scholarly journals Alternate Strip Clearcutting in Upland Black Spruce: IV. Projected Nutrient Removals Associated with Harvesting

1987 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil W. Foster ◽  
Ian K. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Post Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Tree Harvesting

Nutrient removals associated with conventional, full-tree, and whole-tree harvesting on 100-year rotations in an upland boreal black spruce stand in northern Ontario were estimated. Conventional (stems only) logging would remove 219 kgha−1 of Ca, 62 of N, 36 of K, 18 of Mg and 9 of P from the site. Increased utilization of phytomass during full-tree harvesting, in comparison with conventional logging, could result in as much as a 400% increase in N removal and a 60% increase in Ca removal. Estimates of projected N and K removals by full-tree harvesting may be conservative, relative to those in other black spruce stands because of the low foliar mass of this forest. The forest floor contained 51% to 72% of the soil's reserves of nutrients, except for P, within the effective rooting zone. Post-harvesting site preparation methods should be restricted to those that ensure that forest floor nutrient reserves are retained on site.

scholarly journals Imitated Whole Tree Harvesting Show Negligible Effect on Economic Value of Spruce Stands

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Iveta Desaine ◽  
Annija Kārkliņa ◽  
Roberts Matisons ◽  
Anna Pastare ◽  
Andis Adamovičs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

The increased removal of forest-derived biomass with whole-tree harvesting (WTH) has raised concerns about the long-term productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystems. If true, this effect needs to be factored in the assessment of long-term feasibility to implement such a drastic forest management measure. Therefore, the economic performance of five experimental plantations in three different forest types, where in 1971 simulated WTH event occurred, was compared with pure, planted and conventionally managed (CH) Norway spruce stands of similar age and growing conditions. Potential incomes of CH and WTH stands were based on timber prices for period 2014–2020. However, regarding the economics of root and stump biomass utilization, they were not included in the estimates. In any given price level, the difference of internal rate of return between the forest types and selected managements were from 2.5% to 6.2%. Therefore, Norway spruce stands demonstrate good potential of independence regardless of stump removal at the previous rotation.

Relationships between microsite type and the growth and nutrition of young black spruce on post-disturbed lowland black spruce sites in eastern Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lavoie ◽  
David Paré ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
Growth Substrates ◽  
Humic Materials ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Decaying Wood

The surface of the soil in recently harvested or burned lowland black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) sites is composed of a fine mosaic of different bryophytes (mostly Sphagnum spp. and feathermosses), disturbed organic material originating mostly from mosses at different stages of decay, and exposed mineral soil. Growth substrates were compared in lowland black spruce stands regenerating after either careful logging or wildfire. The 3-year annual increment for black spruce seedlings was greatest with substrates of feathermosses, mainly Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., fibric material of P. schreberi origin, and a mixture of fibric P. schreberi and humic materials; it was least with fibric Sphagnum spp., mineral soil, and decaying wood substrates. The most favourable substrates for growth were characterized by better black spruce N and P foliar status. Our results also suggest that categories of growth substrates in the rooting zone reflect nutritional quality better than categories of growth substrates on the soil surface. To maintain or increase black spruce growth following careful logging of sites prone to paludification, we recommend fill-planting of seedlings in substrates originating from P. schreberi; management techniques that favour P. schreberi over Sphagnum mosses should also be developed.

Mechanical stability of black spruce in the clay belt region of northern Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1080-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. G. Smith ◽  
M. Watts ◽  
D. F. James
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Static Force ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Stand Height ◽  
The Stability

Black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) is an important pulpwood species that grows on peatland sites in the clay belt region of northern Ontario. The mechanical stability of spruce found on these sites is crucial in determining how tall a stand can grow before losses due to windthrow become excessive. In this study, the stability of a sample of 58 black spruce trees, in stands of various height and density classes, was measured by winching them over and determining their critical turning moment. Regression analysis was used to express critical turning moment as a function of tree height, dominant stand height, and stand stocking. An analysis was carried out to estimate turning moments due to static wind action on the sample trees and predicting the wind speeds required to produce the static force needed to cause windthrow. A comparison of the measured critical turning moments to the estimated wind-generated critical turning moments was used to identify the wind speeds that have enough static force to cause windthrow. A table of critical wind speeds, based on a reference wind, is given for black spruce stands of various heights and densities. Based on these wind speeds and winds associated with periodic storms, black spruce stands can be expected to become susceptible to windthrow once dominant stand height reaches 20 to 21 m. Stand stability increases with stand density owing to the greater ability of dense stands to dissipate incoming winds and the added stability of interlocking root systems. These results suggest that the black spruce stands growing on peatland sites in the clay belt should be harvested before dominant stand height reaches a maximum of 20 to 21 m to avoid excessive losses due to windthrow.

Impacts of whole-tree harvesting and winter windrowing on soil pH and base status of clayey sites of northwestern Quebec

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 997-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brais ◽  
C. Camiré ◽  
D. Paré
Keyword(s):  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

To assess the impact of forest operations on soil nutrient status, modifications to forest floor, to 0–10 and 10–20 cm mineral soil base status, and to pH were evaluated 5–12 years following whole-tree harvesting and winter windrowing on dry to fresh and moist clayey sites in the clay belt region of northwestern Quebec. Whole-tree harvesting had few impacts on base concentrations and soil pH of dry to fresh sites. On moist sites, significant decreases in pH (−0.60 to −0.84 units), exchangeable Ca, total Ca, and, exchangeable Mg concentrations, base saturation, and effective cation exchange capacity were observed following harvesting. On dry to fresh sites, a decrease in the forest floor weight (−55%) accounted for significant reductions in exchangeable Ca (−55%), total Ca (−61%), and exchangeable K (−40%) pools in this layer, while reserves of both mineral layers were not affected. On moist sites, significant decreases in exchangeable Ca (−42 to −65%) and Mg (−35 to −56%) reserves occurred in all soil layers, while forest floor reserves of total Ca, Mg, and K decreased by 67, 48, and 40%, respectively. These reductions were caused by a loss of substrate in the forest floor (−44%) and a decrease in effective cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca saturation, and total Ca concentrations. Impacts of windrowing following whole-tree harvesting were limited to a reduction in reserves of exchangeable Ca (−22%), exchangeable Mg (−27%), total Ca (−20%), and total Mg (−29%) pools of the forest floor of moist sites. Values reported here are much greater than values generally predicted by a balance sheet approach and underline the need for more process-oriented studies. Impacts of these losses on long-term site productivity remain to be investigated.

scholarly journals Aspects of ecological development in managed stands of jack pine and black spruce in northern Ontario: Understory vegetation and nutrient relations

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Hunt ◽  
A M Gordon ◽  
D M Morris
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Understory Vegetation ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Site Type ◽  
Stand Basal Area

This study investigated relationships between understory vegetation and nutrient pools in managed stands of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP) in the Lake Nipigon region of northern Ontario. The species composition, biomass, and nutrient pool sizes in the understory vegetation, as well as biomass and nutrient pools in trees and soils, were determined in 16 managed stands ranging in age from 10 to 53 years since establishment and one mature, natural stand. Patterns of above-ground biomass accumulation in understory vegetation varied with overstory tree species and general site type (dry, sandy soils, or mesic, finer-textured soils). Understory vegetation contributed little (0.3 to 2.6%) to total above-ground organic matter (live biomass plus forest floor) but accounted for higher proportions of total above-ground nutrient pools (e.g., 0.7 to 3.4% of N; 3.2 to 11.7% of K) and net primary productivity (1.2 to 21.2%). The species composition of the understory vegetation was strongly related to stand basal area as well as to concentrations of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in the forest floor and mineral soil. The greatest amount of change in vegetation community composition occurred from the pre-to post-canopy closure stages of stand development; fewer differences were observed among stands of a given species and site type 35 to 50 years after establishment. The effects of silvicultural practices were detected in certain stands 35 years after establishment; for example the most severely treated (bladed and thinned) jack pine stand differed from other stands of similar age and soils with its Cladina/Vaccinium-dominated understory, and large amounts of biomass in the moss/lichen stratum. The understory vegetation communities in other managed jack pine stands, by 35 to 50 years, were similar to that of the mature, natural stand, indicating resilience to silvicultural disturbances. Silviculture may have lasting effects on understory vegetation biomass and species composition through its effects on stand basal area, overstory species, and soil nutrients. This research serves as baseline information for further studies into the ecology of managed stands in northern Ontario. Key words: understory, nutrients, managed forests, jack pine, black spruce, canonical correspondence analysis

Soil oxygen within boreal forests across an age gradient

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fenton ◽  
S. Légaré ◽  
Y. Bergeron ◽  
D. Paré
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Methodological Issue ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Feather Mosses ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Potential Factors

Globally, soil anoxia and water table rise play a role in the development of peatlands from forests. Cited causes have included a diversity of internal and external mechanisms, including Sphagnum and feather mosses, hardpan development, and peatland expansion. The objectives of this study were to examine water table depth in black spruce stands of the Clay Belt of Quebec and Ontario, and to associate changes with potential stand scale causal factors (primarily biological). A methodological issue, the link between oxygen zone and water table, was also addressed. Within stands less than 100 yr post-fire, oxygen zone and water table position were only loosely related, and no other potential factors were significantly correlated. Across a chronosequence of stands, while oxygen zone thickness in the soil profile was relatively constant, its position relative to the mineral soil changed, as it rose from the mineral soil into the forest floor. Forest floor thickness was the dominant explanatory factor in oxygen zone position, suggesting that in these forests other postulated mechanisms are less important. At the landscape level, the movement of the oxygen zone into the forest floor has important consequences for the long-term productivity of this intensively exploited forest region. Key words: Water table, black spruce, paludification, forest floor, Clay Belt, Sphagnum

Effects on the Forest Floor of Whole-Tree Harvesting in an Appalachian Oak Forest

1985 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Johnson ◽  
David Wm. Smith ◽  
James A. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

scholarly journals A Height Growth Model and Associated Growth Intercept Models for Estimating Site Index in Black Spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.) Plantations in Northern Ontario, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-137
Author(s):  
Martin M. Kwiaton ◽  
Jian R. Wang ◽  
Douglas E.B. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Growth Intercept

Abstract Site quality is a key component of growth and yield models because height growth rates are known to be influenced by available site resources. Accurate prediction of future growth and yield requires site quality information for both plantations and natural stands. The forest industry in northern Ontario relies on high-quality wood and fiber from black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.); therefore, these tools are essential to ensure sustainable forest management. Although there are site index (SI) models for natural-origin black spruce stands in northern Ontario, models for estimating site quality of young black spruce plantations have not been developed. We used stem analysis data collected from 62 plantations (>40 years of age) of pure black spruce across northern Ontario to develop height growth, SI, and variable growth intercept models. The distinct height growth patterns we observed may be attributed to early silvicultural treatments (site preparation and herbicide) in plantations allowing black spruce trees to attain breast height (1.3 m) faster than in fire-origin stands in northern Ontario. Our models can be used to estimate site quality of black spruce plantations, a key consideration for silviculture and forest management planning. We also compare our managed stand SI model to one we developed from a comparable subset of data from black spruce growing in unmanaged stands and propose a method to assign an SI with a common base age to pure upland black spruce stands regardless of origin.

GROUND RELEASES OF TRICHOGRAMMA MINUTUM RILEY (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE) AGAINST THE SPRUCE BUDWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Smith ◽  
M. Hubbes ◽  
J.R. Carrow
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Strategy ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Inundative Release ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Trichogramma Minutum ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Natural Parasitism

AbstractDuring 1982 and 1984, ground releases of Trichogramma minutum Riley were assessed for control of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), on 12- to 20-year-old, white spruce stands in northern Ontario. Maximum parasitism of susceptible egg masses was 16 and 87% following the release of 480 000 and 12 million female T. minutum per hectare, respectively. Releases at intervals of 1 week maintained parasitism of susceptible egg masses at constant levels throughout the oviposition period of spruce budworm. When parasitism of susceptible egg masses was maintained above 78.2% during the ovipositional period, total egg mass parasitism averaged 58.0% and resulted in an 80.3% reduction of overwintering 2nd-instar larvae. The optimal strategy for reducing spruce budworm was two releases of T. minutum at an interval of 1 week in the ovipositional period. This allowed a second generation of parasitoids to emerge from the spruce budworm eggs that were more efficient in maintaining high levels of parasitism than those emerging from the standard rearing host. Natural parasitism of spruce budworm egg masses was less than 4% and there was no carryover of parasitism in the years following inundative release. The rate of T. minutum release necessary to achieve effective mortality of spruce budworm during outbreak populations is discussed briefly.

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