scholarly journals Groundwater Level Fluctuations Affect the Mortality of Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.)

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirela Tulik ◽  
Adam Grochowina ◽  
Joanna Jura-Morawiec ◽  
Szymon Bijak
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Groundwater Level Fluctuations ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Crown Defoliation ◽  
Soil Water Resources

Since the 1990s, a decline of riparian black alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.) has been observed over Europe. The fungus-like eukaryotic pathogen Phytophthora alni subsp. alni is thought to be a causal agent of this process; however, abiotic factors may also be involved. Previous studies suggest that climate conditions and, especially, depletion of groundwater level may be among the most important factors that trigger this phenomenon. We investigated the radial growth and wood vessel diameter of black alder trees of various vigour classes as well as their response to groundwater level changes to search for the link between soil water resources availability and mortality related to alder dieback. Samples were collected in the natural stand located near Sieraków village in the Kampinoski National Park, central Poland, in the area where alder dieback has been recently observed. Based on the crown defoliation level, three vigour classes (healthy, weakened, and dead trees) were distinguished. Cross sections were prepared with a sliding microtome, and Cell P image analysis software was used for the measurements. Tree-ring width (TRW) and vessel diameter (VD) were determined and correlated with the monthly values of precipitation and groundwater level. Alders of the analysed vigour classes exhibited similar patterns of TRW and VD changes over the analysis time. The narrowest tree rings were observed in weakened alders, while the largest vessels were noted in healthy trees. In the case of TRW and VD chronologies, the weakest, and hence insignificant, resemblance was found for healthy and dead trees. TRW and VD of the analysed alders were not correlated with the monthly sum of precipitation, but a negative influence of rainfall in April was observed. In turn, groundwater level had an impact on the radial growth and wood anatomical features of the analysed trees. A negative effect of the highest water table level was found for TRW of weakened and dead trees as well as for VD of healthy and weakened alders. The lowest groundwater level and the amplitude of the water table positively affected VD of the dead trees. Alder decline has a polyetiological nature, and groundwater level fluctuations are one of many factors contributing to disease development.

scholarly journals Nitrogen mineralization and gaseous nitrogen losses from waterlogged and drained organic soils in a black alder (<i>Alnus glutinosa</i> (L.) Gaertn.) forest

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2961-2976 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Eickenscheidt ◽  
J. Heinichen ◽  
J. Augustin ◽  
A. Freibauer ◽  
M. Drösler
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Incubation Experiment ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Net Nitrification ◽  
N2o Fluxes

Abstract. Black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) forests on peat soils have been reported to be hotspots for high nitrous oxide (N2O) losses. High emissions may be attributed to alternating water tables of peatlands and to the incorporation of high amounts of easily decomposable nitrogen (N) into the ecosystem by symbiotic dinitrogen (N2)-fixation of alder trees. Our study addressed the question to what extent drainage enhances the emissions of N2O from black alder forests and how N turnover processes and physical factors influence the production of N2O and total denitrification. The study was conducted in a drained black alder forest with variable groundwater tables at a southern German fen peatland. Fluxes of N2O were measured using the closed chamber method at two drained sites (D-1 and D-2) and one undrained site (U). Inorganic N contents and net N mineralization rates (NNM) were determined. Additionally a laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to investigate greenhouse gas and N2 fluxes at different temperature and soil moisture conditions. Significantly different inorganic N contents and NNM rates were observed, which however did not result in significantly different N2O fluxes in the field but did in the laboratory experiment. N2O fluxes measured were low for all sites, with total annual emissions of 0.51 ± 0.07 (U), 0.97 ± 0.13 (D-1) and 0.93 ± 0.08 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1 (D-2). Only 37% of the spatiotemporal variation in field N2O fluxes could be explained by peat temperature and groundwater level, demonstrating the complex interlinking of the controlling factors for N2O emissions. However, temperature was one of the key variables of N2O fluxes in the incubation experiment conducted. Increasing soil moisture content was found to enhance total denitrification losses during the incubation experiment, whereas N2O fluxes remained constant. At the undrained site, permanently high groundwater level was found to prevent net nitrification, resulting in a limitation of available nitrate (NO3−) and negligible gaseous N losses. N2O flux rates that were up to four times higher were measured in the incubation experiment. They reveal the potential of high N2O losses under changing soil physical conditions at the drained alder sites. The high net nitrification rates observed and high NO3− contents bear the risk of considerable NO3− leaching at the drained sites.

scholarly journals Effect of water level and climatic factors on the radial growth of black alder

2011 ◽  
Vol 65 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 164-169
Author(s):  
Didzis Elferts ◽  
Iluta Dauškane ◽  
Guna Ūsele ◽  
Agita Treimane
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Effect Of Water ◽  
River Banks

Effect of water level and climatic factors on the radial growth of black alder Black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) is a widespread tree species in Europe and the western part of the temperate climate zone. The area of forest in Latvia dominated by this tree species has substantially decreased due to wide-spread forest drainage. To predict future changes due to environmental change, it is extremely important to understand the function of ecosystems with black alder and their dynamics. Tree rings can be used as a proxy of past environmental factors. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of meteorological and hydrological factors on radial growth of black alder at two study sites (Dursupe and Raķupe) in Latvia. The response of black alder trees to the influence of climatic and hydrological factors was found to depend on site conditions, i.e. a climatic effect was observed in conditions when the water level was low. Spatial variation in the strength of the relationship of black alder growth to temperature, precipitation, and river level suggests that alder growth is more susceptible to drought stress on higher river banks, where the water table is deeper. Black alder trees growing on low river banks can potentially be used to reconstruct past water-levels.

Modeling radial growth increment of black alder (Alnus glutionsa (L.) Gaertn.) tree

2008 ◽  
Vol 215 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 180-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Laganis ◽  
Aleksandar Pečkov ◽  
Marko Debeljak
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Growth Increment ◽  
Black Alder

scholarly journals Glossiness Evaluation of Coated Wood Surfaces as Function of Varnish Type and Exposure to Different Conditions

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Emilia-Adela Salca ◽  
Tomasz Krystofiak ◽  
Barbara Lis ◽  
Salim Hiziroglu
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Aging ◽  
Chemical Resistance ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Wood Surfaces ◽  
Water Borne

The objective of this study was to evaluate the glossiness of black alder wood (Alnus glutinosa L.) samples coated with two varnish types as a function of exposure to dry heat and artificial aging. The chemical resistance of the coated samples to cold liquids was also evaluated. Based on the findings in this work, it appears that the varnish types and their structural differences influenced the overall glossiness of the coated samples. The UV varnish exhibited higher gloss values than those coated with the water-borne product within the range of silky gloss and silky matte grades. The heat exposure influenced the surface glossiness of the UV-coated samples more than the samples coated with water-borne varnish. The overall gloss values of the samples decreased with the exposure time to artificial aging, resulting in no layer cracks. The cold household liquids left less visible traces on the surfaces and alcohol was found to be the strongest agent. This study could have practical applications in the furniture industry to produce value-added furniture units according to their specific conditions of indoor use.

scholarly journals Response of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) to selective thinning of various intensities

2020 ◽  
Vol 144 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 378-378
Author(s):  
Simon Lendvai ◽  
Jurij Diaci ◽  
Dušan Roženbergar
Keyword(s):  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Black Alder

Područje poplavnih šuma crne johe (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) u Sloveniji čini samo 0,4 % (približno 4708 ha) ukupne površine šumskog zemljišta (Čater i sur., 2001.). Veći kompleks takvih sastojina u Sloveniji su Črni i Polanski Log, a istraživanje je provedeno na području potonjeg (slika 1). Kako čiste sastojine johe odlikuju brojne specifičnosti, potrebno im je prilagoditi šumskouzgojne postupke. Da bi se utvrdio odgovarajući intenzitet prorjede takvih sastojina, 1967. godine u Polanskom Logu postavljene su pokusne plohe. Od tada do 2018. godine na plohama je izvršeno pet do sedam mjerenja. Sva stabla na plohama su bila obrojčana. Izvršeno je mjerenje prsnih promjera i procjena sljedećih elemenata na stablima: pripadnost etaži, vitalnost, uzgojna perspektiva, uzgojna uloga, duljina krošnje i kvaliteta (tablica 3). Svaka ploha bila je podijeljena u tri polja (40 x 50 m) s različitim metodama rada: bez intervencije, umjereno i intenzivno prorjeđivanje. Uzgojni postupci koji su poduzeti tijekom praćenja pokusa prikazani su u tablici 2. Danas su te sastojine u zreloj fazi razvoja, stoga smo u ovom radu analizirali reakcije crne johe na različite intenzitete prorjeđivanja i dobivene rezultate usporedili s preporukama autora tradicionalnih uzgojnih modela i modela koji se temelje na situacijskoj njezi šuma. Ustanovili smo da se na plohama s intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem gustoća sastojine koja je u dobi između 50 i 70 godina i na kraju je ophodnje kreće od 295 do 690 kom/ha (slika 3), dok se na plohama bez intervencije ova vrijednost kreće u rasponu od 370 do 790 kom/ha. Drvne zalihe u istom su se razdoblju kretale u rasponu od 277 do 458 m<sup>3</sup>/ha na plohama s intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem, dok su na plohama bez intervencije bile veće, u rasponu od 309 do 516 m<sup>3</sup>/ha (slika 4). U to su se doba temeljnice nalazile u rasponu između 23 i 41 m<sup>2</sup>/ha na plohama s intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem, a na plohama bez intervencije u rasponu od 26 do čak 51 m<sup>2</sup>/ha (slika 5). Tijekom cijelog razdoblja praćenja ploha, stabla su, bez obzira na metodu rada, narasla za tri do četiri debljinska stupnja (slika 2). Na plohama s umjerenim prorjeđivanjem i onima bez intervencije, debljinski prirast stabala bio je skoro jednak (0,33 cm godišnje) (slika 6). Statistički je značajan veći debljinski prirast stabala na plohama s jako intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem (0,37 cm godišnje). Debljinski prirast dominantnih stabala bio je nešto veći, od 0,46 cm godišnje na plohama bez intervencije do 0,50 cm godišnje na plohama s jako intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem, ali statistički značajne razlike između metoda rada nisu utvrđene (slika 6). Međutim, otkrili smo da kod dominantnih stabala ne postoje statistički značajne razlike s obzirom na njihovu slojevitost, vitalnost, tendenciju, dužinu krošnje i kvalitete s obzirom na korištenu metodu rada. U usporedbi s uzgojnim modelima koji su se koristili za manji broj odabranih stabla, gustoća i temeljnica ispitivanih sastojina je znatno veća, a debljinski prirast manji. Autori tradicionalnih i modela s manjim brojem odabranih stabala zagovaraju rano prorjeđivanje takvih sastojina (tablica 1). Veće razlike nastaju u konačnom broju stabala po hektaru i u intenzitetu intervencije. Razlog malog debljinskog prirasta i razlike između metoda rada na našim plohama pripisali smo nedovoljnom intenzitetu i djelomično nedosljednoj provedbi postupka prorjeđivanja. Ipak, ukazala se potreba za intenzivnim prorjeđivanjem i pospješivanjem rasta stabala najvećeg prsnog promjera, vitalnosti i tendencije, lijepo oblikovane i duge krošnje (slika 7, slika 8).

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