scholarly journals Analyzing the Vertical Distribution of Crown Material in Mixed Stand Composed of Two Temperate Tree Species

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Martin-Ducup ◽  
Robert Schneider ◽  
Richard Fournier
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Geometrical Approach ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

The material distribution inside tree crowns is difficult to quantify even though it is an important variable in forest management and ecology. The vertical distribution of a relative density index (i.e., vertical profile) of the total, woody, and leafy material at the crown scale were estimated from terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) data on two species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and balsam fir (Abies Balsamea Mill.). An algorithm based on a geometrical approach readily available in the Computree open source platform was used. Beta distributions were then fitted to the vertical profiles and compared to each other. Total and leafy profiles had similar shapes, while woody profiles were different. Thus, the total vertical distribution could be a good proxy for the leaf distribution in the crown. Sugar maple and balsam fir had top heavy and bottom heavy distributions respectively, which can be explained by their respective architectural development. Moreover, the foliage distribution of sugar maples shifted towards the crown base when it was found in mixed stands, when compared to pure stands. The opposite behavior was observed for balsam firs, but less pronounced. According to the shape of the foliage distribution, sugar maple takes advantages from mixture contrarily to balsam fir. From a methodological point of view, we proposed an original approach to separate wood from leaf returns in TLS data while taking into account occlusion. Wood and leaf separation and occlusion problems are two challenging issues for most TLS-based studies in forest ecology.

Research on belowground productivity and ecophysiology of balsam fir and sugar maple in New Brunswick

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Krasowski ◽  
M B Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Root Dynamics ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Coarse Root

We are investigating responses of ecosystem processes to climate and silvicultural practices to improve predictions of climate change impacts and to assess opportunities for adapting to impending changes. This involves studies of fine- and coarse-root dynamics, the distribution of net primary production between aboveground and belowground components of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum [Marsh.]) and photosynthetic capacity of balsam fir during winter and spring. Ongoing studies are described. Key words: fine roots, coarse roots, conifer, hardwood, net primary production, biomass dynamics, photosynthetic recovery, root lifespan, root turnover, soil temperature

Logging-induced change (1930-2002) of a preindustrial landscape at the northern range limit of northern hardwoods, eastern Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Boucher ◽  
Dominique Arseneault ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Mixed Stands

Logging-induced changes from preindustrial (1930) to current conditions (2002) were studied in a landscape covering 13 550 ha in eastern Quebec. Age and types of forest cover were compared between 1930 and 2002 forest maps. In addition, we compared relative species abundance between living stems and coarse woody debris to study these changes at the stand scale. More than 90% of the 1930 preindustrial landscape was composed of forest stands older than 100 years. A balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) – white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) dominated conifer cover (77% of the landscape area) formed the landscape matrix across the lowlands and was intermingled with mixed stands of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and conifers on the highlands. As a result of recurrent logging, stands less than 70 years old accounted for 93% of the 2002 landscape. From 1930 to 2002, 37% of the landscape was converted from coniferous to mixed forest, and 19% evolved towards a deciduous cover. The total number of cover patches doubled to 193, whereas mean patch size decreased twofold to 65 ha. Sugar maple, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum L.), and white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) probably experienced a greater increase in abundance, whereas balsam fir, white spruce, and eastern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) experienced a more pronounced decrease. Because it does not consider preindustrial landscape patterns, the system of ecological land classification currently in use in this area suggests that potential late-successional cover types should be more similar to present-day than to preindustrial conditions.

scholarly journals Étude rétrospective de l'accroissement en diamètre du sapin baumier (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) et de l'épinette rouge (Picea rubens Sarg.) en peuplements mixtes après une coupe a diamètre limite

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 791-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Harvesting Time

Diameter growth at breast height of 341 balsam fir and red spruce stems has been reproduced over a time lapse of 50 years following a diameter limit cutting. The available information has been analyzed with a statistical model in which the effects of time, species (two levels), ecological type (three levels) and diameter at harvesting have been tested. Results indicate that balsam fir saplings have higher diameter growths than red spruce saplings, but only in the case of better ecological types. The differences between both species are smaller for stems having a merchantable diameter (dbh > 9.0 cm) at harvesting time. On poor ecological station, red spruce diameter growth is more important than for balsam fir and this, whatever the diameter at harvesting time. On the other hand, as indicated by this analysis, stem diameter at the time of silvicultural treatment constitutes a significant variable in the prediction of diameter growth for red spruce stems, while the effect of this variable is less identifiable for balsam fir. Even if significant, the growth differences between the two species are small. The competition created by the balsam fir regeneration on red spruce saplings is definitely not the cause of the depletion of red spruce in second growth stands.. Key words: red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), diameter growth, partial cut, mixed stands, linear model, mixed model

Dynamique de la sapinière à bouleau jaune de l'est après une épidémie de tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Pominville ◽  
Stéphane Déry ◽  
Louis Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
The Dead

An outbreak of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), occurred between 1974 and 1987, in Quebec, in the eastern balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, - yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton, ecoclimatic sub-domain. The effect of this disruption has been assessed in mesic balsam fir stands killed during the outbreak, in mesic balsam fir stands partially damaged and in the following stands, also partially damaged: mesic yellow birch – balsam fir stands, mesic white birch, Betulapapyrifera Marsh., - balsam fir stands, mesic balsam fir – yellow birch stands, mesic balsam fir – white birch stands and xeric balsam fir stands. To that effect, surveys were led before, immediately after, and about five years after the outbreak in two blocks that have not been protected with insecticides. These blocks, located in Charlevoix and in Shipshaw management units, are second growth stands originating from clearcuts which occured about 50 years ago. Approximately five years after the outbreak, abundant coniferous regeneration was found everywhere except in the mesic yellow birch –balsam fir stand and in the dead mesic balsam fir stand, where softwood represented less than 50% of the regeneration. On the other hand, young softwood stems were located under the regeneration of white birch and of mountain maple, Acer spicatum Lam, in dead balsam fir stands, in balsam fir – white birch stands, as well as in living balsam fir stands and under mountain maple in yellow birch – balsam fir stands and in balsam fir – yellow birch stands. Our age structures indicate that softwood advance growth was relatively rare in these stands. Thus, during the opening of the canopy by the spruce budworm, intolerant hard-woods and shrubs invaded the still available microsites. In the dead balsam fir stands, stocking of the dominant hardwood regeneration stems is equivalent to that of softwood. Thus, dead balsam fir stands are turning to mixed stands. Xeric stands will remain softwood stands since they show luxuriant softwood regeneration dominating in height. In the other stands, we will have to wait the harvest period before we can adequately assess succession.

Basal area and diameter growth in high-graded eastern temperate mixedwood forests: the influence of acceptable growing stock, species, competition and climate

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 659-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Power ◽  
Patricia Raymond ◽  
Marcel Prévost ◽  
Vincent Roy ◽  
Frank Berninger
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Growing Stock ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Stem Quality ◽  
History Of

AbstractHarvesting practices in temperate mixedwoods of eastern North America have a history of diameter-limit cuts, which have often resulted in degraded residual stands. In this study, we examined the factors influencing stand basal area (BA) and tree diameter growth in previously high-graded mixedwood forests, to understand which stands are more likely to recover from high-grading. Over 15 years, we monitored tree growth, recruitment and stem quality of 532 sample plots that were located in high-graded stands of Quebec’s mixedwood forest. We found that diameter growth rates were positively correlated with precipitation-related variables for balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and for yellow birch (Betulla alleghaniensis) but opposing trends for temperature-related variables were found. Conversely to balsam fir, yellow birch growth was positively correlated to temperature variables. Our results also show that BA growth was greater for plots with a larger acceptable growing stock (AGS: trees with potential sawlog production) and that the increase in AGS was greater for plots with larger amount of conifer BA. These result highlights the importance to maintain a proportion of conifer trees in these mixed stands. Moreover, the significant effect of asymmetric competition in our study underscores the relevance of considering the spatial distribution when choosing crop trees.

COMPARATIVE EFFICACIES OF SINGLE AND DOUBLE APPLICATIONS OF COMMERCIAL BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA IN BALSAM FIR STANDS

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. N. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Mixed Stands

Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B.t.) is the most widely used biological control agent against the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), a major defoliator of coniferous forests. The technology of applying the bacterium, however, is still not fully developed and the strategy of applying single or split applications of B.t. in unmixed stands is still in question. Double applications are generally accepted as necessary in mixed stands of white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, red spruce, P. rubens Sarg., black spruce, P. mariana (Mill.) BSP, and balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., due to difference in the phenological development of the host trees and of the budworm infesting them. Field trials were conducted at Mine Centre, Ontario, to compare the efficacies of double and single applications of B.t. against the budwonn infesting balsam fir stands.

La végétation forestière du Parc du Mont-Orford, Québec

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1522-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Gauvin ◽  
André Bouchard
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Tsuga Canadensis ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Successional Forests ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Steep Slopes

In the context of a biophysical inventory of Mount Orford Park, the vegetation was sampled in 55 stations distributed throughout the territory, using the methodology of Bray and Curtis. Analysis with polar ordination points to altitudinal and humidity gradients as the main components responsible for the spatial distribution of the plant communities. Mesic forests of low altitude are dominated mostly by Acer saccharum, while the summits of the Orford massif support mixed stands of balsam fir, white birch, and red spruce. Some xeric forests of small areal extent, dominated by Pinus strobus or Quercus rubra, occupy the steep slopes of western or southwestern exposure. Tsuga canadensis or Abies balsamea dominate the communities of moist habitats. Finally, successional forests are found in some sectors of the park disturbed by fire or cutting. The description of each community is based on the structure, floristic composition, and dynamics of the vegetation as well as on environmental factors.

scholarly journals Potential for Sugar Maple to Provide High-Quality Sawlog Trees at the Northern Edge of Its Range

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-419
Author(s):  
François Guillemette ◽  
Steve Bédard
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Additional Increase ◽  
Selection Cutting ◽  
Soil Variables ◽  
Northern Edge

AbstractThe management of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) at the northern edge of its range is mainly oriented toward timber production, from trees of higher grades. However, both the quality of mature trees in natural stands and how the quality may vary depending on the silvicultural treatment are unknown, especially under northern conditions. The objective of this study was to describe the variation in stem quality of mature maple trees (diameter >33 cm) according to climatic, geographic or soil variables, and to evaluate the effects of a first selection cutting cycle on this quality. Annual temperature (1.7–4.1° C) was the most important variable explaining differences in the proportion of higher-grade trees, with a 16 percent gain associated with every additional increase in degrees Celsius. The practice of a first selection cutting was associated with an 11 percent gain in this proportion. Although the actual proportion of high-quality trees was below 35 percent on the coolest sites, a proper tree selection through silviculture could likely improve this proportion in future decades, whereas the potential effects of climate change are unclear.

FOREST COMMUNITIES IN NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA

1953 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. Moss
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Natural Succession ◽  
Balsam Poplar ◽  
Feather Moss

Spruce, tamarack (larch), balsam fir, pine, and poplar communities of the region are described in terms of floristic composition and ecological relationships. The white spruce (Picea glauca) association is regarded as the climax type of the region. Of four phases or faciations presented by the white spruce association, the feather moss faciation appears to be the climax to which the other faciations tend to develop. Two black spruce (Picea mariana) communities are recognized, the black spruce – feather moss association and the black spruce–peat moss association. Of these, the former is characterized by "feather mosses" such as Hylocomium splendens and has developed on relatively level terrain without much peat formation, whereas the latter has a Sphagnum floor and has arisen in definite depressions through acid bog stages with the production of considerable peat. The black spruce – bog moss community is interpreted as subclimax, with natural succession to the black spruce – feather moss association. The tamarack (Larix laricina) community has many features in common with the black spruce – peat moss association but differs markedly, not only in its dominant species, but because of its development from a Drepano-cladus–Carex–Betula bog under persisting wet conditions. Succession to black spruce commonly occurs. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is relatively rare in the region and usually grows in mixed stands with white spruce, paper birch, aspen, and balsam poplar. Two divisions of the pine association are recognized, the jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and the lodgepole pine (P. contorta var. latifolia) consociations. For each of these, two phases are described, the pine – feather moss faciation on the more shaded sites and the pine–heath faciation on the more open and drier areas. Knowledge of the ranges of these two pines in northern Alberta and concerning hybrids between the species is extended. The poplar association, classified as aspen (Populus tremuloides) and balsam poplar (P. balsamifera) consociations, is considered in relation to other vegetation, especially prairie grassland and white spruce. Encroachment of aspen poplar upon native grassland is counteracted by various factors, notably burning. Natural succession of poplar and pine to white spruce is impeded chiefly by forest fires. Some attention is given to phytogeographical problems of this transition region.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document