Effects of pre-commercial thinning on growth and reproduction in post-fire regeneration of Pinus halepensis Mill

Context

Excessive recruitment in post-fire regeneration of Pinus halepensis can require pre-commercial thinning. The 1994 Moratalla fire (Spain) and the thinning applied there since 2004 provided good conditions for testing pre-commercial thinning effectiveness.

Aims

To analyse pre-commercial thinning effects on tree size, reproductive potential, stem biomass and annual growth in 15-year-old saplings.

Methods

Twenty nine circular plots (5 m radius) were established based on (1) years since thinning and (2) aspect. Non-thinned plots were included as controls. Sapling variables were measured and pine cones were counted and classified according to maturity. Three saplings per plot were felled, five sample disks were extracted from each and tree rings were analysed with Windendro® software.

Results

Sapling size, annual growth and stem biomass were higher in thinned plots than in control plots 2–4 years after thinning. Annual growth declined five years after thinning. Cone counts were higher 2–5 years after thinning, depending on the cone type. Aspect influenced some variables.

Conclusion

Thinning accelerated stand maturity but positive effects were indiscernible until 2–5 years later. Serotinous cones, which are fundamental to regeneration after fire, increased in number after 5 years. The effects of aspect were inconclusive due to interactions with years since thinning.     

Thinning has a positive effect on growth dynamics and growth–climate relationships in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) trees of different crown classes

? Context

Modification of stand density by thinning may buffer the response of tree growth and vigor to changes in climate by enhancing soil water availability.

? Aims

We tested the impact of thinning intensity on cambial growth of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis L.) under semi-arid, Mediterranean conditions.

? Methods

A multiple thinning experiment was established on an Aleppo pine plantation in Spain. We analysed the stem growth dynamics of two different crown classes under four different thinning intensities (15 %, 30 %, and 45 % removal of the basal area) for 2 years, based on biweekly band dendrometer recordings. Local relative extractable soil water was derived from the use of a water balance model Biljou© (available at https://appgeodb.nancy.inra.fr/biljou/) and used as an explanatory variable.

? Results

Radial growth was mainly controlled by soil water availability during the growing season, and differed by crown class. The growth rates of dominant trees were significantly higher than the growth rates of suppressed trees. Removal of 30 % and 45 % of the initial basal area produced a growth release in both dominant and suppressed trees that did not occur under less intense thinning treatments.

? Conclusions

Soil water availability was the main driver of radial growth during the growing season. Forest management confirmed its value for ameliorating the effects of water limitations on individual tree growth. These results may help managers understand how altering stand density will differentially affect diameter growth responses of Aleppo pine to short-term climatic fluctuations, promoting forests that are resilient to future climatic conditions.     

The role of developmental stage in frost tolerance of Pinus pinea L. seedlings and saplings

Context

Although drought is generally considered the main environmental constraint in Mediterranean environments, the ability to acclimate to and tolerate frost in early developmental stages can be a determinant for seedling survival of many Mediterranean tree species like stone pine (Pinus pinea L.).

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the developmental stage of naturally regenerated stone pine individuals on tolerance to low temperature (LT) from summer to late autumn and in spring, at a highly continental site in central Spain. Specifically, we tested to what extent the differences in tolerance are related to shoot heteroblasty.

Methods

We assessed LT tolerance of needles from individuals at three age classes (class C1: seedlings, class C2: 4- to 8-year-old saplings and class C3: >9-year-old saplings) over nine dates from summer to spring.

Results

LT tolerance displayed severe seasonal trends and differed between age classes. It usually increased with sapling age. Such differences were tightly related to heteroblasty of the shoots. Our results point to a higher LT tolerance associated with larger leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA) values. No impact of late frosts on shoot growth rates was detected during this study.

Conclusions

Developmental changes during early plant growth seem to play a role in frost tolerance of stone pine seedlings, a finding which furthers our understanding of regeneration dynamics in this species in areas with continental influence.     

Using density management diagrams to assess crown fire potential in Pinus pinaster Ait. stands

Context

Density management diagrams (DMDs) are useful for designing, displaying and evaluating alternative density management regimes for a given stand-level management objective. The inclusion of variables related to crown fire potential within DMDs has not previously been considered.

Aims

The aim of this study was to include isolines of variables related to crown fire initiation and spread in DMDs to enable identification of stand structures associated with different types of wildfire.

Methods

Biometric and fuel data from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) stands in NW Spain were used to construct DMDs. Different surface and crown fire behaviour models were used together to estimate crown fire potential.

Results

The crown fire potential varied greatly throughout development of the maritime pine stands. Low stands were more prone to crowning. The type of crown fire was mainly determined by stand density.

Conclusion

The DMDs developed can be used to identify relationships between stand structure and crown fire potential, thus enabling the design of thinning schedules aimed at reducing the likelihood of crowning.     

High negative genetic correlations between growth traits and wood properties suggest incorporating multiple traits selection including economic weights for the future Scots pine breeding programs

Context

The development of multiple trait selection indices for solid (structure) wood production in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) breeding program requires genetic variances and covariances estimated among wood quality traits including stiffness.

Aims

Genetic control and relationships among Scots pine growth, fiber, and wood quality traits were assessed by estimating heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlation using a Scots pine full-sib family trial.

Method

Wood quality traits including clearwood and dynamic acoustic stiffness were measured using SilviScan and Hitman in a 40-year-old progeny trial and by sampling increment cores of 778 trees of 120 families. Genetic parameters were estimated using the mixed model by the ASReml software.

Results

Heritability ranged from 0.147 to 0.306 for growth, earlywood, transition wood and latewood proportion traits and from 0.260 to 0.524 for fiber dimension, wood density, MFA and stiffness traits. The highly unfavorable genetic correlation between diameter and whole core density (?0.479) and clearwood stiffness (?0.506) and dynamic acoustic stiffness (?0.382) was observed in this study.

Conclusion

The unfavorable genetic correlations between growth traits and stiffness indicate that multiple traits selection using optimal economic weights and optimal breeding strategies are recommended for the advanced Scots pine breeding program.     

Multi-coefficient goal programming in thinning schedules to increase carbon sequestration and improve forest structure

Context

Current decision analysis techniques are ineffective for planning thinning operation to improve the forest structure.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to use multi-coefficient goal programming (GP) to plan a thinning schedule that allows more carbon sequestration and diverse forest structure.

Methods

A multi-coefficient GP is applied to plan a thinning schedule for a 2,633-ha plantation forest.

Results

This technique efficiently fine-tunes the thinning schedule to obtain 420,500 tons of carbon sequestration which was a little higher than the result by a multi-segment goal programming (MSGP). Moreover, a fixed-ratio multi-coefficient GP is applied to efficiently generate mosaic of thinned areas with various thinning intensities. Although the captured carbon by a fixed-ratio multi-coefficient GP is lower, the thinned areas can provide various habitats for forest life with multiform contrasting edges.

Conclusion

The use of a multi-coefficient GP allows practicable planning of better thinning alternatives to increase carbon sequestration and forest structure.     

Effects of pruning and stand density on the productionof new epicormic shoots in young stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Context

Avoidance or control of epicormic shoots is among the major silvicultural challenges for the production of high-quality oak timber. In northern Europe, contemporary oak silviculture aims to produce valuable timber on a relatively short rotation, applying early, heavy thinning combined with artificial pruning.

Aims

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of pruning and stand density on the production of new epicormic shoots on young trees of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.).

Methods

The study was based on two field experiments in even-aged stands of pedunculate oak subjected to different thinning practices and early selection of potential future crop trees. From ages 13 to 15 years, stem density was reduced to 300 trees ha^?1, 1,000 ha^?1 or stands remained unthinned. Pruning was conducted on selected trees at ages 22–24 years. At that age, the stem density in unthinned control plots ranged from 2,500 to 3,100 ha^?1. All treatments were replicated twice within each experiment.

Results

Pruning led to an overall increase in the total production of new epicormic shoots. More epicormic shoots were produced in the lower part of the stem (0–3 m in height) than in the upper part (3–6 m). The number of new epicormic shoots increased with increasing stand density.

Conclusion

Early, heavy thinning combined with high pruning at regular intervals may help shorten the rotation length for pedunculate oak without further reduction in wood quality than that which is caused by wider annual growth rings.     

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.

     

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

Context

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

Aims

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

Methods

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

Results

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

Conclusion

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

A new method for the identification of old-growth trees in National Forest Inventories: application to Pinus halepensis Mill. stands in Spain

Context

Old-growth trees play a very important role in the maintenance of biodiversity in forests. However, no clear definition is yet available to help identify them since tree age is usually not recorded in National Forest Inventories.

Aims

To develop and test a new method to identify old-growth trees using a species-specific threshold for tree diameter in National Forest Inventories.

Methods

Different nonlinear mixed models for diameter–age were generated using data from the Spanish Forest Inventory in order to identify the most appropriate one for Aleppo pine in its South-western distribution area. The asymptote of the optimal model indicates the threshold diameter for defining an old-growth tree. Additionally, five site index curves were examined to analyze the influence of site quality on these models.

Results

The Hossfled III mixed model was found to be the most appropriate to fit diameter–age curves for Aleppo pine trees. The overall diameter at breast height threshold for old-growth trees was 40.6 cm, although over a range of sites with increasing site quality, the threshold figure was 36.0, 38.0, 40.4, 43.1, and 46.3 cm, respectively.

Conclusions

This method allows the identification of old-growth trees and therefore of biodiversity hotspots, thus providing decision makers with a useful tool for management purposes.     

Fire severity as a key factor in post-fire regeneration of Pinus pinaster (Ait.) in Central Portugal

Context

Mediterranean pine woodlands are strongly affected by wildfires; however, there are knowledge gaps in the role of fire severity on Pinus pinaster Ait. regeneration.

Objectives

The principal questions were: (a) does post-fire regeneration of Maritime Pine differ where canopies were consumed to a low vs. high degree and (b) which factors, besides fire severity, could explain these differences.

Methods

Pine recruitment was monitored from 2 to 36?months after a summer wildfire in 18 25?m² plots, equally divided over two fire severity classes based on crown consumption. Besides the degree of crown consumption, three quantitative fire severity indices as well as post-fire site conditions, seed input and understory vegetation recovery were measured.

Results

Pine seedling densities were consistently higher in the plots with low than high crown consumption but due to marked spatial variability, they were only significantly different at two out of the eight sampling occasions. This variability could be explained by a quantitative index based on the diameter of twigs, as well as by seed input and post-fire site conditions (ash and litter cover).

Conclusion

Fire severity was found to strongly affect the pine recruitment following wildfire, using both a qualitative visual severity index and a quantitative, more labour-intensive one.     

Models of the longitudinal distribution of ring area as a function of tree and stand attributes for four major Canadian conifers

Context

It is widely accepted that ring area increment generally increases from the tree apex to the crown base and is more-or-less constant below the crown base (Pressler’s law), but few quantitative models of this distribution have been developed.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a model of ring area increment using easily obtained crown features and other tree or stand characteristics in order to further the understanding and prediction of tree growth, form, and wood quality.

Methods

The models were fit to stem analysis observations from white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir, and lodgepole pine.

Results

In the final model, which includes tree crown and stand variables, ring area increment within the crown region was slightly curvilinear, the slope of ring area increment below the crown was non-zero, and the effect of butt swell was appreciable up-to a relative height of 0.10.

Conclusions

The high accuracy of the mixed effects model suggests that the three-component model form is appropriate for describing ring area profiles, whereas some tree-to-tree variation remains unexplained. The tree and stand variables used in these models can be easily measured in the field or obtained from remote sensing techniques.     

Ecology and evolution of pine life histories

Introduction

Pinus is a diverse genus of trees widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Understanding pine life history is critical to both conservation and fire management.

Objectives

Here I lay out the different pathways of pine life history adaptation and a brief overview of pine evolution and the very significant role that fire has played.

Results

Pinus originated ~150?Ma in the mid-Mesozoic Era and radiated across the northern continent of Laurasia during the Cretaceous Period. Pines have followed two evolutionary strategies interpreted as responses to competition by the newly emerging angiosperms. The Strobus lineage mostly has radiated into stressful sites of low nutrient soils and extremes in cold or heat. The Pinus (subgenus) lineage has radiated into fire-prone landscapes with diverse fire regimes. Examination of life history traits illustrates syndromes associated with fire-avoider, fire-tolerater, fire-embracer, and fire-refuge strategies.

Conclusion

Understanding the current pattern of pine distribution requires interpreting their evolution in terms of climate, geology, and fire. All three of these factors have played a role since the Mesozoic origin of the genus. All are important to the appropriate management of these resources.     

Influence of cambial age and climate on ring width and wood density in Pinus radiata families

? Context

The correlation between tree ring width and density and short-term climate fluctuations may be a useful tool for predicting response of wood formation process to long-term climate change.

? Aims

This study examined these correlations for different radiata pine genotypes and aimed at detecting potential genotype by climate interactions.

? Methods

Four data sets comprising ring width and density of half- and full-sib radiata pine families were used. Correlations with climate variables were examined, after the extraction of the effect of cambial age.

? Results

Cambial age explained the highest proportion of the ring to ring variation in all variables. Calendar year and year by family interaction explained a smaller but significant proportion of the variation. Rainfall had a positive correlation with ring width and, depending on test site, either a negative or positive correlation with ring density. Correlations between temperature during growing season and ring density were generally negative.

? Conclusion

Climate variables that influence ring width and wood density can be identified from ring profiles, after removing the cambial age effect. Families can be selected that consistently show desirable response to climate features expected to become prevalent as a result of climate change.     

Impact of management on nutrients,carbon, and energy in aboveground biomass components of mid-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations

Context

To sustainably manage loblolly pine plantations for bioenergy and carbon sequestration, accurate information is required on the relationships between management regimes and energy, carbon, and nutrient export.

Aims

The effects of cultural intensity and planting density were investigated with respect to energy, carbon, and essential nutrients in aboveground biomass of mid-rotation loblolly pine plantations, and the effects of harvesting scenarios on export of nutrients were tested.

Methods

Destructive biomass sampling of a 12 years-old loblolly pine culture/density experiment, and analysis of variance were used to assess the effects of cultural intensity (operational vs. intensive) and six planting densities ranging from 741 to 4,448 trees ha^?1. Two harvesting scenarios (stem-only vs. whole-tree harvesting) were assessed in terms of energy, carbon, and nutrient export.

Results

The concentrations of energy, carbon, and nutrients varied significantly among stem wood, bark, branch, and foliage components. Cultural intensity and planting density did not significantly affect these concentrations. Differences in energy, carbon and nutrient contents among treatments were mainly mediated by changes in total biomass. Nutrient contents were affected by either cultural intensity or planting density, or both. Stem-only harvesting removed 71–79 % of aboveground energy and carbon, 29–45 % of N, 28–44 % of P, 44–57 % of K, 51–65 % of Ca, and 50–61 % of Mg.

Conclusions

Stem-only harvesting would be preferred to whole-tree harvesting, from a site nutrient conservation perspective.     

Increasing the use of expert opinion in forest characterisation approaches based on LiDAR data

Context

Forest structure characterisation approaches using LiDAR data and object-based image analysis remain scarce to forestry agencies as these automated procedures usually require the use of expensive software and highly skilled analysts. The integration of forest expert opinion into semi-automated approaches would simplify the access of forest managers to new technologies and would allow the incorporation of personal experience and the introduction of specific forest management criteria.

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore new alternatives to a previously published automated approach based on LiDAR data and object-based image analysis.

Methods

We compare four approaches, ranging from null to high incorporation of expert opinion and from fully automated to fully manual. These four approaches consist of three stages: (1) forest stand identification from LiDAR models, (2) forest stand classification into forest structure classes (manual and based on cluster analysis), and (3) validation.

Results

Quantitative attributes for validation (i.e. hypsographs and percentiles) provided slightly lower degree of separability for forest structure classes, in the mixed procedures with increasing incorporation of expert opinion than for the fully automated approach.

Conclusions

The new mixed approaches proposed are comparable to the automated procedures for the characterisation of forest structure in heterogeneous pine forest stands. They also offer additional advantages: (1) they make it possible to give a specific management focus and (2) they provide accessibility by the forest managers to the source of LiDAR information.     

Impact of local slope and aspect assessed from LiDAR records on tree diameter in radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) plantations

Context

Reliable information on tree stem diameter variation at local spatial scales and on the factors controlling it could potentially lead to improved biomass estimation over pine plantations.

Aims

This study addressed the relationship between local topography and tree diameter at breast height (DBH) within two even-aged radiata pine plantation sites in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

A total of 85 plots were established, and 1,302 trees were sampled from the two sites. Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) was used to derive slope and aspect and to link them to each individual tree.

Results

The results showed a significant relationship between DBH and local topography factors. At both sites, trees on slopes below 20° and on southerly aspects displayed significantly larger DBHs than trees on steeper slopes and northerly aspects. Older trees with similar heights also exhibited a significant relationship between DBH and aspect factor, where greater DBHs were found on southerly aspects.

Conclusions

The observed correlation between tree DBH and LiDAR-derived slope and aspect could contribute to the development of improved biomass estimation approaches in pine plantations. These topographical variables are easily attained with airborne LiDAR, and they could potentially improve DBH predictions in resource inventories (e.g. stand volume or biomass) and support field sampling design.     

Mast seeding in deciduous forests of the northern Apennines (Italy) and its influence on wild boar population dynamics

Context

Pulsed food resources may strongly affect the population dynamics of several consumer species, with consequences on the ecosystem. One of the most common pulsed resources is forest mast seeding.

Aims

We analysed mast seeding in deciduous forests in a mountainous area of northern Apennines and its effect on population dynamics of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.).

Methods

We performed a quantitative, 20-year analysis on annual seed production in Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forest stands using litter traps. The wild boar population density was estimated by means of drive censuses and hunting bag records. The role of other biotic (density of predators) and abiotic (climate) factors potentially affecting wild boar mortality was also investigated.

Results

Turkey oak and chestnut showed high levels of seed production, whereas lower levels were found in beech. The pulsed resources of chestnut and Turkey oak positively affected piglet density. Analyses also highlighted the influence of snow cover and wolves on wild boar population dynamics.

Conclusion

Wild boar can be considered a pulse rate species, the management of which can be improved by annual monitoring of seed production.     

Selection of mixed-effects parameters in a variable–exponent taper equation for birch trees in northwestern Spain

Context

Taper equations predict the variation in diameter along the stem, therefore characterizing stem form. Several recent studies have tested mixed models for developing taper equations. Mixed-effects modeling allow the interindividual variation to be explained by considering both fixed-effects parameters (common to the population) and random-effects parameters (specific to each individual).

Aims

The objective of this study is to develop a mixed-effect variable exponent taper equation for birch trees in northwestern Spain by determining which fixed-effects parameters should be expanded with random-effects parameters.

Methods

All possible combinations of linear expansions with random effects in one and in two of the fixed-effects model parameters were tested. Upper stem diameter measurements were used to estimate random-effects parameters by the use of an approximate Bayesian estimator, which calibrated stem profile curves for individual trees.

Results

Parameter estimates for more than half of the mixed models investigated were nonsignificant. A first order autoregressive error structure was used to completely remove the autocorrelation between residuals, as mixed-effects modeling were not sufficient for this purpose.

Conclusion

The mixed model with the best fitting statistics did not provide the best calibration statistics for all upper stem diameter measurements. From a practical point of view, model calibration should be considered an essential criterion in mixed model selection.