Patterns of regeneration and ground vegetation associated with canopy gaps in a managed beechwood in southern England

In autumn 2001, 15 canopy gaps were selected for study in RumerhedgeWood, a semi-natural, mesotrophic beechwood in southern England.The gaps were located in mature, beech-dominated stands, andhad originated from openings created during a thinning in theearly 1980s and wind damage in 1987/1990 and/or the consequentsalvage operations. The extent of each gap and surrounding treeswere mapped. Tree/shrub regeneration, ground vegetation, bareearth, leaf litter and canopy openness (using a canopy-scope)were measured within and around the gaps using a 5 x 5-m gridand placing a 1 x 1-m quadrat at each grid intersection (totalnumber of quadrats = 400). Most of the gaps were <75 m² inarea. The largest was 241 m². They were generally irregularin shape and there was little or no understorey present. Mostsurrounding trees were beech Fagus sylvatica L. Bramble Rubusfruticosus L. formed a moderate to dense ground vegetation belowmost gaps and declined around the edges only once the gap openingwas substantially obscured. Apart from a few larger saplings,most regeneration was small and of beech. Most of the latterappeared to be in their fifth or sixth growing season, were10–35 cm tall, had an erect base and flat top, had increasedby <5 cm in height during 2001 and were not browsed by deer.Their height and growth form was related to (1) their positionwithin gaps, (2) the degree of canopy openness and (3) the coverof ground vegetation. This was translated into the followingzonation—(1) around the centre of larger gaps: canopyopenness increased to >15 per cent; bramble cover was nearcomplete; litter depth was low; many places had no beech seedlings,but some of the few present were among the tallest, most uprightand fastest growing; (2) towards the edges of the large gapsor directly below smaller gaps: canopy openness was about 4–10per cent; bramble cover was slightly less; beech seedlings weremoderately abundant but patchy, generally shorter, more flattopped and slow growing than in the gap centre, albeit somewere still among the tallest, most upright and fastest growing;(3) beyond the edge of the large/medium gaps (with the gap onlypartially visible) or directly below very small gaps: canopyopenness was only about 2–3 per cent; bramble was muchreduced; beech seedlings were at their most abundant but stillpatchy in distribution and even shorter, more flat topped andslower growing than in the above zone; (4) in an outer zonebeyond or almost beyond the sight of the gaps: canopy opennesswas <2 per cent; bramble was weak and sparse; beech seedlingswere mostly at low densities and predominately short, slow growingand flat topped. This ring pattern of beech regeneration appearedto relate mainly to (1) differences in light availability affectingthe survival, growth rate and form of seedlings; (2) competitionfrom bramble and possibly (3) limited dispersal of beech seedinto gaps. Recommendations are given for managers who wish touse natural regeneration to restock beech woodland.     

Growth and mortality in underplanted tree seedlings in response to variations in canopy closure of Norway spruce stands

Six broadleaved tree species and Picea abies (L.) Karst. wereplanted under spruce plantations of varying densities, in Sweden.Treatments included control (994 stems ha^–1), dense (538stems ha^–1), sparse (294 stems ha^–1) and gap (0stems ha^–1) overstory treatments. There was an increasein height and diameter growth from control to sparse overstorytreatment of all underplanted tree species except for ash (Fraxinusexcelsior L.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.). Site conditionsmay have hampered the growth of these species, as well as wildcherry (Prunus avium L.). Both oak (Quercus robur L.) and sprucehad greater growth in the gap treatment, relative to the othertreatments. Insecticide application did not influence seedlinggrowth or survival. The performance of beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.), lime (Tilia cordata Mill.), spruce and oak was consistentwith shade tolerance ranking. Beech and lime had a very highsurvival rate, even under the densest canopy. The growth andmortality of ash, maple and wild cherry differed significantlyfrom what was expected. This experiment demonstrated significantvariation in interspecific growth and mortality between sevenplanted tree species in relation to canopy density. Correctsite and species selection is crucial when underplanting inshelterwood systems.     

Canopy gaps and regeneration in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands, northern Iran

Virgin beech Fagus orientalis forests in northern Iran provide a unique opportunity to study the disturbance regimes of forest ecosystems without human influence. The aim of this research was to describe characteristics of natural canopy gaps and gap area fraction as an environmental influence on the success of beech seedling establishment in mature beech stands. All canopy gaps and related forest parameters were measured within three 25 ha areas within the Gorazbon compartment of the University of Tehran’s Kheyrud Experimental Forest. An average of 3 gaps/ha occurred in the forest and gap sizes ranged from 19 to 1250 m² in size. The most frequent (58%) canopy gaps were <200 m². In total, canopy gaps covered 9.3% of the forest area. Gaps <400 m² in size were irregular in shape, but larger gaps did not differ significantly in shape from a circle. Most gaps (41%) were formed by a single tree-fall event and beech made up 63% of gap makers and 93% of gap fillers. Frequency and diversity of tree seedlings were not significantly correlated with gap size. The minimum gap size that contained at least one beech gap-filling sapling (<1.3 m tall) was 23.7 m². The median gap size containing at least one beech gap-filling sapling was 206 m² and the maximum size was 1808 m². The management implications from our study suggest that the creation of small and medium sized gaps in mixed beech forest should mimic natural disturbance regimes and provide suitable conditions for successful beech regeneration.     

Factors influencing tree species diversity and Betula alleghaniensis establishment in silvicultural openings

We examined the short-term effects of group-selection harvestingwith seed tree retention on the diversity, abundance and establishmentof tree seedlings in a northern hardwood forest in the UpperPeninsula of Michigan (49 openings, 20 closed canopy referencesites). Three opening sizes were examined – opening radius0.5 x canopy height (267 ± 62 m², n = 16), 0.75 x canopyheight (642 ± 85 m², n = 17) and 1.0 x canopy height(1192 ± 155 m², n = 16) (canopy height = 22 m). A singleyellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) seed tree was retainedin the centre of each opening. Tree seedling density was significantlyhigher in the largest group-selection opening than at the closedcanopy reference sites (P < 0.05), the main factor for thiswas the increased proportion of yellow birch, red maple (Acerrubrum L.) and other minor species. Nevertheless, yellow birchwas still a minor component of the developing gap cohort, comprising5.9 per cent of the seedlings and 1.1 per cent of the saplings.Within openings, microsite variables, such as per cent coversof bare soil and coarse woody debris, were the best predictorsof yellow birch occurrence and density. Our results suggestthat microsite limitations and competing vegetation may greatlyreduce the efficacy of openings for ensuring the maintenanceof mid-tolerants.     

The tolerance of newly emerged broadleaved tree seedlings to the herbicides clopyralid, cycloxydim and metazachlor

In direct-seeded woodlands and nursery seed-beds, weeds canrapidly invade newly sown areas, leading to death or suppressionof tree seedlings. Hand weeding is usually expensive, and thesafe use of broad-spectrum contact herbicides is seldom possible.Hence in the work reported here, the tolerance of young treeseedlings to the potentially more selective, post-emergenceherbicides clopyralid, cycloxydim and metazachlor, was tested.Seedlings of Fraxinus excelsior L. (ash) with two to four expandedtrue leaves (2–4 ETL), Fagus sylvatica L. (beech) (2–4ETL), Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore) (4–6 ETL), Prunusavium L. (cherry) (6–8 ETL) and Quercus robur L. (oak)(6–8 ETL) appeared to tolerate applications of cycloxydimat a rate of 0.45 kg a.i. ha^–1. Applications of 0.2 kga.i. ha^–1 clopyralid or 1.25 kg a.i. ha^–1 metazachloralso appeared to be generally tolerated, but did cause somesuppression of annual growth increment in Q. robur, P. avium,F. sylvatica and A. pseudoplatanus, particularly where repeatapplications were made to the earliest growth stages. Seedlingsurvival was unaffected by any herbicide treatment. Mixturesof all three herbicides were no more damaging than the sameherbicides applied separately. Therefore, depending on treespecies and growth stage, it appears that clopyralid could potentiallybe safely used to control a range of herbaceous weed species,metazachlor a variety of seedling or germinating weeds and cycloxydima range of established grass weed species, in direct sown woodlandsor nursery seed-beds, although further research is advisableto confirm crop safety.     

Sitka Spruce and Douglas fir Seedlings in the Nursery and in Cold Storage: Root Growth Potential, Carbohydrate Content, Dormancy, Frost Hardiness and Mitotic Index

Seedlings (transplants) of 2+1 Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis(Bong.) Carr.) and 1 + 1 Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco) were grown in a nursery at the Bush Estate,Scotland. Batches were lifted and cold stored at 0.5°C inNovember, December and January. Changes in growth, shoot apicalmitotic index, root growth potential (RGP), carbohydrate content,bud dormancy and shoot frost hardiness were monitored throughoutthe winter by taking samples at intervals from the nursery andfrom cold storage. Frost hardening occurred during the later stages of bud development(as mitotic indices decreased); autumn hardening was arrestedwhen seedlings were put in cold store, and some dehardeningoccurred in cold storage, especially in spring. Bud dormancystarted, and was greatest, just after bud growth (mitotic activity)virtually ceased; chilling in cold store was almost as effectivein releasing dormancy as natural chilling. The concentrationof total nonstructural carbohydrates stayed more or less constantat 100–150mg g^–1 from September to April in thenursery; in cold storage carbohydrates were depleted at 0.4–0.6mgg^–1 d^–1 (corresponding to respiration at 0.03–0.05mgCO₂ g^–1 h^–1) until there was only 40–50mgg^–1. Root growth potentials in the nursery increased in December,once the buds ceased growth, became dormant and had receivedsome chilling. Sitka spruce was ‘storable’ in November,before RGPs increased, but they then failed to achieve maximalfrost hardiness or ROP. Winter RGPs were high in Sitka spruceand were increased or maintained in cold storage, whereas RGPswere low in Douglas fir and decreased immediately after storage(except when stored in January). By the end of April, the RGPof cold stored Sitka spruce was much higher than that of directlifted plants. ROP changes in the nursery and in cold storagewere not consistently related to changes in seedling carbohydratecontents, shoot frost hardiness or bud dormancy. In practical terms, it was concluded that (1) the optimum dateto start lifting bare- rooted conifer transplants in the autumnis when their shoot apical mitotic indices have decreased tonear zero, and their RGPs have risen sharply; (2) high RGPsmay depend as much on the morphology of the roots (e.g. numberof undamaged root apices) as on the physiology of the shoots(e.g. carbohydrate status, dormancy and frost hardiness); and(3) in spring, transplants kept in cold storage since November,December or January are more frost hardy, slightly more dormant,and (in May) have higher RGPs than transplants lifted from thenursery.     

德国中部Soiling云杉-山毛榉混交林冠层组成对土壤CO2排放的影响

It was hypothesized that soil respiration can be affected by canopy composition. Hence, admixture of trees as a common forest management practice may cause significant change in the carbon cycling. This study was conducted in a mixed spruce-beech stand at Solling forest in central Germany to investigate the effect of canopy composition on soil respiration. The canopy cover was classified in four major canopy classes (pure beech, pure spruce, mixed and gap), and the area under each canopy class was identified as a sub-plot. Soil respiration in each sub-plot (n=4) was measured monthly from Jun 2005 to July 2006. Results show significant difference in annual soil respiration between the beech (359 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) and gap (211 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) sub-plots. The estimation of the total below-ground carbon allocation (TBCA) based on a model given by Raich and Nadelhoffer revealed considerably higher root CO₂ production in the beech sub-plot (231 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C) compare to the gap sub-plot (51 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹ C). The contribution of the root respiration to the total soil respiration was higher in the soil under the beech canopy (59%) compared with the soil in the gap (29%). The findings suggested that the condition under the beech canopy may cause more desirable micro-site for autotrophic respiration and consequently higher CO₂ release into the atmosphere.     

Canopy recruitment in the beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus engleriana</Emphasis>) forest of Mt. Shennongjia,Central China

A dendrochronological technique was used to investigate canopy recruitment of beech (Fagus engleriana Seem.) trees in western Hubei Province of Central China by identifying growth releases through gap formation. The results indicated that 83% and 17% of the canopy trees regenerate in gaps and the understory, respectively. Radial growth analyses demonstrated that there are three modes for beech regeneration and canopy recruitment: (1) gap origin without suppression; (2) gap origin with period(s) of suppression; and (3) understory origin. Multiple periods of release and suppression imply that beech regeneration and canopy recruitment are very sensitive to gap formation.     

Thirty years of gap dynamics in a central european beech forest reserve

Investigation of gap characteristics and tree regeneration patternsis central for our understanding of forest dynamics. By integratingaerial photograph analyses and ground surveys, we provide astudy of long-term canopy gap dynamics and tree regenerationpatterns in a Hungarian beech forest reserve. We found (1) thatin spite of the overall increase of gap area during the investigated30-years (from 2.5 to 7.7 per cent), total gap area and averagegap size (40–93 m²) were remarkably similar to those foundin other temperate and tropical forests, (2) if the fate ofindividual gaps was followed, two to three times more intensivecanopy dynamics (gap creation, closure and expansion) couldbe recognized than simple change of gap area indicated, and(3) average seedling density was considered to be sufficientfor natural regeneration. However, it was apparent that recentincreased deer browsing had prevented establishment of youngertrees of 1–2 m in height, as taller saplings were recordedonly in old gaps. Our results not only provide useful informationon forest dynamics but can also contribute to understandingthe potential roles that small forest reserves can play in providingessential reference data for nature-based forest managementof this forest type.     

Gap dynamics in the Western Carpathian mixed beech old-growth forests affected by spruce bark beetle outbreak

Understanding how species-specific disturbances affect the dynamics of mixed forests is becoming increasingly important due to rapidly changing disturbance regimes. This study estimated the effect of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) mortality on the disturbance processes in two mixed beech stands of the Western Carpathians that were affected by a bark beetle outbreak. We evaluated the size distribution, fraction of canopy and expanded gaps, the characteristics of gapmakers and the contribution of different species to gap size. The measured canopy gap fraction was <5%, and most canopy gaps were small (<100 m²). Spruce was the most abundant gapmaker, and its share among gapmakers was 3–6 times higher than its share in the canopy. We found that the increase in spruce mortality due to the outbreak resulted in a fine-scale mortality pattern. However, spruce gapmakers did not contribute much to gap area size, as shown by a weak correlation between the number of spruce gapmakers and the area of expanded gaps. Diameter distribution of living versus recently dead trees showed that beech mortality occurred disproportionately in large size classes. However, dead spruce trees were equally frequent in all diameter classes, which means beetles did not exclusively attack larger trees in these stands during the outbreak. We conclude that spruce mortality may have influenced successional processes by giving a competitive advantage to two other species that were not affected by the outbreak, provided that a high deer browsing intensity does not hinder the regeneration of new seedlings.

     

Establishing forest tree species on peatland in a reflooded area of the Huleh Valley, Israel

The study evaluates the establishment performance of four treespecies (Ficus carica, Fraxinus syriaca, Salix acmophylla, Platanusorientalis) 3 years after planting in the peatland in the HulehValley. To develop good tree establishment and avoid uprooting,two types of soils were tested as alternatives for the rhizosphere.For each tree 6 m³ of soil (2 x 2 x 1.5 m) were replaced withriver bed alluvium or terra-rossa, in which the tree was planted.Control trees were planted directly in the peat. Changing therhizosphere soil type to river bed alluvium significantly improvedthe establishment and performance of Salix acmophylla and Fraxinussyriaca (survival, height, diameter and canopy shade area).Ficus carica was not affected by changing the soil in the rhizosphere,while Platanus orientalis was affected mainly in canopy shadearea. Terra-rossa improved establishment only of Salix acmophylla;it did not affect the other species.     

A Large Gap Formation in a Beech Forest on Mt. Garyu in Southwestern Japan by Typhoon 9119

Abstract

Processes and mechanisms of large-gap creation in an old-growth beech forest on Mt. Garyu in southwestern Japan by Typhoon 9119 are discussed. In the large gap of 4,100 m², damaged trees were mostly Fagus crenataand the main cause of gap creation was uprooting of tall, large diameter, canopy trees. Also in the other parts of the beech forest, the main cause of gap creation was uprooting of canopy trees. The large gap was created by the sequential and domino-like fall of multiple canopy trees blown down by windstorms that followed the passage of the typhoon itself. In the large gap, it is possible that the windstorm which attacked and moved over the slope was strengthened by topography. In addition, the risk of gap enlargement will increase on steep slopes more than on gentle slopes when the up-slope is on the leeward of the wind. The large-scale disturbance caused by Typhoon 9119 as a catastrophic windstorm may influence the pattern and process in forest regeneration.     

Overstorey density influence on the height of Picea abies regeneration in northern Sweden

The study aimed specifically at investigating if canopy opennesswas a better predictor of the height growth of Norway spruce(Picea abies (L.) Karst.) advance regeneration than overstoreybasal area or overstorey standing volume. In 1990, a field experimentwith 3 x 2 factorial design and two replications (blocks) wasestablished in an uneven-aged Norway spruce forest. Plots hada net plot area of 30 x 30 m, each with a 10-m-wide treatedbuffer zone. Three overstorey density levels retained approximately15, 40 and 70 per cent of the pre-harvest overstorey standingvolume and were allotted to the plots. Two types of thinningthat harvested smaller trees or harvested larger trees wererandomly allocated to each pair of overstorey density plots.In mid-June 2000, canopy openness was estimated from hemisphericalphotographs taken at five marked points in the centre of eachof the plots at 0.9 m from ground to the top of the ‘fish-eye’camera lens. Regression results showed that canopy opennesswas a better predictor of height increments of spruce seedlings(0.1< height < 0.5 m), saplings (0.5 height < 2.0m), and small trees (height 2.0 m, diameter at 1.3 m height< 5 cm) than with overstorey basal area (m² ha^–1) oroverstorey standing volume (m³ ha^–1). The height incrementof the spruce advance regeneration was not significantly correlatedto stand basal area or to standing volume. Overstorey basalarea in the net plots was significantly negative (P 0.05) withmean canopy openness estimates, and the r² value was 0.40. Resultsindicated that basal area was not linearly related to canopyopenness as it increased, which might explain the lack of predictivepower of retained basal area on spruce regeneration height indense stands in boreal Sweden.     

Characteristics of lowland broadleaved woodland being restocked by natural regeneration

A survey of 78 sites in southern England with approved managementplans for restocking by natural regeneration was made duringthe summers of 1993 and 1994. The following features were recorded:species, stocking, canopy cover and seed-bearing potential oftrees present in the overstorey; species and canopy cover ofthe understorey; ground cover; species, browsing damage, numberand heights of tree seedlings. In general, sites were poorlystocked with overstorey trees having an average of 135 stemsha^–1 and a mean canopy cover of 36 per cent. Similarly,the understoreys were poorly developed with an average coverof only 23 per cent. Twenty-nine species of tree were foundin the overstorey, Quercus spp. and Fraxinus excelsior werethe most common. Many of the stems present had poor seed-bearingpotential. Cover of the ground flora often exceeded 75 per cent.Seedlings were present on most sites, with F. excelsior andBetula pendula being most abundant with mean seedling densitiesexceeding 10000 ha^–1. Most seedlings were >20 cm tall,few exceeded 120 cm. About 30 per cent of seedlings were browsed.The results are related to current guidance and the future prospectsfor use of natural regeneration.     

Photosynthesis and biomass allocation of beech (Fagus crenata) and dwarf-bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) in response to contrasting light regimes in a Japan Sea-Type beech forest

Regeneration of beech (Fagus crenata) forests depends on the formation of canopy gaps. However, in Japan Sea-type beech forests, a dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) conspicuously occupies sunny gaps. Therefore,F. crenata seedlings must escape the severe interference ofS. kurilensis in the gaps and persist beneath a closed canopy of the beech forest. We hypothesized that the growth ofF. crenata seedlings in the understory would be favored by their being more plastic thanS. kurilensis in photosynthetic and morphological traits, which would support the matter production ofF. crenata seedlings in a wide range of light availabilities. To examine this hypothesis, the photosynthetic-light response of individual leaves and the biomass allocation in aboveground parts (i.e., the culm/foliage ratio) were surveyed at sites with contrasting light availabilities in a Japan Sea-type beech forest in central Japan. InF. crenata, photosynthetic light utilization efficiency at relatively low light was greater, and the dark respiration rate was smaller in the leaves of seedlings (10 cm in height) beneath the closed canopy than in the leaves of saplings at the sunny forest edge. The culm/foliage (C/F) ratio of theF. crenata seedlings at the shady site was small, suggesting effective matter-production beneath the beech canopy. On the other hand,S. kurilensis both in the gap and beneath the beech canopy showed low plasticity in photosynthesis and the culm/foliage ratio. Because the shoot density ofS. kurilensis was smaller beneath the beech canopy than in the gap, the light availability at the bottom of theS. kurilensis layer was greater beneath the beech canopy. These results suggest that the photosynthetic productivity of theF. crenata seedlings would be enough for the seedlings to survive in the understory with a low density ofS. kurilensis shoots beneath the closed beech canopy.     

Controlling Rhododendron spp. in the Turkish Black Sea Region

Rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum L. and Rhododendron luteumSweet) dominate the understories of the mesic forests of theBlack Sea Region (BSR) of Turkey. They dramatically reduce forestgrowth and regeneration and local plant diversity. This paperreports the results of a large rhododendron control experimentestablished on two different sites in the western and easternBSR of Turkey 5 years after treatments (YAT). The paper alsopresents the second-year results of a second experiment in whichthe foliar herbicides of the previous experiment were testedon rhododendron at much lower rates on a western BSR site. FiveYAT, grubbing and foliar spraying were still the best rhododendroncontrol methods in the first experiment. Cut-stump sprayingprovided an intermediate level of woody control. Hand-cuttingwas ineffective on R. ponticum and did not significantly differfrom the control treatment in rhododendron basal area 5 YAT.The performance ratings of foliar triclopyr ester and imazapyrfor woody control in both experiments were rate dependent. Athigh rates ranging between 2.6 and 5.8 kg ae ha^–1, foliarimazapyr controlled both rhododendron species significantlybetter than foliar triclopyr ester in the first experiment,suggesting enhanced imazapyr translocation to the roots. Someoff-target damage was observed in the beech overstory for imazapyrat high rates. The performance ratings of these foliar herbicideswere significantly reversed in the second experiment 2 YAT,where much lower rates were used (0.3–2.0 kg ae ha^–1)than in the first experiment. Insufficient imazapyr accumulationin rhododendron roots might account for the poor impact of thisherbicide. No beech damage was apparent from any of the herbicidesin the second experiment. The low-rate foliar triclopyr esteris recommended for effective and cost-efficient rhododendroncontrol.     

Influence of nurse birch and Scots pine seedlings on early aerial development of European beech seedlings in an open-field plantation of Central France

Beech woodland can be restored by direct planting of beech (Fagussylvatica L.) seedlings in abandoned areas, but this methodis generally avoided in forestry because of the growth difficultiesof beech in full-light conditions. This study tested a methodthat consists of planting beech seedlings in full-light conditionswith silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) or Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) as nurse trees. A total of 65 two-year-old beechseedlings surrounded by either 3, 4, 5 or 6 pine or birch seedlingsor without competitors were planted in bare-soil open-fieldconditions in Central France. Tree growth and light availabilitywere monitored at the end of each of the following 3 years,and soil moisture was also measured the last year. At the endof the experiment, aerial biomass measurements were made onthe beeches. Results showed that relative beech growth in termsof diameter was significantly reduced by the local neighbouringtrees and that this reduction was particularly noticeable inthe pine treatments where there was extensive pine seedlingdevelopment. In contrast, relative beech height did not exhibitany significant variations among the treatments. Light availabilitywas decreased by the neighbouring trees, especially in the pinetreatments. Light reduction was more pronounced in the last2 years and in the middle or lower parts of the canopy of thesubject beech. Soil water content was lower under the pine canopiesthan under the birch canopies, and was positively correlatedto beech relative diameter growth. Specific leaf area, height-to-diameterratio and crown length-to-crown width ratio weakly but significantlyincreased with competition from the neighbours. Beech biomasspartitioning was only weakly affected by the treatments. Thisstudy showed that nurse trees tend to reduce beech growth butimprove form although effects remained weak due to the insufficientlength of the experiment. Further studies are also needed toquantify the effects of the neighbourhood on the growth of competitiveherbaceous vegetation and on changes in the microclimatic conditions.     

The Effect of Landfill Leachate Spraying on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations and Leaf Transpiration in a Northern Hardwood Forest, Canada

The effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate spray irrigationon a mature northern hardwood forest was investigated. Canopyfoliar samples and stem increment cores were collected fromtwo indicative species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), within each ofa heavily sprayed, lightly sprayed and control area. Foliarconcentrations of N and P were significantly higher in bothmaple and beech foliage within the sprayed areas when comparedto an unsprayed area (control). Levels of Mg and K were markedlyhigher in maple but not beech foliar samples within the heavilysprayed areas when compared to foliage sampled within the unsprayedcontrol. While no significant trends were observed within themaple foliage, both Fe and B levels increased significantlyin beech foliar samples obtained from within the heavily sprayedarea in comparison to foliage samples from the control. Directporometric measurements of the transpiration rate and diffusive(stomatal) resistance of canopy and understory plant leavesrevealed a significant increase in diffusive resistance anda decline in transpiration rate with leachate spraying. Afterfour years of spraying a significant effect of leachate applicationon radial stem growth of both maple and beech trees has notbeen observed.     

Sustainability in multi-aged stands: an analysis of long-term plenter systems

Long-term research plots in multi-aged stands managed with theplenter system were assessed to evaluate sustainability of theplenter system in Central Europe. Plots primarily consistedof Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst., silver fir (Abiesalba Mill.) or European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and weremeasured for seven to 16 measurement intervals over 60–91years. Sustainability was assessed with four types of criteria:stand density, tree species diversity, basal area increment,and stand structure. Comparable even-aged stands were also analysedto compare and evaluate the performance of the measures of sustainability.Measures of species diversity, increment and stand structuraldiversity generally experienced increasing trends over timein these even-aged stands. Basal area generally increased andtrees ha^-1 decreased in multi-aged stands following similarpatterns as in even-aged stands. These results suggest thatthe plenter system is still evolving and is not the model ofsustainability often assumed. Many of the measures used havepotential as indicators of sustainability in multi-aged stands.     

The effect of single-tree selction system on soil properties in an oriental beech stand of Hyrcanian forest,north of Iran

A case study was conducted in beech forests of northern Iran to determine the effect of the created gaps on some soil properties in beech stand. Changes of soil properties in small (60 150 m 2 ), medium (151 241 m 2 ), large (242 332 m 2 ) and very large (333 550 m 2 ) gaps, as well as under closed stands were studied eight years after the gap creation. Soil samples were taken from three depths, 0 10, 10 20 and 20 30 cm. The gaps were different from their around undisturbed stands in terms of the following soil parameters: Mg +2 concentration of 0 10 cm at medium gap size, bulk density of 10 20 cm at very large gap size as well as K + and Ca +2 concentrations at 20 30 cm at small and large gap sizes, respectively. Furthermore, the size of the gaps had no effect on soil characteristics through the whole profile. Water saturation percent (Sp %) at 0 10cm as well as P and Mg +2 at 20 30 cm was different amongst undisturbed stands around different gap sizes. The center and the edges of the gap were different only in terms of organic carbon at the depth of 10 20 cm. Significant differences were observed between gaps andclosed canopy regarding P and Ca +2 at depth 0 10 cm and 10 20 cm, respectively. It can be concluded that applied silvicultural system for harvesting trees which created these gaps might be suitable for conservation and forest management in the region.