scholarly journals Alternatives to broadcast burning in the northern interior of British Columbia: Short-term tree results

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Kranabetter ◽  
D. Yole
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Foliar Nutrients ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
North Central ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Foliar Concentrations

We compared the growth and foliar nutrients of lodgepole pine and hybrid white spruce following mechanical site preparation treatments and broadcast burning in a high-elevation plantation in north-central British Columbia. After five years, the largest trees were found on the broadcast burn (44% increase over raw planting), followed by disc-trenching (26% increase), and then windrow piling (9% increase). Height increment was similarly significantly different between treatments after seven years. Equal increases in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur foliar concentrations were found across all site preparation treatments compared to controls. Foliar nutrients alone, however, did not further explain the differences in tree productivity between site preparation treatments. The results demonstrated how some sites can benefit from site preparation, in the short-term at least, and also emphasized the positive role fire can have on forest productivity. Key words: mechanical site preparation, broadcast burning, Picea gluaca, Pinus contorta

Chemical and mechanical site preparation: effects on Pinus contorta growth, physiology, and microsite quality on grassy, steep forest sites in British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1495-1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne W Simard ◽  
Melanie D Jones ◽  
Daniel M Durall ◽  
Graeme D Hope ◽  
Robert J Stathers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Growth Physiology ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Site preparation alleviates the effects of pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl.) interference on conifers in British Columbia, but little is known about interference mechanisms and appropriate site preparation methods for steep slopes. In this study, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) was planted in pinegrass controls and small (90 × 90 cm) and large (180 × 90 cm) patches where (i) only pinegrass was removed using glyphosate or (ii) both pinegrass and the forest floor were removed using an excavator. Treatments were replicated three times in east- and west-facing clearcuts and effects were followed for 9 years. Two-year pine survival was 78% in the control and >97% in large patches. All patch treatments improved pine growth, but it was greatest in large chemical patches during the initial 6 years and in both large patch treatments thereafter. Removal of the forest floor reduced foliar and soil nutrients, increased bulk density and soil water availability, decreased porosity and aggregate stability, and reduced ectomycorrhizal diversity and richness. These changes were not observed in chemical patches. All patch treatments increased soil temperatures and reduced frost relative to controls, but more so in large patches. Pinegrass can suppress early pine performance, and large chemical patches that retain the forest floor are best for relieving the multiple environmental stressors.

Soil microclimate and nitrogen availability 10 years after mechanical site preparation in northern British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1854-1866 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D MacKenzie ◽  
M G Schmidt ◽  
L Bedford
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation

Mechanical site preparation (MSP) changes the distribution and character of forest floor and mineral soil and may affect soil nutrient availability, soil water content, and soil temperature. The effects of different kinds of MSP were compared to a control in the tenth growing season at two research sites in northern British Columbia. To compare MSP results with those of the natural disturbance regime, a burned windrow treatment was also included in the analysis. The bedding plow, fire, and madge treatments all had significantly greater crop-tree growth compared to the control. The bedding plow and madge treatments had significantly lower soil bulk density, higher soil temperature, and lower soil water throughout the growing season compared with that of the control. The bedding plow also resulted in significantly higher concentrations of total carbon, total nitrogen, NH4+, and NO3–than that of the control, at both the 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. The madge rotoclear resulted in significantly greater potential mineralizable N than that of the control. Ionic resins bags, installed for one growing season, did not show any significant treatment differences in available soil nitrogen. MSP did not reduce soil fertility on these sites when compared with an untreated control, but it is difficult to say that it improved it.

Effects of mechanical site preparation and slash removal on long-term productivity of conifer plantations in Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1311-1319
Author(s):  
Karin Hjelm ◽  
Urban Nilsson ◽  
Ulf Johansson ◽  
Per Nordin
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Preparation Methods ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Individual Trees

Mechanical site preparation is commonly used to increase survival and early growth of newly planted seedlings. Ideally, any early positive effects of site preparation should persist for a long time, but concerns have been raised as to whether intensive site preparation might have a negative effect on the long-term productivity of a stand. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the long-term effects of different site-preparation methods on productivity and determine any possible interactions with tree species and site fertility. In the 1980s, a randomized block experiment was established at sites throughout Sweden. Four site-preparation methods of various intensities were performed on different sites: (i) an untreated control, (ii) disc trenching, (iii) mounding, and (iv) ploughing. As a complementary treatment, slash was either retained or removed from some plots. Depending on soil moisture class, geographical position, and site index, Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), or lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) were planted in pure stands. Growth variables such as height and diameter were measured during the first years after establishment. After about 30 years, these variables were remeasured at the level of individual trees. Overall, an increased production of the planted trees after site preparation was found. Neither intensive site preparation (such as ploughing) nor slash removal had any negative effect on the long-term productivity of these experimental stands.

Hard pine stem rusts on lodgepole pine at a site-preparation study in sub-boreal British Columbia: effects over 24 years

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Reich ◽  
Jean L. Heineman ◽  
Amanda F. Linnell Nemec ◽  
Lorne Bedford ◽  
Jacob O. Boateng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Blister Rust ◽  
Stem Infection ◽  
Endocronartium Harknessii ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Relationship

Site preparation can improve lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) survival and growth; however, we lack information regarding possible interactions between treatment effects and the impacts of western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hirats.) and comandra blister rust (Cronartium comandrae Peck). Mechanical and burning techniques examined over 24 years at a sub-boreal British Columbia site did not significantly increase rust infection rates or characteristics relative to an untreated control. Most infection occurred before age 10 years and at heights <2 m. By age 24 years, 22% and 10% of pine had sustained at least one western gall rust or comandra blister rust stem infection, respectively, but only 4% of western gall rust infected trees were dead, compared with 60% of comandra blister rust infected trees. Exploratory regression analysis of the relationship between tree volume and percent stem encirclement and infection height suggested that volume of 24-year-old pine infected with western gall rust averaged 8% less than the corresponding volume of uninfected trees. Over 24 years, estimated stand-level, rust-related volume loss was 8.4%, with the majority due to mortality from comandra blister rust. One-fifth of estimated volume loss was provisionally attributed to growth reductions among live western gall rust infected pine.

Holocene vegetation and natural disturbance in the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone at Mount Kobau, British Columbia

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2183-2199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus L Heinrichs ◽  
Richard J Hebda ◽  
Ian R Walker
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Plant Macrofossils ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Climate History ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Engelmann Spruce

The vegetation and natural disturbance history of the Mount Kobau area, in the Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) (ESSF) forest of southern British Columbia, was reconstructed using pollen, plant macrofossils, and microscopic charcoal. Late-glacial vegetation, occurring from about 11 000 14C years BP, consisted of an Artemisia steppe under a cold and dry climate. Rapid warming occurred at the start of the Holocene, approximately 10 000 to 9500 years BP, and grassland steppe vegetation prevailed. Moisture increased during the mid-Holocene, from approximately 7000 to 3800 years BP, and fires may have occurred more widely and burned more severely. Open lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) parkland occupied the mountain summit. Late-Holocene cooling at 4000 years BP resulted in the establishment of modern ESSF forest. The vegetation and inferred climate history confirm a broad three-stage (warm dry – moderate moist – cool moist) regional climatic pattern of the Holocene. Under future anticipated climate change, the high-elevation, dry ESSF forests in southern British Columbia may be replaced by grasslands.

Short-term impacts of partial cutting on lichen retention and canopy microclimate in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest in north-central British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 830-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darwyn Coxson ◽  
Susan Stevenson ◽  
Jocelyn Campbell
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
North Central ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Single Tree Selection

The retention of canopy lichens (Alectoria, Bryoria, and foliose) in group selection (GS) and single-tree selection (STS) partial cuts (30% removal) was studied within a subalpine spruce–fir forest (Picea englemannii Parry ex Engelm. – Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) in north-central British Columbia. Baseline canopy lichen loading (preharvest and immediate postharvest) was compared with lichen loading 2 years after harvesting, using both ground- and canopy-based sampling techniques. Additionally, canopy microclimate was compared between GS and adjacent stand areas with no harvest treatment (NT). Partial cutting did not have a significant effect on lichen loading in residual trees, although a trend of declining lichen abundance was observed in each of the GS, STS, and NT areas. Partitioning of lichen abundance data showed significant postharvest declines for upper canopy STS Bryoria and smaller, but significant, changes in foliose lichen abundance in the NT and STS areas. No significant changes in canopy microclimate were observed between treatments, with the exception of south-facing aspects in GS trees, which showed reduced duration of lichen hydration. Taken together, these factors suggest that although the placement of Bryoria in residual trees may shift towards lower canopy exposures, partial-cut harvest treatments can maintain short-term lichen loading and associated ecosystem values (e.g., caribou forage) in subalpine spruce–fir stands.

Twenty year responses of white spruce to mechanical site preparation and early chemical release in the boreal region of northeastern British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2386-2399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob O Boateng ◽  
Jean L Heineman ◽  
John McClarnon ◽  
Lorne Bedford
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Chemical Release ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Stock Type ◽  
Survival And Growth

The effects of six mechanical site preparation treatments, two stock-type treatments, and early chemical release on survival and growth of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were studied in the BWBSmw1 biogeoclimatic zone of northeastern British Columbia. After 20 years, spruce height and diameter were larger in all mounding treatments than in the control. Early results suggested better spruce performance on large than small mounds, but after 20 years, growth was equally good on small mounds as on mounds with 20 cm mineral capping. Spruce planted on hinge positions in the Bräcke patch and blade scarification treatments did not survive or grow well. Early chemical release improved spruce growth equally as well as the mounding treatments. Twenty year spruce survival averaged 71% in the 14 and 20 cm mound treatments, 60% in the early chemical release treatment, and ≤35% in the Bräcke patch and blade scarification treatments. A large stock type was also planted in untreated ground and, after 20 years, had similar survival and growth as the standard stock type. Differences in survival had a large effect on basal area at age 20 years. Trend analysis showed that treatments diverged into two distinct groups with regard to spruce size during the 20 year span of the study.

scholarly journals Short-term changes in spruce foliar nutrients and soil properties in response to wood ash application in the sub-boreal climate zone of British Columbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl A. Domes ◽  
Trevor de Zeeuw ◽  
Hugues B. Massicotte ◽  
Ché Elkin ◽  
William B. McGill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Wood Ash ◽  
Foliar Nutrients ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climate Zone ◽  
Boreal Climate
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