scholarly journals Regional Climate, Edaphic Conditions and Establishment Substrates Interact to Influence Initial Growth of Black Spruce and Jack Pine Planted in the Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Henneb ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
Osvaldo Valeria
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Wood Fiber ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Pinus Spp ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

In eastern Canada, spruces (Picea spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.) are among the main commercial species being logged for their lumber or wood fiber. Annually, about 175 million seedlings are planted in areas totaling ~100,000 ha. Appropriate microsite selection is essential during reforestation operations, given that it can improve the chances of survival and initial growth of the seedlings. In fir (Abies spp.) and spruce forests of eastern Canada, the optimal characteristics of establishment microsites have yet to be identified; these would be determined by different physical and climatic variables operating at several scales. Our study determined the influence of climatic (regional-scale), edaphic (stand-scale), local (microsite-scale) and planting conditions on the establishment substrate and initial growth of black spruce (Picea mariana Britton, Sterns and Poggenb.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). Substrate characterization and growth monitoring (three growing seasons) for the two species were conducted on 29 planted cutblocks that were distributed over an east–west climatic gradient (precipitation and temperature) in the balsam fir and black spruce–feather moss forests of Quebec (Canada). Linear mixed models and multivariate analyses (PCAs) determined the effects of climatic, edaphic and micro-environmental variables and their interactions on the establishment substrate and seedling initial growth. The predictive models explained, respectively, 61% and 75% of the growth variability of black spruce and jack pine. Successful establishment of black spruce and jack pine depended upon regional conditions of precipitations and temperature, as well as on their interactions with stand-scale edaphic variables (surface deposit, drainage and slope) and local variables (micro-environmental) at the microsite-scale (establishment substrate types and substrate temperature). Mineral, organo-mineral and organic establishment substrates exerted mixed effects on seedling growth according to regional precipitation and temperature conditions, as well as their interactions with edaphic and local variables at the stand and microsite-scales, respectively.

scholarly journals Deep Planting Has No Short- or Long-Term Effect on the Survival and Growth of White Spruce, Black Spruce, and Jack Pine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Paquette ◽  
Jean-Pierre Girard ◽  
Denis Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Planting Depth ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Tukey Honestly Significant Difference

Abstract Although studies in the past have reported that the deeper planting of conifers has no effect on seedling performance, most planting guidelines in use today still recommend that seedlings be planted to the rootcollar. Past studies were mostly observational, used bareroot seedlings, and often reported early results from just one or two depths of planting treatments. Most of the results available regarding planting depth for boreal species are anecdotal, although they are planted by the hundreds of millions every year. The present study reports no short-term (1 year) or long-term (15 to 19 years) negative effect of planting depth on the survival and height and diameter growth of black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine seedlings over three large, replicated experiments in the boreal forest of eastern and northern Quebec (eastern Canada). Four different depth treatments were compared, from manual planting at the rootcollar to the deepest mechanical planting treatment at 10 cm or more, making this the largest, longest-lasting study of its kind. Although, as expected, important differences in growth were present between species, all three commonly planted conifers reacted similarly to the planting depth treatments (no effect). This result can in part be attributed to an almost perfect control of frost heaving in the deepest two treatments. Planting depth effects were assessed using analysis of variance, multiple Tukey honestly significant difference, and uncorrected pairwise one-tailed t-tests to increase the probability of detecting a negative effect. Absolute differences and effect sizes (generally small and often positive with greater depths) were also analyzed.

Black spruce decline triggered by spruce budworm at the southern limit of lichen woodland in eastern Canada

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2160-2172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Simard ◽  
Serge Payette
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Spruce Decline

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) is the dominant tree species of the southernmost (48°N) lichen woodlands in eastern Canada. Most spruce trees in mature lichen woodlands appear to be declining, as shown by the massive invasion of the epiphytic lichen Bryoria on dead branches of dying trees. A dendroecological study was undertaken to identify the main causal factors of the decline. A decline index based on the abundance of Bryoria on spruce trees was used to distinguish healthy from damaged lichen–spruce woodlands and to select sampling sites for tree-ring measurements. Three conifer species (black spruce, balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.)) were sampled to compare their growth patterns in time and space. In the late 1970s and mid-1980s, black spruce and balsam fir experienced sharp and synchronous radial-growth reductions, a high frequency of incomplete and missing rings, and mass mortality likely caused by spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) defoliation. Jack pine, a non-host species, showed no such trend. Because black spruce layers were spared, lichen woodlands will eventually regenerate unless fire occurs in the following years. Black spruce decline can thus be considered as a normal stage in the natural dynamics of the southern lichen woodlands.

scholarly journals Occupancy of the American Three-toed Woodpecker in a Heavily Managed Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Lamarre ◽  
Junior A. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Old Growth Forest

The southern extent of the boreal forest in North America has experienced intensive human disturbance in the past decades. Among these, forest harvesting leads to the substantial loss of late-successional stands that include key habitat attributes for several avian species. The American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis, is associated with continuous old spruce forests in the eastern part of its range. In this study, we assess the influence of habitat characteristics at different scales on the occupancy of American Three-toed Woodpecker in a heavily managed boreal landscape of northeastern Canada, and we inferred species occupancy at the regional scale. We conducted 185 playback stations over two breeding seasons and modelled the occupancy of the species while taking into account the probability of detection. American Three-toed Woodpecker occupancy was lower in stands with large areas recently clear-cut, and higher in landscapes with large extents of old-growth forest dominated by black spruce. At the regional scale, areas with high probability of occupancy were scarce and mostly within protected areas. Habitat requirements of the American Three-toed Woodpecker during the breeding season, coupled with over-all low occupancy rate in our study area, challenge its long-term sustainability in such heavily managed landscapes. Additionally, the scarcity of areas of high probability of occupancy in the region suggest that the ecological role of old forest outside protected areas could be compromised.

scholarly journals Occupancy of the American Three-Toed Woodpecker in a Heavily-Managed Boreal Forest of Eastern Canada

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Vincent Lamarre ◽  
Junior A. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Old Growth Forest

The southern extent of the boreal forest in North America has experienced intensive human disturbance in recent decades. Among these, forest harvesting leads to the substantial loss of late-successional stands that include key habitat attributes for several avian species. The American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis, is associated with continuous old spruce forests in the eastern part of its range. In this study, we assessed the influence of habitat characteristics at different scales on the occupancy of American Three-toed Woodpecker in a heavily-managed boreal landscape of northeastern Canada, and we inferred species occupancy at the regional scale. We conducted 185 playback stations over two breeding seasons and modelled the occupancy of the species while taking into account the probability of detection. American Three-toed Woodpecker occupancy was lower in stands with large areas recently clear-cut, and higher in landscapes with large extents of old-growth forest dominated by black spruce. At the regional scale, areas with high probability of occupancy were scarce and mostly within protected areas. Habitat requirements of the American Three-toed Woodpecker during the breeding season, coupled with overall low occupancy rate in our study area, challenge its long-term sustainability in such heavily managed landscapes. Additionally, the scarcity of areas of high probability of occupancy in the region suggests that the ecological role of old forest outside protected areas could be compromised.

Delayed emergence of four conifer species on postfire seedbeds in eastern Canada

1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thomas ◽  
Ross W. Wein
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Delayed Emergence ◽  
Dense Stand ◽  
Viable Seeds

This study compares the emergence of jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.), eastern white pine (Pinusstrobus L.), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.). Mill.) for three seasons after sowing on two postfire seedbeds to test the hypothesis that conifer species differ in their ability to store viable seeds in the soil. Less than 20% of all viable seeds produced emergent seedlings in the first growing season. Emergence continued in the second growing season but not in the third. No viable seeds of any species were found at the end of the experiment. During the second growing season (July 1), the emergence of jack pine was greatest at the warmer and drier site but at the cooler and moister site, large numbers of black spruce emerged; by the end of the second season jack pine seedlings predominated at both sites. Although this delayed emergence accounted for <3% of the viable jack pine seeds sown, this percentage would be sufficient to produce a dense stand given normal postfire seedfall rates. It is suggested that delayed emergence from the soil along with partial seed retention in tree crowns are strategies of jack pine and black spruce which increase the probability of establishment even if the immediate postfire conditions are particularly inhospitable.

Recent dynamics of jack pine at its northern distribution limit in northern Quebec

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1157-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireille Desponts ◽  
Serge Payette
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
Fire Scar ◽  
Postfire Regeneration

The northernmost jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) populations in northern Quebec are located at the boreal forest–forest tundra boundary, along the Grande rivière de la Baleine, where they colonize the sandy terraces affected by recurrent fires. The recent fire history in the study area, as deduced from fire scar and age structure data, spans a 216-year period from 1773 to 1988. Forest fires occurred on the sites at intervals averaging 40 to 80 years. The analysis of 19 coniferous stands (jack pine and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Bsp)) indicated that forest communities younger than 67 years old were open jack pine – Cladina mitis or jack pine – black spruce – C. mitis woodlands, while the oldest stands, more than 132 years old, were dominated by jack pine, black spruce, and Cladina stellaris. Stands less than 67-years-old had an age structure almost normally distributed and regeneration often occurred within less than 30 years after fire in both species, while most stands older than 132 years had a multiaged structure. In sites with a prolonged fire-free interval, jack pine was overgrown by black spruce. Spruce woodlands have developed on sites where the organic layer was relatively thick and continuous and they are the end result of the postfire successional process. However, at several sites both conifer species showed an ability to regenerate in prolonged absence of fire disturbance, particularly in open sites with exposed mineral substrates. At the regional scale, fire frequency during the last 200 years has been high enough to prevent pine exclusion at its range limit. The key requirement for the long-term maintenance of jack pine populations is that fires return at intervals shorter than the average life-span of individual trees. It is concluded that the northernmost jack pine populations are able to maintain and regenerate under present fire conditions. Key words: fire, subarctic, jack pine, postfire regeneration, boreal forest.

scholarly journals Allometric Equations for Estimating Biomass and Carbon Stocks in Afforested Open Woodlands with Black Spruce and Jack Pine, in the Eastern Canadian Boreal Forest

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Olivier Fradette ◽  
Charles Marty ◽  
Pascal Tremblay ◽  
Daniel Lord ◽  
Jean-François Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Allometric Equations ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

Allometric equations use easily measurable biometric variables to determine the aboveground and belowground biomasses of trees. Equations produced for estimating the biomass within Canadian forests at a large scale have not yet been validated for eastern Canadian boreal open woodlands (OWs), where trees experience particular environmental conditions. In this study, we harvested 167 trees from seven boreal OWs in Quebec, Canada for biomass and allometric measurements. These data show that Canadian national equations accurately predict the whole aboveground biomass for both black spruce and jack pine trees, but underestimated branches biomass, possibly owing to a particular tree morphology in OWs relative to closed-canopy stands. We therefore developed ad hoc allometric equations based on three power models including diameter at breast height (DBH) alone or in combination with tree height (H) as allometric variables. Our results show that although the inclusion of H in the model yields better fits for most tree compartments in both species, the difference is minor and does not markedly affect biomass C stocks at the stand level. Using these newly developed equations, we found that carbon stocks in afforested OWs varied markedly among sites owing to differences in tree growth and species. Nine years after afforestation, jack pine plantations had accumulated about five times more carbon than black spruce plantations (0.14 vs. 0.80 t C·ha−1), highlighting the much larger potential of jack pine for OW afforestation projects in this environment.

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