Dendrochronological evidence of shrub growth suppression by trees in a subarctic lichen woodland

Expansion of deciduous shrub species in open subarctic landscapes has been reported at several locations around the circumpolar region. However, few data are available to evaluate the response of shrub species in forested ecosystems. For this study, we conducted a dendrochronological analysis to compare the establishment and growth of Betula glandulosa Michx. individuals prior to and after an experimental removal of tree cover (1987) in a lichen woodland located at the boreal forest – tundra ecotone. Tree removal was followed by a B. glandulosa recruitment pulse. It is likely that the newly established seedlings benefited more from heavy trampling during tree removal, which destroyed the lichen cover, than from tree removal itself. A strong growth increase after tree removal suggests that the black spruce tree cover suppressed B. glandulosa growth prior to 1987. Moreover, while radial growth for the period prior to tree removal was not a function of the number of growing degree-days during the growing season, the same climatic variable explained 46% of the growth variability in the second period. These results suggest that the presence of a tree cover might limit the response of shrub species to climate change in forested ecosystems.

Postfire seedling recruitment at the southern limit of lichen woodland

Although fire is the primary mechanism driving regeneration in open black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) lichen woodland, there are limited data concerning the sources of seedling mortality across the range of burn severity. We monitored planted seedlings in areas of high and low burn severity in Terra Nova National Park (Newfoundland, Canada) to determine sources and patterns of mortality of black spruce seedlings among burn treatments following a recent burn (2002). The importance of herbivory by small mammals as a source of seedling mortality was evaluated using small cages that excluded voles and non-native snowshoe hare. Overall seedling mortality was high (79%) in all areas; mortality was similar in areas of low (73%) and high (76%) burn severity, and highest in edge areas adjacent to closed-canopy forest (90%). Drought, rather than herbivory, was the most common cause of mortality during the first two seasons following germination. Seedling mortality at the southern edge of the lichen woodland was comparable to that found in other studies, but sources differed, emphasizing the spatially variable nature of mortality. Based on the level of seedling recruitment, our results suggest lichen woodland will return at this site.

Postglacial Vegetation at the Northern Limit of Lichen Woodland in Northwestern Québec

RÉSUMÉTrois diagrammes polliniques provenant de la limite septentrionale de la pessiere à lichens du nord-ouest du Québec montrent des séquences en grande partie similaires durant l'Holocène. Après la déglaciation, survenue vers 6000 BP, la végétation de la région a été dominée par les plantes herbacées et arbustives de la toundra. Larix laricina, Populus et Juniperus ont aussi constitué des éléments importants du paysage. Un maximum d'AInus crispa et de Betula a été suivi par une période dominée par Picea. Dans le site le plus nordique, les forêts se sont ouvertes durant les 1000 dernières années en réponse au refroidissement néoglaciaire. Actuellement, seule l'épinette noire (Picea mariana) croît au nord-ouest du Québec, et les résultats laissent croire que l'épinette blanche (P. glauca) ne s'est jamais établie dans la région.

Holocene occurrence ofLophodermium piceae, a black spruce needle endophyte and possible paleoindicator of boreal forest health

Holocene occurrences of conifer needle endophytes have not previously been reported. We report the fossil remains ofLophodermium piceae(Fckl.) Hoehn., a fungal endophyte of black spruce (Picea mariana(Mill.) B.S.P.) needles, in macrofossils dating back to 8000 cal yr BP. Spruce budworm head capsules andL. piceaeremains were found preceding charcoal layers delineating the transformation of four spruce−moss forest sites to spruce−lichen woodland. AsL. piceaeis found solely on senescent needles, its increased presence during these transformation periods likely indicates that the forests were in decline due to the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana(Clem.)) when they burned. Future paleoecological studies incorporating needle fungi observations could be used to investigate the historical occurrence of tree disease and the role of fungi in forest health and decline.

Invertebrate predation of postdispersal seeds and juvenile seedlings of black spruce (Picea mariana) in the boreal forest of eastern Canada

We used an extensive vertebrate exclosure experiment to evaluate black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) postdispersal seed and seedling predation by invertebrates in three boreal habitats of Eastern Canada: recent burn, spruce–moss, and lichen woodland. Between 9% and 19% of seeds were eaten by invertebrates. Seed predation was higher in recent burns than in spruce–moss and lichen woodlands. Abundance and diversity of potential invertebrate seed consumers sampled in pitfall traps also varied among habitat types. Among the invertebrate seed consumers sampled, Myrmica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus adstrictus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were the most numerous; Formica spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pterostichus punctatissimus (Randall, 1838) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were also present. Between 2% and 12% of juvenile black spruce seedlings were eaten by invertebrates. The most important seedling consumers were slugs (molluscs). Invertebrate predation of seeds and seedlings was highest (19% and 12%) in recent burns, indicating that invertebrate predation may significantly influence black spruce regeneration in these sites.

Mapping caribou habitat north of the 51st parallel in Québec using Landsat imagery

A methodology using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images and vegetation typology, based on lichens as the principal component of caribou winter diet, was developed to map caribou habitat over a large and diversified area of Northern Québec. This approach includes field validation by aerial surveys (helicopter), classification of vegetation types, image enhancement, visual interpretation and computer assisted mapping. Measurements from more than 1500 field sites collected over six field campaigns from 1989 to 1996 represented the data analysed in this study. As the study progressed, 14 vegetation classes were defined and retained for analyses. Vegetation classes denoting important caribou habitat included six classes of upland lichen communities (Lichen, Lichen-Shrub, Shrub-Lichen, Lichen-Graminoid-Shrub, Lichen-Woodland, Lichen-Shrub-Woodland). Two classes (Burnt-over area, Regenerating burnt-over area) are related to forest fire, and as they develop towards lichen communities, will become important for caribou. The last six classes are retained to depict remaining vegetation cover types. A total of 37 Landsat TM scenes were geocoded and enhanced using two methods: the Taylor method and the false colour composite method (bands combination and stretching). Visual inter¬pretation was chosen as the most efficient and reliable method to map vegetation types related to caribou habitat. The 43 maps produced at the scale of 1:250 000 and the synthesis map (1:2 000 000) provide a regional perspective of caribou habitat over 1200 000 km2 covering the entire range of the George river herd. The numerical nature of the data allows rapid spatial analysis and map updating.