Predicting average growth and size distributions of Douglas-fir saplings competing with sprout clumps of tanoak or Pacific madrone

The average growth and size distributions of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) saplings in three plantations were studied for 7 years (1983–1989) after thinning of associated sprout clumps of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) or Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii); in some cases understory vegetation (shrubs and herbs) was experimentally suppressed. Biologically based nonlinear equations explained 66, 90, and 53% of the variation in the average annual increment of Douglas-fir height, diameter-squared, and cover, respectively. Equations for annual increment of cover of hardwood and understory vegetation explained only 10 to 12% of the variation, because these parameters exhibited a high degree of variability. Model simulations demonstrated that, for the same initial levels of cover, tanoak had faster rates of cover growth than madrone and also caused greater limitations in growth of Douglas-fir. Suppression of understory vegetation increased growth of Douglas-fir only when hardwood cover was absent. Weibull functions adequately described size distributions for Douglas-fir in 92% of the individual-tree data sets. Regression functions of hardwood cover and average Douglas-fir size explained 51, 93, and 24% of the variation in the Weibull A, B, and C parameters, respectively. Model simulations with predicted Weibull parameters demonstrated that hardwood competition caused a positive skewing in size distributions for height and stem diameter of Douglas-fir.     

Efficacy of local eradication treatments against the sudden oak death epidemic in Oregon tanoak forests

Phytophthora ramorum, cause of sudden oak death, has been distributed widely across the United States in horticultural situations, but is not established in forests outside of California and Oregon. Here, it has triggered widespread concern and, especially in Oregon, an intensive disease management programme. Now, we provide the first systematic evaluation of the efficacy of that effort. This paper evaluates four measures of the efficacy of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) local eradication treatments: inoculum availability; inoculum from tree species other than tanoak; disease spread from treated areas; and cumulative infested area with and without treatment. We conclude that local treatments demonstrably reduce local inoculum levels. Eradication of SOD from infested sites is difficult but not impossible. The disease usually does not persist after cutting infected trees but spread on the landscape continues because the pathogen may be present on undetected new infections for a year or two before whole tree symptoms are visible. This limits early detection and coupled with delays in completing eradication treatments, prolongs the chances for long‐distance aerial dispersal.     

Nursery stock quality as an indicator of bottomland hardwood forest restoration success in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley

Abstract

Seedling morphological quality standards are lacking for bottomland hardwood restoration plantings in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley, USA, which may contribute toward variable restoration success. We measured initial seedling morphology (shoot height, root collar diameter, number of first order lateral roots, fresh mass, and root volume), second year field heights and diameters, survival, browse, and top dieback of five species – cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.), Nuttall oak (Q. nuttallii Palmer), sweet pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch), and water oak (Q. nigra L.). Seedlings were obtained from three regional nurseries (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), planted on three sites (Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), and treated with or without chemical weed control. Site×nursery interaction and weed control (without interactions) usually affected survival, whereas site×weed control interaction and nursery (without interactions) influenced second year heights and diameters. Weed control generally increased survival rates, as well as second year height and diameter. Effects of initial morphological characteristics on field survival and height and diameter growth were generally dependent on the other morphological parameters. Target morphological characteristics were identified as 99, 84, and 82 in height/diameter ratios (equal units) for cherrybark oak, green ash, and Nuttall oak, respectively; mean initial height of 40–43 cm in sweet pecan; and mean initial fresh mass/root volume of 2.7 g ml^?1 in water oak. Seedlings with means above these values may be more susceptible to dieback or mortality after outplanting, likely associated with excessive shoot relative to root biomass.     

Lifting and storing bareroot blue oak (Quercus douglasii) seedlings

In California today, several species of native oaks are not regenerating adequately. Artificial regeneration is a means of ensuring sufficient recruitment to replace trees that die or are harvested, and restoring areas where trees have been cleared. Until recently, however, no bareroot oak seedlings were being produced in the state and there was little information to guide nursery operators. This study evaluated the potential of bareroot blue oak seedlings to survive and grow after outplanting. Results indicated that 1-0 nursery stock performed well in the field as long as seedlings were planted early enough in the season to take advantage of a favorable growing environment. Late lifting and long storage resulted in planting at a time when soils were already becoming dry and temperatures were hot. As a result, seedlings grew slowly or even died. Seedlings lifted early in the season (December) grew best. Either one or two months of storage had little effect on seedlings lifted at this time of year. However, seedlings lifted in January, February, and even early March performed adequately as long as they were in the ground by early March. In this study, root growth capacity was not a good predictor of subsequent field performance.     

Long-term growth response of black spruce advance regeneration (layers), natural seedlings and planted seedlings to scarification: 25th year update

Careful logging around advance growth and tree planting following site preparation or not (fill planting) have been widely used to regenerate black spruce (Picea mariana) stands in the boreal forest of Canada. An experiment was established in 1990 to compare these regeneration modes and natural seeding over a 25-year period following two types of scarification (cone- or disk-trenching) that were applied at two intensities (single- or double-pass). Without scarification, the three types of regeneration had slow height growth during the first 10 years (3.4–5.8?cm/year). Thereafter, planted seedlings (6.1–9.8?cm/year) and pre-established layers (5.8–8.5?cm/year) had 2–3 times higher growth than natural seedlings (2.6–3.1?cm/year). Scarification improved height growth of the three types of regeneration, but planted seedlings responded much earlier, and more strongly over the 25 years (+9.4?cm/year) than layers (+2.8?cm/year) and natural seedlings (+2.7?cm/year). A shift in the proportion of layers and natural seedlings was observed following treatment. Long-term monitoring revealed that double-pass scarification was beneficial to layer growth from years 15 to 20, while no positive effect was observed on natural or planted seedlings. Our results suggest that decades may be required for natural regeneration to respond to scarification in cold soils of the boreal forest.     

Comparison of container-grown Pinus taeda L. seedlings raised outdoors and in a growth chamber in sunlight

Two annual crops of container-grown loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings raised outdoors differed from those grown inside a covered chamber with a clear top. After a 90-day growth period, outside-grown container seedlings had shorter heights, smaller root collar diameters, and lower root, stem, foliage, shoot, and total dry weights than chamber-grown seedlings. Fall-planted, outside-grown seedlings raised the first year had up to 10% higher field survival than those from the chamber. However, chamber-grown container seedlings that survived retained their initial height and diameter advantages following one complete growing season. Fall-planted seedlings raised the second year showed no differences due to growth treatments when favorable weather for seedling growth occurred after field-planting. Container-grown seedlings raised outdoors during the summer months are well suited for fall-outplanting.     

Predicting survival of planted Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine seedlings on dry,low-elevation sites in southwestern Oregon

Four equations were developed for predicting the probability of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) survival for the first (0–1) and first to third (1–3) growing seasons after applying mulching, scalping, or artificial shading (shade cards) treatments in plantations in southwestern Oregon, U.S.A. Variables describing conifer size, levels of competing vegetation, presence of silvicultural treatments, site factors, and climate factors were collected from 13 sites ranging from 0 to 6 years after planting and examined as potential predictors of survival. Age, stem diameter, a competition index for shrubs, severity of growing season at time of treatment, average annual precipitation, aspect, and slope angle were predictors of Douglas-fir survival during 0–1 and 1–3 growing seasons after treatment; the presence of silvicultural treatments was also a predictor only during the first growing season after treatment. Age, aspect, and slope angle were predictors of ponderosa pine survival over both 0–1 and 1–3 growing seasons after treatment; height-diameter ratio, competition indices for herbs, shrubs, and hardwoods, silvicultural treatment, severity of growing season at time of treatment, and average annual precipitation were also predictors only during the first growing season after treatment; crown width was a predictor of survival only during 1–3 growing seasons after treatment. When significant in the models, predicted probability of survival increases with treatments, less severe weather conditions, diameter, crown width, age, and precipitation; probability decreases with increasing height-diameter ratio and competition indices for herbs, shrubs, and hardwoods.     

Effect of spacing on growth and quality parameters in sessile oak (Quercus petraea) stands in central Poland: results 7 years after planting

We examined the growth and quality of young oaks in stands established at three different spacings. The three densities were the traditional level, that is, 8000?seedlings?ha^?1 (1.5?×?0.85?m) plus two where the initial density was decreased by 50% and 70%, achieved by increasing the distance between the rows from 1.5 to 3 or 4.5?m. The experiment was located in central Poland on a moderately fertile site. In the two wider spacings, the intention was to use natural regeneration occurring between oak rows as a replacement of intraspecific competition for oaks. The mean height was only affected in the third and the fourth year after establishment. Subsequently, the differences between spacings with respect to both growth and quality traits were insignificant and small. At lower densities, natural regeneration of willow and aspen was abundant and inter-species competition replaced intra-species competition, thus explaining the absence of a spacing effect on growth and quality properties. In the study period, the wider spacings were economically beneficial compared to traditional densities. A strong competition affecting height growth caused by natural regeneration necessitated extensive tendings. More tendings are likely to be needed in the future and they might reduce the initial economical superiority of wider spacing. The study indicates that it is possible to decrease the initial spacing in oak plantations and simultaneously support good growing conditions by means of natural processes, for example, natural regeneration. However, economic efficiency of the method has to be studied in a longer perspective.     

Regeneration dynamics and sylvigenesis in the moist deciduous forests of southwest India

Sustained management of natural forest depends on their ability to regenerate. The pace at which older trees are replaced by younger ones is important in this respect. This study was conducted to assess the demographic details of natural regeneration dynamics of south Indian moist deciduous forests. The status of natural regeneration has been assessed in eight localities of varying levels of disturbance in Thrissur Forest Division of Kerala State of southwest India. Enumeration of trees and their regeneration were analyzed at three levels of organization; whole-stand, stratum, and species.The trees of the forest were grouped into upper, middle and lower vertical strata. Species richness was highest in the middle stratum. Upper stratum species were commercially important. The mean basal area for the Forest Division was 12.83 m²/ha. and average number of trees per hectare (>=20 cm dbh) was 150. Regeneration of the upper stratum species was higher at about 10% gap in the canopy.The growing stock of established seedlings and saplings (height > 100 cm and dbh <=10cm) was very low compared to unestablished seedlings (height <=100 cm). Owing to very low survival probability in the sapling stage (dbh >=1 cm to <=10 cm), a low numbers of poles (dbh >=10 cm to <=20 cm) in the upper stratum was observed. Presence of fire, grazing, browsing and over expoitation by humans are the major constraints of natural regeneration recognized in these forests.     

Establishment and growth of oak (Quercus alba, Quercus prinus) seedlings in burned and fire-excluded upland forests on the Cumberland Plateau

Recurrent problems with regeneration of oaks (Quercus spp.) have been documented across a wide range of ecosystems. In oak-dominated forests of the central and Appalachian hardwood regions of the United States, a lack of competitive oak regeneration has been tied, in part, to fire suppression in these landscapes, and managers throughout the region are using prescribed fire to address this concern. To examine fire effects on oak regeneration, researchers have generally relied on inventories or population studies of existing seedlings. These studies are valuable but do not permit examination of the role of fire in enhancing the establishment and growth of new oak seedlings stemming from oak mast events. In this study, white (Quercus alba) and chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) acorn mast crops serendipitously occurred in year three (fall 2005) of a landscape-scale prescribed fire experiment. We examined establishment, survival, height and diameter of new seedlings on sites on the Cumberland Plateau in eastern Kentucky. Treatments were fire exclusion, a single prescribed fire (1x-burn; 2003), and repeated prescribed fire (3x-burn; 2003, 2004, and after acorn drop in 2006), all conducted in late spring. Initial densities of newly established chestnut and white oak seedlings were statistically similar across treatments (P = 0.42), despite fires on the 3x-burn site having occurred after acorns were on the ground. Oak seedling density was significantly predicted by oak basal area on all sites (R² = 0.12–0.46), except for chestnut oak on fire-excluded sites (R² = 0.04). Litter depth was less on 3x-burn sites compared to 1x-burn and fire-excluded sites, whereas canopy openness was greater on both burn treatments compared to fire-excluded sites. Seedling mortality was generally higher on fire-excluded sites compared to burn sites, especially for white oak. Oak seedling mortality in the first two growing seasons was significantly predicted by initial litter depth and open sky, with greater litter depth and lower percent open sky leading to higher mortality. In the third growing season none of the measured variables predicted chestnut oak seedling survival; for white oak, percent open sky remained a significant predictor of mortality. Initially, seedlings on the fire-excluded sites had similar height but smaller diameter; after three growing seasons there were few differences in seedling height or diameter among treatments. Our findings suggest a potential role for prescribed fire in establishing forest floor and light conditions that may enhance the success of new oak germinants, although different responses among species may suggest the need to target management for individual oak species.     

不同间伐强度对蒙古栎林下乔木幼树更新及多样性的影响

根据对辽宁山区蒙古栎林下幼树调查资料,采用Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数等进行多样性测度分析,探讨不同间伐强度对蒙古栎林下幼树更新和植物多样性的影响。结果表明:中度间伐强度有利于蒙古栎林下幼树实生更新,从而有利于其诱导成实生林,增强林分抗病虫害能力,提高林下物种多样性,增加林分稳定性。     

Growth and biomass production in Azadirachta indica seedlings in response to nutrients (N and P) and moisture stress

Production of quality seedlings is an important aspect of successful tree planting. No information is available on the effect of nutrients and water on the growth and development of the seedlings of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), an important component of many tropical agroforestry systems. In an experiment in central India, the growth and nutrient-use efficiency of neem seedlings grown at various levels of light, nutrients (N and P), and water stress were determined. Seedlings were given light (diffused and complete) and nutrient (N and P) treatments comprising either high N-high P, high N-low P, low N-high P, or low N-low P. Seedlings grown in complete light (800 mol/m²/s) had four times more biomass than those grown in diffused light (200 mol/m²/s). Significant increase in seedling biomass was observed with nitrogen application, while phosphorus had no effect on biomass. Leaves contributed maximum biomass, followed by roots and stem. Nutrient use efficiency decreased with an increase in the supply of nutrients. In another experiment, containerized and bare-root seedlings were subjected to five watering treatments, viz., watering twice a week, watering weekly, watering every alternate week, watering every third week, and natural precipitation. Plant moisture stress affected both growth and survival of neem seedlings. Only 50 per cent of seedlings survived in severe drought treatment (no. 4) whereas 90 to 95 per cent seedlings showed growth in all other treatments. Plant moisture stress in severe drought treatment averaged –21 bar while in other treatments it ranged from –9 to –12 bar. Shoot-root ratio was high in bare-root seedlings as compared to containerized seedlings. Containerized seedlings had shown better endurance against drought than the bare-root seedlings. The results suggest that neem seedlings adjust their nutrient use efficiency and can be grown even under limited available resources. It is also inferred that the species can tolerate soil resource depletion caused by competitor species.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

落叶松人工林下红皮云杉和青海云杉的幼苗更新

落叶松幼苗在其人工林内难以更新。为探讨红皮云杉和青海云杉幼苗是否具有在落叶松人工林内成功定植并替代落叶松更新的潜力,采用红皮云杉和青海云杉幼苗在不同落叶松人工林(样地Ⅰ:1 300株·hm^-2的平地,样地Ⅱ,660株·hm^-2的平地;样地Ⅲ,330株·hm^-2的平地;样地Ⅳ,660株·hm^-2的坡地)下进行人工更新。结果表明:1)样地Ⅰ和样地Ⅱ更适宜红皮云杉和青海云杉幼苗的存活,且同一样地内,红皮云杉幼苗的成活率均高于青海云杉的;2)同一样地内,红皮云杉幼苗的地上生物量均高于青海云杉的,并且在样地Ⅰ和样地Ⅱ红皮云杉的地上生物量显著高于青海云杉的;3)在不同落叶松人工林样地,红皮云杉和青海云杉幼苗的1级根均有较好的外生菌根侵染;4)红皮云杉幼苗的1级根直径受环境影响较大,而青海云杉幼苗的1级根皮层厚度受环境影响较大。同一样地内,2种云杉幼苗的1级根解剖结构除在样地Ⅳ表现出明显的差异外,在其它样地基本无显著差异。红皮云杉和青海云杉幼苗均适宜在落叶松人工林内存活,但相对高密度的林分更适宜云杉幼苗的生长,且红皮云杉比青海云杉更具生长优势。     

Models for the establishment and height development of naturally regenerated Pinus sylvestris in Finnish Lapland

Abstract

The study focused on constructing models for the establishment and seedling height development of naturally regenerated seedling stands in the natural regeneration of Scots pine by the seed-tree method in Lapland, northern Finland. Modelling was used to describe the dynamics of the regeneration process and to analyse the principal ecological factors and management activities influencing regeneration success. Models for the density of seedling stands were developed with the generalized linear mixed model method. The most significant variables affecting seedling establishment were elevation, time since the establishment cutting, the interaction of forest site type and site preparation, and stoniness. The results indicated that the average stocking level tends to remain unsatisfactory on moist, fertile site types without site preparation. Seedling height development was modelled as a function of age using the linear mixed model. Age explained 97% of the variance of seedling height. Other independent variables in the model were effective temperature sum, site preparation and the presence or absence of seed trees.     

塞罕坝地区油松容器苗培育管理技术

详细介绍了油松容器育苗过程中营养土的选择与处理、实生苗的移植、苗期管理等技术要点。并对育苗过程中病虫害的防治进行了阐述。     

不同土壤水分胁迫格局对印度沙漠中的黄檀种苗营养吸收和生物量的影响

1998年7月,利用非称重式蒸渗池种植单一种源的一年生黄檀种苗,研究在印度沙漠地区培养黄檀种苗的合理灌水技术参数。当各处理（W1、W2、W3、W4）的土壤水分含量分别降低到7.56%、5.79%、4.44%和3.23%时,通过灌溉使苗木生长保持在一定的土壤的水分状况,如36.2mm（W1）、26.5mm（W2）、20.2mm（W3）和18.1mm（W4）。结果表明,在36.2mm（W1）水平时,种苗的株高、冠径、叶数和叶面积达到最大值（p〈0.01）。在W1和W2处理中,虽然上述参数没有明显差异,但在W2处理中,种苗的每升水分利用率的生物量最大。在W3、W4和W5灌溉水平下,不利于提高种苗的株高、生物量和营养积累。在W2水平以下（5.79%）,土壤水分有效率能提高根系生物量占总生物量的百分比。但在W3和W4处理中,叶干生物量百分比下降,同时在W5处理中,茎干生物量百分比下降。在W5处理中,土壤水势达到-196Mpa,种苗才可以成活。在W3和W4处理中,土壤水分有效率的限额影响黄檀种苗的生长和生物量。在W2处理中,土壤水分有效利用率最高,种苗的生长和生物量达到最高值。因此,在壤砂土条件下,通过灌溉维持幼苗土壤水分含量在5.79%以上时,可获得较好的黄檀种苗的生长和生物量产量。     

Growth and survival of Fagus sylvatica seedlings in relation to light intensity and soil water content

Previous investigations have shown different growth and root/shoot ratio increases of beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica) with increased light intensity. In the present investigation both light intensity and soil water content were regulated on four levels in a factorial experiment. At the highest level of soil water content the seedling growth increased linearly with light intensity while the root/shoot ratio decreased with light intensity. At low levels of soil water content both the growth and root/shoot ratio slightly increased with increased light. The soil water content was also affected by the light intensity indicating that the soil water content may have caused unobserved effects in responding to increased light in previous investigations. It is concluded that both light intensity and soil water content should be quantified or manipulated even if only the effect of one of the two growth factors are investigated.     

Development of beeted seedlings in three Picea abies (L) karst. stands

Development in height, diameter and basal area was studied for beeted and for originally planted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings. The study was carried out as a survey in three unthinned stands in southern Sweden. Beeted seedlings were separated from those originally planted by differences observed in the number of annual rings at stump height. In all stands height and diameter were smaller and growth rates in height and basal area were lower for beeted than for originally planted seedlings. The lower growth rates for beeted seedlings may be explained as effects of inter‐tree competition. The oldest stand was thinned at the time of inventory. 40% of the thinned trees were beeted representing 18% of the thinned volume.     

Quantitative dynamics on stimulating regeneration and sowing seedlings of Larix gmelinii in Daxing''''an Mountains

Introduction4LarixgmeliniiisoneofmajortimberspeciesinthenortheastDaxing'anMountainsinChina.Itplaysanimportantroleinprovidinglumber,maintainingthenaturalenvironmentinthisregionandadjustingecologicalequilibrium.Alargenumberofburnedareasandcut-overareasneedtoregenerateeveryyear.Larixgmeliniihasgreatnaturalregenerationcapabilityandenoughseedsources,andalmostmeetsabumperharvestyeareverythreeyears(Xuetal.1992;Shan1990;Xuetal.1993).Someburnedandloggedareaswouldberapidlyrestoredthroughafewofassista…     

Effects of forest canopy gap on biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings and its allocation in subalpine coniferous forests of western Sichuan

Using a strip transect sampling method, the density, height (≤ 100 cm), basal diameter and components of biomass of Abies faxoniana seedlings, living in a forest gap (FG) and under the forest canopy (FC) of subalpine natural coniferous forests in western Sichuan, were investigated and the relationships among different components of biomass analyzed. The results indicated that the density and average height (H) of A. faxoniana seedlings were significantly different in the FG and under the FC, with the values being 12903 and 2017 per hm², and 26.6 and 24.3 cm. No significant differences were found in the average basal diameter (D) and biomass. The biomass allocation in seedling components was significantly affected by forest gap. In the FG, the biomass ratio of branch to stem reached a maximum of 1.54 at age 12 and then declined and fluctuated around 0.69. Under the FC, the biomass ratio of branch to stem increased with seedling growth and exceeded 1.0 at about age 15. The total biomass and the biomass of leaves, stems, shoots and roots grown in the FG and under the FC were significantly correlated with D ² H. There were significant and positive correlations among the biomass of different components. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(4): 721–727 [译自: 应用生态学报]