Understorey vegetation in young naturally regenerated and planted birch (Betula spp.) stands on abandoned agricultural land

The abandonment of agricultural lands in Northern and Eastern Europe increases the area covered by first generation forests, which are either formed as an outcome of secondary succession or established as plantations. However, questions remain as to how these new stands develop and what kind of species they favour, which in turn has impacts on their ecological and economical value. Our aim was to compare understorey vascular plant and bryophyte vegetation characteristics between naturally regenerated and planted birch stands on abandoned agricultural sites in Estonia, focusing on the aspects of species richness and forest understorey recovery. Species richness and diversity of vascular plants were similar in both stand types but the number of forest vascular plant species was significantly higher in naturally regenerated stands. The bryophyte layer of naturally regenerated stands had a higher species richness, diversity, and number of forest bryophyte species. The higher number of forest vascular plant and bryophyte species in naturally regenerated stands can be explained by the longer undisturbed succession period. The recovery of the forest understorey was unaffected by former agricultural land use (crop field or grassland). The influence of soil properties on the recovery of the forest understorey was not detected, but the number of vascular plant species that grow in forests as well as in grasslands was negatively correlated with distance from forest. Overall, understorey vegetation of natural and planted birch stands did not reveal substantial differences. However, in the case of vigorous natural birch regeneration in the vicinity of forest land, unassisted reforestation should be favoured.     

The effect of land use type on net nitrogen mineralization on abandoned agricultural land: Silver birch stand versus grassland

The effect of land use type on the dynamics and annual rate of net nitrogen mineralization (NNM) in a naturally generated silver birch stand and in a grassland, both on abandoned agricultural land, was assessed in situ in the upper 0–20 cm soil layer using the method of buried polyethylene bags. Annual NNM rate in the birch stand (156 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) was higher than in the grassland (102 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹); in both cases NNM covered a major part of the plants annual nitrogen demand. The rate of NNM in the upper 0–10 cm soil layer in the birch stand (99 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) exceeded the respective rate of NNM in the grassland (51 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) roughly two times. In the grassland the rates of NNM in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm layers were equal; in the birch stand NNM in the 0–10 cm layer was 1.7 times higher than in deeper 10–20 cm layer. The intensity of daily NNM in the upper 0–10 cm soil layer in the birch stand was the highest in June and in the grassland in May, 776 and 528 mg kg⁻¹ N day⁻¹, respectively. In our study no significant correlation was found between NNM and the environmental factors monthly mean soil temperature, soil moisture content and pH.     

Above-ground growth and temporal plant–soil relations in midterm hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) plantations on former arable lands in hemiboreal Estonia

Short-rotation forestry with hybrid aspen is a novel silvicultural system in northern Europe on former arable lands. However, knowledge about hybrid aspen growth potential in different soil types and the impact of soil physico-chemical properties on tree productivity in the long term is still scanty. We used repeated monitoring of soil properties and tree growth in young (5-year) and midterm (15-year) hybrid aspen plantations in various soil types (corresponding to four forest site types) to determine the temporal changes in tree growth–soil relationships. Growth of midterm hybrid aspen plantations exceeded same-aged native European aspen stands about two-fold. Growth had improved on Aegopodium, remained moderate on moist Dryopteris and was increasingly suppressed on dry Hepatica soils. The pH_KCl, available Ca, content of clay and layer thickness of the soil A-horizon had a significant effect on tree growth in young plantations, but these effects disappeared in the midterm age. The soil water-holding capacity and available P in the A-horizon had a significant growth-controlling effect on tree growth in both ages. We concluded that former arable soils provide a sufficient supply of major nutrients in midterm hybrid aspen plantations whereas minor changes have occurred in growth–soil relationships between young and midterm age.     

Early growth and development of silver birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pendula</Emphasis> Roth.) plantations on abandoned agricultural land

Eight-year-old plantations (11) of silver birch were studied on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia. Trees were planted on uncovered soil and on polyethylene. After eight growing seasons, the height and diameter at breast height of the trees grown on polyethylene were significantly (P < 0.001) larger than corresponding parameters of the trees grown on uncovered soil. The annual height increment of the birches grown on the polyethylene was significantly (P < 0.05) larger during six growing seasons after planting compared to that of the trees grown on uncovered soil. However, annual height increments were not significantly different in the 7th and the 8th growing seasons. The use of polyethylene mulching had a statistically significant effect (P < 0.001) on the height of the beginning of the live crown in 8-year-old plantations. The differences between the values of live crown ratio of the trees grown on polyethylene and the values of live crown ratio of the trees grown on uncovered soil decreased during six growing seasons. However, by the 7th and 8th growing seasons, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the values of the live crown ratio. The height growth of silver birch grown without mulching as well as with mulching was found to be more intensive on Glossic Podzoluvisol, Calcaric Cambisol, Calcaric Luvisol and Dystric Gleysol; however, the height growth was more intensive on mulched soil. The height growth of the birches was modelled on the single-tree and stand levels for five soil types.     

Biomass production, foliar and root characteristics and nutrient accumulation in young silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stand growing on abandoned agricultural land

The above-ground biomass and production, below-ground biomass, nutrient (NPK) accumulation, fine roots and foliar characteristics of a 8-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula) natural stand, growing on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia, were investigated. Total above-ground biomass and current annual production after eight growing seasons was 31.2 and 11.9 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively. The production of stems accounted for 62.4% and below-ground biomass accounted for 19.2% of the total biomass of the stand. Carbon sequestration in tree biomass reaches roughly 17.5 t C ha⁻¹ during the first 8 years. The biomass of the fine roots (d < 2 mm) was 1.7 ± 0.2 t DM ha⁻¹ and 76.2% of it was located in the 20 cm topsoil layer. The leaf area index (LAI) of the birch stand was estimated as 3.7 m² m⁻² and specific leaf area (SLA) 15.0 ± 0.1 m² kg⁻¹. The impact of the crown layer on SLA was significant as the leaves are markedly thicker in the upper part of the crown compared with the lower part. The short-root specific area (SRA) in the 30 cm topsoil was 182.9 ± 9.5 m² kg⁻¹, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD) and the number of short-root tips (>95% ectomycorrhizal) per dry mass unit of short roots were 145.3 ± 8.6 m g⁻¹, 58.6 ± 3.0 kg m⁻³ and 103.7 ± 5.5 tips mg⁻¹, respectively. In August the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, accumulated in above ground biomass, was 192.6, 25.0 and 56.6 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The annual flux of N and P retranslocation from the leaves to the other tree parts was 57.2 and 3.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (55 and 27%), respectively, of which 29.1 kg ha⁻¹ N and 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ P were accumulated in the above-ground part of the stand.     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 and humidity delay leaf fall in Betula pendula,but not in Alnus glutinosa or Populus tremula × tremuloides

Context

Anthropogenic activity has increased the level of atmospheric CO₂, which is driving an increase of global temperatures and associated changes in precipitation patterns. At Northern latitudes, one of the likely consequences of global warming is increased precipitation and air humidity.

Aims

In this work, the effects of both elevated atmospheric CO₂ and increased air humidity on trees commonly growing in northern European forests were assessed.

Methods

The work was carried out under field conditions by using Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) and Free Air Humidity Manipulation (FAHM) systems. Leaf litter fall was measured over 4 years (FACE) or 5 years (FAHM) to determine the effects of FACE and FAHM on leaf phenology.

Results

Increasing air humidity delayed leaf litter fall in Betula pendula, but not in Populus tremula?×?tremuloides. Similarly, under elevated atmospheric CO₂, leaf litter fall was delayed in B. pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa. Increased CO₂ appeared to interact with periods of low precipitation in summer and high ozone levels during these periods to effect leaf fall.

Conclusions

This work shows that increased CO₂ and humidity delay leaf fall, but this effect is species-specific.