Drought and frost resistance of trees: a comparison of four species at different sites and altitudes

Context   

Drought and frost resistances are key factors for the survival and distribution of tree species.     

Laboratory characterization of firebrands involved in spot fires

• Introduction  

Wildfires are considered the most important disturbance in the Mediterranean Basin, and some are propagated over long distances due to lift-off and ignition of firebrands.     

Shrub island effects on a high-altitude forest cutover in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

• Context  

The roles of woody-plant islands are well documented in low-altitude regions, but research related to such shrub effects in high-altitude regions is scant.     

Clonal variation in heartwood norlignans of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>: evidence for independent control of agatharesinol and sequirin C biosynthesis

• Introduction   

In Cryptomeria japonica, heartwood properties are considered to be affected by specific extractives. It remains unclear whether traits of specific heartwood compounds are under genetic control.     

Influence of early re-spacing on Sitka spruce branch structure

• Context   

The frequency, size, and insertion angle of primary branches are important determinants of wood quality and can be significantly influenced by silvicultural activities.     

Determining the rate of change in a mixed deciduous forest monitored for 50 years

Introduction   

Trees in two compartments of the mixed deciduous forest Draved Forest have been monitored regularly for 50 years.     

Changes in forest structure and composition on Changbai Mountain in Northeast China

Introduction   

Long-term ecological studies are essential for understanding the dynamics of natural systems. However, describing long-term dynamics in old-growth forests is often hindered by a lack of archival data.     

Contribution of forest management artefacts to plant diversity at a forest scale

• Introduction   

Most temperate forests are managed for wood production, and some forestry practices generate typical environmental features such as roads, paths, ditches and tractor ruts, which are likely to affect forest species distribution.     

Ectomycorrhizal communities in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem dominated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis>: seasonal dynamics and response to drought in the surface organic horizon

• Introduction   

Millions of hectares of Quercus ilex forests dominate disturbed landscapes in the western part of the Mediterranean basin. Although these forests are very widespread, little is known about the composition and structure of their associated ectomycorrhizal fungal communities.     

Estimation of tree biomass,carbon pool and net primary production of an old-growth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus kesiya</Emphasis> Royle ex. Gordon forest in north-eastern India

• Background  

The data on carbon pool and biomass distribution pattern of old-growth Pinus kesiya Royle ex. Gordon forests are not available.     

Evaluation and comparison of size–density relationships for pure even-aged stands of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), beech (Fagus silvatica L.), oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.), and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

• Introduction   

Size-density relationships define the maximum number of stems that even-aged stands of a given species can hold in relation to the mean size of trees. They are used to derive stand density measures and are useful tools used to control tree mortality.     

Changes within collembolan communities in windthrown European montane spruce forests 2 years after disturbance by fire

• Context   

In July 2005, a wildfire occurred in windthrown spruce forests in High Tatra Mountains and damaged roughly 229 ha of previously clear-cut area.     

Genetic worth and diversity across 18 years in a Nordmann fir clonal seed orchard

• Context  

Many tree breeding programmes rely entirely on clonal seed orchards as the link between breeding activities and forestry, and are thereby also exposed to yearly fluctuations in the orchard crops.     

Phylogeographic analysis of the fir species in southern China suggests complex origin and genetic admixture

Context   

Fir species are mainly distributed across the high latitudes, preferring cold climates. The phylogeographic origins of those subtropical fir species that occur in low latitudes in southern China remain elusive, as does the nature of any inter-lineage hybridization.     

Climate response of tree-ring width in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix sibirica</Emphasis> growing in the drought-stressed forest-steppe ecotone of northern Mongolia

• Introduction   

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) has its southern distribution limit in Mongolia in an area of rapidly rising temperatures. Direct effects of climate on tree-ring formation due to drought stress or indirect effects via the control of insect herbivore populations are little studied.     

Present and forecasted xeric climatic limits of beech and sessile oak distribution at low altitudes in Central Europe

• Introduction   

Xeric (trailing) forest range limits are particularly vulnerable to impacts of predicted climate change. Regional modelling studies contribute to the identification of potential local climatic threats and may support appropriate management strategies.     

Diameter and death of whorl and interwhorl branches in Atlas cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cedrus atlantica</Emphasis> Manetti): a model accounting for acrotony

• Introduction   

Branch size and branch status (dead or alive) are important characteristics closely related to tree growth and wood quality. The aim of this study was to design models for the diameter and status of branches in Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti).     

Freezing-induced loss of carbon uptake in a subtropical coniferous plantation in southern China

• Context  

In January 2008, a freeze in southern China, unprecedented in 50 years, severely affected local subtropical coniferous plantations.     

Comparison of manure compost and mineral fertilizer for hybrid poplar plantation establishment on boreal heavy clay soils

• Introduction   

Clay soils are typically rich in nutrients but are often compact and hard during summer increasing planting shock by limiting root development. Recycling farm manure in hybrid poplar plantations may offer additional benefits to mineral fertilizer as organic amendment can create better conditions for the early development of roots in addition to nutrient release.     

Growth and frost hardening of European aspen and backcross hybrid aspen as influenced by water and nitrogen

• Introduction  

The interactive effects of water and nitrogen (N) on frost hardiness are not well known in broad-leaved trees. Furthermore, new environmental conditions may favour naturally generated hybrids between native and introduced tree species over native species.