Effects of climatic conditions on tree-ring widths of three deciduous broad-leaved tree species at their northern distribution limit in Mont St. Hilaire,eastern Canada

This study examined the effects of climatic conditions on tree-ring widths of red oak (Quercus rubra), sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) at their northern distribution limit in Mont St. Hilaire, eastern Canada. A residual chronology of tree-ring width index was developed for each species. The tree-ring width of Q. rubra showed negative and positive correlations with May temperature and June precipitation in the current year, respectively. A. saccharum also showed similar patterns with Q. rubra, i.e., negative and positive correlations with June temperature and precipitation in the current year, respectively. F. grandifolia showed neither positive nor negative correlations with temperature and precipitation. The expressed population signals of tree-ring width chronologies of the three species indicated that climatic factors more greatly influenced the variations in tree-ring widths in the order Q. rubra > A. saccharum > F. grandifolia. Therefore, the radial growth of Q. rubra was most restricted by drought stress in early summer among the three species. Global warming is suggested to affect the radial growth of the three species differently by increasing drought stress at Mont St. Hilaire in eastern Canada.     

Flammability of some companion species in cork oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L.) forests

Key message

The high flammability of some companion species in Quercus suber forests, estimated in laboratory tests, could potentially generate an increase in fire vulnerability and in fire risk.

Context

Recurrent wildfire is one of the main causes of forest degradation, especially in the Mediterranean region. Increased fire frequency and severity due to global change could reduce the natural resilience of cork oak to wildfire in the future. Hence, it is important to evaluate the flammability of companion species in cork oak forests in the particularly dry bioclimatic conditions of North Africa.

Aims

This study aimed to assess and compare flammability parameters at laboratory scale among ten companion frequent species in cork oak forests.

Methods

Fuel samples were collected in a cork oak (Quercus suber L) forest in the southern part of the mountains of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). A series of flammability tests were carried out using a Mass Loss Calorimeter device (FTT ®). A cluster analysis to classify flammability of the selected species was conducted using the K-means algorithm.

Results

The results revealed differences in the four flammability parameters (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability), in both fresh and dried fine fuel samples from Quercus suber, Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus faginea, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, Calicotome spinosa, Juniperus oxycedrus and Tetraclinis articulata. Application of the K-means clustering algorithm showed that C. spinosa, T. articulata, J. oxycedrus and P. halepensis are highly flammable because of their high combustibility and sustainability.

Conclusion

The findings identify species that could potentially increase the vulnerability of cork oak forests to forest fires.

     

Ontogeny influences developmental physiology of post-transplant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus rubra</Emphasis> seedlings more than genotype

Key message

Seedling ontogeny exerted a greater influence on physiological activity of Quercus rubra seedlings than genetics; thus, it may be more important to use an appropriate growth index to account for seedling ontogeny in experiments than to control for genetic variation.

Context

Members of the genus Quercus exhibit semi-determinate growth, resulting in complex and developmentally variable endogenous physiological patterns. The Quercus morphological index (QMI; Hanson et al. Tree Physiol. 2:273-281, 1986) was developed as a tool to relate physiological patterns to morphologically identifiable ontological stages, thereby allowing for treatment or measurement of seedlings at uniform ontological stages rather than strictly by chronology.

Aims

Although clear physiological patterns relative to seedling ontogeny have been observed using the QMI in pre-transplant half-sibling seedlings, we sought to determine whether physiological patterns remain consistent across genotypes within a species.

Methods

We examined net photosynthesis, transpiration, leaf chlorophyll concentrations, and chlorophyll fluorescence (F _v /F _m ) throughout the first flush after transplant for northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings from three half-sibling families.

Results

Neither net photosynthesis nor transpiration rates varied by family, whereas leaf chlorophyll concentrations and F _v /F _m differed significantly. Despite family differences for magnitudes of some parameters, no interactions between QMI growth stage and family were observed, and patterns of all parameters relative to growth stage were consistent across families. Net photosynthetic rates, transpiration rates, and F _v /F _m increased during the flush, while leaf chlorophyll concentration decreased, suggesting that chlorophyll synthesis is not a limiting factor during leaf maturation in this species.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that QMI-based physiological patterns may be at least regionally applicable within a given Quercus species.

     

Conversion of conifer plantations to native hardwoods: influences of overstory and fertilization on artificial regeneration

Forest tree species in the eastern US such as American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh) and oaks (Quercus spp.) have been negatively impacted by forest changes over the past century. Many mature, introduced pine (Pinus spp.) plantations exist in the Midwest US following establishment 50–60 years ago yet have little economic and ecological value. As oak and chestnut have similar site preferences to pines, these stands may be ideal sites for hardwood restoration plantings. We sought to determine optimal management strategies for converting pine plantations by manipulating their canopies. We underplanted hybrid American chestnut and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings into three canopy treatments (control, shelterwood, clearcut) and included an open field treatment. For each of two growing seasons, 0, 30, or 60 g 19N–6P–12K of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) were also applied to seedlings. Soil chemical parameters and leaf nutrients were analyzed throughout the study. Chestnut and oak seedlings had significantly greater height after two growing seasons in the clearcut and shelterwood than the control and open field, and chestnut had significantly greater diameter as well. Chestnut height and RCD growth were threefold that of oak after two growing seasons. In general, fertilization increased seedling growth more in the clearcut and open field than shelterwood and control for both species. Soils had significantly higher pH, K, and S in the open field than in pine stands. Results suggest that pine plantations may serve as target sites for restoration of these hardwood species. Shelterwoods and clearcuts are both favorable conversion options for oak and chestnut, and addition of CRF may augment further growth increase, especially in open environments.     

Birds as predators of cork and holm oak pests

The recent decline of Mediterranean oak woodlands in SW Iberian Peninsula is related to insect pests which affect both cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia). We identified twenty-six bird species as potential regular predators of twenty major pests by reviewing the diet of breeding, wintering and resident species in this ecosystem. Foraging guilds are strongly associated with predation at distinct stages of the pests’ life-cycle: ground-foragers prey on overwintering pupae and larvae of seed-borers, tree-foragers prey on eggs, larvae and pupae of defoliating and wood-boring pests, and aerial-sweepers prey on airborne imagines. Bird predation can cover the complete life-cycle of pest species because different species may be complementary due to a dissimilar exploitation of foraging niches and periods. Small generalist tree-foraging passerines are important pest predators given their high densities and widespread distribution in Mediterranean oak woodlands, but management practices can have a significant negative effect in their populations.     

Does the persistence of sweet chestnut depend on cultural inputs? Regeneration,recruitment, and mortality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanea</Emphasis>-dominated forests

Key message

Quercus secondary forests show a gradual transition toward mixed forests, with sweet chestnut ( Castanea sativa ) becoming increasingly abundant in the western Spanish Central System. Additionally, in chestnut-dominated stands, it shows a certain resistance to competitive displacement by Quercus pyrenaica . Our results partially refute the traditional view that C. sativa is unable to recruit in the absence of cultural inputs.

Context

Sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa, is a component of European broadleaf forests and is one of the most managed trees. Due to a reduction in cultural inputs, chestnut-dominated stands tend to be invaded by other species, and it is unclear how chestnut is able to persist in natural mixed forests.

Aims

Our work aimed to identity the main factors that limit the establishment of C. sativa and to analyze the recruitment and mortality processes of C. sativa trees.

Methods

The age, growth ring patterns, regeneration density, and the spatial structure of trees and saplings in 11 plots in the Spanish Central System were analyzed.

Results

Chestnut seedling density increased with C. sativa basal area, but transition toward the sapling stage appeared limited owing to light availability. In Quercus pyrenaica secondary forests, sparse canopies did not constrain chestnut regeneration, and in old chestnut stands, C. sativa showed a certain resistance to competitive displacement. By contrast, mixed young coppices showed a high mortality, most likely due to competition with other vigorous resprouters.

Conclusion

Quercus secondary forests showed a gradual transition toward mixed forests with sweet chestnut becoming increasingly more abundant. In old stands, C. sativa is likely to persist under a gap-phase mode of regeneration. Our results partially refute the traditional view that C. sativa is unable to recruit in the absence of cultural inputs.

     

A dwarf bamboo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleioblastus chino</Emphasis>) and winter browsing by Japanese hare (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepus brachyurus</Emphasis>) combine to limit establishment of transplanted native tree seedlings in an abandoned agricultural field

Natural forest recovery on abandoned farmland is hindered by a variety of factors and active restoration plays an important role when quick afforestation is desired. We investigated seedling survival of four transplanted native tree species (Quercus myrsinifolia, Quercus serrata, Aphananthe aspera, and Rhus sylvestris) by experimentally manipulating the vegetation cover, which was mainly dominated by dwarf bamboo (Pleioblastus chino), and herbivore access to the planting sites on farmland that had been abandoned for 15 years at the start of the study. Few transplanted seedlings of any species survived under intact vegetation cover, irrespective of herbivore presence. In gaps in the vegetation cover, winter browsing by Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus) damaged all species. However, lower browsing frequency and higher resprouting ability after grazing of the seedlings enabled both Quercus species to survive better than the other species. These results indicate that dwarf bamboo and the hare jointly limit the establishment of native trees in old fields. If active afforestation by transplanting seedlings at sites dominated by dwarf bamboo is planned, a combination of vegetation removal, selection of suitable species, and temporary seedling protection will be most effective.     

Inoculation of ectomycorrhizal fungi contributes to the survival of tree seedlings in a copper mine tailing

To advance our understanding of the effects of inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) on seedling colonization in mine wastelands, we conducted a field experiment in a copper tailing. Six-month-old seedlings of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) and oak (Quercus variabilis) separately inoculated with three EMF species (Pisolithus sp., Cenococcum geophilum, Laccaria laccata) were transplanted to the copper tailing. The survival rates of tree seedlings were monitored monthly, and growth (biomass and height), contents of nutrients and heavy metals (K, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn), and mycorrhizal infection rates of seedlings were determined 6 months after planting. Oak seedlings exhibited higher survival rates than pine seedlings after 6 months of growth on the tailing. EMF inoculations of pine seedlings significantly enhanced their survival, growth, and nutrient uptake. In contrast, EMF inoculations of oak seedlings improved growth only in terms of biomass. Additionally, EMF inoculation caused pine seedlings to accumulate more Cu and Zn in roots compared to non-inoculated seedlings, whereas inoculation inhibited the accumulation of heavy metals in shoots. However, similar results were not observed in oak seedlings. Observations of roots indicated that the rates of mycorrhizal infection of both tree species had dramatically declined at harvest time. In conclusion, ectomycorrhizal symbioses can improve the survival and performance of pine seedlings in mine tailings. The present study provided direct evidence of the importance of EMF inoculation of seedlings to the reforestation of mine wastelands.     

Impact of thermal modification on color and chemical changes of spruce and oak wood

Thermal modification of wood is an environment-friendly alternative method for improving several properties of wood without the use of chemicals. This paper deals with the examination of color and chemical changes in spruce (Picea abies L.) and oak wood (Quercus robur F.) that occur due to thermal treatment. The thermal modification was performed at 160, 180, and 210 °C according to thermowood process. The color changes were measured by the spectrophotometer and described in the L*a*b* color system. Chemical changes were examined by wet chemistry methods, infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography. During the experiment, oak samples showed smaller color changes than spruce samples at all temperature values. During thermal modification, the content of cellulose, lignin, and extractives increases; however, the hemicellulose content drops by 58.85% (oak) and by 37.40% (spruce). In addition to deacetylation, new carbonyl and carboxyl groups are formed as a result of oxidation. Bonds in lignin (mainly β-O-4) and methoxyl groups are cleaved, and lignin is condensed at higher temperatures.     

Geometric morphometric analyses of leaf shapes in two sympatric Chinese oaks: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus dentata</Emphasis> Thunberg <Emphasis Type="Italic">and Quercus aliena</Emphasis> Blume (Fagaceae)

Key message

Geometric morphometric analyses (GMMs) of the leaf shape can distinguish two congeneric oak species Quercus dentata Thunberg and Quercus aliena Blume in sympatric areas.

Contexts

High genetic and morphological variation in different Quercus species hinder efforts to distinguish them. In China, Q. dentata and Q. aliena are generally sympatrically distributed in warm temperate forests, and share some leaf morphological characteristics.

Aims

The aim of this study was to use the morphometric methods to discriminate these sympatric Chinese oaks preliminarily identified from molecular markers.

Methods

Three hundred sixty-seven trees of seven sympatric Q. dentata and Q. aliena populations were genetically assigned to one of the two species or hybrids using Bayesian clustering analysis based on nSSR. This grouping served as a priori classification of the trees. Shapes of 1835 leaves from the 367 trees were analyzed in terms of 13 characters (landmarks) by GMMs. Correlations between environmental and leaf morphology parameters were studied using linear regression analyses.

Results

The two species were efficiently discriminated by the leaf morphology analyses (96.9 and 95.9% of sampled Q. aliena trees and Q. dentata trees were correctly identified), while putative hybrids between the two species were found to be morphologically intermediate. Moreover, we demonstrated that the leaf morphological variations of Q. aliena, Q. dentata, and their putative hybrids are correlated with environmental factors, possibly because the variation of leaf morphology is part of the response to different habitats and environmental disturbances.

Conclusion

GMMs were able to correctly classify individuals from the two species preliminary identified as Q. dentata or Q. aliena by nSSR. The high degree of classification accuracy provided by this approach may be exploited to discriminate other problematic species and highlight its utility in plant ecology and evolution studies.

     

Optimizing the debarking and cutting schedule of cork oak stands

Key message

Optimal management of cork oak forest stands was analyzed for different site indices and cork growth rates. Optimal debarking intervals varied during the rotation and were sometimes shorter or longer than the officially recommended range of 9–14 years.

Context

Quercus suber L. is one of the most important multipurpose tree species in the Mediterranean area. Its main product is cork, appreciated for its elasticity, impermeability, and thermal insulation properties. Cork oaks are debarked at constant intervals, which vary from 9 to 14 years depending on the area. However, since the growth rate of cork is not constant during the rotation, it may be optimal to use variable debarking intervals.

Aims

This study optimized the debarking and cutting schedules of Quercus suber stands and analyzed the influence of economic and stand-related factors on optimal management.

Methods

The study employed a simulation system where the existing growth and yield models for Quercus suber were used with a non-linear derivative-free optimization algorithm. Discount rates and cork prices were tested as economic factors and cork growth rate and site productivity as stand-related factors.

Results

The optimal debarking interval varied during the rotation. Increasing cork growth rate increased the optimal number of debarkings and shortened their interval. Decreasing discount rate increased the optimal number of debarkings during rotation while decreasing cork price decreased the number of debarkings.

Conclusion

The profitability of the management of cork oak stands depends on site fertility and stand density; management is not profitable on poor sites or at high discount rates. This study is the first that simultaneously optimizes the cutting and debarking schedule of cork oak stands, allowing the debarking interval to vary.

     

First report of identification and molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber aestivum</Emphasis> in Iran

During June 2013 to March 2014, several visits were made to the truffle-bearing areas of Kermanshah province, Iran. In this study, two specimens associated with roots of oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) were identified as Tuber aestivum Vittad based on morphological and cytological characteristics. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR using primer pair ITS1/ITS4 and the sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on ITS sequences revealed that all Iranian specimens were in the same branch in a clade with T. aestivum reported from others. All T. aestivum sequences, including Iranian specimen, showed an average of 97 % similarity (ranged from 96 to 100 %). The results of physico-chemical analyses on soil samples collected from oak forest indicated that T. aestivum was prevalent in the sandy soil with rather low phosphorus concentration, low in organic matter, and high CaCo₃. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. aestivum and its host plant from Iran.     

Considering neighborhood effects improves individual dbh growth models for natural mixed-species forests in Mexico

Key message

More accurate diameter at breast height (dbh)-growth models are needed for developing management tools for mixed-species forests in Mexico. Individual distance-dependent dbh growth models that quantify local neighborhood effects have been developed for four species groups in such forests. The performance of the models is improved by distinguishing between inter- and intraspecific group competitions.

Context

The management of mixed-species forests in the northwest of Durango, Mexico, is mainly based on the selection method. Understanding the interspecific and intraspecific competition is critical to developing management tools for such mixed-species forests.

Aims

An individual-based distance-dependent modeling approach was used to model the growth of dbh and to evaluate neighborhood effects for four species groups in Mexican mixed-species stands.

Methods

Twenty-two species were classified into four groups: Pinus (seven species), other conifers (three species), other broadleaves (four species), and Quercus (eight species). Four methods were used to select neighboring trees and 12 competition indices (CIs) were calculated. Comparisons of the neighboring trees selection methods and CIs and tests of assumptions about neighborhood effects were conducted.

Results

Intra-species-group competition significantly reduced diameter growth for all species groups, except for the Quercus group. The Pinus, other conifers, and Quercus groups had significant and negative neighborhood effects on the other broadleaves species group, and not vice versa. The Quercus group also had negative neighborhood effect on the Pinus and other conifers species groups, and not vice versa. The Pinus and other conifers species groups had negative neighborhood effects on each other. All fitted age-independent dbh growth models showed a good of fit to the data (adjusted coefficient of determination larger than 0.977).

Conclusion

The growth models can be used to predict dbh growth for species groups and competition in mixed-species stand from Durango, Mexico.

     

Characterization and photodegradation mechanism of three Algerian wood species

Aging is the irreversible change of mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of materials; the main objective of this work was to study the photochemical degradation and structural changes of three major Algerian wood species. For this, we evaluated the photodegradation mechanism for Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster), zeen oak (Quercus canariensis), and afares oak (Quercus afares) by accelerated aging in a Xenon test chamber. Degradation of the samples was established by an initial color change (after 30 h exposure), followed by roughening and cracking (120 h exposure) as translated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The discoloration of irradiated wood samples was primarily related to the decomposition of lignin which is the key structure in wood photodegradation. As expected, a decrease in mechanical properties was observed; for all samples, the modulus of elasticity decreased after aging, indicating that the wood specimens loss some of their stiffness.     

Natural durability of the culturally and historically important timber: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erythrophleum fordii</Emphasis> wood against white-rot fungi

The natural resistance of Erythrophleum fordii Oliver wood to degradation by Phanerochaete sordida and Phanerochaete chrysosporium white-rot fungi was investigated. In this study, Fagus crenata Blume (Japanese beech) was selected as reference species. The results showed that both fungi caused less than 2% mass loss in E. fordii wood, while the degradation of beech wood produced by P. chrysosporium and P. sordida was approximately 12 and 14%, respectively. Microscopic observations revealed high structural rigidity of E. fordii timber. Hyphae were only observed in the lumen of vessels and parenchymal cells, while the fibers were not affected. The E. fordii wood fiber consisted of highly lignified thick-walled fibers with the fiber lumina almost completely closed. Two-dimensional heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance evaluation revealed the E. fordii wood to have a highly condensed-lignin structure that reflected by the durability classes. These unique parameters are likely to be critical for the high natural resistance of E. fordii.     

A comparison of decomposition dynamics among green tree leaves,partially decomposed tree leaf litter and their mixture in a warm temperate forest ecosystem

Decomposition dynamics were compared among green tree leaves, partially decomposed tree leaf litter (i.e., decayed tree leaf litter on forest floor) and a mixture of the two in a warm temperate forest ecosystem in central China to test the influence of litter chemical quality on the degree of decomposition. The study was conducted in situ at two contrasting forest sites, an oak forest dominated by Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maxim., and a mixed pine and oak forest dominated by Pinus armandii Franch. and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata. We found marked differences in the rate of decomposition among litter types at both forest sites; the litter decomposition constant, k, was about 39 % greater at the oak forest site and more than 70 % greater at the pine-oak forest site, for green leaves than for partially decomposed leaf litter. The decomposition dynamics and temporal changes in litter chemistry of the three litter types also greatly differed between the two forest sites. At both forest sites, the higher rate of decomposition for the green leaves was associated with a higher nitrogen (N) content and lower carbon to N ratio (C/N) and acid-unhydrolyzable residue to N ratio (AUR/N). We did not find any non-additive effects when mixing green leaves and partially decomposed leaf litter. Our findings support the contention that litter chemical quality is one of the most important determinants of litter decomposition in forest ecosystems at the local or regional scale, but the effect of litter chemical quality on decomposition differs between the contrasting forest types and may vary with the stage of decomposition.     

The effects of chemical components and particle size on the mechanical properties of binderless boards made from oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> spp.) logs degraded by shiitake fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Lentinula edodes</Emphasis>)

Binderless boards are composite boards that rely on self-bonding mechanisms for inter-fibre bonding. Quercus acutissima and Quercus serrata logs degraded by Lentinula edodes (shiitake fungi) were used in this study to investigate whether physical and chemical changes induced by shiitake fungi can enhance board mechanical properties. Binderless boards were manufactured with 0.8 g/cm³ target density, 220 °C pressing temperature, 5 MPa pressure, and pressing duration of 10 min. Boards made from logs degraded for ≥?26 months were stronger than control boards and met modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bonding (IB) requirements for fibreboards. Chemical composition and particle size distribution of the wood powder used to make the boards were determined to elucidate the drivers of board mechanical properties. The proportion of small particles (<?150 µm) showed a strong positive correlation with MOR for both species and hot water extractives showed a strong positive correlation with IB for Q. acutissima boards. Introduction of shiitake fungi pre-treatment to the production process may enhance the mechanical strength of binderless boards.     

Mast seeding in deciduous forests of the northern Apennines (Italy) and its influence on wild boar population dynamics

Context

Pulsed food resources may strongly affect the population dynamics of several consumer species, with consequences on the ecosystem. One of the most common pulsed resources is forest mast seeding.

Aims

We analysed mast seeding in deciduous forests in a mountainous area of northern Apennines and its effect on population dynamics of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.).

Methods

We performed a quantitative, 20-year analysis on annual seed production in Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forest stands using litter traps. The wild boar population density was estimated by means of drive censuses and hunting bag records. The role of other biotic (density of predators) and abiotic (climate) factors potentially affecting wild boar mortality was also investigated.

Results

Turkey oak and chestnut showed high levels of seed production, whereas lower levels were found in beech. The pulsed resources of chestnut and Turkey oak positively affected piglet density. Analyses also highlighted the influence of snow cover and wolves on wild boar population dynamics.

Conclusion

Wild boar can be considered a pulse rate species, the management of which can be improved by annual monitoring of seed production.     

Influence of tree shelters on seedling success in an afforested riparian zone

The restoration of a natural riparian ecosystem is a key component to improving water quality and restoring stream health in a disturbed watershed. The rate and degree of riparian restoration, and hence stream restoration, depends in part upon afforestation practices. Successful afforestation is determined largely by the rates of survivorship and growth of the tree species planted or recruited in a riparian zone. This study was part of a project involving the restoration of a channelized section of Wilson Creek located in the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Nelson County, Kentucky. Riparian restoration activities focused on reestablishing a native riparian corridor using American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. subintegerrima), and pin oak (Quercus palustris). This study evaluated techniques for improving the growth and survivorship of planted seedlings along Wilson Creek. Specifically, two tree shelter types (Tubex^® vs. continental mesh), with or without herbicide treatments, were compared. Additionally, the influence of these techniques on debris retention within the riparian zone was also examined. Results showed that use of tree shelters significantly increased the growth of seedlings (but not survivorship), provided physical protection especially during heavy flooding events, and accelerated woody debris retention. Both Tubex^® and continental mesh tree shelters were effective in enhancing seedling growth, with Tubex^® shelters yielding significantly better growth when combined with herbicide to control competing vegetation. Thus, the most cost effective choice may depend on the environmental setting and ability to combine the shelters with other growth enhancing treatments.     

Response of species and stand types to snow/wind damage in a temperate secondary forest,Northeast China

Snow/wind damage is one of the important natural disturbances in forest ecosystems, especially in a montane secondary forest. However, the effects of snow/wind damage remain unclear which affects the management of these forests. Therefore, we investigated the responses of species, individual tree traits and stand structure to snow/wind damage in a montane secondary forest. Results show that, amongst the canopy trees, Betula costata exhibited the most uprooting, bending and overall damage ratio (the number of damaged stems to the total number of stems in a plot); Quercus mongolica showed the highest breakage ratio and Fraxinus mandshurica and Juglans mandshurica the least overall damage ratios. Among the subcanopy trees, Carpinus cordata, Acer mono, Acer tegmentosum and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum showed the least uprooting and breakage, and the most bending damage. A. pseudo-sieboldianum demonstrated the lowest breakage and highest bending damage ratios. These findings indicate that different species have various sensitivities to snow/wind damage. Larger trees (taller, wider crowns) tend to break and become uprooted, while smaller trees are bent or remain undamaged, suggesting that tree characteristics significantly influence the types of damage from snow and wind. Stands of Q. mongolica and B. costata had the highest damage ratios, whereas A. pseudo-sieboldianum had the lowest snapping ratio. In summary, the severity and type of snow/wind damage are related to individual tree attributes and stand-level characteristics. Therefore, selection of suitable species (e.g., shorter, smaller with deep root systems, hard wood, bending resistance and compression resistance) and appropriate thinning are recommended for planting in the montane secondary forests.