scholarly journals Dynamique d'établissement d'un peuplement bi-étagé de bouleau blanc et de sapin baumier en zone boréale

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Daniel Allard ◽  
Philippe Meek
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Vegetation Dynamic ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Regeneration Pattern ◽  
Seed Sources

The age structure of a boreal two-storied stand formed by an upperstory of white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) with an understory of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) was analysed. The establishment of this 50-year stand followed a burn that ran through a cut-over area. The objective was to verify if the establishment of the fir understory followed the traditional succession model or the initial floristic composition model. The age structure analysis indicated an immediate and rapid establishment of white birch during a period of 6 years after the fire. Establishment of fir, however, was initiated only 16 years after the fire. Peak establishment was 33 years after the fire. Fir regeneration followed a cycle. The regeneration pattern was characterized by the absence of fir establishment the first 16 years after the fire, followed by sporadic fir regeneration the next 12 years, then by a 13-year period of abundant regeneration after which there was a complete halt to fir regeneration. So, in this case, the successional model was more fit to describe the dynamics of balsam fir. The absence of fir regeneration during the initial period after the fire could be explained by the absence of the nearby fir seed sources due to harvesting. However, the total absence of fir establishment during the last period is more difficult to explain. Seedbed evolution since the fire could possibly be in cause. This and other studies indicate that in the boreal balsam fir-white birch ecoclimatic domain vegetation dynamic after fire does not limit itself to one pathway. Stand regeneration after fire is significantly affected by local conditions.

Indices de qualité de station du sapin baumier dans le sous-domaine écologique de la sapinière à bouleau blanc humide

1995 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Sylvain Paquette ◽  
Steve Morel ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Philippe Meek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Vegetation Dynamic ◽  
Drainage Class ◽  
Moderate Growth ◽  
Ecological Types

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L) Mill.) site indices (height at 50 years at stump height) were estimated for the principal ecological types of the boreal and humid balsam fir-white birch climatic subdomain in central Québec. Ecological types consisted of units homogeneous as to their geomorphological deposit, their drainage class and vegetation dynamic. Mean site index varied from 15.9 m for rich mesic seepage sites to 9.4 m for very thin and poorly drained sites. To the three productivity classes generally used for boreal balsam fir stands in Québec (Linteau 1955), our results demonstrated the need to recognize a fourth class to distinguish operational groups. Rich mesic seepage sites are clearly more productive than other mesic sites with which they were grouped in the past. The proposed classes are: 1) I+ (SI > 15 m) comprising rich seepage sites; 2) class I−, comprising mesic sites (SI from 13.5 to 15 m); 3) class II (SI from 10.5 to 13.4 m) which comprises sites that possess moderate growth limitations including imperfectly drained sites, thin (< 50 cm) mesic sites and coarse textured dry sites; 4) and class III (SI < 10.5 m) comprising poorly drained sites. Growth studies of four ecological types based on permanent plots of similar densities, show the same relative order in productivity as the one established with their site indices. Mean annual growth of these somewhat under-stocked plots were 2.9, 2.0 and 1.5 m3/ha/year for classes I+, I− and II respectively. The principal ecological variables that influenced fertility of these boreal sites were drainage class and the presence of seepage. Soil depth and, to a point, soil texture were not very significative variables in this humid climatic zone. It must also be emphasized that all site indices of ecological types showed high variability.

Effects of fenitrothion on the arthropod food of tree-foraging forest songbirds

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2235-2242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda L. Millikin
Keyword(s):  
Active Ingredient ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Papyrifera ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Forest Songbirds ◽  
The Impact

The impact of fenitrothion on the arthropod food of songbirds was measured using white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) branch sample and drop trays. Following ground application of fenitrothion at 293 g active ingredient/ha, there was a significant decrease in the biomass of arthropods as determined using branch samples from both tree species, but not until 5 days after the application (29% reduction for balsam fir, 35% for white birch). Samples from drop trays indicated an immediate kill of arthropods not associated with the tree. Most remaining arthropods on treated balsam fir trees were dead. These dead arthropods would not be suitable food for birds that require movement to detect their prey. There was no significant relationship between amount of deposit (treated trees only) and the reduction of arthropods for either tree species.

Larval diet prior to and following virus ingestion influences the efficacy of two nucleopolyhedroviruses in whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillars

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett Brodersen ◽  
Rob Johns ◽  
Renée Lapointe ◽  
David Thumbi ◽  
Graham Thurston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Diet ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Papyrifera ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Tussock Moth ◽  
Orgyia Leucostigma ◽  
Whitemarked Tussock Moth

AbstractFood quality can influence the performance of immature insects and their interactions with pathogens, such as viruses. In manipulative field studies, virus-free caterpillars of the whitemarked tussock moth (WMTM) (Orgyia leucostigma (Smith)) had higher survival, more female-biased sex ratios, and were larger when feeding on white birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall) versus balsam fir (Abies balsamea (Linnaeus) Miller) or red spruce (Picea rubens Sargent). Subsequent laboratory studies with two nucleopolyhedroviruses, derived from WMTMs and Douglas-fir tussock moths, indicated that caterpillars fed high quality food (i.e., artificial diet) prior to infection had less mortality associated with virus infection than those feeding on lower quality foliage (i.e., birch). In field studies, caterpillars fed birch following infection had significantly lower mortality than those feeding on relatively lower quality foliage (i.e., balsam fir). We postulate that higher nutritional quality in artificial diet relative to birch (previrus-ingestion nutrition) and in birch relative to balsam fir foliage (postvirus-ingestion nutrition) has a positive effect on the ability of tussock moth caterpillars to resist or recover from viral infections, although the specific mechanisms responsible for observed resistance remain unclear.

Long-term impact of fire on high-altitude balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests in south-central Quebec deduced from soil charcoal

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Luc Couillard ◽  
Serge Payette ◽  
Pierre Grondin
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Forest Landscape ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Soil Charcoal ◽  
Fire Activity

Extensive balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands across the southern boreal forest are ecosystems likely more influenced by insect outbreaks and windthrows than by fire. To what degree the dominance of balsam fir stands reflects past and present disturbance dynamics associated with fire is not well documented. To answer this question, we focused on the reconstruction of the long-term fire history of high-altitude balsam fir forests of southern Quebec. The reconstruction was based on botanically identified and radiocarbon-dated soil charcoal particles in 19 sites covering successional stages from white birch (Betula payrifera Marsh.) to mixed white birch – balsam fir stands. Fire activity commenced early after deglaciation, about 9600 calibrated years before present when the first boreal tree species were established. Fire occurred recurrently during the following 5000 years with a forest landscape composed of the principal tree species common to the boreal forest, including jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). Fire activity ceased more or less abruptly about 4500 years ago due to less fire-conducive, more humid conditions. Then, the forest landscape progressively changed towards a larger representation of white birch – balsam fir forests and the disappearance of jack pine. Whereas several balsam fir stands have not burned over the last 4500 years, scattered fires occurred in particular over the last 250 years when 1815 and 1878 fires, probably man-made, burned 50% of the forest, thus causing a major change in the composition of the forest landscape. It is concluded that the high-altitude forest landscape of southern Quebec changed profoundly over the Holocene in close association with a time-transgressive dry-to-wet climatic gradient.

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.

Recent impact of fire on high-altitude balsam fir forests in south-central Quebec1This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1289-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Luc Couillard ◽  
Serge Payette ◽  
Pierre Grondin
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
White Birch ◽  
South Central

The dynamics of high-altitude balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests is mainly driven by insect outbreaks and windthrows. However, very little work has been done on the role of fire on the development and maintenance of this ecosystem. In this study, we document the role of fire in the high-altitude balsam fir forests of the Réserve Faunique des Laurentides (RFL), southern Quebec. Sixteen sites were sampled among six different forest types described according to plant composition and fire evidence. At each site, the diameter structure was recorded and stand age was calculated based on tree-ring dating of individual trees and radiocarbon-dated surficial charcoal samples. Fire played a major role in the recent dynamics of high-altitude fir forests in the RFL. Over the last 250 years, nearly 50% of the study area burned during two fire conflagrations, i.e., around 1815 and in 1878. The fires triggered gradual changes in plant composition and forest structure, as shown by a succession of forest types ranging from white birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.) to spruce–fir types. Absence of surficial charcoal older than 300 years suggests that high-altitude forests of the RFL area were not subjected to a constant fire regime. It is possible that recent fires were caused by human activity.

scholarly journals The regeneration of balsam fir stands in their northern abundance limit is more related to their seed sources and soil types than the climate

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yassine Messaoud ◽  
Venceslas Goudiaby ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Site Condition ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Mortality Difference

To explain the transition between the southern mixedwood and the northern coniferous bioclimatic domains that are dominated, respectively, by balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), 59 sites were selected throughout the two bioclimatic domains. The regeneration (seedling abundance) and mortality (difference between seedlings and saplings) of balsam fir seedlings were compared within and between bioclimatic domains. We also determined the soil types (clay and till), summer growing degree-days above 5 °C (GDD_5), and total summer precipitation (PP_MA). Balsam fir regeneration was strongly linked to parental trees and was higher in the mixedwood bioclimatic domain than in the coniferous domain, with higher regeneration occurring on till than on clay soils. Mortality was higher on till than on clay soils due to competition between balsam fir seedlings, with other species having either no effect or decreasing mortality. Unlike PP_MA, GDD_5 positively influenced balsam fir regeneration. The dynamics of balsam fir stands in the coniferous bioclimatic domain were attributed to a decrease in balsam fir regeneration and to an increase in its mortality, most likely due to a lack of suitable establishment substrates (till soils) and cooler temperatures. Small balsam fir populations still persist in the northernmost latitudes of the species’ range, mainly where parental trees occur on good establishment substrates. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the effect of species, climate, and site condition on latitudinal vegetation dynamics at a global scale.

Establishment of natural regeneration under severe browsing pressure from white-tailed deer after group seed-tree cutting with scarification on Anticosti Island

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Beguin ◽  
Marcel Prévost ◽  
David Pothier ◽  
Steeve D. Côté
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Birch ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Double Pass ◽  
Advance Regeneration ◽  
Anticosti Island ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tree Group

The use of large clearcuts with protection of advance regeneration is inappropriate for regeneration of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) under severe browsing from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann)). However, little is known about the effects of tree-retention methods along with scarification on the establishment of balsam fir in a context of severe herbivory. Consequently, we hypothesized that seed-tree-group cutting in conjunction with soil scarification creates favourable conditions for balsam fir regeneration. In 1998 and 1999 we set up three circular forest groups of different sizes (40, 60, and 80 m in diameter) surrounded by three different intensities of scarification (no treatment, single pass, double pass) in two balsam fir stands on Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada. Moreover, we used a network of fenced and unfenced regeneration plots to evaluate the impact of white-tailed deer browsing. The results showed that up to 7 years after harvest, seed-tree-group cutting did not improve the establishment of conifer species. Scarification had a negative impact on the abundance of conifer species, whereas white birch ( Betula papyrifera Marshall) density was significantly higher in areas scarified twice than in unscarified areas. Overall, the development of palatable tree species appears unlikely at deer densities >20 individuals/km2.

DO BALSAM TWIG APHIDS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE) LOWER TREE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO SPRUCE BUDWORM?

1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Mattson ◽  
Robert A. Haack ◽  
Robert K. Lawrence ◽  
Daniel A. Herms
Keyword(s):  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
High Susceptibility ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Direct Competition ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Developmental Rates

AbstractThe balsam twig aphid, Mindarus abietinus Koch, infested nearly all trees in a range-wide provenance plantation of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., in Michigan. Infestation levels were highest on eastern and lowest on western seed sources of fir. Large populations of the aphid were correlated with low survival and reduced developmental rates of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens). We propose that chronic, high susceptibility of trees to aphids could reduce concomitant susceptibility to budworm through direct (competition) and indirect (host and community-level) effects.

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.

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