scholarly journals Coupe préparatoire et croissance en surface terrière d'une sapiniére de seconde venue à la forêt modèle du Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Zarnovican ◽  
Jean-Martin Lussier ◽  
Claude Laberge
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Periodic Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Crown Characteristics ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Impact

Balsam fir basal area growth was studied 5 years after the preparatory cut in the context of natural regeneration by the shelterwood system. The study was carried out in a 60-year-old second-growth balsam fir-yellow birch stand. The felling trials were realized in 16 plots and consisted of control and three felling regimes (15, 30 and 45% of removed basal area). The periodic (5 years) mean growth rate on dbh of trees in plots varies between 6 and 12% in response to felling intensity. The basal area of plots presents a mean periodic growth rate of 7.4% independently of felling intensity. There are highly significant correlations between the live crown characteristics and periodic basal area growth. This growth is highly correlated with inital diameter and intensity of felling. The trees of higher relative size are more productive than the others and the impact of felling on periodic basal area growth is significant when the intensity of felling is greater than 30%. Conversely, the ratio between periodic basal area growth after treatment and periodic basal area growth before treatment is correlated only with the intensity of felling. Finally, intensity of felling had no effect on periodic basal area growth per square meter of crown projected area. Key words: preparatory felling, basal area growth, balsam fir

Genetic variation in basal area increment phenology and its correlation with growth rate in loblolly and slash pine families and clones

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica I Emhart ◽  
Timothy A Martin ◽  
Timothy L White ◽  
Dudley A Huber
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Elliottii ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Basal Area Increment ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

We quantified basal area increment phenology over a 2-year period in one loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and four slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) full-sib families propagated as rooting cuttings. In 2002, basal area growth started in March and stopped in October for both species, while in 2003, initiation and cessation occurred 2 weeks earlier for all families. In both years, peaks in basal area increment occurred in short (2–3 week) periods in the early spring for all families, followed by linear basal area growth until cessation. While there were significant size differences among taxa (species and families) at age 6 and 7 years, genetic differences in basal area growth rate were only expressed during short, discrete time periods primarily in the spring and fall. Basal area growth rate increased during periods when water soil availability increased (up to 300 mm), but an excess in water availability in the soil had a negative impact on growth. Within-family individual-tree broad-sense heritabilities ranged from 0.01 to 0.37 for all traits. In general, heritabilities were higher for growth traits than for phenological traits for all families. Both the strength and direction of correlation estimates of phenological traits with growth rate varied across families and years.

scholarly journals Influence of Soil Site Class on Growth and Decay of Northern White-Cedar and Two Associates in Maine

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip V. Hofmeyer ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mineral Soils

Abstract Basal area growth of outwardly sound northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) was compared with that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) across site and light exposure class gradients on 60 sites throughout northern Maine. Once adjusted for sapwood area, northern white-cedar basal area growth was not strongly affected by site or light exposure class; growth was similar to that of red spruce but generally lower than that of balsam fir. Site index did not differ appreciably among soil drainage classes for red spruce and northern white-cedar, although small sample size limited analysis on upland site classes. Incidence of central decay was higher in northern white-cedar than balsam fir, which was higher than red spruce. Incidence of decay in outwardly sound northern white-cedar and balsam fir was highest on well-drained mineral soils, and mean proportion of basal area decayed at breast height increased in outwardly sound northern white-cedar as drainage improved from poorly drained to well-drained soils. These data suggest that northern white-cedar on lowland organic and poorly drained mineral soils in Maine have less decay, similar basal area growth, and similar site index relative to upland northern white-cedar communities.

Factors affecting the relationship between sapwood area and leaf area of balsam fir

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1684-1693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie R. Coyea ◽  
Hank A. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Crown Length ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

The ratio between projected leaf area (LA) and cross-sectional sapwood area (SA) of dominant and codominant balsam fir trees (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) was determined in 24 forest stands across the province of Quebec. Various physical factors proposed in the Whitehead hydraulic model, and some of the easily measured surrogates of these factors, were tested for their influence on LA:SA ratios. Average growing season vapor pressure deficit, temperature, precipitation, and stand drainage class did not significantly influence LA:SA ratios. On the other hand, LA:SA ratios were positively influenced by sapwood permeability (k), tree height, and crown length. As suggested by the model, there was a positive correlation between sapwood permeability and LA:SA ratio and a negative correlation between tree height or crown length and LA/(SA k). Increases in sapwood permeability with tree age were associated with longer tracheids having larger lumen diameters. Of the various empirical factors tested, only site quality, 5-year basal area growth, and age had a significant influence on LA:SA ratios. Sapwood cross-sectional area at breast height by itself was a reasonable linear predictor of LA for all stands (LA = −0.158 + 0.709 SABH, R2 = 0.75). Using the variables that were previously determined to influence LA:SA ratios, stepwise regressions revealed that only crown length and 5-year basal area growth significantly improved linear predictions of LA based on sapwood area. However, the increase in R2 was relatively modest, i.e., 0.83 for all three independent variables versus 0.75 for SA alone. The results from this study will be useful in integrating physiologically based measurements, such as growth efficiency, into standard forest inventory practices for balsam fir and thus could be beneficial in developing new silvicultural strategies for protecting Quebec's forest resource.

The historical reconstruction of growth efficiency and its relationship to tree mortality in balsam fir ecosystems affected by spruce budworm

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 2208-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie R. Coyea ◽  
Hank A. Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Annual Growth Rings ◽  
Area Growth

The growth efficiencies (E; stemwood growth per unit leaf area) of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) trees from 20 stands were reconstructed over the 30-year period from 1960 to 1989 in order to determine if E could be used to predict tree mortality occurring during and after an epidemic of eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)). Growth efficiencies were reconstructed based on the relationship between age and the number of annual growth rings in the cross-sectional area of heartwood at breast height (R2 = 0.97) and on the previously demonstrated relationship between sapwood area and leaf area of balsam fir across a wide geographic area. Profile and logistic regression analyses demonstrated that apparent E (i.e., the historically reconstructed E) of surviving trees was greater than that of dead trees for every year of the 30-year analysis period. For trees in the 25- to 35-year age-class in 1960, apparent E was the only variable measured prior to the epidemic that was significantly related to balsam fir mortality. For all trees (aged 11 to 46 years in 1960), both tree age and apparent E were significant factors prior to the epidemic. During and following the epidemic, several of the more standard mensurational variables (e.g., diameter and basal area growth) were also significantly associated with balsam fir mortality, but apparent E had the highest levels of significance. Using logistical regression, critical E values below which trees would be predicted to die were calculated as 5-year running averages for the period prior to the epidemic (1960–1968). These were stable at around 0.17 × 10−4 m2 basal area growth•(m2 leaf area)−1•year−1. Following the epidemic, critical E values were again stable but at a lower level of around 0.07. There was a negative exponential relationship between apparent E and leaf area. Furthermore, for the same level of leaf area, surviving trees had a higher apparent E than trees that died, up to approximately 30 m2 of leaf area. These results suggest that growth efficiency should be considered as part of standard forest inventories in the balsam fir zone because of its ease of measure and its apparent ability to provide a sensitive, physiologically based index of forest health. Furthermore, the technique of historically reconstructing E demonstrated in this study may be of interest for other types of dendrochronological research.

Experiments for alternative management of forest reserves: effects of partial cutting on stem growth and mortality of large oaks

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1322-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Götmark
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Reference Plot ◽  
Protected Forests ◽  
Area Growth

Although protected forests are usually kept as free of human disturbance as possible, careful cutting may favour biodiversity in such areas. However, the use of heavy machinery during cutting operations may have a negative impact on protected forests. The large oaks ( Quercus spp.) found in many temperate nature reserves have a rich associated biodiversity. In 25 conservation forests in Sweden, the basal area growth and mortality of 250 large oaks (31–110 cm DBH) were compared between plots that were partially cut to promote the growth and survival of oaks and undisturbed plots. Each forest had one treatment plot (1 ha) and one undisturbed reference plot (1 ha) with similar levels of canopy cover. In 2002–2003, about 25% of the basal area was harvested in treatment plots, thereby increasing canopy openness from 14% to 33%. Cutting increased the mean relative basal area growth of large oaks (49% by plot, 22% by tree) after four seasons (P = 0.026). However, in nine forests, the growth rate was not higher in the treated plot than in the reference plot. Mortality, apparently due to cutting, was recorded only in one forest, where 18 large oaks died. Tree condition (percentage of dead large branches in crown) was the best (negative) predictor of growth rate, and openness around oak crown was also a (positive) predictor. Partial cutting favoured the growth of oaks and may be recommended, but a “hands-off” policy is also effective for these conservation forests.

The adjustment of growth, sapwood area, heartwood area, and sapwood saturated permeability of balsam fir after different intensities of pruning

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hank A. Margolis ◽  
Robert R. Gagnon ◽  
David Pothier ◽  
Marius Pineau
Keyword(s):  
Basal Area ◽  
Growth Increment ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth

Balsam fir trees established from advanced regeneration following a clear-cut in 1970 were pruned in June 1985 to live crown ratios of 0.6, 0.4, and 0.2 compared with control trees, which had live crown ratios of 0.8. After two growing seasons, we investigated the homeostatic adjustment of these trees to the loss of their foliage. The height growth, basal area growth, sapwood cross-sectional area, heartwood area, and sapwood saturated permeability of the trees that were pruned to a 0.6 live crown ratio were not significantly different from those of the controls. On the other hand, height growth increment following pruning was reduced 16.7 cm (23%) and 19.5 cm (27%) for the trees pruned to 0.4 and 0.2 live crown ratios, respectively. Furthermore, basal area growth following pruning was reduced 3.2 cm2 (30%) and 6.5 cm2 (61%), respectively. While trees in both the 0.4 and 0.2 live crown ratio pruning treatments did adjust their breast height sapwood area in response to the removal of foliage, the nature of this adjustment differed between the two treatments. For the trees with the 0.4 live crown ratio, sapwood area was reduced because of a reduction in basal area growth but the area of heartwood remained unchanged. For the trees with the 0.2 live crown ratio, the changes in sapwood area were due both to a reduction in basal area growth and an expansion of the heartwood. The saturated permeability of sapwood was not significantly affected by pruning. The adaptive implications of balsam fir's response to the loss of foliage are discussed in terms of the optimizing the allocation of a limited amount of available carbon.

Field Notes: Predicted Vs. Actual Basal Area Growth in West Virginia

1988 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-222
Author(s):  
Arlyn W. Perkey ◽  
Kenneth L. Carvell
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Field Notes

A New Index Representing Individual Tree Competitive Status

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Moore ◽  
Carl A. Budelsky ◽  
Richard C. Schlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Competition Index ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Silvicultural Practices ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Area Growth

A new competition index, modified Area Potentially Available (APA), was tested in a complex unevenaged stand composed of 19 different hardwood species. APA considers tree size, spatial distribution, and distance relationships in quantifying intertree competition and exhibits a strong correlation with individual tree basal area growth. The most important characteristic of APA is its potential for evaluating silvicultural practices.

scholarly journals Regional Variability of the Romanian Main Tree Species Growth Using National Forest Inventory Increment Cores

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 409
Author(s):  
Gheorghe Marin ◽  
Vlad C. Strimbu ◽  
Ioan V. Abrudan ◽  
Bogdan M. Strimbu
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
National Forest Inventory ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Sessile Oak ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Temporal Grouping ◽  
Area Growth

In many countries, National Forest Inventory (NFI) data is used to assess the variability of forest growth across the country. The identification of areas with similar growths provides the foundation for development of regional models. The objective of the present study is to identify areas with similar diameter and basal area growth using increment cores acquired by the NFI for the three main Romanian species: Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). We used 6536 increment cores with ages less than 100 years, a total of 427,635 rings. The country was divided in 21 non-overlapping ecoregions based on geomorphology, soil, geology and spatial contiguousness. Mixed models and multivariate analyses were used to assess the differences in annual dimeter at breast height and basal area growth among ecoregions. Irrespective of the species, the mixed models analysis revealed significant differences in growth between the ecoregions. However, some ecoregions were similar in terms of growth and could be aggregated. Multivariate analysis reinforced the difference between ecoregions and showed no temporal grouping for spruce and beech. Sessile oak growth was separated not only by ecoregions, but also by time, with some ecoregions being more prone to draught. Our study showed that countries of median size, such as Romania, could exhibit significant spatial differences in forest growth. Therefore, countrywide growth models incorporate too much variability to be considered operationally feasible. Furthermore, it is difficult to justify the current growth and yield models as a legal binding planning tool.

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