Long-term changes of structure and tree species composition in Dinaric uneven-aged forests: are red deer an important factor?

Uneven-aged silver fir-European beech forest stands were studied to (1) analyse the dynamics of diameter structure and tree species composition in the past two centuries and (2) determine the impact of red deer on the regeneration and recruitment of silver fir. The study used current data on forest stands, archival data from old forest management plans for the period 1789–2004, and red deer harvesting records for the period 1907–2006. During the observation period, the silver fir population aged and silver fir and European beech alternated in dominance. The study revealed a strong impact of red deer on the composition and recruitment of tree regeneration, especially on silver fir regeneration. The drastic changes in red deer density (from extermination up to 5.8 animals km⁻²) and past forest management practices were apparently the main factors driving the population dynamics of silver fir (regeneration, recruitment, and diameter structure) in the study area during the past two centuries.     

Effect of solid matrix priming during moist chilling on dormancy breakage and germination of seeds of four fir species

The ability of solid matrix priming (SMP) to overcome seed dormancy ofseeds of four fir species (Pacific silver fir, subalpine fir, grand fir andnoble fir), was examined. Seeds were subjected to treatments that combinedmoistchilling and SMP (SMP-chilling) and their germination compared to that elicitedby traditional moist chilling. For the SMP-chilling, six solid matrices withdifferent water holding capacities were tested (sphagnum, cat litter, peatmoss,Agro-Lig Greens Grade, Agro-Lig Micro Fine and sand). For each of the speciestested, germination performance was significantly improved by SMP-chilling; theresults were dependent on the type of solid matrix, the matrix water contentandthe treatment duration. SMP-chilling, using the best solid matrices for each ofthe species tested, resulted in germination percentages and rates that were24–35% and 8–21% higher, respectively, as compared with thatyieldedfrom control moist-chilling. High germination percentages (79% or greater) ofthree of the four species (Pacific silver fir, subalpine fir, and grand fir)were promoted after just four weeks (grand fir in sand) or eight weeks oftreatment (Pacific silver fir in peat moss and subalpine fir in Agro-Lig GreensGrade). The germination rate of grand fir seeds benefited from SMP-chillingperiods longer than four weeks, but this resulted in germination during thedormancy-breaking treatment. The water contents of the solid matrices that wereoptimal in terms of eliciting the best germination performance were 320% (w/w)for peat moss, 40% for Agro-Lig Greens Grade and 5–15% for sand.Conducting SMP at chilling temperatures (4 °C) is a practicalapproach to shorten the time required for effective dormancy termination ofAbies seeds; treatment times were shortened by 27 days forPacific silver fir and subalpine fir and more vigorous seedling growth wasexhibited by grand fir and noble fir.     

Fungi associated with the fir bark beetle Cryphalus piceae in Poland

The aim of this study was to identify fungi associated with Cryphalus piceae on European silver fir (Abies alba) in Poland and to test the pathogenicity of selected isolates. Fungi were isolated from five populations of overwintered adults and their galleries. A great diversity of taxa was associated with C. piceae. In total, 2487 isolates, including 58 species distributed in 25 genera, were obtained. The two most frequently isolated fungi, an undescribed species of the genus Geosmithia and Ophiostoma piceae, appeared to be specifically associated with C. piceae, whereas Pesotum fragrans, Pesotum sp. and Sporothrix sp. were sporadically associated. Two‐year‐old seedlings of silver fir were wound‐inoculated with three species of fungi (Geosmithia sp., O. piceae and Pesotum sp.) recovered from C. piceae. Only Pesotum sp. showed pathogenic ability, but we do not consider it to be an important pathogen of A. alba.     

Epidemiology of Heterobasidion abietinum and Viscum album on silver fir (Abies alba) stands of the Pyrenees

In the last two decades, stand decline and increased mortality has affected silver fir (Abies alba) forests in the Spanish Pyrenees. Simultaneously severe occurrences of the root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum s.l. and of the mistletoe Viscum album have been reported. We aimed to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of both pathogens in our region. All H. annosum isolates found on silver fir were typed as H. abietinum. H. abietinum was more frequently observed where cuttings had targeted fir trees rather than other species. H. abietinum fruiting bodies were observed in the most recently cut stumps. V. album was more abundant on more dominant fir trees, and in southern aspect stands. The number of V. album colonies in the stand correlated (R² = 0.40) with silver fir mortality. Stands with a high level of V. album infection tended to have a smaller percentage of basal area in species other than silver fir, and they tended to be located on more south‐facing slopes. H. abietinum was widespread in silver fir forests of the Pyrenees. Our data suggest that, in the Pyrenees, the observed H. abietinum incidence may represent a combination of both primary and secondary spread of the pathogen. Favouring mixed forests should be tested as a potential control method for V. album. The correlation between silver fir mortality and V. album infection warrants further study, as the observed tree mortality could have occurred due to other factors than V. album, such as drought damage.     

Do changes in spatial distribution, structure and abundance of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) indicate its decline?

Silver fir decline was investigated based on changes in spatial distribution of fir, fir abundance in forest stands, dbh (age) structure of fir, and abundance of fir regeneration. The authors used a large-scale approach to study the dynamics of silver fir over nearly 40 years. Based on Silva-SI, a spatial information system, the majority of total forest area in Slovenia was analysed for changes in the distribution of silver fir in the period 1970-2008 using artificial neural networks (ANNs), with respect to site, stand, and forest management variables. Additionally, changes in abundance of silver fir (hereafter fir) in the same period were analysed with a general linear model, while changes in the dbh structure of fir and fir regeneration were analysed with non-parametric tests. Most selected indicators confirmed the hypothesis of fir decline in the period 1970-2008, as evidenced by a reduction in the area of forests with a share of fir in the total growing stock >25% (from 18.9% to 9.5% of total area), a reduction in the share of fir in the growing stock of forest stands (from 17.5% to 7.5%), ageing of the fir population, and a disproportionate share of fir saplings in the total saplings relative to fir's share in the growing stock of forest stands. A 1.5% increase in fir distribution area in the observed period contradicts the decline hypothesis. ANNs showed that the spatiotemporal dynamics of fir was most affected by four variables: forest type, share of fir in the potential natural vegetation, mean annual precipitation, and mean annual temperature. The latter two, together with the growing stock at the start of study period, the degree of connectivity between fir stands, and bedrock type, were significant predictors of decline of fir abundance in forest stands. Significant differences in spatiotemporal dynamics and changes in fir abundance were found between forest types representing a complex of site conditions and past forest management. A further decline of abundance of fir on a large spatial scale in the next decades is expected. Conservation of fir in forest stands will depend mainly on the successful regeneration of fir and sufficient recruitment.     

Synergistic effects of past historical logging and drought on the decline of Pyrenean silver fir forests

The causal factors and effects of forest declines are not well understood in temperate conifer forests. Most studies have focused on climatic and environmental stressors and have obviated the potential role of historical forest management as a predisposing factor of decline. Here, we assess if the recent silver fir (Abies alba) decline observed in the Spanish Pyrenees was predisposed by historical logging and incited by warming-induced drought stress. We analysed a dataset of environmental, structural, and historical variables at the tree and stand level including 32 sites with contrasting degrees of defoliation distributed over 5600 km². We followed a dendroecological approach to reconstruct historical logging and to infer the effects of warming-induced drought stress on growth. The silver fir decline was more severe and widespread in western low-elevation mixed forests dominated by trees of small size and slow growth. These sites were subject to higher water deficits than eastern sites, where late-summer rainfall as the key climatic variable controlling silver fir growth was higher. Declining sites showed more frequent growth releases induced by historical logging than non-declining sites. Historical logging and warming-induced drought acted as long-term predisposing and short-term inciting factors of silver fir decline in the Pyrenees, respectively. We suggest that biomass increases caused by past intense logging affected the vulnerability of silver fir against late-summer water deficit. Future research in declining temperate conifer forests should consider the interacting role of predisposing historical management and inducing climatic stressors such as droughts.     

Lamellation in the S2 layer of softwood tracheids as demonstrated by scanning transmission electron microscopy

Summary Ultrathin cross sections of the tracheid wall in black spruce and silver fir have been examined at high resolution by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and by conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For both softwoods, lamellation of the S2 layer was evident but the lamellae were seen more clearly in the STEM photomicrographs. The interlamellar distance was 7.1 nm in the case of spruce and 8.4 nm for silver fir.     

Dendroclimatological regions of Douglas fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudotsuga menziesii</Emphasis> Franco) in western Poland

Abstract Six Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) stands were selected in both the Sudety Mountains and the Great Poland Lowland. These two regions are distinctly different with regard to thermal and pluvial conditions. In each stand, two increment cores per tree were extracted from 20 approximately 100-year-old trees and the tree-ring widths measured. It is clear from the different growth reactions of the study trees to the climatic conditions that the Sudety Mountains and the Great Poland Lowland are two dendrochronologically separate regions. The tree-ring width chronologies form homogeneous groups for each region. The tree ring–climate models for Douglas fir in both regions indicate similarities and differences. The similarities among chronologies are attributed to winter temperature. The differences are attributed to rainfall (which changes with longitude and altitude of sites) during the vegetation season.     

Die gegenwartige Epidemie des Tannensterbens

The present epidemic of dying of silver fir. Its geographical distribution in the northern part of the natural distribution of Abies alba . Dying of silver fir, a complex disease phenomenon of Abies alba which has recurred periodically for more than a century and which is still unexplained, has been especially serious in recent years north of the Alps. Based on disease symptoms in the crowns, the present distribution of the disease is shown and described on a map. The necessity for increased inter-national cooperation is stressed.     

Does tree seedling growth and survival require weeding of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)?

The effect of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) on survival and growth of naturally regenerated silver birch (Betula pendula) and planted Norway spruce (Picea abies) and silver fir (Abies alba) seedlings was studied in a weeding experiment over 3 years. Three different treatments were applied: control, mowing, and hand weeding by pulling out the entire plant. There were no consistent treatment effects on height and diameter of the tree seedlings. The coverage of Rubus fruticosus had a negative impact on diameter increment of Norway spruce and silver fir. As opposed to growth, treatment effects on seedling survival could be found for planted Norway spruce and silver fir. However, it is very likely that these effects, namely higher seedling survival after mowing, have to be attributed to the control of bramble (Rubus fruticosus) rather than to that of Himalayan balsam. It is concluded that Himalayan balsam is not able to seriously affect the growth of already established seedlings.     

Microsite patterns of conifer seedling establishment and growth in a mixed stand in the southern Alps

In many forests of the Alps, permanent forest cover and, therefore, its continuous renewal is the main silvicultural goal. Regenerating these forests must be based on a sound understanding of the ecology of the tree species in question. The regeneration of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in the upper montane zone of the southern central Alps has so far received little attention. The aim of this study was, therefore, to characterize the ecological niche for the establishment and growth of silver fir and Norway spruce seedlings in this zone. The study was conducted as a case study on a plot of 1.5 ha in the upper montane zone of southern Switzerland, at an altitude of 1380 m. The basal area of the mixed Norway spruce–silver fir stand was 43.7 m² ha⁻¹. Seedlings were censused on 375 plots of 1.0 m² area. Seedling density was 1.30 ± 4.25 m⁻² (mean ± standard deviation) for Norway spruce and 0.87 ± 1.50 m⁻² for silver fir. Logistic regression models were used to test the effect of microsite characteristics on seedling occurrence, and general linear models for effects on seedling height growth and biomass increment. Most seedlings received less than 10% light (photosynthetic photon flux density) as compared to values in the open. Silver fir occurrence was positively related to microsites at the edge of canopy trees, but unrelated to ground cover type, light and micro-relief. Norway spruce occurrence was only, and positively, related to the presence of mosses. Height growth and biomass increment of seedlings of both species were only loosely correlated with microsite conditions. Seedlings without canopy cover grew faster than those under canopy cover, probably as a result of light and moisture limitations under the canopy of adult trees. Diffuse radiation was positively correlated with average annual biomass increment of silver fir, but not of Norway spruce seedlings. In general, the results suggest that silver fir seedlings have less specific microsite requirements than Norway spruce seedlings in terms of ground cover. They are also more shade tolerant, and therefore, grow faster than Norway spruce in low-light environments of the upper montane zone of the southern Alps. While the microsite concept can be helpful in designing silvicultural operations, it has limitations when only patch characteristics that are easy to assess are used, and others neglected. Finally, our study suggests that counting the number of green shoots is a promising method to quickly and non-destructively estimate the biomass of a great number of small seedlings.     

Structure of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) natural regeneration in the ‘Jata'' reserve in Poland

Over the last 20 years, investigations have been carried out to determine the influence of various ecological factors on silver fir natural regeneration in highlands and mountains. However, there has been little research on the structure and development of fir regeneration in lowlands. Results of this study indicate that three main stand characteristics play a very important part in the structure of fir regeneration in the lowland. The results revealed that the quantity, frequency and growth rate of fir regeneration were affected by site conditions. One of the most important ecological factors differentiating quantity and quality of fir regeneration was the proportion of fir in a stand. It was found that, with an increase in the percentage of fir in a stand, the quantity and the sum of heights and the sum of height increments of fir regeneration tends to increase. Results of this study showed that the number and development of fir regeneration were influenced by species composition of a stand; fir regenerated not only in pure fir stands but also in mixed forests. A positive influence of pine and birch canopy on initiation and development of fir regeneration was confirmed. Optimal conditions for the growth and development of fir with respect to species composition were found in mixed fir stands with an admixture of hornbeam. In contrast, results of the study suggest that the worst conditions for fir regeneration were found in the stands composed of species, such as ash, alder, oak, aspen, lime and spruce.     

Contribution ala Lutte Chimique contre le Gui (Visculn album L.)

Chemical control of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) . Spraying or trunk injection of phytohormones has given promise of control of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) on silver fir. Definlte results were obtained some months after spring treatment, and autumn treatments appear equally promising. If these results are confirmed, the infection rate in low-elevation silver firs stands could be reduced.     

Die Samen- und Zapfenschädlinge der WeißtanneAbies alba Mill. in den Althölzern des Roztocze Nationalparks in Polen

Information on 6 species (a total of 444 individuals) of insects, belonging to orders Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera, are given. Insects were obtained from cones ofAbies alba Mill. collected in 1989, in old trees of Roztocze National Park in Poland where the natural range of European fir reaches its north eastern boundary.     

Ectomycorrhizal communities associated with silver fir seedlings (Abies alba Mill.) differ largely in mature silver fir stands and in Scots pine forecrops

Context

The requirement for rebuilding forecrop stands besides replacement of meadow vegetation with forest plants and formation of soil humus is the presence of a compatible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community.

Aims

This study aims to assess ectomycorrhizal fungi diversity associated with silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) seedlings regenerating in silver fir stands and Scots pine forecrops.

Methods

One-year-old seedlings were sampled in six study sites: three mature fir forests and three pine forests. ECM fungi were identified by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer of rDNA.

Results

The mean mycorrhizal colonization exceeded 90 %. Thirty-six ectomycorrhizal taxa were identified in fir stands and 23 in pine forecrops; ten out of these species were common to both stands. The fungal communities were different between study sites (R?=?0.1721, p?=?0.0001). Tomentella stuposa was the only species present at all sites.

Conclusion

Silver fir seedlings in Scots pine forecrops supported smaller ECM fungal communities than communities identified in mature silver fir stands. Nevertheless, fungal colonization of seedling roots was similar in both cases. This suggests that pine stands afforested on formerly arable land bear enough ECM species to allow survival and growth of silver fir seedlings.     

Gap size effects on above- and below-ground processes in a silver fir stand

Changes in soil properties related to natural regeneration of silver fir (Abies alba, Mill.) in small (185 m²) and medium (410 m²) gaps, in the Calabria Apennines (Southern Italy), were studied 2 years after gap creation. The organic matter within the medium gaps decayed more rapidly than those in the small gaps. Among the microenvironmental variables and soil properties, soil temperature was most strongly positively related to organic matter decomposition rates. Medium gaps had high soil temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance, and low soil moisture. Within medium gaps, we found a great amount of phenolic compounds and a low content of organic matter and humic acids. These results indicate that in the medium gaps mineralization of organic matter was more important than humification. In contrast, in small gaps, the great amount of organic matter, the high content of humic acid and the values of humification index suggested that in these gaps the humification process of organic matter prevailed. Within small gaps, we observed more silver fir regeneration than medium gaps. Difference in organic matter content, particularly in the amount of phenolic compounds, may account for differences observed in natural regeneration of silver fir between small and medium gaps.     

The prospects of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) in mixed mountain forests under various management strategies,climate change and high browsing pressure

European Journal of Forest Research - In the Dinaric Mountains, the future of silver fir and Norway spruce appears to be uncertain, especially given the threat of climate change to both species and...     

Dothistroma septosporum on firs (Abies spp.) in the northern Baltics

In the spring of 2008, Dothistroma septosporum, a damaging quarantine pathogen of pine foliage, was documented in Järvselja (southeastern Estonia), apparently for the first time, on white fir (Abies concolor). Thus, a new host species and genus for the fungus were recorded. Infection of white fir by D. septosporum, and also of some other fir species, was monitored annually on a transect proceeding from southeastern Estonia to northern Latvia. As a result, D. septosporum was detected also on silver fir (Abies alba). It is not clear why this fungus with a worldwide distribution appeared on this new host genus definitely in northern Europe.     

An increase in the upper tree-limit of silver fir (Abiesalba Mill.) in the Alps since the mid-20th century: A land-use change phenomenon

Global environmental changes observed during recent decades are likely to have had an impact on the distribution of species. Currently, silver fir (Abies alba) is becoming established in the subalpine forests of the west central Alps at elevations higher than 2000 m a.s.l.; prior to the 1970s its upper altitudinal limit was 2000 m. Several hypotheses could explain this recent expansion of the upper tree-limit. Silver fir regeneration could be linked (1) to land-use changes or (2) to current climatic warming. Using dendrochronology, the age structure of 31 forest plots containing at least one silver fir was examined in order to elucidate the population dynamics of subalpine communities. This allowed us to decipher the timing of fir regeneration in relation to the mean age of the stands examined and of the other tree-canopy species present. The majority of the firs germinated sporadically since 1950, before the regional temperature increase. The pattern of fir recruitment did not appear to relate to altitude, but followed a pattern characteristic of secondary succession. The age structures identified showed an exponential increase in tree-density during the 20th century; the stands were first dominated by Larix decidua during the 18th and 19th centuries, and then by Pinus cembra during the 20th century. In most stands, fir regeneration occurred after Larix and before P. cembra dominated, following a similar pattern to Picea abies regeneration. The number of local inhabitants and temperature both exhibited a negative relationship with fir tree recruitment, thus supporting the land-use change hypothesis. There has been a significant upward shift of the altitudinal range of fir, amounting to an increase of about 300 m since 1950. This followed the abandonment of low-productivity land. This trend is likely to continue during the 21st century, because of new agricultural and forestry practices which involve limited intervention in low-productivity areas and may be because of the effects of global warming.     

Haselmaus (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) als vermutlicher Urheber von Stammringelungen bei der Weißtanne (Abies alba)

Ring — shaped damages at a stem of silver fir presumably caused by the dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. A report is given on ring-shaped damages at the stem of a silver fir, observed in summer of 1963 near Freilassing/Southern Bavaria. These rings consisted in several single deepenings and were cause in the highest degree by dormice,M. avellanarius. At the same stem near the damages there was a nest box of birds containing an nest of the dormouse. The next relations of this rodent, the Seven Sleeper(Glis glis) and the Garden Sleeper(Gliomys quercinus) are already known to be the originators of ring-shaped damages at tree stems.