The Acadian forest: Historical condition and human impacts

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Loo ◽  
N. Ives
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
The South ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Maritime Provinces ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Acadian Forest

The Acadian Forest Region comprises the three Maritime Provinces of Canada, each of which has a distinct history resulting in different patterns of land ownership, land use, and impacts on the forest. The region encompasses a high degree of physiographic and biological diversity, being situated where the warm, moist influence of the Gulf Stream from the south collides with the cold Labrador Current and the boreal forest gradually gives way to mostly deciduous forest. Natural forest types in the Acadian Forest Region include rich tolerant hardwood, similar to the deciduous forests to the south; spruce-fir forest, similar to boreal forest to the north; and an array of coniferous, deciduous, and mixed intermediate types. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) are considered characteristic of the Acadian Forest Region. Except for one quantitative study in one county of New Brunswick, and another study on Prince Edward Island, most knowledge of the historical forest condition has been gleaned from early descriptions by explorers, surveyors, and settlers of the Maritimes region. Although some regions have been affected much more than others, little, if any forested area has escaped human influence over the past four centuries. A general result of human activities has been a shift in successional status and age distribution, with increased frequency of relatively young, often even-aged, early successional forest types including balsam fir, white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Both the abundance and age of late-successional species such as sugar maple, red spruce, eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L. Carrière), yellow birch, cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) have declined. Key words: pre-European forest, Maritime Provinces, historical ecology, witness trees, Acadian forest types, natural disturbance

Exploring the Recruitment Dynamics of Sugar Maple and Yellow Birch Saplings into Merchantable Stems Following Harvesting in the Acadian Forest Region of New Brunswick, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Noel ◽  
Jules Comeau ◽  
Salah-Eddine El Adlouni ◽  
Gaetan Pelletier ◽  
Marie-Andrée Giroux
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
Silvicultural Treatment ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Acadian Forest

The recruitment of saplings in forest stands into merchantable stems is a very complex process, thus making it challenging to understand and predict. The recruitment dynamics in the Acadian Forest Region of New Brunswick are not well known or documented. Our objective was to draw an inference from existing large scale routine forest inventories as to the different dynamics behind the recruitment from the sapling layer into the commercial tree size layer in terms of density and occurrence of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) following harvesting, by looking at many factors on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales using models. Results suggest that the variation in density and probability of occurrence is best explained by the intensity of silvicultural treatment, by the merchantable stem density in each plot, and by the proportion of merchantable basal area of each group of species. The number of recruits of sugar maple and yellow birch stems tend be higher when time since last treatment increases, when mid to low levels of silvicultural treatment intensity were implemented, and within plots having intermediate levels of merchantable stem density. Lastly, our modeling efforts suggest that the probability of occurrence and density of recruitment of both species tend to increase while its share of merchantable basal area increases.

scholarly journals Climate change experiment suggests divergent responses of tree seedlings in eastern North America’s Acadian Forest Region over the 21st century

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Robert Vaughn ◽  
Anthony R. Taylor ◽  
David A. MacLean ◽  
Loïc D'Orangeville ◽  
Michael B. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Drought Effect ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Acadian Forest

In this study, we conducted a controlled experiment to assess the growth and survival of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) seedlings in response to warming, drought, and elevated CO2, as projected under RCP 8.5 for North America’s Acadian Forest Region. In response to warming, only red spruce increased in height; however, this effect varied by CO2 and soil moisture treatments. Under the drought treatment, red spruce biomass was not affected, but mortality increased by two percent. With warming, increases in balsam fir height growth were only detected under certain soil moisture and CO2 conditions. Balsam fir biomass decreased by 24% under drought, while mortality increased by 5 percent. Warming did not improve red maple height growth, but it remained 7-50 times greater than that of the conifers and no mortality was observed. Overall, CO2 enrichment increased height growth of droughted seedlings relative to the ambient treatment, demonstrating an amelioration of the negative drought effect. Balsam fir was the least adapted to warming and drought, while red spruce displayed some positive responses. Although growth of red maple seedlings did not increase with warming, they exhibited greater absolute growth and survival, which suggests red maple may outperform both conifers under a warming climate.

Dynamique forestière après coupe partielle dans la Forêt expérimentale du Lac Édouard, Parc de la Mauricie, Québec

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 672-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Claude Delisle ◽  
Mathieu Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Softwood Species

Forest dynamics following a partial cut conducted in the early 1950s in the Lac Édouard Experimental Forest in the Mauricie National Park, Quebec, Canada, were studied. Changes in vegetation were analyzed for the period between 1946 and 2001 in 109 mesic stands of the sugar maple – yellow birch bioclimatic domain. Three cutting intensities were considered: 1) low intensity, 15–30% of the basal area; 2) moderate intensity, 30–45% of the basal area; and 3) uncut. More than fifty years following cutting, the original relative proportion of the deciduous and softwood species was maintained. The relative proportion of basal area occupied by softwood species relative to the total basal area varied only from 2.0% to 7.4%. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) basal area increased in forest types Cornus (Co) and Oxalis-Cornus (O-Co) whereas balsam fir basal area decreased. In the Viburnum-Oxalis (Vi-O) forest type, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) basal area increased and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) decreased. Cutting areas were not invaded by competition species such as mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lamb.). In the Co and O-Co forest types, the regeneration density is probably sufficient to maintain the current cover type. In the Vi-O forest type, where moderate partial cutting was conducted, the deciduous component could substantially increase. Stands reacted positively to partial cutting. The increased growth of residual stems and the arrival of new stems resulted in 2001 total basal areas that were equal to or larger than those observed before cutting (1946). Key words: forest dynamics, partial cutting, yellow birch, red spruce, balsam fir

Substrate type and the distribution of sugar maple at its elevational limit in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D Demers ◽  
Thomas D Lee ◽  
James P Barrett
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Substrate Type ◽  
Yellow Birch

The relationships between tree species distribution and substrate characteristics were examined at the upper elevational limit of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) in the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. Four tree species were studied: sugar maple, balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton). At 51 individual trees (>=2.5 cm diameter at breast height) of each species, "substrate type" was described based on the parent material, soil horizons, depth and texture of the B and C horizons, nature of surface boulders, and the depth to and type of impermeable layer. Substrate type was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with tree species. Sugar maple was relatively more frequent on deep fine and compact tills, less frequent on washed or shallow till, and absent on shallow, organic, or grus (weathered granite) substrates. Red spruce, balsam fir, and yellow birch were less sensitive to substrate type. Red spruce and yellow birch were most frequent on organic material or grus over rock. Balsam fir most frequently occurred on washed till. As the frequency of substrates favorable to sugar maple declined with elevation, it is possible that the upper elevational range limit of this species is influenced by substrate availability.

scholarly journals Comparative growth trends of five northern hardwood and montane tree species reveal divergent trajectories and response to climate

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Kosiba ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Shelly A. Rayback ◽  
Gary J. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Yellow Birch

In the northeastern United States, tree declines associated with acid deposition induced calcium depletion have been documented, notably for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). There is conflicting evidence concerning whether co-occurring tree species capitalized on these declines or suffered similar growth reductions and on how growth has fluctuated relative to environmental variables. We examined five species along three elevational transects on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont: sugar maple, red spruce, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). We found baseline differences in growth. Red maple and yellow birch had the highest growth, sugar maple and red spruce had intermediate growth, and balsam fir had the lowest growth. While some year-to-year declines were associated with specific stress events, protracted patterns such as recent increases in red spruce and red maple growth were correlated with increased temperature and cooling degree days (heat index). For most species and elevations, there was a positive association between temperature and growth but a negative association with growth in the following year. Based on our comparisons, for some species, growth at Mt. Mansfield aligns with regional trends and suggests that patterns assessed here may be indicative of the broader region.

Kraft Pulping and Specific Gravity in the Uppermost Stem of Fertilized Balsam Fir

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Gagnon ◽  
K. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Kraft Pulping ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Pulp Yield ◽  
Kraft Process ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Boreal Forest Region

Samples of five pairs of fertilized and non-fertilized 60-year-old natural balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) growing in the Quebec boreal forest region were pulped by the kraft process and the specific gravity was measured. Analyses carried out 7 years after treatment on the last seven terminal internodes revealed the mean pulp yield of trees fertilized exceeded that of non-fertilized by 7%, while the mean specific gravity was about 6% lower.

Tree growth response to climate change at the deciduous–boreal forest ecotone, Ontario, Canada

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 2709-2718 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Goldblum ◽  
L S Rigg
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Northern Limit ◽  
Monthly Temperature ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
The Future ◽  
Forest Ecotone

We consider the implications of climate change on the future of the three dominant forest species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), at the deciduous–boreal forest ecotone, Ontario, Canada. Our analysis is based on individual species responses to past monthly temperature and precipitation conditions in light of modeled (general circulation model) monthly temperature and precipitation conditions in the study area for the 2080s. We then consider the tree species sensitivity to past climate with predicted conditions for the 2080 period. Sugar maple, located at its northern limit in the study area, shows the greatest potential for increased growth rates under the predicted warming and altered precipitation regime. White spruce is likely to benefit less, while the understory dominant balsam fir is likely to experience a decrease in growth potential. These projected changes would enhance the future status of sugar maple at its northern limit and facilitate range expansion northward in response to global warming.

scholarly journals Decaying Logs as Germination Sites in Northern Hardwood Forests

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. McGee ◽  
John P. Birmingham
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Soil Scarification

Abstract While several authors have noted tree regeneration on decaying logs, the role that "nurse logs" play in maintaining tree diversity in eastern North American forests has remained unquantified. We sampled small seedling (≤ 5 cm high) densities of seven tree species on and directly adjacent to logs in two northern hardwood stands in the Adirondack mountains of New York. Polar ordination of 42 microsite plots revealed distinctly different small seedling communities on logs vs. forest floor. Yellow birch and red spruce densities were 24 times and 5 times greater on logs than forest floor, while those of sugar maple and striped maple were 8 times and 4 times greater on the forest floor. Maintaining a natural level (~5% ground cover) of well distributed logs can supplement site preparation techniques such as soil scarification to provide regeneration sites for yellow birch and red spruce, particularly in heavily stocked northern hardwood stands. North. J. Appl. For. 14(4):178-182.

scholarly journals Balsam Fir and American Beech Influence Soil Respiration Rates in Opposite Directions in a Sugar Maple Forest Near Its Northern Range Limit

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
Alexandre Collin ◽  
Rim Khlifa ◽  
Simon Lebel-Desrosiers
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Northern Range Limit

Conifers and deciduous trees greatly differ in regard to their phylogenetics and physiology as well as their influence on soil microclimate and chemical properties. Soil respiration (Rs) in forests can therefore differ depending on tree species composition, and assessments of the variation in Rs in various forest types will lead to a more thorough understanding of the carbon cycle and more robust long-term simulations of soil carbon. We measured Rs in 2019 and 2020 in stands of various species composition in a sugar maple forest near the northern range limit of temperate deciduous forests in Quebec, Canada. Seasonal variations in soil temperature had the largest influence on Rs, but conditions created by the stands also exerted a significant effect. Relative to the typical sugar maple-yellow birch forest (hardwoods), Rs in stands with &gt;20% of basal area from balsam fir (mixedwoods) was increased by 21%. Whilst, when American beech contributed &gt;20% of litterfall mass (hardwood-beech stands), Rs was decreased by 11 and 36% relative to hardwoods and mixedwoods, respectively. As a whole, Rs was significantly higher in mixedwoods than in other forest types, and Rs was significantly higher in hardwoods than in hardwood-beech stands. Sugar maple and American beech at the study site are near their northern range limit, whereas balsam fir is near its southern limit. Rs in mixedwoods was therefore higher than in hardwoods and hardwood-beech stands due to high root activity in the presence of fir, despite colder and drier soils. We estimated that root respiration in mixedwoods was more than threefold that in hardwoods and hardwood-beech stands. The lower Rs in hardwood-beech stands compared to hardwoods points to the lower soil temperature as well as the poor quality of beech litter (low decomposability) as indicated by a generally lower heterotrophic respiration. Other than soil temperature, regression models identified mixedwoods, soil water potential and Mg2+ activity in the soil solution as important predictor variables of Rs with about 90% of its variation explained. Our study shows the benefits of combining forest-specific properties to climatic data for more robust predictions of Rs.

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