Branchlet nutrient concentration in hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) relative to family,stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios and growth rate in contrasting environments

Genetic variation in branchlet nutrient (N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe) concentrations and mineral concentration (sum of branchlet P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe concentrations) of 8-9-year-old hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Ait. ex D. Don) half-sib families was assessed for four canopy positions at a wet site (23 families) and two canopy positions at an N- and water-limiting dry site (22 families) in relation to tree growth and associated branchlet carbon (delta13C) and oxygen (delta18O) isotope composition in southeast Queensland, Australia. Branchlet nutrient and mineral concentrations varied significantly among families and with canopy position and site. Depending on the canopy position sampled, the hoop pine family effect accounted for 0 to 13.8% of the total variation in branchlet N concentration, and for 0 to 30.3% of the total variation in branchlet mineral concentration at the wet site. The corresponding values for the family effect at the dry site were 0-13.3% for branchlet N concentration and 0-25.7% for branchlet mineral concentration. There were significant variations in branchlet P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations at both sites, and these variations differed with canopy position. Relationships between family means of branchlet N concentration and tree growth or delta13C or delta18O varied with canopy position at both sites. At the wet site, there were significant positive correlations between branchlet mineral concentration in the upper-outer or upper-inner canopy and tree height (r = 0.26 and 0.37, P < 0.01) and between branchlet mineral concentration and delta13C (r = 0.24, P < 0.01) in the upper-inner canopy, and a significant negative correlation between branchlet mineral concentration and delta13C (r = -0.21, P < 0.05) in the upper-outer canopy. At the dry site, branchlet mineral concentrations in the upper-inner and upper-outer canopy were significantly correlated with branchlet delta13C (r = -0.28 and -0.51, P < 0.01), and branchlet N concentration in the upper-inner canopy was significantly correlated with tree growth (r = 0.29, P < 0.01). A significant correlation between branchlet delta18O (an index of stomatal conductance) and branchlet mineral concentration at the dry site (r = 0.39, P = 0.020) indicated that stomatal conductance might be a factor regulating the variation in branchlet mineral concentration of the hoop pine families. Both branchlet N concentration and mineral concentration at particular canopy positions assist in selecting hoop pine families with improved tree growth and N- and water-use efficiency in environments where both N deficiency and a limited water supply are major factors affecting plantation productivity.     

Genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition and tree growth with clones of the F1 hybrid between slash pine and Caribbean pine

The objectives of this study were: (1) to quantify the genetic variation in foliar nutrient concentration in relation to foliar carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) and tree growth of 122 clones of ca. 4-year-old F₁ hybrids between slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm var. elliottii) and Caribbean pine (P. caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. et Golf.) grown at two experimental sites with different water and nutrient availability in southeast Queensland, Australia and (2) to examine the potential of using foliar nutrient concentration of the 4-year-old tree canopies for selecting elite F₁ hybrid pine clones with improved nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) and water-use efficiency (WUE), and ultimately enhanced tree growth under ambient growing conditions. There were significant differences in foliar nutrient concentrations between two canopy positions (upper outer and lower outer canopy) sampled, between summer and winter, and between the two sites. This highlights that foliar nutrient concentrations are influenced by sampling and environment. Significant genetic variations in foliar nutrient concentrations were detected between the clones, between the female parents, and between the male parents of the clones in both sampling seasons at both sites. Depending on the nutrient concerned, canopy position, season, and site sampled, the clones accounted for 4.7–33.9% of the total variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, the clone female parents for 0–25.1% and the clone male parents for 0–28.6%. The site-by-clone interactions were statistically significant for foliar N, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and mineral concentrations at the upper outer canopy in summer, and for foliar N concentration in winter. There were significant, positive correlations between clone means of foliar δ¹³C and N concentration at the upper outer canopy in summer for the wet site, while clone foliar δ¹³C was also positively related to clone foliar N concentration at both canopy positions in summer for the dry site. This suggests that clone WUE as reflected in foliar δ¹³C may be improved by selecting elite clones with higher foliar N concentration and increased photosynthesis, leading to enhanced tree growth when both water and N are the major growth-limiting factors. This is supported by the positive correlation detected between clone tree height and foliar N concentration at the upper outer canopy for both sites. Thus, foliar nutrient (particularly N) concentration, together with foliar δ¹³C, may be useful for assisting in selection of exotic pine clones with improved NUE and WUE, and enhanced tree growth under the nutrient- and water-limiting environments.     

Leaf traits in relation to crown development, light interception and growth of elite families of loblolly and slash pine

Crown architecture and size influence leaf area distribution within tree crowns and have large effects on the light environment in forest canopies. The use of selected genotypes in combination with silvicultural treatments that optimize site conditions in forest plantations provide both a challenge and an opportunity to study the biological and environmental determinants of forest growth. We investigated tree growth, crown development and leaf traits of two elite families of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and one family of slash pine (P. elliottii Mill.) at canopy closure. Two contrasting silvicultural treatments -- repeated fertilization and control of competing vegetation (MI treatment), and a single fertilization and control of competing vegetation treatment (C treatment) -- were applied at two experimental sites in the West Gulf Coastal Plain in Texas and Louisiana. At a common tree size (diameter at breast height), loblolly pine trees had longer and wider crowns, and at the plot-level, intercepted a greater fraction of photosynthetic photon flux than slash pine trees. Leaf-level, light-saturated assimilation rates (A(max)) and both mass- and area-based leaf nitrogen (N) decreased, and specific leaf area (SLA) increased with increasing canopy depth. Leaf-trait gradients were steeper in crowns of loblolly pine trees than of slash pine trees for SLA and leaf N, but not for A(max). There were no species differences in A(max), except in mass-based photosynthesis in upper crowns, but the effect of silvicultural treatment on A(max) differed between sites. Across all crown positions, A(max) was correlated with leaf N, but the relationship differed between sites and treatments. Observed patterns of variation in leaf properties within crowns reflected acclimation to developing light gradients in stands with closing canopies. Tree growth was not directly related to A(max), but there was a strong correlation between tree growth and plot-level light interception in both species. Growth efficiency was unaffected by silvicultural treatment. Thus, when coupled with leaf area and light interception at the crown and canopy levels, A(max) provides insight into family and silvicultural effects on tree growth.     

Foliar delta(13)C and delta(18)O reveal differential physiological responses of canopy foliage to pre-planting weed control in a young spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. Variegata) plantation

Weed control may improve the growth of forest plantations by influencing soil water and nutrient availability, but our knowledge of leaf-level physiological responses to weed control at different within-canopy positions is limited for tropical and subtropical plantations. Foliar carbon (delta(13)C) and oxygen (delta(18)O) isotope compositions, gas exchange, and nitrogen (N(mass)) and phosphorus (P(mass)) concentrations at four canopy positions were assessed in a young spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. Variegata (F. Muell.) A.R. Bean & M.W. McDonald) plantation subjected to either weed control or no weed control treatment, to test if leaves at different positions within the tree canopy had the same physiological responses to the weed control treatment. Weed control increased foliar delta(13)C but lowered delta(18)O in the upper-outer and upper-inner canopy, indicating that weed control resulted in a higher foliar photosynthetic capacity at upper-canopy positions, a conclusion confirmed by gas exchange measurements. The increased photosynthetic capacity resulting from weed control can be explained by an increase in foliar N(mass). In the lower-outer canopy, weed control reduced foliar delta(13)C while lowering delta(18)O even more than in the upper-canopy, suggesting strong enhancement of the partial pressure of CO(2) in the leaf intercellular spaces and of foliar stomatal conductance in lower-canopy foliage. This conclusion was supported by gas exchange measurements. Foliar photosynthesis in the lower-inner canopy showed no significant response to weed control. The finding that leaves at different canopy positions differ in their physiological responses to weed control highlights the need to consider the canopy position effect when examining competition for soil nutrient and water resources between weeds and trees.     

Effects of branch height on leaf gas exchange,branch hydraulic conductance and branch sap flux in open-grown ponderosa pine

Recent studies have shown that stomata respond to changes in hydraulic conductance of the flow path from soil to leaf. In open-grown tall trees, branches of different heights may have different hydraulic conductances because of differences in path length and growth. We determined if leaf gas exchange, branch sap flux, leaf specific hydraulic conductance, foliar carbon isotope composition (delta13C) and ratios of leaf area to sapwood area within branches were dependent on branch height (10 and 25 m) within the crowns of four open-grown ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) trees. We found no difference in leaf gas exchange or leaf specific hydraulic conductance from soil to leaf between the upper and lower canopy of our study trees. Branch sap flux per unit leaf area and per unit sapwood area did not differ between the 10- and 25-m canopy positions; however, branch sap flux per unit sapwood area at the 25-m position had consistently lower values. Branches at the 25-m canopy position had lower leaf to sapwood area ratios (0.17 m2 cm-2) compared with branches at the 10-m position (0.27 m2 cm-2) (P = 0.03). Leaf specific conductance of branches in the upper crown did not differ from that in the lower crown. Other studies at our site indicate lower hydraulic conductance, sap flux, whole-tree canopy conductance and photosynthesis in old trees compared with young trees. This study suggests that height alone may not explain these differences.     

昆嵛山赤松纯林赤枯病特征及与林分因子的关系

【目的】解析和定量评价林分因子对赤松赤枯病发生(发病率和病情指数)的影响,为昆嵛山赤松纯林的营林措施和赤枯病的预防提供理论指导。【方法】在昆嵛山区域选取林龄相对一致(约34年)的赤松纯林为研究对象,调查林分密度、郁闭度、树高、枝下高、胸径和冠幅6个林分因子及赤枯病的发病率和病情指数,采用方差分析、相关性分析和多重比较分析各项林分因子与赤松赤枯病之间的关系,并通过冗余分析得影响赤枯病发生的关键因子。【结果】赤枯病在赤松林中普遍发生,发病样地占调查样地的96.3%。整体上,高密度林( 2 956 ~4 089株·hm -2 )的发病率和病情指数显著高于低密度林(688~1 822株·hm -2 )和中密度林(1 823~2 955株·hm -2 )的发病率和病情指数;疏林(郁闭度<30%)的发病率和病情指数显著低于中疏林(郁闭度30%~70%)和密林(郁闭度> 70%)的发病率和病情指数;在不同的树高、枝下高、冠幅和胸径分组中,发病率和病情指数均随着分组值的增大而减小。相关性分析表明:林分密度对赤枯病发病率和病情指数的影响均达到极显著正相关水平( r =0.761, P < 0.01;r =0.748, P < 0.01);赤枯病的发病率和病情指数也均受到郁闭度的极显著影响( r =0.509, P < 0.01;r =0.442, P < 0.01);二者与树高均呈极显著正相关( r =-0.443, P < 0.01;r =-0.362, P < 0.01);赤枯病的发病率和病情指数均随枝下高的增大而极显著减小( r =-0.460, P < 0.01;r =-0.419, P < 0.01);二者与胸径均呈负相关关系,且相关性极显著( r =-0.425, P < 0.01;r =-0.373, P < 0.01);随着冠幅的增大,林木发病率和病情指数均极显著降低( r =-0.345, P < 0.01;r =-0.381, P < 0.01)。冗余分析证明林分密度和枝下高对赤枯病发生的贡献最大。【结论】松赤枯病在昆嵛山区域发生较普遍但不严重,其发病率和病情指数在不同林分因子分组中均有差异,且均受各林分因子极显著影响。RDA分析证明,林分密度和枝下高对松赤枯病影响最显著,建议对昆嵛山区域赤松纯林赤枯病的防治工作要以重要因子为主要调控对象,进行合理修剪和间伐。     

An empirical model of crown shyness for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia [Engl.] Critch.) in British Columbia

Crown shyness or canopy disengagement, the phenomenon wherein gaps around trees develop from swaying, whipping and shading, has been identified in the literature since the 1920s. Recent results by researchers at the University of Alberta have clearly described many of the processes involved for lodgepole pine [e.g. Rudnicki, M., Silins, U., Lieffers, V.J., Josi, G., 2001. Measure of simultaneous tree sways and estimation of crown interactions among a group of trees. Trees 15, 83–90; Rudnicki, M., Lieffers, V.J., Silins, U., 2003. Stand structure governs the crown collisions of lodgepole pine, Canadian Journal of Forestry Research 33, 1238–1244; Rudnicki, M., Silins, U., Lieffers, V.J., 2004. Crown cover is correlated with relative density, tree slenderness, and tree height in lodgepole pine. Forest Science 50, 356–363; Fish, H., Lieffers, V.J., Silins, U., Hall, R.J., 2006. Crown shyness in lodgepole pine stands of varying stand height, density, and site index in the upper foothills of Alberta. Canadian Journal of Forestry Research 9, 2104–2111]. However, explicit models of crown shyness are sparse in the literature. This paper describes the development of empirical models of crown shyness in lodgepole pine for British Columbia (BC). We measured crown area and neighbour locations on 60 trees growing in 13 stands in central BC. We estimated potential crown area (A_V) using stem maps and Voronoi polygons constrained by estimates of maximum crown width, and then related observed crown area (A_C) to A_V and additional individual tree variables. One of the nine prediction equations was coded into a spatially explicit tree growth model modified to evaluate the effects of crown shyness at the stand level. Crown shyness models validated well against two independent sources and when linked with a light model tRAYci [Brunner, A., 1998. A light model for spatially explicit forest stand models. Forest Ecology and Management 107, 19–46], increased the below-canopy light by 0.07–0.11.     

Canopy fuel characteristics in relation to crown fire potential in pine stands: analysis, modelling and classification

Crown fire occurrence and subsequent crown fire behaviour are strongly dependent on canopy fuel characteristics, especially canopy fuel load (CFL), canopy bulk density (CBD) and canopy base height (CBH). Therefore, quantification of such variables is required for the appropriate selection of silvicultural treatments aimed at reducing susceptibility to crown fire. Data from the IV Spanish National Forest Inventory and individual tree biomass dry weight equations were used to estimate the canopy fuel characteristics of four representative types of pine stands in north-western Spain. Probability of crown fire initiation and crown fire rate of spread were simulated by using the mean surface fuel load observed for each type of pine in this area and assuming different burning conditions. The results indicate that a 22.13 % of the sample plots analysed showed a rather high potential for active crown fire spread under moderate burning conditions, and this value increases to 69.27 % under extreme burning conditions. Equations relating the canopy fuel characteristics to common stand variables (stand density, basal area and dominant height) were fitted simultaneously for each pine, and weighting factors for heteroscedasticity were included. The models explained more than 93.90, 74.70 and 69.42 % of the observed variability in CFL, CBD and CBH, respectively. Basal area was the most important variable for estimating CFL and CBD while dominant height explained most of the observed variability in CBH. The use of the fitted equations together with existing dynamic growth models and fire management decision support systems will enable assessment of the crown fire potential associated with different silvicultural alternatives used in these types of pine stands.     

Some nutrient dynamics associated with litterfall and litter decomposition in hoop pine plantations of southeast Queensland, Australia

Litterfall was collected over a 12-month period with littertraps in hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) plantations aged 10, 14 and 62 years in southeast Queensland, Australia. The bulk of litterfall occurred during spring, mainly as hoop pine foliage with the annual litterfall ranging between 6.0 and 10.9 t ha⁻¹, respectively, for the younger stands (10 and 14 years) and the mature 62-year old stand. The amount of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) recycled annually through litterfall was lower in the younger stands (28–37 kg N ha⁻¹ and 4.4–5.3 kg P ha⁻¹) compared with that of the mature stand (85 N ha⁻¹ and 6.2 kg P ha⁻¹). The N and P retranslocated during senescence varied across the three stands studied with a trend for N and P retranslocation to increase as availability of soil mineral-N decreased.

Decomposition of the hoop pine foliage component of litter was also studied in the same stands using a litterbag technique and mass-balance analysis. The estimated half-life of hoop pine foliage mass ranged between 1.5 and 1.8 years. Litter-mass loss was strongly correlated with litter substrate quality indicators of N, C, P, C/N ratio, lignin, lignin/N ratio and polyphenols. During the course of the study, there was no difference in litter-mass loss between the stands of different ages. During the 15-month period, the order of element release from the hoop pine litter was K>Na>C>Mg>P, with N, Ca and Mn generally demonstrating varying degrees of net accumulation. During the course of the study, the lignin/C ratio of the hoop pine litter increased from 0.61 to 0.96. This suggested that the litter-C was predominantly in a recalcitrant form and, therefore, the associated N was unlikely to be rapidly released in the hoop pine litter layer.     

Prescribed fire effects on bark beetle activity and tree mortality in southwestern ponderosa pine forests

Prescribed fire is an important tool in the management of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) forests, yet effects on bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) activity and tree mortality are poorly understood in the southwestern U.S. We compared bark beetle attacks and tree mortality between paired prescribed-burned and unburned stands at each of four sites in Arizona and New Mexico for three growing seasons after burning (2004–2006). Prescribed burns increased bark beetle attacks on ponderosa pine over the first three post-fire years from 1.5 to 13% of all trees, increased successful, lethal attacks on ponderosa pine from 0.4 to 7.6%, increased mortality of ponderosa pine from all causes from 0.6 to 8.4%, and increased mortality of all tree species with diameter at breast height >13 cm from 0.6 to 9.6%. On a per year basis, prescribed burns increased ponderosa pine mortality from 0.2% per year in unburned stands to 2.8% per year in burned stands. Mortality of ponderosa pine 3 years after burning was best described by a logistic regression model with total crown damage (crown scorch + crown consumption) and bark beetle attack rating (no, partial, or mass attack by bark beetles) as independent variables. Attacks by Dendroctonus spp. did not differ significantly over bole heights, whereas attacks by Ips spp. were greater on the upper bole compared with the lower bole. Three previously published logistic regression models of tree mortality, developed from fires in 1995–1996 in northern Arizona, were moderately successful in predicting broad patterns of tree mortality in our data. The influence of bark beetle attack rating on tree mortality was stronger for our data than for data from the 1995–1996 fires. Our results highlight canopy damage from fire as a strong and consistent predictor of post-fire mortality of ponderosa pine, and bark beetle attacks and bole char rating as less consistent predictors because of temporal variability in their relationship to mortality. The small increase in tree mortality and bark beetle attacks caused by prescribed burning should be acceptable to many forest managers and the public given the resulting reduction in surface fuel and risk of severe wildfire.     

Laser ablation-combustion-GC-IRMS--a new method for online analysis of intra-annual variation of delta13C in tree rings

We present a new, rapid method for high-resolution online determination of delta13C in tree rings, combining laser ablation (LA), combustion (C), gas chromatography (GC) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) (LA-C-GC-IRMS). Sample material was extracted every 6 min with a UV-laser from a tree core, leaving 40-microm-wide holes. Ablated wood dust was combusted to CO2 at 700 degrees C, separated from other gases on a GC column and injected into an isotope ratio mass spectrometer after removal of water vapor. The measurements were calibrated against an internal and an external standard. The tree core remained intact and could be used for subsequent dendrochronological and dendrochemical analyses. Cores from two Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris spp. sibirica Lebed.) from central Siberia were sampled. Inter- and intra-annual patterns of delta13C in whole-wood and lignin-extracted cores were indistinguishable apart from a constant offset, suggesting that lignin extraction is unnecessary for our method. Comparison with the conventional method (microtome slicing, elemental analysis and IRMS) indicated high accuracy of the LA-C-GC-IRMS measurements. Patterns of delta13C along three parallel ablation lines on the same core showed high congruence. A conservative estimate of the precision was +/- 0.24 per thousand. Isotopic patterns of the two Scots pine trees were broadly similar, indicating a signal related to the forest stand's climate history. The maximum variation in delta13C over 22 years was about 5 per thousand, ranging from -27 to -22.3 per thousand. The most obvious pattern was a sharp decline in delta13C during latewood formation and a rapid increase with spring early growth. We conclude that the LA-C-GC-IRMS method will be useful in elucidating short-term climate effects on the delta13C signal in tree rings.     

Measuring heights to crown base and crown median with LiDAR in a mature,even-aged loblolly pine stand

This study evaluated the possibility of measuring the height to the base of the live crown and the height to the median of canopy elements with airborne scanning LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) in a simple, even-aged stand of loblolly pine. The first step in determining these heights was fitting truncated Weibull functions to the vertical distribution of elevations where discrete laser pulses were reflected from the dominant canopy strata. The height to the canopy median was defined as height at the median of the distribution. The height to the base of the live crown was defined as the height where the upper tail the distribution asymptotes to zero returns. Ground-based and LiDAR-based estimates of the canopy median differed by 0.3 m and were not significantly different (P = 0.23). Ground- and LiDAR-based estimates of the base of the live crown differed by 0.6 m and were significantly different (P = 0.03). LiDAR-based estimates of the canopy median exhibited positive bias over most of the range of field-measured values. Analyses of the LiDAR data resulted in overestimating the height to the canopy base over most of the range in field-measured values; however, the difference between ground and LiDAR-based estimates were negatively correlated with ground-based measurements. Average tree diameter was calculated with LiDAR-generated heights to the canopy median and to the base of the live crown. The overall average diameter was not statistically different from the overall quadratic mean diameter measured on the ground, demonstrating the possible utility of these canopy variables to forest managers working with simple stands such as plantations.     

Coordination of crown structure, leaf plasticity and carbon gain within the crowns of three winter-deciduous mature trees

We examined the vertical profiles of leaf characteristics within the crowns of two late-successional (Fagus crenata Blume and Fagus japonica Maxim.) and one early-successional tree species (Betula grossa Sieb. et Zucc.) in a Japanese forest. We also assessed the contributions of the leaves in each crown layer to whole-crown instantaneous carbon gain at midday. Carbon gain was estimated from the relationship between electron transport and photosynthetic rates. We hypothesized that more irradiance can penetrate into the middle of the crown if the upper crown layers have steep leaf inclination angles. We found that such a crown has a high whole-crown carbon gain, even if leaf traits do not change greatly with decreasing crown height. Leaf area indices (LAIs) of the two Fagus trees (5.26-5.52) were higher than the LAI of the B. grossa tree (4.50) and the leaves of the F. crenata tree were more concentrated in the top crown layers than were leaves of the other trees. Whole-crown carbon gain per unit ground area (micromol m(-2) ground s(-1)) at midday on fine days in summer was 16.3 for F. crenata, 11.0 for F. japonica, and 20.4 for B. grossa. In all study trees, leaf dry mass (LMA) and leaf nitrogen content (N) per unit area decreased with decreasing height in the crown, but leaf N per unit mass increased. Variations (plasticity) between the uppermost and lowermost crown layers in LMA, leaf N, the ratio of chlorophyll to N and the ratio of chlorophyll a to b were smaller for F. japonica and B. grossa than for F. crenata. The light extinction coefficients in the crowns were lower for the F. japonica and B. grossa trees than for the F. crenata tree. The leaf carbon isotope ratio (delta(13)C) was higher for F. japonica and B. grossa than for F. crenata, especially in the mid-crown. These results suggest that, in crowns with low leaf plasticity but steep leaf inclination angles, such as those of F. japonica and B. grossa trees, irradiance can penetrate into the middle of the crowns, thereby enhancing whole-crown carbon gain.     

Canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests

Canopy fuel characteristics that influence the initiation and spread of crown fires were measured in representative Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) stands in Greece. Vertical distribution profiles of canopy fuel load, canopy base height and canopy bulk density are presented. Aleppo pine canopy fuels are characterized by low canopy base height (3.0–6.5 m), while available canopy fuel load (0.96–1.80 kg/m²) and canopy bulk density (0.09–0.22 kg/m³) values are similar to other conifers worldwide. Crown fire behavior (probability of crown fire initiation, crown fire type, rate of spread, fireline intensity and flame length) in Aleppo pine stands with various understory fuel types was simulated with the most updated crown fire models. The probability of crown fire initiation was high even under moderate burning conditions, mainly due to the low canopy base height and the heavy surface fuel load. Passive crown fires resulted mostly in uneven aged stands, while even aged stands gave high intensity active crown fires. Assessment of canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior can be useful in fuel management and fire suppression planning.     

A comparative study of the use of laser scanner data and field measurements in the prediction of crown height in boreal forests

Abstract

This study compares the results of the prediction of crown height characteristics using airborne laser scanner (ALS) data and intensive field measurements in boreal forests. The data consisted of 31 sample plots located in Kalkkinen, southern Finland. Crown height models were constructed at both the tree and plot level. Scots pine, Norway spruce and birches were used. The models included independent variables of tree levels, such as tree height, crown area and independent plot-level variables, i.e. canopy height and density quantiles and proportion of vegetation hits. Field measurement-based models used tree height and diameter at breast height as the independent tree-level variables, whereas basal area, mean diameter and height were used as the plot-level variables. The results indicated that the ALS-based crown height models were more accurate than the field measurement-based models when plot-level information was used as independent variables. However, the field measurement-based tree-level models for Scots pine and Norway spruce were more accurate than the ALS-based models. Even so, the accuracy of the different models was very similar and the study data set was quite small. The results of this study can be used for different tree growth studies and for the assessment of tree stock quality in boreal forests.     

无性系和株行距对杨树人工林生长和树冠结构的影响

【目的】探索无性系、株行距及两者交互作用对杨树人工林的林木生长和树冠结构的影响。【方法】采用双因素随机试验设计,通过调查36块13年生杨树样地胸径、树高、活枝下高和冠幅等指标,以综合指数法构建3个林分综合指数(生长指数、冠形指数、干冠协调指数)。【结果】南林95杨和南林895杨的胸径、树高和生长指数显著高于南林797杨(P <0.05)。南林797杨的冠幅、树冠体积和树冠圆满度显著高于南林895杨,与南林95杨差异不显著(P> 0.05)。株行距为6 m×6 m和4.5 m×8 m的林分胸径、冠形指数和生长指数均显著高于5 m×5 m和3 m×8 m林分,不同密度林分对树高影响不显著(P> 0.05)。在相同密度条件下,正方形和长方形配置对东西和南北冠幅有显著影响,较大株行距促进树冠生长,但对胸径、树高和平均冠幅等影响不显著(P> 0.05)。无性系和株行距对冠长、活冠比、树冠表面积和干冠协调指数影响均不显著,且无性系和株行距对林木生长和树冠结构均无显著交互作用(P> 0.05)。【结论】杨树无性系对林木胸径、树高和树冠结构的影响大于株行距。综合考虑林木生长和树冠结构等两个方面,在类似的立地条件上,相比于其它无性系和配置方式,以南林95杨在种植株行距为6 m×6 m(278株/hm^2)时具有培育大胸径林木的潜力,适于培育速生、优质大径材。     

坡位对15年生杉木人工纯林生长的影响

通过对15 a生杉木人工纯林在不同坡位上的生长表现进行研究,结果表明:坡位对15 a生杉木人工纯林树高生长、胸径生长、冠幅生长均有显著影响;人工林林分的平均胸径、平均树高、平均冠幅等生长指标一致表现为下坡位>中坡位>上坡位。坡位间平均胸径生长和平均树高生长均表现为:上坡位与中坡位无显著差异,上坡位与下坡位差异极显著(p<0.01),中坡位与下坡位差异极显著(p<0.01);坡位间冠幅生长差异均为极显著(p<0.01)。     

Soil properties under Acacia nilotica trees in a traditional agroforestry system in central India

Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del is an important multipurpose tree of traditional agroforestry system in the central belt of the Indian sub-continent. The tree is reported to reduce crop yields under its canopy. However, information is lacking on the spatial variation in soil physical characters, nutrient pool sizes and their availability to crops under its canopy. The present study reports influence of three tree canopy positions, viz. mid canopy, canopy edge and canopy gap, of Acacia nilotica (≥ 12 years) on texture, organic C, total and mineral N and P, and soil pH, in 0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm depth of the soil at ten sites in a traditional agroforestry system. Sand particles declined by 10% and 9% whereas clay particles increased by 14% and 10% under mid canopy and canopy edge, respectively, compared to that under canopy gap. Clay particles did not decline significantly with soil depth under all canopy positions. Proportion of silt particles was not influenced by the canopy position. Soil organic C, total N, total P, mineral N (NO₃ ⁻-N and NH₄ ⁺-N) and P were greater under mid canopy and canopy edge positions compared to canopy gap. Soil organic C and N pool sizes were maximum in 0 to 10 cm and declined with the depth of soil. Total and mineral P contents were nearly uniform across the depths. C/N ratio tended to increase with the soil depth whereas C/P ratio declined. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Patterns in aboveground carbon allocation and tree architecture that favor stem growth in young Scots pine from high latitudes

The production and allocation of aboveground biomass and the characteristics of tree architecture were examined in eight-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Considerable among-tree variation existed in tree architecture, total aboveground dry mass production, and dry mass partitioning among tree parts. A linear relationship existed between needle and branch mass. Stem mass was directly proportional to tree height, which in turn was directly proportional to the allocation ratio between stem mass and total needle + branch mass production. The architectural characteristics that were related to a high proportional allocation to stem and high stemwood production were a large mean shoot volume, large mean number of branches per whorl, long needle retention and a high crown length/crown width ratio. Individual trees were found that combined high stemwood production with both high harvest index and high stemwood specific gravity.     

Sources of within- and between-stand variability in specific leaf area of three ecologically distinct conifer species

Specific leaf area (SLA) is an important ecophysiological variable, but its variability within and between stands has rarely been simultaneously examined and modeled across multiple species. Extensive datasets on SLA in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), hybrid spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry × Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. & C. Laws.) were used to estimate variability of SLA within a canopy and its relationship to tree- and stand-level covariates, and to predict SLA at various locations in tree crowns. Also, in the case of hybrid spruce, variation in SLA due to different relative horizontal lengths from the bole was examined. In all species, SLA systematically increased from tree tip to crown base and decreased with foliage age class. Cardinal direction did not have a highly significant influence in either Douglas-fir or hybrid spruce, but SLA did significantly decrease from branch tip to bole in hybrid spruce. Tree- and stand-level (e.g. density, site index) factors had relatively little influence on SLA, but stand age did have a significant positive influence. For ponderosa pine, a significant relationship between canopy mean current-year SLA and carbon isotope discrimination was also found, suggesting the importance of water stress in this species. An equation was fitted to estimate SLA at various points in the canopy for each species and foliage age class using absolute height in the canopy, relative vertical height in the tree, and stand age.