The effect of scalping on seedling establishment after seed tree cutting of Scots pine stands in drained peatlands in northern Finland

We studied the establishment of natural seedlings after seed tree cutting and scalping in two drained Scots pine peatland stands in northern Finland (Simo and Sievi). Approximately, 50?ha^?1 of Scots pine stems were retained on both sites. During the six subsequent years, five seedling surveys were conducted. The effect of site preparation was analysed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). The mean density of pine seedlings increased more quickly in the scalped plots and was ca. 1.1?m^?2 after six years compared to 0.87?m^?2 in the non-scalped plots, on average. Scalping increased the number of pine seedlings 2-fold compared to that in non-treated plots in Simo, however, in Sievi non-treated plots had 30% higher pine seedling density after six years. Downy birch seedling density was 9–10-fold compared to that of non-treated plots in both sites. In terms of seedling density, seed tree cutting led to satisfactory pine regeneration after just two growing seasons in drained pine peatlands, even without scalping. Scalping significantly increased the number of pine seedlings, but it also enhanced the germination of birch seedlings strongly.     

Fire-free natural regeneration in water limited Pinus halepensis forests: a silvicultural approach

We aimed to elucidate environmental and silvicultural factors that determine the extent of fire-free natural regeneration in east Mediterranean Pinus halepensis forests. The specific aims were to study the potential and identify bottlenecks for natural regeneration and examine the effects of overstory thinning and site preparation treatments. We integrated four experiments conducted in diverse ecoregions in Israel ranging from semiarid to subhumid. Seedling emergence and survival were traced for 2–4 years in Mishmar Ha’Emek Forest (MHF) with annual rainfall of 604 mm; Shaharia Forest (SF)—435 mm; and Yatir Forest (YF)—280 mm. Effects of thinning treatments: clearcut, 100 tree, 200 tree ha^?1 and control—310 tree ha^?1, were examined in MHF. Effects of site preparation treatments: soil scarification and herb clipping were examined in SF. Density of emerged seedlings varied among ecoregions and was linked to average annual rainfall. Within ecoregions, emerged seedling density was higher on north-facing slopes than on south-facing slopes and was strongly related to stand characteristics (e.g., stem basal area) and seed rain. Seedling survival rate of about 20 % was recorded in MHF while no seedling survival was observed in YF and SF during the study years. Thinning treatments reduced seed rain and emerging seedling density, but increased seedling survival and growth. Recruitment 4 years after thinning was highest in the 100 tree ha^?1 treatment and lowest in the control. In SF, seedling survival was limited mainly by herbaceous vegetation and was improved by soil scarification and herb clipping. Silvicultural implications are discussed.     

Establishment,survivorship, and growth of yellow birch seedlings after site preparation treatments in large gaps

The occurrence of yellow birch (YB) in the northeastern forests of North America is a source of concern. Several guidelines suggest ways to favor the regeneration of this species, including creating openings from small gaps to large clearcuts, coupled or not with a variety of soil preparation treatments. However, it is not clear if soil preparation treatment favors YB establishment by simply increasing the availability of good seedbed types, or by also altering competition pressure exerted by interfering species during the period of seedling establishment. For this study, large gaps (900 m²) were created in a 70-year old YB dominated forest, to which three treatments differing in soil disturbance intensities were applied (i.e., soil scarification (i) using a rake [raking]; or (ii) by dragging slash out to the edges of the gap [slash drag]; and (iii) limited to the passage of the harvesting equipment [control]). The proportion of seedbed types reportedly most favorable for YB establishment (i.e., mineral-dominated) increased as the severity of the site preparation increased. The opposite was observed for organic-dominated seedbeds. As a result, the stocking of YB seedlings increased with the severity of site preparation. However, YB stocking was deemed sufficient in all gaps to ensure future canopy dominance, even in the control treatment. Although YB seedlings generally achieved greater heights as site preparation intensity increased, it was clear that this did not reflect vigorous growth as, on average, greater heights coincided with greater seedling height–diameter ratios. At the seedbed level, height–diameter ratio was associated with an increase in surrounding competition pressure and an increase in the incidence of stem apical death (SAD), which in turn decreased height differences among seedbed types by the end of the study. At the gap level, this blurred the advantages of site preparation over a laisser-faire strategy. The incidence of SAD was greatest in the slash drag and the rake treatments. Consequently, we cannot say that intense soil scarification is worth the expenses, especially in stands where YB seed sources are abundant.     

雪灾干扰下林窗对木荷幼苗更新的影响

林窗干扰是维持森林生态系统的重要驱动力之一,对种子萌发、幼苗等自然更新过程、森林物种组成和动态、森林生物多样性的维持具有重要作用。本研究以2008年雪灾干扰后的浙江江郎山木荷林为研究对象,对木荷林窗大小结构、幼苗更新、生长等进行调查研究,结果表明:扩展林窗以50 100 m2的林窗个数最多(占总数的45.45%),各等级林窗中以50 100 m2的林窗占总面积比例最大(占总面积的30.31%)。林窗中木荷幼苗的平均高度和地径较对照林分分别高1.44 cm和0.61 mm,幼树在林窗中的平均高度和地径则比对照林分中分别高45.37 cm和5.00 mm且差异显著;林窗大小对木荷幼苗、幼树的高度和地径生长影响显著,中林窗中幼苗的高度和地径均高于小林窗和大林窗中的幼苗且差异均显著(F=4.893,P=0.007;F=5.203,P=0.004;n=357);幼树的地径在不同大小林窗中差异显著(F=3.569,P=0.037;n=43)。林窗幼苗的更新密度随着林窗面积的增大而增大,在林窗面积达到76 m2时,更新密度达到最大值,而后随着林窗面积的增大下降;中林窗和小林窗中更新苗木以低矮植株(1级、2级)为主,面积100 m2大林窗中,木荷幼苗生长较快。与他人研究的森林天然林窗相比,雪灾干扰后改变了林窗的大小分布结构和面积,50 100 m2的林窗比例较大,一定程度上更利于幼苗更新,具有相对较大的林窗幼苗更新密度;不论林窗大小,林窗内的更新幼苗都比林内多,郁闭度较大的林内或大面积的空地上都不利于更新幼苗的生长。因此,从受灾木荷林窗大小结构、幼苗更新、生长等来看,中林窗是幼苗适宜更新的面积,为木荷灾后恢复与重建提供了科学依据。     

Regeneration patterns of Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) in hardwood-dominated forests in Virginia, USA

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) is a moderately shade-tolerant species that co-occurs with hardwood tree species in many forests of the eastern United States, as well as in pure stands. The species is valued for its timber, as well as for wildlife and recreation. Regeneration of this species is somewhat unpredictable and often occurs in patches of similarly-aged cohorts. We described the regeneration patterns of this species and examined their relation to environmental variables within hardwood forests of southwestern Virginia, USA. An average of 5.3 white pine patches per ha were observed in this study. The majority of patches consisted of saplings (85%), with 9% of patches in pole size classes, and 6% in seedling size classes. The average density of patches was 43.5 stems with an average age of 20 years. The size of patches averaged 80.6 m². The total density of seedlings and the number of regeneration patches of all sizes of regeneration (seedlings, saplings, and poles) in plots was related to the surrounding density of large white pine trees (potential seed trees). The density of seedlings or patches was not significantly related to current vegetation cover or soil surface cover variables, but more than half of regeneration patches were located in or adjacent to old canopy gaps, most of which were old logging gaps. While seedling regeneration may occur within the understory of these forests near seed trees, advancement to the sapling and pole stage appears to be associated with canopy gap formation.     

Restoring longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands: Effects of restoration treatments on natural loblolly pine regeneration

Historical land use and management practices in the southeastern United States have resulted in the dominance of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) on many upland sites that historically were occupied by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.). There is currently much interest in restoring high quality longleaf pine habitats to such areas, but managers may also desire the retention of some existing canopy trees to meet current conservation objectives. However, fast-growing natural loblolly pine regeneration may threaten the success of artificially regenerated longleaf pine seedlings. We evaluated the establishment and growth of natural loblolly pine regeneration following different levels of timber harvest using single-tree selection (Control (uncut, residual basal area ∼16 m²/ha), MedBA (residual basal area of ∼9 m²/ha), LowBA (residual basal area of ∼6 m²/ha), and Clearcut (complete canopy removal)) and to different positions within canopy gaps (approximately 2800 m²) created by patch cutting at two ecologically distinct sites within the longleaf pine range: Fort Benning, GA in the Middle Coastal Plain and Camp Lejeune, NC in the Lower Coastal Plain. The density of loblolly pine seedlings was much higher at Camp Lejeune than at Fort Benning at the end of the first growing season after harvesting. Following two growing seasons, there were no significant effects of canopy density or gap position on the density of loblolly pine seedlings at either site, but loblolly pine seedlings were taller on treatments with greater canopy removal. Prescribed fires applied following the second growing season killed 70.6% of loblolly pine seedlings at Fort Benning and 64.3% of seedlings at Camp Lejeune. Loblolly pine seedlings were generally less than 2 m tall, and completeness of the prescribed burns appeared more important for determining seedling survival than seedling size. Silvicultural treatments that include canopy removal, such as patch cutting or clearcuts, will increase loblolly pine seedling growth and shorten the window of opportunity for control with prescribed fire. Therefore, application of prescribed fire every 2-3 years will be critical for control of loblolly pine regeneration during restoration of longleaf pine in existing loblolly pine stands.     

Light-mediated influence of three understorey species (Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Molinia caerulea) on the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings

Depending on its developmental and morphological characteristics, shrubby or herbaceous understorey vegetation interacts differently with tree seedlings during the regeneration process. In acidic temperate forests, three common understorey plant species??Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kersten, Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench??are known to rapidly colonize forest gaps. Therefore, they often develop at the expense of light-demanding Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. An experiment was set up in a nursery in central France to mimic early competition occurring in a newly created gap between Scots pine seedlings and these three common understorey species (young forest-harvested individuals planted at 5 densities from 0 to 57 plants m^?2). Pine seedling survival and growth (height, diameter, shoot and root biomass) and a functional trait (leaf mass on an area basis, LMA) were measured for 2 years, and cross-analysed against plant density, plant cover and available light. When understorey plant density increased, pine seedling diameter growth and biomass were negatively affected by all three plant species; height growth only slowed beneath Pteridium. These negative effects were closely linked to competition for light beneath Pteridium and Molinia. The application of the Beer?CLambert law gave an extinction coefficient k that was high for Pteridium, intermediate for Molinia and much lower for Calluna. LMA was confirmed as an effective foliar trait to reflect the degree of stress undergone by pine seedlings.     

Survival and competitiveness of Quercus rubra regeneration associated with planting stocktype and harvest opening intensity

Successful regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) on productive sites is problematic in eastern North American forests. Natural and artificial regeneration often cannot compete with fast-growing, shade intolerant species such as yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). This study examines 5-year survival, growth, and competitive ability of planted northern red oak seedlings in various group selection harvest sizes in south-central Indiana, USA. Seedling stocktypes consisted of high (BHD; 75 seedlings m^?2) and low (BLD; 21 seedlings m^?2) nursery-bed-density bareroot seedlings, and small (CS; 11.4 L) and large (CL; 18.9 L) container seedlings. Group selection openings included large (0.400 ha), medium (0.100 ha), and small (0.024 ha) circular gaps in four stands. Larger stocktypes and gap sizes improved seedling height, diameter, and growth; ANOVA indicated only gap size was significant for seedling survival. Logistic regression showed survival was positively correlated to diameter at year 1, and aspect, gap size, and stocktype were significant predictors of survival. Our data indicated no differences in density of natural regeneration among gap sizes, although trends suggest greater numbers of bigger competitors in larger gaps sizes. Yellow-poplar regeneration was the tallest competitor of more than 50% of all northern red oak seedlings. Competitive status of seedlings after 5 years differed only by stocktype, with large container stock in a better competitive position than bareroot stock. However, less than 20% of seedlings in all stocktypes in each gap treatment were considered competitive (i.e., ≥80% of the height of tallest competitor) against their tallest competitor. The use of larger planting stock may offer greater opportunities for successfully regenerating northern red oak seedlings on productive sites but likely would have to be accompanied by treatments to reduce woody competition.     

Regeneration in experimental gaps of subalpine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> forest in the Slovenian Alps

In 1998, we analysed regeneration success in four 20 year old medium-sized (600–800 m²) and four small experimental gaps (100–200 m²) in subalpine Norway spruce forest in Triglav National Park, Slovenia. We assessed the influence of site (depressions, slopes), gap size, and position within gap (centre, gap south, and north edge) on regeneration success and interactions between regeneration density, height, height increment, direct and diffuse light, ground vegetation, soil depth, thickness of humus horizons, presence of woody debris, and microrelief. Seedling density was higher in depressions, where more seedlings developed in central positions of gaps in both gap sizes, and in microsites with deeper soils, less competition from ground vegetation and convex microsites. On slopes, a higher seedling density was found in small gaps, and at the northern edge of gaps regardless of gap size. Here, seedling density was negatively influenced by diffuse radiation and positively by soil depth. The results suggest that regeneration should be initiated from medium to large gaps in depressions and small gaps on slopes. Development of established seedlings was enhanced by higher radiation levels on both sites, therefore favourable extension of the gaps would be lateral to northwards.     

Relationship of site and stand characteristics to Armillaria root disease incidence on ponderosa pine in the Black Hills,South Dakota

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the Black Hills National Forest, SD, USA, was surveyed for Armillaria root disease (ARD). The root pathogen Armillaria ostoyae occurred on ponderosa pine seedlings, saplings, pole‐size trees and large‐diameter trees. The mean incidence of aboveground disease symptoms by stem count was low (0.2%), but in certain areas, the incidence was higher, affecting the regeneration success and tree longevity. Symptomatic ponderosa pine were in areas characterized by having higher elevation, greater annual precipitation, more seedlings, bigger large‐diameter trees and greater odds of past harvesting activity than in areas without root disease. Stump density was positively spatially correlated with root disease incidence. No particular soil type was related to disease occurrence; though, in areas with symptomatic trees, soil available water holding capacity (AWC) was greater and soil permeability was less where root disease was present. Spatial analysis confirmed the relationships found in linear correlations, with soil AWC and stump density positively and soil permeability negatively correlated with per cent infected stems ha^?1 and basal area infected.     

Scarification and Seedfall affects Natural Regeneration of Scots Pine Under Two Shelterwood Densities and a Clear-cut in Southern Sweden

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) shelterwood density and timing of removal on the regeneration of forests with improved wood quality. This paper focuses on the effect of scarification and seedfall on the success of natural regeneration of Scots pine under two shelterwood densities and in a clear-cut. Wood quality aspects will be addressed later in the study. After 4 yrs, natural regeneration of Scots pine under a 200 stems ha^-1 shelterwood reached 90000 seedlings ha^-1, 53000 under a 160 stems ha^-1 shelterwood and 3700 in a clear-cut. The high natural regeneration under the densest shelterwood resulted from a high seedfall, slower invasion by competing vegetation, consequent prolonged recruitment and low mortality. Since mortality largely decreased for both shelterwood densities and recruitment seems to continue, the success of regeneration should be maintained in the future if proper release operations are conducted. The latter could begin when seedlings reach a height of about 0.5 m and the cover should be maintained until they reach a height of about 6 m. Therefore, it may be possible to use 200 stems ha-1 Scots pine shelterwoods in southern Sweden to obtain dense stands and thus improve wood quality (stem taper, wood density, etc.).     

Pine Weevil Population Density and Damage to Coniferous Seedlings in a Regeneration Area With and Without Shelterwood

Damage to planted conifer seedlings by the pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.), is considered to be less severe in shelterwoods than in clear-cuttings. To evaluate possible reasons for this reduction, this study investigated the relationship between seedling damage and pine weevil population density in the presence and absence of shelter trees. Assessments of seedling damage throughout a full growth season and absolute population density estimates were made at a fresh clear-cutting and an adjacent shelterwood (1 ha each). A grid of 100 pitfall traps was placed over each area, and population estimates were made using the mark–recapture technique. Pine weevil damage to seedlings was about twice as high in the clear-cutting, whereas pine weevil density was estimated to be higher in the shelterwood or about the same in the two treatments (～14?000 weevils ha^?1). Existing differences in microclimate between the shelterwood and clear-cutting did not seem to be the cause of the differences in damage levels. Thus, the hypothesis that seedling damage is reduced in shelterwoods because of increased availability of alternative food remains a candidate for further testing.     

Tree regeneration in patch cutting in Norway spruce stands in northern Finland

The study focused on the success of regeneration on patch cuts in spruce-dominated stands in terms of stocking and tree height. It was based on an experiment in the Kainuu region in northern Finland. The experimental design included 8 stands with 58 clearcut patches of variable size (0.09–0.37?ha), on which either natural regeneration without site preparation or site preparation and planting of Scots pine was applied. A regeneration survey was conducted 13–15 growing seasons after treatments. Patches without site preparation had been restocked quite well from natural seed sources. The average number of trees was about 11,000?ha^?1, of which 1700?ha^?1 crop trees. With site preparation and planting, the stocking levels were also very high, 25,000 and 2100?ha^?1, respectively. One hundred percent of the planted patches and 75% of the naturally regenerated patches had an acceptable density. Restocking was equally good across the range of patch sizes. Tree growth had been somewhat slower in the smallest patches than in the largest ones in the range. Natural regeneration was capable of yielding good regeneration results in most patches, especially when site preparation was applied. Stocking levels and height development were higher yet in the planted patches.     

Growth and physiological response of eastern white pine seedlings to partial cutting and site preparation

We examined how white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seedlings planted under a mature cover of white and red (Pinus resinosa Ait.) pine in eastern Ontario (Canada) responded to treatments aimed at improving light and soil conditions for seedling growth. The treatments were: (a) three levels of partial cutting (no cut or CS0, cut to one-crown spacing between residual trees or CS1, cut to two-crown spacing or CS2); (b) two levels of vegetation control (without herbicide or H0, with herbicide or H1); and (c) two levels of soil scarification (S0 and S1). On the third growing season after planting, total growth of seedlings was lowest in CS0 treatment and similar in CS1 and CS2 treatments. The CS2 created better growing light conditions than the CS1, with and average of 50% of full light at seedling height, which corresponded to the maximum height and diameter growth rates of seedlings. However, CS2 also stimulated the growth of competing woody vegetation (both understory trees and shrubs), and resulted in greater microsite heterogeneity of light availability. Scarification warmed the soil (approximately 1–3 °C in the middle of the growing season), decreased the density of competing trees, but increased the shrub density, with no impact on white pine seedling growth. The treatments had no effect on light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A) of current-year foliage of seedlings, nor on their midday shoot water potential. Leaf N was higher in partial cuts and with vegetation control, but the relationship between N and A was weak to non-existent for the different foliage classes. Measures of the proportion of aboveground biomass allocated to foliage (leaf-mass ratio) suggest an acclimation response of young white pine that improves growth under moderate light availability and compensates for the lack of leaf-level photosynthetic plasticity. We suggest a combination of soil scarification under a one-crown spacing partial cut (corresponding to 14 m² ha⁻¹ of residual basal area, or an average of 32% of available light at seedling height) as an establishment cut. This should provide optimum growth conditions for planted understory white pine, while also favoring natural regeneration and providing some protection against damage from insects and disease.     

White spruce recruitment distances relative to lodgepole pine in southern Yukon,Canada

Eleven seral, postfire forest stands in southern Yukon (Canada) were sampled to determine where western white spruce (Picea albertiana ssp. albertiana) seedlings occurred with respect to distance to the nearest lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) tree. Seedling-to-nearest tree distances were assessed at 10-cm increments up to 220?cm. On average, seedlings occurred 54?cm from the nearest pine (n?=?490), but peak frequencies were 20–50?cm away, compared to a potential separation distance of 103?cm. Greatest average seedling density occurred 10–20?cm from pine (0.81?m^?2), with values between 10 and 120?cm decreasing logarithmatically with increasing distance from pine (r?=?0.994, p?n?=?11). Spruce seedling densities were <0.02?m^?2 beyond 120?cm. The differences in frequency, which represented moderately strong aggregation (Clark-Evans Index 0.34–0.52), and density suggest greater spruce recruitment near lodgepole pine was facilitated by more favorable ecological conditions than further away, for example, greater nutrient availability. The bias in seedling-to-nearest tree distances occurred regardless of stand age (57–165 years), pine density (1599–5935 stems?ha^?1), or understory vegetation type, although the bias may be weakened by the abundant presence of feathermosses (Hylocomium splendens) on the forest floor.     

燕山山地油松人工林林隙大小对更新的影响

林隙(gap)又称林窗,指森林群落中老龄树木死亡或偶然因素(如干旱、台风、火灾等)造成成熟阶段的优势种死亡,从而形成林冠空隙的现象(Watt,1947)。美国生态学家Runkle(1982)将林隙分为2种,一种是林冠空隙(canopy gap),指上方无树冠遮荫的部分,即太阳处于正中位置时无树冠遮荫的面积之和;另一种是扩展林隙(expanded gap),指形成该林隙周围树木基部所包围的面积(Runkle,1981)。本研究所指的林隙为应用最为广泛的扩展林隙。近年来的森林动态学研究表明:林隙在森林结构和多样性维持中起着重要的作用,已     

西藏色季拉山冷杉原始林林隙更新研究

通过对西藏色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉原始林林隙更新调查，研究了林隙大小与更新以及林隙形成年龄与更新的关系，对林隙和非林隙林分内幼苗和幼树的高生长进行了比较。结果表明：林隙大小在100m^2左右，最适合于苗高20cm以下的更新幼苗生存，超过100m^2，更新幼苗随着林隙面积的增大而减少；林隙大小在300m^2左右，最适合冷杉幼树和小径木的生存。林隙形成年龄在30a左右，更新幼苗和幼树的数量最多，而小径木数量有限，随着林隙形成年龄的增大，小径木数量逐渐增多，而幼苗和幼树逐渐减少；林隙内幼苗、幼树和小径木的密度均大于非林隙林分；林隙对3年生以下幼苗的高生长影响不大，对4年生以上幼树的高生长有促进作用，特别是对9年生至16年生幼树高生长的促进作用最明显。     

Impact of slash removal,drag scarification,and mounding on lodgepole pine cone distribution and seedling regeneration after cut-to-length harvesting on high elevation sites

Excessive slash loading could pose a problem for the regeneration of the serotinous lodgpole pine especially in forests at higher elevation where soil temperature is limiting. In the past, these forests have commonly been harvested using full-tree harvesting where trees are processed at roadside; however, recently cut-to-length harvesting has become a more frequent harvesting method. In cut-to-length harvesting the harvested trees are processed in the block, as a result slash accumulation is much higher on these cutblocks. In an experimental field trial, the cone distribution, natural lodgepole pine regeneration, and the growth and establishment of planted lodgepole pine were evaluated in response to slash load, drag scarification, and mounding after cut-to-length harvesting of high elevation lodgepole pine stands in the Rocky Mountains. Twelve sites were established, each contained six plots which were randomly assigned to six treatment combinations of two slash removal (slash and slash removed) and three mechanical soil preparation treatments (no soil preparation, drag scarifying, and mounding). The slash removal reduced slash volume by more than 50% but also reduced the number of lodgepole pine cones available for regeneration by over 33%. However, soil mechanical treatments offset this effect as fewer cones were necessary to achieve high natural pine regeneration densities. Drag scarification of plots resulted in 12 times the number of pine seedlings compared to the non-prepared plots. Although slash removal did not have an effect on the number of naturally regenerated lodgepole pine seedlings, it had a positive effect on their growth performance. Conversely, planted pine seedlings had lower mortality and better growth in soils that had been mechanically prepared and had the slash removed; however, the growth effects became only apparent 4 years after planting. While slash removal and mechanical soil preparation did increase soil temperatures; the slash removal treatment had a more transient effect on soil temperatures than soil preparation. Differences in soil temperature decreased over time which appeared to be mostly driven by a warming of the soils in the plots with no soil preparation, likely a result of the decomposition of the finer slash and feathermosses. Overall, it appears that surface disturbance on these high elevation sites had a far greater effect on lodgepole pine regeneration and growth than the increased accumulation of slash as a result of cut-to-length harvesting.     

Tree recruitment in gaps of various size,clearcuts and undisturbed mixed forest of interior British Columbia,Canada

Tree seedling recruitment was monitored after various types of logging in mixed conifer and deciduous forests of northern British Columbia, Canada. Predicting tree seedling recruitment after disturbance is fundamental to understanding forest dynamics and succession and is vital for forest management purposes. Seedling recruitment success in multi-species northern latitude forests varied as a function of mature tree canopy cover, gap size and position in a gap. Recruitment was abundant within canopy gaps across a wide range of gap sizes (20–5000 m²), but recruit numbers dropped off rapidly under the closed forest canopy and in the open conditions of clearcuts. Inside canopy gaps, recruitment was similar by gap position in small gaps (<300 m²) but, in these northern latitude forests, exhibited a trend of increasing density from the sunny north to shady south end of larger gaps. This was true for all tree species regardless of their shade tolerance ranking. There was no evidence of gap partitioning by any of the tree species during the regeneration phase suggesting that adaptation to the subtleties of gap size during early recruitment are not well developed in these tree species. Favorable locations for emergence and early establishment of germinants were less favorable for growth and survival of established seedlings, i.e. the regeneration niches in these forests were discordant. Tree abundance and species diversity appears to be controlled more by differentiation among growth and survival niches than by the regeneration niches. From the perspective of forest management, abundant natural regeneration of all the dominant tree species of these mixed-species forests can be obtained after partial cutting.     

Silvicultural options to promote seedling establishment on Kalmia–Vaccinium-dominated sites

Seedling growth is often hampered on sites dominated by Kalmia angustifolia. In June 2000, a trial was established on a clear-cut site in Quebec, Canada, with a high cover of Kalmia and Vaccinium species. The objectives were to evaluate how soil scarification and fertilization at the time of planting influence early growth and establishment of black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP] and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings. During the first 2 years, scarification reduced Kalmia cover three-fold and doubled the distance from seedlings to the nearest Kalmia stem. Scarification did not increase soil-extractable NH₄-N concentration, and reduced soil potassium, calcium and magnesium. Scarification had no effect on seedling water stress. Seedling growth improved and foliar nutrient concentrations were generally higher in scarified plots than in unscarified control plots. No differences were observed between single- and double-pass scarification for any variables except for ground-level stem diameter of seedlings, which was greater with double-pass scarification (12.1 vs 13.1 mm). Spot fertilization increased seedling growth and foliar nitrogen concentrations. Jack pine growth was greater than black spruce growth, an effect enhanced when seedlings were fertilized.