The effects of species mixture on the growth and yield of mid-rotation mixed stands of Scots pine and silver birch

The effect of tree species mixture on stand volume yield and on tree-species-specific diameter and height growth rates were analysed in managed mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Ehrn.).Data were obtained from 14 repeatedly measured stands located in Southern Finland on mineral soil sites with varying admixture of Scots pine and silver birch. Statistical analysis was carried out for studying the effect of species mixture on the development of stand characteristics. For the analysis, the plots were categorised into three groups (plot types) according to the species dominance. In order to analyse species-specific growth rates, individual-tree mixed linear growth models for tree diameter and height growth were developed for both tree species.The results clearly show that the yield of the managed mid-rotation, mixed stands was greater for stands dominated by Scots pine than for stands dominated by birch, and the stand volume increment decreased with an increasing proportion of silver birch. Analysis of diameter and height growth by tree species revealed that the main reason for this pattern is the negative impact of birch competition on the growth of pine trees. The increase in diameter of pine was clearly hampered if the proportion of birch was high. An abundance of birch also slightly decreased the growth in height of Scots pine, although the effect was less than on diameter growth. Species mixture did not affect the diameter growth of birch but did have a significant effect on height development. Height growth of birch was considerably greater in pine-dominated stands than in birch-dominated stands. In pine-dominated mixed stands, the height growth of birch was quite close to that of dominant pine trees, and birches can endure in competition with pines for light.The results apply for even-aged and single-storey managed stands, where stocking density and structure are controlled with pre-commercial and commercial thinnings. The results are not applicable to unmanaged mixed stands undergoing self-thinning. This study provides new information on mixed stands from a silvicultural perspective, which can be applied in decisions involving the management of mixed stands.     

Growth of Mixed Birch-Coniferous Stands in Relation to Pure Coniferous Stands at Similar Sites in South-eastern Norway

Mean age, mean and top heights and yield were studied in 20 mixed stands of birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pendula Roth) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. and nine mixed stands of birch and Pinus sylvestris L. in south-eastern Norway. Each mixed stand and the adjacent pure coniferous stand (control) were growing under the same site conditions and had not been commercially thinned. There were no significant differences in mean age at breast height or in top heights between birch and conifers in the mixed stands, while mean height was significantly higher for birch than for spruce. A growth index was calculated based on total volume and age at breast height. For the spruce sites the growth in young mixed stands (birch < 17 m) was superior to that of pure spruce, while the difference was insignificant in older stands. The growth index correlated positively with the ratio between generatively and vegetatively regenerated birch trees, and negatively with the age of the oldest species in the mixture and with site quality. For the pine sites there was no significant difference in the growth index between mixed birch-pine and pure pine stands. A mixture effect of birch on the volume yield of spruce or pine could not be demonstrated.     

Effects of wide spacing and thinning strategies on wood quality in Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands in southern Sweden

Abstract

The initial density of a stand influences both the prethinning growth and the quality of the harvested trees. This study investigated the effects of different square spacings (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 m) with thinning from above and thinning from below on stand development and tree characteristics in a 33-year-old Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantation in southern Sweden. Before thinning the total standing volume was not significantly different between treatments. Diameter at breast height (dbh) and diameter of the thickest branch were positively correlated. Before thinning, dbh of the trees and their thickest branches were significantly higher in the stands with 3.0 m spacing. After thinning, the dbh and the diameter of the thickest branch did not significantly differ between the 3.0 m spacing with thinning from above and 2.0 and 2.5 m spacing with thinning from below. Spacing did not significantly influence the presence or size of spike knots. The results suggest that a combination of wide spacing with thinning from above may yield timber of similar quality to denser spacing with thinning from below.     

Carbon Isotope Discrimination, Gas Exchange and Stem Growth of Four Euramerican Hybrid Poplars under Different Watering Regimes

Seasonal changes in carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and gas exchange traits were assessed in four Populus×euramericana clones differing in growth potential. Measurements were made during the second year after establishment in the field under two watering regimes, which were defined by the time-span between flood irrigations, hence resulting in different dry-down cycles: high irrigation (conservative schedule currently applied in the Ebro Valley, Spain) and low irrigation (equivalent to about a one-fourth reduction in water inputs). Net CO₂ assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), intrinsic water-use efficiency (A/g_s) and other related photosynthetic traits (leaf nitrogen concentration, leaf greenness and leaf mass per area) were measured prior to watering, and Δ was analysed in water-soluble leaf extracts (Δ_s) and bulk leaves (Δ_l). Stem growth was monitored over 3 years starting at the year of establishment (1998). Data were subjected to a repeated measures ANOVA over time for a randomised block split-plot design across watering regimes. Significant differences between watering regimes were detected using a long-term estimate of photosynthetic performance such as Δ_l, in agreement with changes in soil water status and evapotranspirative demand. However, the lack of significant genotype×watering regime interactions for gas exchange traits and Δ_s suggested that water shortage imposed by low irrigation was not sufficient to reveal physiological adaptations to drought. In this regard, the reduction in water inputs brought about by low irrigation did not reduce tree growth for any of the clones, suggesting that the current irrigation scheme employed in the region is superfluous to the water consumption needs of poplars. Genotypic variation was detected in gas exchange traits, Δ_s, Δ_l and stem growth under both watering treatments. Significant correlations with stem volume for Δ_s (r = −0.60, p<0.05) and A (r = + 0.61, p<0.05) suggested that growth was improved by higher water-use efficiency (the ratio of carbon fixed to water lost, as inferred by Δ_s) due to variation in A rather than in g_s. This observation corroborated the expectation derived from current theories that a lower Δ is related to higher stem volume, as a result of changes in net CO₂ assimilation rates.     

Structure of mixed Picea abies (L) Karst,and Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh. stands in South and middle Sweden

Observed diameter distributions of forest stands are adapted to the Johnson S _b probability function. The stands investigated are untreated mixed stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) aged between 20 and 32 years. The adaptation of the Johnson S_b probability function is made both on mixed spruce and birch, and on each species separately. Altogether 156 observations were tested with observed distributions against calculated distributions in the Kolmo‐gorov‐Smirnov test. The fractiles are predicted with multiple regression and two multivari‐ate techniques, simultaneous‐equation models (multivariate regression) and partial least squares with latent variables. The independent variables are characteristics of site and stand. Both multivariate methods predict diameter distribution well when tested.     

Models for Assessing Timber Grade Distribution and Economic Value of Standing Birch Trees

In order to obtain a more precise prediction of the distribution of each timber grade or log grade with regard to the volume of birch (Betula pendula Roth., B. pubescens Ehrh.) in models for long-term planning, ordered probit models were developed. These models were developed by using data from three mixed birch and Norway spruce stands in Norway. The data consisted of 168 stems. In Norway, three ordinary birch saw log grades are commonly used, with pulpwood as a fourth grade. In this study, these four grades were applied in addition to waste timber, which was treated as a fifth grade. The developed models showed that the grade distribution of birch trees of mixed birch and spruce stands was highly correlated with tree height (p<0.01) and height to first visible dry branch (p=0.081). The statistical significance of both models was good (p<0.0001), as measured by log likelihood test statistics. Classifying the 168 stems by saw timber or pulpwood in butt log led to greatly improved estimates (p<0.01). The developed models would allow the incorporation of timber grade in stand simulators, enabling more precise predictions regarding the economic implications of alternative management strategies for birch trees.     

Effects of thinning on growth of six tree species in north-temperate forests of Lithuania

This paper summarises the results from 35 years-observed thinning experiments on 256 permanent sample plots in 10–60 year-old stands of ash, aspen, birch, oak, pine and spruce in Lithuania. Thinning enhanced crown projection area increment of residual trees. The largest effect was observed in stands of aspen and birch (growth increase by 200%), followed by ash and oak (over 100%), and spruce and pine (about 80%). Thinning also promoted dbh increment, especially in younger stands, and the increase of dbh increment was positively correlated with the thinning intensity. The strongest reaction was exhibited by oak and aspen, while ash, birch and conifers reacted to a lower extent. Low and moderate intensities of thinning stimulated volume production in younger stands while the opposite was observed in older stands with increasing removals. Spruce stands exhibited relatively strongest increase of volume increment and pine, –the weakest, while the effect on deciduous species was intermediate. The results demonstrate that significant increase in volume increment is achievable with thinning of only young forest stands, e.g. 10–20 year-old pine, birch and ash, or 10–30 year-old oak, aspen and spruce.     

Pre-commercial thinning,birch admixture and sprout management in planted Norway spruce stands in South Sweden

Early management of the regenerated seedlings shapes the future stand properties. To address these issues, pre-commercial thinning (PCT) and control treatments were applied to planted Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) and naturally regenerated birch (Betula pendula Roth., Betula pubescens Ehrh.) stands in forest experiments in southern Sweden (lat. 56–57?N) containing 1.1–5.5?m tall saplings. The treatments were retention of 1000 or 2000?stems?ha^?1 of Norway spruce, with no birch or birch at 1000?stems?ha^?1. Treatments were replicated with and without annual removal of birch sprouts from stumps. The periodic annual increment (PAI) over five years was calculated for total stand volume and individual trees. The mean PAI of dominant trees was significantly higher both following all PCT treatments than controls, and following low rather than high-density PCT. Birch retention did not affect growth of the dominant trees but PAI was lower in plots with uncontrolled sprouting. The PAI of birch was significantly higher in low-density Norway spruce plots than in control plots and the high-density plots. The treatment response was significant even in stands with initial heights of only 1–2?m.     

Genetic parameter estimates for growth and form traits in common ash (Fraxinus excelsior, L.) in a breeding seedling orchard at Little Wittenham in England

Data from a trial of 36 families at Little Wittenham, North Oxford was used to assess growth traits and stem form in common ash (Fraxinus excelsior, L.). The trial followed a design described by Barnes (Silv Genet 44(2–3):81–88, 1995) as the Breeding Seedling Orchard (BSO). The objectives of the study were to determine variation in growth and form traits and estimate genetic parameters of families. Assessments conducted at 3–8 years for height, diameter at breast height (dbh), straightness and forking showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among families with Guys (19), Settrington (34), Overbury (23) and Grimthorpe (36) being the best performers while Coleford (3 and 5) Gwynedd (27) and Bacheiddon (32) were the least performers. At the overall level, the additive genetic coefficient of variation (CV_A) ranged between 10.2 and 12.7% for height and 1.5 and 2.1% for dbh. Height had a high genetic correlation (r_g = 0.85) with dbh whilst forking had low correlation (r_g = 0.25) with height. Estimates of heritability decreased with age from  = 0.62 at 3 years to  = 0.30 at 8 years for height while values for dbh decreased from  = 0.48 at 4 years to  = 0.27 at 8 years. Some genetic gains are possible despite the low genetic variation among families; height had the greatest potential of genetic gain (12.5% at 8 years). Results suggest that early selection of superior families of Fraxinus excelsior appears to be feasible and it could be possible to achieve simultaneous improvement in both growth and form.     

Influence of Shelterwood Density on Survival and Height Increment of Picea abies Advance Growth

Abstract

The increases in the arithmetic mean diameter at breast height (dbh) of the 100, 200, 300 and 400 largest stems ha^?1 by dbh associated with six different thinning regimens for periods up to 35 years were compared, by analyses of variance, to the corresponding stem fractions in unthinned stands using permanent sample plot data. In addition, the expected mean dbh of these stand fractions at future points in time was modelled, based on site and stand data obtained at the time of the first thinning. Thirty-five years after the first thinning, the thinning from below regimens resulted in actual increases (a measure affected by both the thinning intensity and the thinning method), compared with the unthinned stands, in the mean dbh for the 100, 200, 300 and 400 largest stems ha^?1 of 2.6–9.0 cm. The corresponding genuine increases (a measure principally affected solely by the thinning intensity) were 4–11 cm. The functions predicting the future dbh of these stand fractions yielded good fits.     

闽中山地湿地松不同立地条件和不同密度的经营效果研究

通过对21、22年生的闽中湿地松人工林不同造林密度和不同立地条件的生长效果研究,结果表明:坡位、表土层厚度对优势木树高有显著影响,但对林分平均树高无显著影响;坡向(阴、阳坡)对平均胸径存在显著差异,且阳坡明显优于阴坡。不同经营密度的林分平均胸径、单株材积差异显著,且随密度增大而减少;冠幅随密度增大而减少;在合理密度范围内,单株胸径、材积随密度增大而减少,但蓄积量却随密度增加而增大。     

Integrating the risk of wind damage into forest planning

Wind is the major abiotic risk factor in Finnish forests. Therefore, tools that help managers to assess the risk of wind damage are required. This study developed simple regression models for predicting the critical wind speed needed to uproot Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch trees at the stand edges in Finnish conditions, using the characteristics of the retained forest both downwind and upwind stands as predictors. Using information on the prevailing wind conditions in the region, the critical wind speeds were converted into probabilities of wind damage, from which a mean risk index was calculated. The mean risk index was used as an objective variable in heuristic optimisation. The results of minimizing the mean risk index were compared to other objective variables such as minimal height differences between adjacent stands. The residuals of the regression models of critical wind speeds were small, especially in Scots pine and birch. Increasing tree height of the downwind stand or area of the upwind stand (gap size) decreased the critical wind speed regardless of tree species, whereas increases in the dbh/height ratio of the downwind stand increased the critical wind speed. The shelter effect of upwind stand height was stronger in Norway spruce than in other tree species, whereas the effect of tree height of the downwind stand was larger in Scots pine and birch. Minimization of the mean risk of wind damage within forest landscapes led to smooth and non-fragmented landscape structures in terms of tree height. Incorporating even-flow constraints into the planning model led to a slight increase in the mean risk of wind damage. Of the surrogate methods for risk assessment minimization of height differences between adjacent stands performed well but not equally well as minimization of the mean risk index.     

Soil organic matter in European forest floors in relation to stand characteristics and environmental factors

Published data on the quantities of organic matter in the forest floor (SOM_fl) of European forest stands were collated. Studies of SOM_fl were included if the total sampled surface was at least 0.15 m², the surface of a single sample was at least 100 cm², live material was sorted out, and ash or carbon content was determined. Data from 59 forest stands were compared with regard to stand characteristics and environment. Using a single variable, tree genus was most important for the amount of SOM_fl (R ² _adj = 0.34). The amounts in spruce stands (41 × 10³ kg ha^?1) were significantly higher than those in larch, Douglas fir, oak and birch stands (4–11 × 10³ kg ha^?1). The best significant multiple model was genus combined with stand age and basal area (R ² _adj. = 0.72). The importance of litter quantity and quality for differentiating the tree genera is discussed.     

丝栗栲林生长与生产力的研究

在福建省邵武市洪墩采育场，调查丝栗栲林标地１０块，做平均木、树干解析木９株，杉木人工林标地２块，研究丝栗栲的生长与生产力，结果表明：丝栗栲林的胸径、树高及单株材积总生长量，均随年龄的增加而增加；胸径２０ａ前生长最快；树高１６ａ前生长最快；材积３６ａ时尚未有下降的趋势。胸径、树高平均生长量，随年龄增加而增加，当生长量达高峰后，则随年龄的增加而下降；胸径生长高峰，好立地１２ａ，中、劣立地１５ａ；树高生长高峰，好立地１０ａ，中立地８ａ，劣立地１２ａ；材积平均生长量，随年龄增加而增加，好、劣立地３６ａ时仍未下降，中立地３４ａ时生长量最大。胸径、树高连年生长量随年龄增加而下降；材积连年生长量，随年龄增加而增加，当生长量达高峰后，则随年龄增加而下降，生长高峰出现的年龄，好立地２８ａ，中立地２２ａ，劣立地２６ａ。在相似的立地条件下，丝栗栲林的蓄积量比杉木人工林低，但乔木层总生物量比杉木林高。     

九龙江流域杉木大径材生长特性的研究

采用不同的数学模型对九龙江流域不同经营密度 (稀组、密组 )杉木林的生长特性进行分析研究 ,结果表明 :稀组的林分树高、胸径及材积生长量均高于密组 ,可提前达到大径材培育目标 ;密组尚未达到大径材培育目标 ,必须适当延长主伐年龄。最终保留林分株数应定为 1 1 0 0株·hm-2 。     

Comparison of diameter-distribution-prediction,stand-table-projection,and individual-tree-growth modeling approaches for young red alder plantations

A red alder planting spacing study was used to compare three modeling approaches that have been successfully used for other tree species. These three approaches predict stand structure and dynamics in plantations that are 7 to 16 years old, with planting densities of 976 to 13 899 trees/ha. The diameter-distribution-prediction approach tended to over-predict the diameter at breast height (dbh) for larger trees in stands planted at low density and to under-predict dbh for smaller trees in stands planted at high density. This approach may be useful for comparing planting densities when a tree list is not available. The stand-table-projection approach tended to under-predict dbh for smaller trees in young stands planted at low density and to over-predict dbh for smaller trees in young stands planted at high density. This approach, however, provided consistency between stand- and tree-level growth projections, and should be useful for comparing planting densities when a tree list is available. The individual-tree-growth approach provided the best representations of observed diameter distributions at all planting densities, stand ages, and growth intervals. This approach may be best suited for stands that have been thinned, stands with mixtures of species, and stands with heterogeneous size classes.     

Estimating Pinus palustris tree diameter and stem volume from tree height,crown area and stand-level parameters

Accurate and efficient estimation of forest growth and live biomass is a critical element in assessing potential responses to forest management and environmental change. The objective of this study was to develop models to predict longleaf pine tree diameter at breast height （dbh） and merchantable stem volume （V） using data obtained from field measurements. We used longleaf pine tree data from 3,376 planted trees on 127 permanent plots located in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain region to fit equations to predict dbh and V as functions of tree height （H） and crown area （CA）. Prediction of dbh as a function of H improved when CA was added as an additional independent variable. Similarly, predic- tions of V based on H improved when CA was included. Incorporation of additional stand variables such as age, site index, dominant height, and stand density were also evaluated but resulted in only small improvements in model performance. For model testing we used data from planted and naturally-regenerated trees located inside and outside the geographic area used for model fitting. Our results suggest that the models are a robust alternative for dbh and V estimations when H and CA are known on planted stands with potential for naturally-regenerated stands, across a wide range of ages. We discuss the importance of these models for use with metrics derived from remote sensing data.     

Influences of stand composition and age on forest floor processes and chemistry in pure and mixed stands of Douglas-fir and paper birch in interior British Columbia

The influence of stand composition and age on forest floor chemical properties, nitrogen availability, and microbial activity was examined in mixed and pure stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Decomposition of Douglas-fir and birch litter over two years as well as annual litter input was also measured. Mixed and pure stands of each species aged 10–25, 50–65 and >85 years old were selected in the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone of southern interior British Columbia. Significantly more total N was mineralized in the forest floor of pure birch compare to that of pure Douglas-fir stands while forest floor of mixed species stands had intermediate N mineralization values. When sampling times were pooled forest floor N mineralization was lowest in the young stands compared to the older stands. Stand composition did not significantly affect litter decomposition were found in litter decomposition, microbial respiration and biomass. Stand age, however, did affect these parameters significantly. More birch litter mass was lost in young stands than in their older counterparts while the opposite trend was observed for fir litter. Generally, lower basal respiration, microbial biomass and C_mic/C_org was found in young compared to older stands. Concentrations and contents of forest floor total N and exchangeable K and Mg, and pH under pure birch were consistently higher compared to pure Douglas-fir. While forest floor total C, available P contents, exchangeable K and Mg concentrations were lowest in young stands, no differences were observed for total N and exchangeable Ca. All litter nutrient concentrations and contents were highest in pure birch stands. No clear trends could be discerned in litter nutrient concentration data among stand ages, although when converted to nutrient contents, there was a general increase with stand age. Both stand type and age had significant effects on forest floor properties and processes suggesting that stand age is another factor to evaluate when assessing the influence of forest composition on forest floor processes and chemistry. In terms of the effect of mixture, the data indicated that the maintenance of paper birch in mixed stands in these forest may have some effect on nutrient availability and status.     

Aboveground biomass equations for individual trees of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix kaempferi</Emphasis> in Japan

Generic equations are proposed for stem, branch and foliage biomass of individual trees in even-aged pure stands of Cryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa and Larix kaempferi. Biomass data was collected from a total of 1,016 individual trees from 247 stands throughout Japan, and five regression models were assessed by root mean square error, mean bias, fit index (FI), and AIC. The results show that a power equation using diameter at breast height (dbh) and height is the most suitable for all species and components. This equation is more accurate than the familiar power equation that uses ‘dbh² height’, and it expresses the greater volume of branch and foliage mass of trees with a lower height/diameter ratio. A power equation using dbh is more reasonable for models with dbh as the only independent variable and more accurate than a power equation using ‘dbh² height’ for estimating branch and foliage mass. Estimating error for branch and foliage mass is larger than that for stem mass, but the entire aboveground biomass can be estimated with an error of less than 19%, except in the case of small trees with dbh less than 10 cm.     

Functions for estimating belowground and whole tree biomass of birch in Norway

Obtaining accurate estimates of national belowground and whole tree biomass is important to better understand the global carbon cycle and to quantify biomass stocks and changes. However, the availability of individual tree belowground biomass functions is generally low due to the difficulty of extracting roots. Allometric birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh. and Betula pendula Roth) biomass functions were derived from 67 trees for belowground and whole tree biomass using diameter at breast height (dbh) and height as the independent variables. The sampled trees spanned a dbh range from 4.0 to 45.5?cm and the functions provided a good fit to the data (RMSE?=?14.2?kg for BG and 40.7?kg for whole tree with dbh as predictor). Belowground, total stem, live crown, and dead branch biomass comprised 29.2%, 52.2%, 18.1%, and 0.5% of the whole tree biomass, respectively. Observed root-to-shoot ratios were between 0.21 and 0.88 with a mean of 0.42. Comparisons with existing belowground birch biomass functions from Fennoscandia indicated considerable differences in estimates between existing functions. The derived data-set for belowground birch biomass is the largest in Fennoscandia and the developed functions are likely the best available for estimating national birch biomass stock and stock change in Norway.