Tree seedling establishment in living fences: a low-cost agroforestry management practice for the tropics

Establishing trees in pastures can have production and conservation benefits, but is complicated by the presence of livestock. The need to protect seedlings from livestock increases tree establishment costs, which in turn, can deter landowners from planting trees. Living fences are a ubiquitous feature of pasture landscapes in the tropics that could help protect newly planted trees by preventing livestock trampling and browsing. This study quantified the effectiveness of a living fence in protecting tree seedlings during the first 2 years after planting. The four native tree species evaluated were: Cedrela odorata L., Pachira quinata (Jacq.) W.S. Alverson, Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr., and Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) A. DC. Results show that the living fence provided protection from livestock except in cases where tree species were highly palatable as forage (i.e. P. quinata). Trees planted into the living fence generally had greater survival (62 vs. 28%), relative growth (10.3 times initial height vs. 5.8 times initial height), and final height (191 cm vs. 108 cm) compared to those planted in open pasture after 2 years. However, survival and growth of trees planted into the fence remained lower than that observed at a nearby plantation with no livestock, regular weeding and no living fences. This study indicates that use of living fences as a protective barrier could be an effective low-cost approach for establishing trees in tropical pasture landscapes.

Effects of boron fertilization in the nursery or after planting on the performance of Norway spruce seedlings on boron-poor sites

Many forest soils in Finland are poor in boron (B), especially otherwise fertile (nitrogen-rich) soils and peatlands. Boron deficiency causes growth disorders affecting young Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands. We studied the effects of B fertilization on the growth and morphology of Norway spruce seedlings. Boron was applied in a nursery and/or after planting in a nursery-field and on a reforestation site, both known to be low in B. The B applied in the nursery increased foliar B concentration in a linear relationship to the amount of B fertilizer but did not affect seedling growth and morphology. Even the highest foliar B concentration (approx. 400 mg kg^?1) did not have harmful effects on the seedlings. Therefore, B fertilization in the nursery can be used for increasing B storage in needles. Boron fertilization at planting increased foliar B concentration in the first season. Afterward, the concentration decreased but remained above the deficiency limit for at least 4–5 years. In the B-poor nursery-field, nonfertilized seedlings began to produce multiple leaders in the second year. On the reforestation site, fewer multiple leaders were found. At the nursery-field site, height growth was stimulated by B fertilization at planting. In conclusion, 200–400 mg m^?2 (2–4 kg ha^?1) of B applied at planting has longer-lasting effects on seedling B status than does B fertilization applied in the nursery, and can improve seedling quality and growth in the first years after planting on B-poor sites.     

Modeling tree cover changes in a pasture-dominated landscape by adopting silvopastoral practices in a dry forest region in Central Brazil

Pastures are a major soil cover in Central Brazil, especially in rich soils previously occupied by dry forests. We simulated a scenario in which the wooden fences in Paranã Valley are replaced by live fences and isolated trees are left in the pasture fields, and we verified changing in tree cover by adding trees and avoiding logging for wooden fences. The simulation involved the analysis of a 20-year historic series of LANDSAT satellite images to determine the average time of pasture renewal. The average amount of wooden fences produced per hectare of local forest was estimated based on the literature and field data. The high spatial-resolution satellite images available in the Google Earth? program were analyzed to estimate the total length of the fences and the average and maximum number of isolated trees per hectare found in the pastures of the region. The results showed that pasture renewal happens every 8.1 years. It is possible to produce an average of 1,472 stakes per hectare of forest. In the study area, we estimated the existence of an average of 842 km of wooden fences and 3.9 isolated trees per hectare of pasture (maximum = 48 isolated trees). The results of the simulation showed that the adoption of live fences can increase the crown coverage up to 7.5 % or even up to 14.3 % if all of the pasturelands are managed to have live fences and farmers begin to adopt cover-development practices, such as keeping an average of 48 isolated trees per hectare of pasture.     

Biomass storage in low timber productivity Mediterranean forests managed after natural post-fire regeneration in south-eastern Spain

Despite the low timber productivity of Mediterranean Pinus halepensis Mill. forests in south-eastern Spain, they are a valuable carbon sequestration source which could be extended if young stands and understories were considered. We monitored changes in biomass storage of young Aleppo pine stands naturally regenerated after wildfires, with a diachronic approach from 5 to 16 years old, including pine and understory strata, at two different quality sites (dry and semiarid climates). At each site, we set 21 permanent plots and carried out different thinning intensities at two ages, 5 and 10 years after fires. We found similar post-fire regeneration capacity at both sites in terms of total above-ground biomass storage ~6 Mg ha^?1 (3 Mg ha^?1 of the above-ground pine biomass plus 3 Mg ha^?1 of the above-ground understory biomass), but with a contrasting pine layer structure. Generally, across the diachronic study, the earlier thinning reduced biomass stocks at both sites, except for the best quality site (the dry site), where the earliest thinning (applied at post-fire year 5) enlarged carbon storage by 11 % as compared to non-thinned plots. We found root:shoot ratios of an average 0.37 for the pine layer and 0.45 for the understory layer. These results provided new information which not only furthers our understanding of carbon sequestration in low timber productivity Mediterranean forests, but will also help to develop new guidelines for sustainable management adapted to the high-risk terrestrial carbon losses of fire-prone areas.     

Does sika deer overabundance exert cascading effects on the raccoon dog population?

Habitat structure in Oku-Nikko, Japan, has been substantially modified by the overabundance of sika deer (Cervus nippon). A deer-proof fence (15.0 km and 900 ha) was constructed in 2001 to conserve vegetation. Although the understory inside the fence is dominated by Sasa nipponica (hereafter, Sasa), an important forage plant for deer, that outside the fence is dominated by Aster ageratoides leiophyllus (hereafter, Aster), an unpalatable plant to deer, and, partly, by bare floor. In this study, we examined the effects of deer on ground-dwelling insects and earthworms, the primary food resources of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and, thus, the bottom-up cascading effects of the herbivore on the omnivorous carnivore. Between July and September 2008, we examined the abundance of insects and earthworms by pitfall trapping and hand-sorting methods, respectively, both inside and outside the fence. The abundance of earthworms and insects (Scarabaeidae and Rhaphidophoridae) was higher on forest floors with Aster and/or bare floors outside the fence than on those with Sasa inside the fence. These results indicate that the increasing deer population in this area probably increased the number of these invertebrates outside the fence by modifying understory vegetation and/or depositing dung. Furthermore, the sighting rates of raccoon dogs obtained by spotlight counts were greater outside than inside the fence, suggesting that deer probably exert bottom-up cascading effects on raccoon dogs, at least during May to November, when the invertebrates are predominantly fed on by the omnivorous carnivore.     

Pits and rocky microsites in a subalpine forest stand facilitate regeneration of spruce saplings by suppressing dwarf bamboo growth inside a deer-proof fence

We determined patterns of microsite suppression in dwarf bamboo Sasa nipponica when grazing deer were absent. This bamboo species is able to outcompete Hondo spruce (Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis) saplings under many environmental circumstances. We set up two 10 × 100 m plots inside a deer-proof fence within a subalpine forest on Mt. Ohdaigahara, central Japan, and two similarly sized plots outside the fence. Within the plots, we surveyed microsites where spruce saplings grew. We measured height and shoot elongation of all spruce saplings, and culm height and cover ratios of dwarf bamboo growing around each spruce sapling. Spruce sapling density and average height were higher inside the deer-proof fence than outside, as were bamboo height and cover. Thus, there was a negative effect of deer browsing on vegetation parameters outside the fence and a suppression of the negative effect of bamboo on spruce sapling growth inside the fence. Spruce sapling height was higher in tree-fall pits than in other microsites inside the fence, whereas both dwarf bamboo height and cover were lower in pits and rocky sites than elsewhere. In soil and collar microsites, spruce sapling shoot growth was lower and bamboo height and cover were higher than in pits and rocky sites. Inside the fence, dwarf bamboo cover was high, but pits and rocks suppressed its growth, allowing spruce saplings to flourish. To restore heavily damaged spruce forests with advanced saplings, it will be necessary to construct deer-proof fences and create and maintain microsites with pits and rocks.     

Productivity of successive rotations of Acacia mangium plantations in Sumatra,Indonesia: impacts of harvest and inter-rotation site management

The impacts of wood harvest, biomass removal and inter-rotation site management practices on productivity of Acacia mangium in South Sumatra were studied over 12 years across successive rotations. The productivity measured as MAI increased from 29.4 m³ ha^?1 year^?1 in the first to 48.0 m³ ha^?1 year^?1 in the second rotation. Whole tree harvesting (total stem, branches and leaves) caused a 21 % reduction in volume compared to harvesting merchantable wood alone in the next rotation. The rates of nutrients accumulation in trees were highest during the first year of growth, and declined from age 2 years. Significant amounts of nutrients were recycled through litter fall from 1 year after planting. Results highlight the importance of management which promotes nutrient supply on stand growth. Removal of slash and litter lowered soil pH, by about 0.1 unit. A small reduction was also found in soil organic carbon and nitrogen in the top soil during the first 3–4 years but values returned to pre-harvest levels by the end of the rotation. Extractable soil phosphorus and exchangeable cations decreased by the end of second rotation but these measures underestimate the nutrient pools available for A. mangium. These findings along with results from other studies have helped to implement operations which promote conservation of site resources for sustainable production in the region.     

辽河三角洲盐碱地覆膜措施对土壤物理性质的影响

采用覆膜措施在辽河三角洲腹地原地土壤修筑台田造林试验,结果表明:覆盖地膜能有效改善土壤理化性状,提高土壤孔隙度,降低土壤容重,改善土壤通透性,提高土壤养分含量,覆膜措施使小胡杨保存率高达92%,增加了0~40cm土层的孔隙度,提高了0~60cm土层的最大持水量,为小胡杨树木生长提供了良好的立地条件。     

Growth,flowering and fruiting of stecklings,grafts and seedlings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allanblackia floribunda</Emphasis> Oliver (Clusiaceae)

A study was carried out to assess the growth, flowering and fruiting of stecklings (rooted cuttings), grafts and seedlings of Allanblackia floribunda in Cameroun. Thirty-one individuals of each plantlet type were planted in May 2006. Height, collar and crown diameters were recorded in September and October, while flowering and fruiting were recorded each month from January to December. In 2014, the trees with the greatest height were those from seeds (6.98 ± 0.25 m), followed by those from grafts (1.65 ± 0.23 m) and cuttings (1.09 ± 0.21 m). Grafts started flowering and fruiting 3 years after planting, while seedlings started flowering and fruiting after four and 6 years, respectively. Stecklings still had not flowered 8 years after planting. Fruit weight and length from seed-origin trees are about seven times higher than grafts. Correlations between height and crown diameter were significant and positive irrespective of the nature of the planting material. In conclusion, grafts fruited earlier, while seedlings grew faster and had greater yields than grafts and stecklings of A. floribunda.     

Survival and development of Liaodong oak stump sprouts in the Huanglong Mountains of China six years after three partial harvests

The survival and development of Liaodong oak (Quercus liaotungensis Koidz) stump sprouts were studied for 6 years under leave-tree, as well as 60 and 75% crown closure uniform shelterwood in the Huanglong Mountains of China. Stump sprout survival rate, number of sprouts, and sprout height under the three partial harvests during the first year post-harvest did not differ. Six years post-harvest, 78.32% of the stumps had living sprouts. No variation in sprout survival was found among the treatments throughout the study period. The number of living sprouts per stump was 13.77 ± 0.50 in the first growing season after harvest, and dropped to 6.49 ± 0.22 after 6 years. This result indicated the occurrence of self-thinning within the sprout clumps. Moreover, the height of dominant sprout increased from 52.88 ± 1.62 cm (in the first year) to 132.82 ± 2.35 cm (in the sixth year) post-harvest. Sprout height in the leave-tree harvest type was higher than those in the two shelterwoods in the fifth and sixth years after logging. Annual height growth was approximately 8–96 cm during the first growing season, and then decreased at a rate of 1–44 cm per year in the following years. A negative relationship was found between sprout height and the number of sprouts per stump. This result indicated a trade-off between the number of sprouts and height growth. The number of sprouts per stump decreased by about 0.2 stem for each 1 m²/ha increased in residual basal area. Therefore, sprouting may play an important role in the restoration of the secondary forest after harvesting.     

Transplanting native tree seedlings to enrich tropical live fences: an ecological and socio-economic analysis

The enrichment of live fences with native tree species has been proposed as a conservation strategy in agricultural landscapes; however, little research has explored ways to do this in tropical areas. This study examines selection of native tree species, effects of damage caused by mammals (mainly cattle) in performance (survival and growth) of transplanted seedlings, and cost-benefit balances as critical steps to enrich tropical live fences. Seven native tree species, with ecological and socio-economic importance, were selected in a Mexican agricultural landscape to grow as seedlings, and six of them were transplanted into live fences of cattle ranches with different levels of cattle activity (none/moderate/high). Costs associated with propagation and seedling protection in the field were calculated, and performance and damage in seedlings were measured over 2 years. We developed an index to identify species with the best performance and lowest costs in sites with cattle activity. Our results showed that damage, caused mainly by cattle, reduced the performance of transplanted seedlings. The effect of this damage varied depending on its severity (level and frequency) and the identity and life history of species. All selected species performed well in the site without cattle access. Dendropanax arboreus was the best species at site with moderate cattle activity, and Trema micrantha and Saurauia scabrida at site with high cattle activity. These species are recommended for enriching live fences because of good cost-benefit balance. This approach could be an important quantitative method to select species useful not only in agroforestry but also in restoration projects, which normally remain under the pressure of domestic and wild animals.     

Optimal management of larch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> A. Henry) plantations in Northeast China when timber production and carbon stock are considered

? Key message

The optimal management of larch (Larix olgensis) plantations in Northeast China consisted of 2 or 3 thinnings and a rotation length of 55–61 years when economic profitability, wood production, and carbon sequestration were simultaneously maximized. Wood production ranged from 5.4 to 11.7 m³ ha^?1 a^?1, depending on site quality.

? Context

L. olgensis is an important tree species in the northeast forest region of China, playing a significant role in the establishment of fast-growing and high-yielding plantation forests in China. However, the management of these plantations has not been optimized in previous studies.

? Aims

The objective of the study was to find the optimal combinations of thinning times, thinning types, and rotation length for L. olgensis stands when both timber production and carbon stock are considered.

? Methods

First, a growth and yield model was developed to simulate the dynamics of larch plantations. Then, the models were linked with the Hooke and Jeeves optimization algorithm to optimize forest management for two commonly used planting densities and three site qualities.

? Results

Two thinnings were found to be suitable for larch plantations when the stand density at 10 years was 2125 trees/ha (corresponding to a planting density of 2500 trees/ha) whereas three thinnings were recommended when the density at 10 years was 2800 trees/ha (planting density of 3300 trees/ha). When the stand density was 2800 trees/ha, the optimal rotation length was 61, 58, and 55 years for site indices (SI) 12, 16, and 20 m (dominant height at 30 years), respectively. The mean annual wood production was 5.4 m³ ha^?1 for SI 12, 8.2 m³ ha^?1 for SI 16, and 11.7 m³ ha^?1 for SI 20. The results were nearly the same for the lower initial stand density. The better the site quality of the stand, the earlier the thinnings were conducted.

? Conclusion

In multifunctional forestry, optimal rotation lengths of larch plantations were 10–20 years longer than advised in the current silvicultural recommendations for Northeast China.

     

Long-term response to area of competition control in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> plantations

Numerous studies have quantified the responses to vegetation management in Eucalyptus plantations but most publications have reported early responses in tree growth and a gap in knowledge exist about the magnitude and duration of growth responses throughout the whole rotation. We evaluated the long-term response (9 years-old) of E. globulus across a gradient of sites to different intensity levels of free area of competing vegetation around individual tree seedlings. Competing vegetation intensity levels considered free areas ranging between 0 (control) to 2.54 m² plus a treatment with total weed control. Competing vegetation biomass production during the first growing season was 2.9, 6.5, 2.2 and 12.9 Mg ha^?1, for sites ranging from low to high annual rainfall. Across sites, maximum response in stand volume ranged between 58 and 262 m³ ha^?1 at age 9 years and was proportional to the amount of competing biomass controlled during the first growing season. Total competing vegetation control showed the largest response in stand volume at sites with 2.9 and 12.9 Mg ha^?1 of competing vegetation. However, the 2.54 m² vegetation control treatment showed the maximum response for sites with 2.2 and 6.5 Mg ha^?1 of competing vegetation. The duration of response for vegetation control treatments ranged between 5 and 9 years. However, at the site with the largest accumulation of competing vegetation biomass the response to vegetation control showed a sustained and divergent response. Our results suggest that vegetation control improved site resources acquisition increasing long-term stand productivity by reducing environmental limitations to tree growth differentially at each site.     

Transferring site information for black walnut from native woodlands in southeastern Kansas USA to identify sites for agroforestry practices

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is an important tree species for temperate agroforestry in the United States for timber, nuts, wildlife, and abrasives. Predictions of forestland productivity are needed for proper species selection in tree planting. Potential productivity can be estimated for non-forested areas and agricultural croplands by relating site quality to site and soil characteristics. Our study measured the growth potential of black walnut in natural stands. We looked at over 210 stands on unglaciated soils in southeastern Kansas with the site index at 50 years ranging from 9.1 to 26.8 m. Numerous environmental factors were evaluated, including: site, soil chemical, and soil physical properties. These environmental factors were related to tree height at the standard age of 50 years. Simple correlation and multiple regression analyses were run with the site index using over 60 variables of soil and topographic characteristics. Understory competition had no effect on site index. Chemical characteristics had a slight effect on site index. We explained 73 % of the variation in site index with just two variables; depth to a restrictive layer (DRL) and soil type. DRL is a good predictor of walnut productivity.     

Biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera under different planting densities and levels of nitrogen fertilization

The effect of different planting densities (100,000 and 167,000 plants ha^?1) and levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 261, 521, and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) on biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera was studied in a split-plot design with four randomized complete blocks over 2 years with eight cuts year^?1 at the National Agrarian University farm in Managua, Nicaragua (12°09′30.65″N, 86°10′06.32″W, altitude 50 m above sea level). Density 167,000 plants ha^?1 produced significantly higher total dry matter yield (TDMY) and fine fraction yield (FFDM), 21.2 and 19.2 ton ha^?1 respectively, compared with 11.6 and 11 ton ha^?1 for 100,000 plants ha^?1. Growth rate in 167,000 plants ha^?1 was higher than in 100,000 plants ha^?1 (0.06 compared with 0.03 ton ha^?1 day^?1). Average plant height was 119 cm irrespective of planting density. Fertilization at the 521 and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 levels produced the highest TDMY and FFDM in both years of the study and along all cuts. The interaction between cut and year was significant, with the highest TDMY and FFDM during the rainy season in the second year. Chemical composition of fractions showed no significant differences between planting densities. Significantly higher crude protein content was found in the coarse fraction at fertilizer levels 521 and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 (87.9 and 93.7 g kg^?1 DM) compared with lower levels. The results indicate that Moringa can maintain up to 27 ton ha^?1 dry matter yield under dry tropical forest conditions over time at a planting density of 167,000 plants ha^?1 if the soil is regularly supplied with N at a level of approximately 521 kg ha year^?1 in conditions where phosphorus and potassium are not limiting.     

Introduction of Raikhanim (Ficus semicordata) in a Maize and Finger-Millet Cropping System: An Agroforestry Intervention in Mid-Hill Environment of Nepal

Fodder trees are integral part of farming system in the hills of Nepal, but designed agroforestry interventions targeted to particular trees and crops are not widely available. This paper examines the joint productivity of an agroforestry practice in which Raikhanim (Ficus semicordata) is planted in a maize (Zea mays) and finger-millet (Eleusine coracana) cropping system at Keware Bhanjyang of the western mid-hills of Nepal. Raikhanim seedlings were planted in a row on terrace risers 2, 4 and 6 m apart in ordinary farming conditions, in a randomized block design with three replications. Maize and finger-millet were grown on the terraces as intercrops with a control plot without trees on risers in each replicate. Growth parameters of Raikhanim—height, diameter at 30 cm above ground (D₃₀) and survival rate—were recorded annually in December until trees were lopped for fodder biomass, and crop yields were measured to determine tree-crop interaction effects. Tree height and D₃₀ differed significantly between spacings until trees reached the lopping stage 3½ years after planting, with the highest growth in 4 m spacing. Tree lopping checked the height growth but the diameter growth continued to increase and differed among spacings after lopping. Fodder biomass increased with tree age and was highest under 4 m spacing (7.294 t/ha) followed by 6 m (5.256 t/ha) and 2 m (3.84 t/ha). Finger-millet yield in the experimental plots decreased with tree age due to shading effects, while maize yield was not substantially affected. Among spacings, control plots produced the highest finger-millet yield (1,624 kg/ha) while the 6 m spacing produced the highest maize yield (2,463 kg/ha). It is concluded that planting Raikhanim at 6 m intervals will produce additional fodder without significant effect on maize yield and only a moderate effect on finger-millet yield. The agroforestry practice of planting fodder trees on under-utilised terrace risers is a viable option for mid-hill farmers for simultaneous production of fodder and cereal crops while sustaining the hill farming system.     

Post-windthrow management in protection forests of the Swiss Alps

The two storms Vivian (1990) and Lothar (1999) left an area of roughly 9000 ha of fully damaged protection forests in Swiss mountain regions. Given this huge dimension, questions arose on how to manage these areas to keep the protection gap, i.e. the time period with reduced overall protection against natural hazards, short. Quantifications are presented for the stability of lying logs left in place, the frequency of post-disturbance mass movements, and the tree regeneration in windthrow areas. The average height above ground of unsalvaged lying logs decreased from 2.1 m shortly after disturbance to 0.8 m 20 years later. In the period 1990–2014, the number of avalanches in windthrow areas was markedly small, and annual rates of shallow landslides and debris flows in windthrow areas did not differ from rates in comparable undamaged forested areas. Regeneration density rarely exceeded 4000 stems ha^?1 20 years post-windthrow at elevations above 1200–1500 m a.s.l. Mean height of tallest trees reached 5.6 m in areas that were cleared and 6.5 m in those left unsalvaged. Trees planted post-windthrow were 1.0–2.4 m taller than naturally regenerated ones. Practitioners rated the protective effect to be acceptable 24 years post-disturbance in only 5 out from 16 observed windthrow areas (31%), with planting trees as the main cause of success. We conclude that in protection forests the regeneration speed after disturbance rarely meets practitioner’s expectations in terms of both stem density and stand structure. However, leaving woody debris from wind disturbance in place proved to replace protective effects for an astonishingly long time. An intensive management with salvage logging, planting and even technical constructions seems therefore only inevitable on windthrown areas where risks seem too high based on hazard, damage potential and possible spread of bark beetles to nearby protection forests. A management alternative applicable to many other cases of windthrown protection forests is to plant trees between lying stems.     

桉树白蚁综合防治技术

从林业技术措施，生物防治和化学防治等方面对桉树白蚁的综合防治技术进行了阐述，论述了各种防治措施的优劣和可行性。提出以选择造林地，整地方式，调整造林定植期，加强抚育管理等林业技术措施为基础。综合运用定植前诱杀白蚁，定植时使用药剂保护幼树，定植后药剂毒杀白蚁和保护天敌等措施。达到有效控制桉树白蚁危害的目的。     

Soil physical properties degrade further on skid trails in the year following operations

Short-term recovery of soil physical properties on skid trails was investigated upon cessation of skidding operations and 1 year later. Bulk density and porosity were assessed at three levels of traffic intensity and two slope gradients. Compared to undisturbed areas, bulk density increased, total porosity and macroporosity decreased, and microporosity increased in the compacted areas immediately after skidding. In all cases, changes were significantly greater when traffic intensity was higher and when slopes were steeper. Surface soil compaction did not show any recovery over the 1-year period, illustrating the persistent effects of compaction on soil structure. In fact, surficial compaction further increased and macroporosity further decreased after 1 year of recovery, compared to immediately after skidding. While these changes may reflect inherent small-scale site variability or differences in soil moisture content at times of sampling, direct negative physical impacts on newly exposed soil (such as by raindrops), in addition to the loss of organic matter after canopy removal and skidding, likely delayed any physical recovery, particularly on heavily trafficked trails on steeper slopes. These results raise serious concerns about long-term resilience to traffic on forest soils and indicate the necessity to properly retire skid trails to avoid further soil degradation as trails age.     

Greater abundance of Fagus sylvatica in coniferous flood protection forests due to climate change: impact of modified root densities on infiltration

Climate change is expected to modify the spatial distributions of zonal forest communities and thus, their species compositions. The aim of this paper was to study the impact of higher abundance of beech on water storage capacity in current coniferous flood protection forests due to varying root densities of the main tree species. Two forest communities in the northern pre-Alps in Switzerland with similar soil properties but varying in species composition were investigated (space-for-time substitution). It was assumed that the Vaccinio myrtillii-Abieti-Piceetum (site A) will be replaced by a Luzulo-Abieti-Fagetum (site B). We irrigated 16 hydromorphic soils (1 m², 70 mm/h, three consecutive irrigations) at site A and 10 at site B and recorded water-content variations with time domain—and frequency domain reflectometry. Roots were extracted from soil cores taken from the positions where the water-content probes were inserted, and digitally measured. Infiltration capacity ω _I was mainly limited to the upper soil at site A but was approximately constant down to 0.7 m depth at site B. Between 0.3 and 1.0 m soil depth, root densities at site B exceeded those at site A. Root density was the main predictor for ω _I (R ² = 0.57) at site A as shown by a multiple linear regression analysis. Assuming that the root density in the current coniferous forest (A) will increase to that of the beech stand (B) due to the greater abundance of beech, the water storage capacity will increase by 9.2 mm in consequence of the expected forest transformation.