Red Spruce Death: Effects on Forest Composition and Structure on Whiteface Mountain, New York

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 418 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Battles ◽  
Arthur H. Johnson ◽  
Thomas G. Siccama ◽  
Andrew J. Friedland ◽  
Eric K. Miller
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Whiteface Mountain

Red spruce decline on Whiteface Mountain, New York. II. Relationships between apical and radial growth decline

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1415-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. LeBlanc ◽  
Dudley J. Raynal
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Spruce Decline ◽  
Growth Decline ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Crown Dieback ◽  
The Relationship

Understanding the relationship between apical and radial growth decline can contribute toward the evaluation of hypotheses regarding causal mechanisms of red spruce decline. The etiology of red spruce decline in montane spruce-fir forests of the northeastern United States includes loss of foliage at branch apices, crown dieback, and unreversed radial growth decline since the 1960s. Demographic analyses of crown damage and radial growth decline for red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York, indicate that large, canopy-emergent trees with exposed crowns exhibit greater decline than codominant trees within an intact canopy. In this paper, radial growth decline is shown to have been coincident with decreased apical growth and increased incidence of injury to terminal leaders. Incidence of leader mortality is greatest for canopy-emergent red spruce or trees with exposed crowns, similar to patterns described for radial growth. This relationship suggests that the post-1960 decline of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain is caused, at least in part, by stresses that act directly on the crown.

Tomato mosaic virus infection of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York: prevalence and potential impact

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1340-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Castello ◽  
George D. Bachand ◽  
Philip M. Wargo ◽  
Volker Jacobi ◽  
Donald R. Tobi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Tomato Mosaic Virus ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
First Order ◽  
Virus Incidence ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
Crown Dieback

Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the roots of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) on Whiteface Mountain, New York. Both virus incidence and concentration in the roots of red spruce vary by site and were greater in trees with little to moderate crown dieback than in trees with severe dieback. There was no significant association between virus incidence or concentration in the roots of red spruce and elevation on Whiteface Mountain. Multiple regression analysis of virus concentration in the roots, as the dependent variable, was performed against nine selected crown and root variables. In the final regression model, the number of live second-order nonwoody roots per length of first-order nonwoody root and length of the live crown were positively and negatively correlated, respectively, with virus concentration in the roots. These results suggest a complex epidemiology and a potentially significant impact of ToMV infection on the growth of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain.

Element distribution in red spruce (Picearubens) fine roots; evidence for aluminium toxicity at Whiteface Mountain

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1132-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedda Schlegel ◽  
Robert G. Amundson ◽  
Aloys Hüttermann
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Aluminium Toxicity ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Solution Chemistry ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Ion Distribution ◽  
Root Cortex ◽  
Whiteface Mountain

To determine the element distribution in fine roots of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) at a high-elevation decline site on Whiteface Mountain, New York, fine-root samples were collected and analysed by X-ray microanalysis. Aluminium was found in very high concentrations in the root cortex, but could not be detected in stelar tissues. In contrast, magnesium was found only in the central cylinder in low amounts. The calcium concentration in the cortex was low, but was higher in the stele. Aluminium has been shown to interfere with cation uptake by blocking exchange sites in the cortical apoplast. Thus these results strongly suggest that the low foliar magnesium and calcium contents of the declining red spruce trees are driven by aluminium-induced inhibition of magnesium and calcium uptake. Soil solution chemistry, ion distribution in fine roots, and foliar ion contents at Whiteface Mountain were compared with equivalent data from other forest sites as well as with data from controlled studies on spruce seedlings. These data suggest that aluminium toxicity contributes to red spruce decline at Whiteface Mountain.

Red spruce bud mortality at Whiteface Mountain, New York

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian L. Hadley ◽  
Robert G. Amundson ◽  
J. A. Laurence ◽  
R. J. Kohut
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Freezing Injury ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Foliar Nitrogen ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
Terminal Buds

Terminal bud mortality for shoots produced between 1982 and 1989 was measured for midcanopy branches of mature red spruce trees (Picea rubens Sargent) at two elevations on Whiteface Mountain, New York, U.S.A. Average terminal bud mortality ranged from 15 to 45% in different years, and there was no evidence for a biotic cause of bud mortality. Between branches on different trees, there was a negative correlation between frequency of terminal bud mortality for shoots produced between 1987 and 1989 and the percent change in current-year foliage biomass between 1987 and 1990. Branches with a high frequency of terminal bud mortality also tended to have a high proportion (> 50%) of 1990 shoots developed on adventitious branchlets. In late November 1990, terminal buds from most trees at 710–1120 m elevation were susceptible to freezing injury between −31 and −38 °C when cooled at 4 °C/h under laboratory conditions. Typical winter minimum temperatures at 700–1100 m elevation on Whiteface Mountain are within this range. In a recent controlled study of red spruce seedlings, high foliar nitrogen was associated with an increased risk of freezing injury to terminal buds in autumn. We found that red spruce on Whiteface Mountain had higher foliar nitrogen levels compared with red spruce at a much lower elevation in Maine. Based on these results, we advocate further research on the relationship between foliar nitrogen and bud freezing sensitivity in high elevation red spruce. Key words: Picea rubens, red spruce, bud mortality, freezing injury, nitrogen, red spruce decline.

Acid rain and soils of the Adirondacks. II. Evaluation of calcium and aluminum as causes of red spruce decline at Whiteface Mountain, New York

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2298-2298
Author(s):  
A.H. Johnson ◽  
T.N. Schwartzman ◽  
J.J. Battles ◽  
R. Miller ◽  
E.K. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Acid Rain ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Spruce Decline ◽  
Whiteface Mountain

not available

Dynamic standardization of tree-ring series

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1422-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G. Warren ◽  
David C. LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Growth Function ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Tree Ring Width ◽  
Monotonic Functions ◽  
Interactive Computer Program ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Whiteface Mountain

The compound growth function of Warren (W.G. Warren. 1980. Tree-Ring Bull. 40: 35–44) represented an attempt at developing a model-based approach that standardized tree ring width sequences and was more flexible than the monotonic functions that were then commonly used. While the idea was conceptually attractive, operational difficulties of fitting hindered its use as a practical tool. This paper describes the modifications, and what are believed to be improvements, that have recently been made to the method, and which have led to an interactive computer program by which the fitting of the model to any sequence of ring widths may be readily accomplished. The approach also permits the location of both positive and negative departures from a trend (releases and suppressions, respectively) and estimation of the rate of ring-width increase or decrease. For illustration it has been applied to a sample of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) cores from Whiteface Mountain, New York. Some synchrony in releases and suppressions was detected, with suppressions being very conspicuous since the late 1950s. Also, the recent reductions in growth rates are as great, or greater, than those previously exhibited by the trees of this sample.

Red spruce decline on Whiteface Mountain, New York. I. Relationships with elevation, tree age, and competition

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1408-1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Growth Decline ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
Study Sites

Detailed stem analysis and stand structure and history analyses are used to evaluate relationships between growth decline in populations of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) on Whiteface Mountain and elevation, tree age and size, and stand dynamics. The study sites are virgin, uneven-aged spruce-fir forests at 900 and 1100 m elevation. Most red spruce sampled exhibited substantial decreases in annual stem wood volume increment from 1964 to 1984, particularly large trees and trees from higher elevation. While larger trees exhibited more severe growth decline, there is no evidence of a direct causal link between tree age and decline. Inverse relationships between growth and competition indices are evident for periods prior to the onset of decline, but these relationships degrade during the period of growth decline; competition is not causally linked to decline. There is some indication that the decline-inciting stress was particularly severe for canopy-emergent and exposed red spruce, suggesting the action of an atmospheric stress.

Patterns of foliar injury to red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York, during a high-injury winter

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Freezing Injury ◽  
Adirondack Mountains ◽  
Foliar Injury ◽  
Southern Aspect ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
A Site

Winter injury to red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) after the winter of 1992–1993 was measured at an elevation of 1050 m at a site on Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Approximately 21% of the 1992 foliage was injured. Damage increased with height in the canopy (P < 0.0001), and was highest on the southern aspect (P < 0.0001), followed by the western aspect, which sustained more damage than the northern and eastern aspects (P < 0.0001). Damage was highest on trees whose canopy was fertilized with nitrogen, intermediate on ground-fertilized trees, and lowest on untreated trees, but differences were not significant (P = 0.45) and were confounded with stand structure differences. The strong aspect and height patterns of damage confirm earlier work showing that solar radiation plays an important role in causing the freezing injury that leads to winter damage in red spruce.

Comparisons of seasonal changes in photosynthetic capacity, pigments, and carbohydrates of healthy sapling and mature red spruce and of declining and healthy red spruce

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1605-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.G. Amundson ◽  
J.L. Hadley ◽  
J.F. Fincher ◽  
S. Fellows ◽  
R.G. Alscher
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Total Soluble Sugars ◽  
Nutrient Imbalances ◽  
Whiteface Mountain ◽  
Time Courses

To determine whether healthy sapling and mature red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) or healthy and declining mature red spruce were physiologically similar, photosynthetic capacity, pigments, and carbohydrates of the three or four most current age-classes of foliage were measured through one growing season. Foliar nutrients were measured once in September. The healthy trees were located at low pollution deposition sites near Howland (mature trees) or Millinocket (saplings), Maine, while the trees in decline were located at a high pollution deposition site at 1100 m on Whiteface Mountain, New York (mature trees). The seasonal time courses of all variables were similar regardless of tree age or vigor. For healthy trees, photosynthetic capacity and foliar nitrogen were positively correlated and declined with age of foliage. For trees in decline, photosynthetic capacity was not correlated with nitrogen and nitrogen did not decline in older foliage. Calcium and magnesium were low in current-year foliage from trees in decline, as were total soluble sugars and raffinose. The nutrient imbalances, lack of correlation between nitrogen and photosynthetic capacity, and low foliar carbohydrates indicate that the trees in decline are physiologically impaired. The low levels of total soluble sugars and raffinose also indicate that current-year foliage of trees in decline may have reduced cold tolerance and thus should predispose that foliage to winter damage.

Relationships between breast-height and whole-stem growth indices for red spruce on Whiteface Mountain, New York

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1399-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stem Growth ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Growth Indices ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Volume Increment ◽  
Annual Volume ◽  
Whiteface Mountain

This paper describes relationships between tree growth indices based on ring width measurements at 1.4 m aboveground and indices derived from whole-stem analysis for red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) in a high-elevation spruce-fir forest on Whiteface Mountain, New York. Coefficients of determination for linear regressions between mean, standardized chronologies for breast-height ring width versus whole-stem ring width and basal area increment versus annual volume increment are 0.89 and 0.93, respectively. However, substantial variability is apparent in breast-height versus whole-stem relationships for individual trees, particularly for unstandardized growth indices. Also, relationships between unstandardized growth indices exhibit temporal instability associated with individual tree maturation and stand dynamics. Nonetheless, strong relationships between mean standardized chronologies of breast-height and whole-stem growth indices validate the use of breast-height growth indices to represent year-to-year variation in mean growth performance of red spruce. A volume-equation-based procedure is described that provides better dendrochronological estimates of annual volume increment than estimates based on basal area increment alone.

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