Using recursive partitioning tree analyses, rules were developed for predicting spruce mortality and associated levels of beetle population phase (endemic or epidemic), in the current year and subsequent year, for a given level of trap captures. Although model predictions of infested-stem counts had large variances, our results suggest that funnel-trap captures can be reliably used to estimate relative levels of tree mortality, expressed as spruce beetle population phase. Classification-tree analyses indicate that captures of ~842 spruce beetles during a season (late May to mid-August) from a single funnel trap represent a threshold between endemic (<2 mass-attacked stems/ha) and epidemic conditions (≥2 mass-attacked stems/ha) for either the current or the subsequent year relative to deployment of the funnel trap. Likewise, a lack of infested hosts within 10 m of a funnel trap, also known as spillover, was associated with endemic conditions, whereas trees attacked near the trap correlated with epidemic conditions.

Effect of site preparation on Armillaria ostoyae infection and growth of spruce after partial cutting in a Boreal Mixedwood Forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (05) ◽  
pp. 622-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.T. Dumas
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Inoculum Potential ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Initial Inoculum ◽  
Soil Mixing ◽  
Armillaria Ostoyae

Site preparations methods, mixing, scalping and no treatments (control), were evaluated to promote establishment of white and black spruce and reduce mortality by Armillaria ostoyae in partial cuts of Boreal Mixedwoods of northern Ontario. Soil mixing using a Meri Crusher MJ80 reduced the initial inoculum potential of A. ostoyae. Tree mortality was determined each year in the spring and fall for 15 years and all deaths resulted from infections by A. ostoyae. Diameters and heights were assessed after 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 growing seasons. Overall mortality was lower with Picea glauca but was not a result of the different site preparation methods. Mortality of Picea mariana was lower in the screefed treatment. Growth of both species was better in the mixed treatment.

Effectiveness of spruce budworm spraying in New Brunswick in protecting the spruce component of spruce–fir stands

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. MacLean ◽  
A. Wayne Kline ◽  
Daniel R. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Spruce Mortality ◽  
A Minor

Tree mortality and defoliation were examined in 45 spruce (Picea sp.) stands protected against damage by spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) and in 27 unprotected spruce stands in New Brunswick, and were related to tree, stand, and site characteristics. The "protected" and "unprotected" classes of stands were defined on the basis of any spraying in the last 5 years (1978–1982), but we also estimated the spray and budworm hazard history from 1973 to 1982 for each stand. Based on this total sample of about 17 000 trees, there was little difference in mortality levels of spruce or combined spruce–fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) between protected and unprotected stands. Spruce mortality was relatively low in both protected and unprotected stands, averaging about 13 and 20% of the total volume, respectively. Fir mortality was higher in unprotected than in protected stands, although fir formed only a minor component of most of the sampled stands. Both average mortality and range were similar among the four spruce types present in New Brunswick: black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), hybrid red–black spruce, and white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss). In examining the relation of tree mortality to stand and site characteristics, the strongest correlations were found between dead spruce–fir volume (cubic metres per hectare) and total stand volume (r = 0.85), and between dead fir volume and total fir volume (r = 0.75). No apparent relationships were observed between mortality levels and various indices of protection and budworm hazard. It should be emphasized in presenting these results that the spray program in New Brunswick has historically been designed to protect fir, so that any protection afforded to spruce would be entirely an incidental benefit from attention to the fir problem. Although our results do not reflect a failure of a clearly defined effort to protect spruce, we do recommend that further protection efforts for spruce in New Brunswick be reevaluated.

SEASONAL DAMAGE BY INSECTS AND SQUIRRELS TO FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES OF BLACK SPRUCE, PICEA MARIANA (MILL.) B.S.P.

1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 1113-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.H. Prévost ◽  
J.E. Laing ◽  
V.F. Haavisto
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Cone Axis ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Cone Growth

AbstractThe seasonal damage to female reproductive structures (buds, flowers, and cones) of black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., was assessed during 1983 and 1984. Nineteen insects (five Orders) and the red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben), were found feeding on these reproductive structures. Collectively, these organisms damaged 88.9 and 53.5% of the cones in 1983 and 1984, respectively. In the 2 years, Lepidoptera damaged 61.8% of the cones in 1983 and 44.4% of the cones in 1984. The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), and the spruce coneworm, Dioryctria reniculelloides Mut. and Mun., were the most important pests. Cones damaged by Lepidoptera could be classed into three categories: (a) severe, yielding no seeds; (b) moderate, yielding 22.3 seeds per cone; and (c) light, yielding 37.5 seeds per cone. Undamaged cones yielded on average 39.9 seeds per cone. Red squirrels removed 18.8% of the cones in 1983 and none in 1984. The spruce cone axis midge, Dasineura rachiphaga Tripp, and the spruce cone maggot, Lasiomma anthracinum (Czerny), caused minor damage in both years. Feeding by spruce cone axis midge did not reduce cone growth significantly or the number of viable seeds per cone, but feeding by the spruce cone maggot did. During both years new damage by insects to the female reproductive structures of the experimental trees was not observed after mid-July. In 1983 damage by red squirrels occurred from early to late September. In 1984 damage to cones on trees treated with dimethoate was 15.6% compared with 53.5% for untreated trees, without an increase in the number of aborted cones.

scholarly journals Tolerance to Human Presence, a Comparison between Rural and Urban Birds in Southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Maria Cecília Barbosa de Toledo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Individual Bird

Green urban areas such as parks, squares, gardens, and forest fragments present a large diversity of uses and conservation objectives. These spaces provide resources for many species of birds that are confronted with the necessity of living in proximity to humans. It is assumed that bird species that acquire resources in urban environments live in a constant state of fear to guarantee survival and reproduction. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of birds with respect to human presence in two distinct conditions, rural areas (low level of human presence) and urban areas (high level of human presence). The fieldwork was conducted in a city in the Southeast region of Brazil, and the methodology used the alert distance and flight initiation measurements based on the approach of an observer to the individual bird being focused. Our results suggest that individuals observed in urban areas rely on shorter alert and escape distances, especially males, adults, and birds that forage in interspecific flocks. We discuss the challenges and strategies with respect to escape characteristics of urban birds, with special focus on the economic escape theory. In general, our results support those from studies conducted in other urban areas in different biogeographic regions, and they will aid in comprehending the impacts caused by the increase in urban areas around the world.

scholarly journals Cold hardiness of white spruce, black spruce, jack pine, and lodgepole pine needles during dehardening

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1116-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Pengxin Lu ◽  
Qing-Lai Dang
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Pine Needles ◽  
Late Winter

Conifer winter damage results primarily from loss of cold hardiness during unseasonably warm days in late winter and early spring, and such damage may increase in frequency and severity under a warming climate. In this study, the dehardening dynamics of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were examined in relation to thermal accumulation during artificial dehardening in winter (December) and spring (March) using relative electrolyte leakage and visual assessment of pine needles and spruce shoots. Results indicated that all four species dehardened at a similar rate and to a similar extent, despite considerably different thermal accumulation requirements. Spring dehardening was comparatively faster, with black spruce slightly hardier than the other conifers at the late stage of spring dehardening. The difference, however, was relatively small and did not afford black spruce significant protection during seedling freezing tests prior to budbreak in late March and early May. The dehardening curves and models developed in this study may serve as a tool to predict cold hardiness by temperature and to understand the potential risks of conifer cold injury during warming–freezing events prior to budbreak.

CHEMOSYSTEMATIC STUDIES IN THE GENUS PICEA (PINACEAE): II. THE LEAF OIL OF PICEA GLAUCA AND P. MARIANA

1967 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1703-1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Von Rudloff
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Distribution Pattern ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Gas Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Oil Composition ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Leaf Oil ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Ecological Differences

The leaf oils from white and black spruce obtained from different locations in Western and Eastern Canada, Michigan, and Minnesota, have been analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. Both species were found to have a remarkably consistent and distinctive distribution pattern of the leaf oil terpenes. The quantitative variations encountered in samples of the same species from different populations are relatively small and ecological differences are not found to affect the leaf oil composition. Hence, analysis of spruce leaf oils appears to be highly suitable for a study of introgression and hybridization.

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