Predicting regeneration establishment in Norway spruce plantations using a multivariate multilevel model

This study predicts the regeneration establishment on 3-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) plantations in southern Finland using regeneration survey data. Regeneration establishment was described by seven response variables: number of planted spruces, natural Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.), natural spruces, natural seed-origin birches (Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth.) and other broadleaves (i.e. sprout-origin birches and other broadleaves than birch), as well as height of crop-tree spruce and dominant height of broadleaves. Due to the multivariate (several responses for each plot) and multilevel (plot, stand, municipality, forest centre) structure, regeneration establishment was modelled by fitting a multivariate multilevel model with explanatory variables such as temperature sum, site fertility, soil quality and method of site preparation. In the model, the numbers of tree seedlings were modelled using over-dispersed Poisson distributed equations, and the tree heights were modelled using normally distributed linear equations. The estimated fixed and random parameters of the equations were logical, and there was no serious bias in predicting the regeneration establishment in the independent test data set. This modelling approach can be used to predict the regeneration establishment stochastically by taking into account the large unexplained variation in regeneration models.     

Interactions between soil scarification and Norway spruce seedling types

Interactions between scarification treatments and seedling types of Norway spruce were examined at two different locations in southern Sweden. The scarification treatments were not scarified control, mounding and soil inversion and the seedling types were a 10 week-old containerized seedling (mini seedling), a 2 year-old containerized seedling and a 2 year-old hybrid seedling, grown as a containerized seedling the first year and as a bare-root seedling the second year. Site preparation intensity had a greater effect on the mini seedlings. The results indicated that mini seedlings established faster in the soil inversion treatment compared to the larger seedling types. At the same seedling age, the mini seedlings had faster or similar growth rate as the containerized and the hybrid seedlings regardless of scarification treatment. Although mini seedlings grew as well as or even better than larger seedlings if they were successfully established, they were more sensitive to their planting environment and proper handling was critical. Problems with frost heaving and competing vegetation have to be taken into consideration when choosing site preparation method and seedling type.     

Differential responses of Bolivian timber species to prescribed fire and other gap treatments

We followed the establishment and growth response of 13 commercial tree species to canopy opening, above-ground biomass removal, and experimental burns of low and high intensities in a lowland dry forest in Bolivia. Three patterns of response to treatments were observed among the most abundant commercial tree species. (1) Shade-intolerant species regenerated mostly from seed and had the highest survival and growth rates following high-intensity burns. (2) Shade-tolerant species were abundant in gap control and plant removal treatments. Treatments had little effect on the height growth of these species. (3) Individuals of root sprouting species were most abundant following plant removal and low-intensity burn treatments. Treatments had little effect on the height growth of these species. The wide variation in species responses to gap treatments found in this study not only reinforces the concept that species are distributed along a continuum of shade-tolerance levels, but that other aspects of species biology, such as seed dispersal type or sprouting behavior, further differentiate regeneration strategies. The variety of regeneration strategies found among the species at this forest site will require a flexible management scheme that mixes more intensive silvicultural treatments such as prescribed burning with less intensive treatments.     

Factors influencing stump sprouting by pondcypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans (Ait.) Sweet)

Sprouting can be an important mechanism of regeneration in harvested cypress (Taxodium sp.) wetlands; however, limited information exists on factors influencing sprouting. We examined the influence of harvesting practices, tree size, and site conditions on stump sprouting in eight pondcypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans (Ait.) Sweet) wetlands in Florida, USA. Stumps were cut at three heights: 20 cm below high water level, at high water, and 40 cm above high water. Half of each site was harvested using a sawhead feller and the other half using shearhead. We monitored sprouting for 2 years post-harvest. Stump height affected first year sprouting, but the effect disappeared during year 2. Felling equipment did not affect sprouting; however, the shearhead caused greater stump damage. Sprouting declined with increasing parent tree size; percentage of stumps with sprouts after 2 years was 68% for trees 10–14 cm dbh and 28% for trees 20–24 cm dbh. Stump sprouting ranged among sites from 23 to 54% after 2 years. Results indicate that sprouting may be an important, but inadequate, form of regeneration. At sites with short hydroperiods, dense understories, and/or predominance of trees greater than 20 cm dbh, reduced sprouting may occur, and planting seedlings may be beneficial.     

Regeneration of timber trees in a logged tropical forest in North Bolivia

For sustainable forest management, it is important to know the response of timber species to the change in environment caused by logging. We performed a 2-year study on germination, survival and growth of four timber species, Cedrela odorata, Swietenia macrophylla, Hymenaea courbaril, and Cariniana micrantha, and one non-commercial species Tachigali vasquezii. We sowed seeds of these species in five microenvironments: log landing, gap-crown and gap-trunk, skidder trail and understory, in a tropical lowland moist rain forest in northern Bolivia. We related seed and seedling performance to light availability, soil compaction, and plant competition. Germination did not differ significantly between microenvironments but survival of germinated seeds for most species was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the log landing (46–100%) than in the understory (0–7%). After 2 years, the tallest plants were always found in the log landing (119–190 cm) and the smallest in the understory (12–26 cm) caused by a higher relative height growth rate (RHGR) in the log landing (0.003–0.004 cm cm⁻¹ per day) compared to the understory (0.000–0.001 cm cm⁻¹ per day). During the first year RHGR was positively related to canopy openness for all species and negatively to the number of overtopping competitors for three species. During the second year also water infiltration explained observed variation to RHGR. These results show that abandoned log landings and logging gaps are suitable environments for the regeneration of timber species studied. This finding suggests that the removal of competitors in log landings and logging gaps combined with leaving seed trees near these microenvironments or sowing seeds, will improve regeneration of timber species in tropical forests.     

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis on cut stumps in the sub-boreal forests of Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest

The regeneration characteristics of Picea jezoensis Carr. and Abies sachalinensis Masters on cut stumps in natural forest under selection cutting and natural regeneration were studied in a sub-boreal forest of the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest. The following points were investigated: (1) what decay class of cut stumps are suitable for regeneration of the two conifer species; (2) what part, either a root collar or a cut surface, of a cut stump is suitable for regeneration; and (3) what percentages of cut stumps support conifer seedlings. The percentages of cut stumps that supported conifer seedlings increased as the decay class advanced, but slightly decreased in the latest stage of decay class, V. Both P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis seedling densities per cut stump and per square meter of cut stumps increased as the decay class advanced. Some root collars in decay class IV supported A. sachalinensis seedlings, but few supported P. jezoensis. Densities of P. jezoensis per cut surface and per square meter of cut surface in decay class IV were higher than those of A. sachalinensis. On the other hand, densities of A. sachalinensis per root collar and per square meter of root collar in decay class IV were higher than those of P. jezoensis. Cut stumps in advanced decay classes are more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis than those in early decay classes. Whereas a cut surface is more suitable for regeneration of P. jezoensis, a root collar is more suitable for regeneration of A. sachalinensis. Cut stumps are not sufficient to ensure enough conifer regeneration because not all conifer cut stumps in advanced decay classes support conifer seedlings.     

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.     

红花尔基沙地樟子松林天然更新特征

樟子松是沙地主要针叶造林树种,沙地樟子松林天然分布于内蒙古自治区呼伦贝尔市红花尔基;红花尔基地区的气候特点为高纬度、低海拔、寒冷半湿润、短无霜期。沙地樟子松于20 世纪50 年代在科尔沁沙地引种成功,但一直不能天然更新,并于 20 世纪 90 年代初出现了生长衰退、枯梢直至死亡的现象,而天然沙地樟子松林无论在更新还是生长上却一直处于健康状态。为了认识天然沙地樟子松林天然林的更新特征,于 2004 年 7-8 月对红花尔基天然沙地樟子松林的20 块样地、3 种林窗(2 圆形、5 窄长方形、3 宽长方形)樟子松天然更新指数进行了调查。结果表明,林龄大的林分(大于 50 年)总平均更新指数高于林龄小的林分(小于 50 年),最大更新指数达29株m-2。更新的苗龄绝大多数小于10年生。回归分析表明,林龄是决定天然更新的主要因子;虽然樟子松是阳性树种,但林冠的郁闭度似乎对天然更新没有直接影响。林窗更新调查结果表明,林窗内更新指数都较高;对于圆形林窗更新高峰出现在林窗南缘和东缘,而对于窄长方形林窗,更新高峰则出现于东缘;而且更新苗龄相对较大(最大达 38 年)。上述结果表明樟子松更新苗具有一定的耐阴性,但如果没有较大林窗或较大的其它干扰,如火、风雪害或皆伐等,更新苗木将很难进行入主林冠层。     

沙质岸黑松海防林更新属于改造技术的研究

应用典型调查与定位试验相结合的方法,探讨了黑松海防林低质低效的形成原因,据其成因将这些林分划分为5种类型,提出了相应的改造意见,并编制出黑松海防林密度管理表。通过更新造林和抚育技术试验,提出了较合理的更新方式,主要有林冠下更新造林、留伐桩萌芽更新、隔行更新造林、人工促进天然更新、带状更新等,其中,带状更新适于在林分条件相对较好的情况下应用,其它几种更新方式较适于低效林的更新改造;采用稀疏林补植、林下种植灌木或绿肥压青、封禁保护枯落物等技术,可有效地改善林分状况。     

西藏林芝县林芝云杉幼林更新与物种多样性指数研究

生物多样性是地球上生命经过10亿年发展进化的结果,是人类赖以生存的物质基础.随着人类活动的加剧,地球上物种灭绝的速度不断加快,现在物种灭绝的速度是自然灭绝速度的1 000倍!很多物种未被命名即已灭绝,大量的基因丧失,不同类型的生态系统面积锐减,生物多样性的保护已经成为国际关注的全球环境问题之一.目前,我国的科学工作者对内陆的各种不同森林群落的生物多样性大多已作过深入的调查、研究,但对于边远地区尤其是青藏高原的生物多样性还缺乏了解.