Effects of light and microsite conditions on tree size of 6-year-old Cryptomeria japonica planted in a group selection opening

We examined the extent to which direct and indirect measures of light and microsite conditions could explain variation in tree height and diameter at the base of 6-year-old Cryptomeria japonica trees planted in a group selection opening of about 0.32 ha on a steep slope at Shiiba, Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Japan. We first used the gap light index (GLI) and soil thickness (ST) as directly measured indices. For an indirect measure of light, we used a between-cohort competition index (BCI) estimated from the position and total height of residual trees. For indirect measures of microsite, we examined topographic indices (slope, plan and profile curvature, average slope gradient, and relative elevation) derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) with different resolutions ranging from 2 to 10 m. The multiple linear regression using GLI and ST explained about 45% of variation in tree size, while simple regression using only GLI explained about 35%. The contribution of ST was about half of GLI. The multiple regressions using BCI and the topographic indices did not explain any more variation than using BCI alone (R ² of about 0.26). We conclude that microsite conditions with shallower soil and steeper slope have negative effects on tree growth in group selection openings, although the relative importance is smaller than light conditions. More comprehensive studies considering several openings with more heterogeneous topography including different species are needed to generalize our growth prediction using the indirect measures, which are useful for practical forest management.     

Modeling the edge effect in even-aged Monterrey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) stands incorporating a competition index

The edge effect on DBH (diameter at breast height) in two adjacent Pinus radiata D. Don stands was modeled as a function of both the distance from the stand edge and Hegyi's competition index. The modeling was applied to edges with external-competition pressure and on free edges. In both edge types, the incorporation of the Hegyi's competition index in the modeling significantly reduced the residual variation. This modeling showed that the intensity of the intraspecific competition varies between stands. Particularly, the trees in younger stands are more sensitive to the effects of competition than in older stands. However, the intensity of the competition does not vary between edge aspects of stands. The results of the study related to the depth of edge effect can be useful for stratifying stands when getting more precise estimates of trees and stand parameters from sampling are required, and for defining the width of the buffer strip in experimental units used for long-term field assays.     

Development of beeted seedlings in three Picea abies (L) karst. stands

Development in height, diameter and basal area was studied for beeted and for originally planted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings. The study was carried out as a survey in three unthinned stands in southern Sweden. Beeted seedlings were separated from those originally planted by differences observed in the number of annual rings at stump height. In all stands height and diameter were smaller and growth rates in height and basal area were lower for beeted than for originally planted seedlings. The lower growth rates for beeted seedlings may be explained as effects of inter‐tree competition. The oldest stand was thinned at the time of inventory. 40% of the thinned trees were beeted representing 18% of the thinned volume.     

Understory light predicts stump sprout growth in mixed multiaged stands in north coastal California

Regeneration of commercial species is central to long-term success of multiaged management for wood production. We examined relationships between understory light, varying overstory tree retention, and growth of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens; commercial species) and tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) stump sprouts initiated by group selection and single-tree selection harvesting in 80–100 year old mixed stands at four sites. Treatments included a complete harvest in 1-ha group selection openings, low-density dispersed retention, and either aggregated or dispersed high-density retention. Post-harvest stand density index and basal area were useful predictors of understory light. Mean and maximum understory light did not differ significantly between treatments with the same density where residual trees were retained in aggregated versus dispersed spatial patterns. However, the dispersed retention had lower minimum light levels when compared to the aggregated retention treatment. Aspect appeared to influence understory light more in dispersed treatments. At all light levels, the dominant sprout within clumps of redwood stump sprouts generally grew faster than dominant tanoak sprouts within tanoak sprout clumps. Differences in sprout height growth between aggregated and dispersed treatments were minimal. Stump size had a significant effect on redwood stump sprout height growth, with sprouts on the largest stumps growing approximately twice as quickly as sprouts on the smallest stumps. In the low density dispersed treatment, redwood sprouts outperformed tanoak sprouts by the greatest margin. Regeneration of redwood and tanoak was most rapid within group selection openings.     

Growth of planted seedlings inside protective sleeves under strip openings of different widths in a post-agricultural forest

Many second growth forests have poor regeneration and in some spatial and economic context, such as post-agricultural forests, it may be beneficial to increase tree diversity. We planted seedlings of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in strip openings of 3, 6 and 9 m width to control light. Individual mesh sleeves were used to reduce browsing pressure but they also reduced available light for seedlings: a large mesh and a small mesh sleeves were tested in each opening. Available light for seedlings ranged from 5 to 46% of full sunlight. First year growth was almost non-responsive to all treatments for both species, but birch showed strong responses during second year. Birches in the large mesh sleeve and the 9 m opening had the largest height and diameter increments, while those in the small mesh sleeve and the 3 m opening had the smallest increments. Small mesh sleeves increased the height over stem diameter ratio for both species. Treatments affected several other morphometric variables of birch but none of the oak. More time is needed to assert if bur oak can be a candidate species for enrichment planting. We recommend strip openings of 9 m width and large mesh sleeves, for protection against deer browsing, while controlling neighbouring competition, to promote artificial regeneration of hardwood species.     

Effects of nitrogen on the growth and competition between seedlings of two temperate forest tree species

To understand how coexisting temperate tree species react to nitrogen (N) addition, seedlings of two coexisting species, Phellodendron amurense Rupr. and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. were transplanted to a controlled environment. Seedlings were then planted in two competition scenarios, control and mixed, and then subjected to four N addition treatments. The seedling growth parameters and competition effect were monitored and analyzed. The height and stem-base diameter showed a positive response to the N addition in all competition scenarios except for mixed P. amurense, which responded negatively. Chlorophyll content of the seedlings showed a positive relationship to N addition while the chlorophyll a/b showed a complex trend. The addition of N showed a positive relationship to the competition effect of diameter growth in both species and height growth in P. amurense. These results indicate that F. mandshurica may be more sensitive to N addition and could benefit more from N addition than P. amurense. With an increasing N input from the atmosphere, forests may be more suitable for F. mandshurica reducing the abundance of P. amurense.     

Models for predicting height and diameter of individual trees in young Picea abies (L) karst. stands

Models for predicting height and diameter of individual trees in young Picea abies (L.) Karst. stands were developed. Data collected in a large survey of young forest stands in Sweden (the HUGIN young stand survey) were used in the construction of the models. Models were developed both with and without competition indices included. When constructing the competition indices trees within three metres from the subject tree were regarded as competitors. Functions with competition indices included (distance dependent) will be useful in analyses of the development of stands with different stand structure, whereas functions without competition indices (distance independent) will be useful in systems for long‐term forecasts of yield.     

Short-term community-level response of arthropods to group selection with seed-tree retention in a northern hardwood forest

We examined the short-term effects of group-selection harvesting with seed-tree retention on ground-dwelling and bark-dwelling arthropod communities in a northern hardwood forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Arthropods were sampled in 16 group-selection openings and 8 closed canopy reference plots. Two opening sizes were examined—radii of 0.5 (320 ± 27 m², n = 8) and 1.0 (1217 ± 62 m², n = 8) times the mean canopy height (22 m). Each opening and reference plot was centered on a single Betula alleghaniensis Britt. (yellow birch). Ground-dwelling arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps that were opened for two 1-week periods (rounds 1 and 2), and bark-dwelling arthropods were sampled with sticky traps attached to the centrally located B. alleghaniensis trees. Family-level diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods was lower in reference plots than in the openings, but the only significant difference occurred during round 2, between the matrix and large openings (P < 0.01). During both sampling periods, the ground-dwelling community exhibited a distinct clustering of family-level composition along environmental gradients such as opening size. Families such as Staphylinidae (rove beetles) and Trombidiidae (red velvet mites) were not favored by higher canopy openness while families such as Acrididae (grasshoppers) and Lycosidae (wolf spiders) were captured more in openings than in the forest matrix. Landing rates of wood-boring insects such as Buprestidae (metallic wood-boring beetles) and Xiphydriidae (wood wasps) were significantly higher on seed trees in group-selection openings than in reference plots (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that integrating group-selection openings within northern hardwood forests can lead to an increase in the family-level diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods, at least in the short term. Furthermore, seed trees left in such openings may be more attractive to bark- and wood-boring insects, which warrants further investigation into the susceptibility of these seed trees to damage by certain insect pests.     

濒危植物泰山柳种内与种间的竞争关系

以整合的基径代替胸径,采用Hegyi单木竞争指数模型对灌木泰山柳进行种内与种间的竞争关系分析。结果表明:泰山柳的种内、种间竞争强度分别占总竞争强度(86.11)的35.01%、64.99%,说明泰山柳的竞争压力主要来自种间。随着泰山柳基径的增加,种内、种间竞争强度均逐渐降低。对泰山柳产生竞争影响的树木共9种,其竞争强度为泰山柳>花楸树>紫椴>油松>连翘>湖北海棠>天目琼花>金花忍冬>巧玲花。整个林分和伴生树种竞争指数都与对象木基径近似地服从幂函数关系(I C=AB-K),根据函数模型可以看出,当泰山柳基径达到10 cm后,竞争强度趋于平稳,而基径小于10 cm的泰山柳竞争强度激烈,可以清除其周围部分竞争木,给予足够的生存空间,从而达到保护的目的。     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 4. The economic return of ecological knowledge

We tested the economic value of ecological knowledge in a midwestern USA alley-cropping system where row crops are planted in alleys between fine hardwood trees grown for veneer. Economic models were constructed to compare among agroforestry designs as well as to compare agroforestry with traditional forest plantation culture and row crop monoculture and rotational management. The general modeling approach was to quantify production inputs and outputs, estimate costs and revenues, simulate tree growth and crop productivity in agroforestry configurations, and estimate discounted cash flows. We incorporated scenarios that controlled both above- and below-ground competition through appropriate management as found in our previous research. This research showed the importance of below-ground competition in determining crop yields and the period of time that crop income could be expected from the agroforestry interplanting. Net present values and internal rates of return showed that agroforestry systems were generally more favorable investments than traditional agriculture and forestry. More importantly, the use of simple management techniques targeted at reducing below-ground competition allowed longer cultivation of row crops, greatly increasing returns to the landowner. Thus, the economic benefit of understanding the ecological interactions within agroforestry plantings dictates that accurate assessment of agroforestry alternatives will require the modeling of agroforestry as an integrated, interactive system.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

北京城区银杏行道树生长现状与健康状况研究

The planting site, size, and health condition of street tree Ginkgo biloba in Beijing urban area were investigated and the influence factors were analyzed based on filed survey. The results showed that G. biloba were mainly planted in tree pit within strip planting median. The average height, diameter at breast height and canopy diameter were 8.11 m, 13.22 cm and 4.07 m, respectively, 82.9% trees were less than 10 m in height, and most G. biloba trees were still in the initial stage of height and diameter increment. The tree health status was described with three classes: class I (healthy), class II (fair) and class III (unhealthy). The percentage of class I, II and III for G. biloba trees in Beijing urban area accounted for 16.0%, 37.2% and 42.9% respectively. The results of analysis showed that the health status of G. biloba was associated with the site condition, tree size and management practices. The trees planted in urban forest patch grew better than the trees planted in green belts and tree pits; meanwhile, the bigger trees were healthier than the smaller ones. In addition, the effects of urban heterogeneous environment and human activities on the health of Ginkgo biloba were analyzed and the suggestions on management were launched.     

Long-term growth analyses of Japanese cedar trees in a plantation: neighborhood competition and persistence of initial growth deviations

The individual growth of tree diameter at breast height (dbh) is analyzed in an even-aged plantation of Cryptomeria japonica from stand age of 45 to 94 years, to examine how the growth of individual trees has been affected by the changes in spacing resulting from thinning operations. At any age, a significant proportion (0.37–0.46) of the variation in dbh growth during a 5–11-year period was explained by dbh at the beginning of the period, probably due to greater leaf mass of larger trees. Next, either one-sided or two-sided competition was added to the model, by calculating the basal area (BA) of neighboring trees around each tree within a given radius or BA for trees having larger dbh than the focal tree within the radius. After preliminary analyses, a radius of 8 m was selected as the critical range for tree competition. Although both types of competition explained a significant proportion (0.09–0.43) of growth variation, one-sided competition was not significant at ages greater than 54 years. Based on the model at 45 years of age, the initial deviation of growth rate for each tree from the predicted rate was calculated and added to the models as a third variable. This raised the coefficient of determination up to 0.50–0.74. These findings have practical significance for forest plantation management, particularly for controlling the growth of standing trees via thinning, to produce high-quality timber in the future.     

The effects of belowground resources on aboveground allometric growth in Bornean tree species

Tree height and crown allometries reflect adaptations for resource acquisition and structural stability, as well as plastic responses to a heterogeneous environment. While both light and soil resources limit growth and influence competitive responses in tropical forests, the effects of belowground resources on allometries are less understood, especially within the understory. To characterize outcomes of tree competition along an edaphic resource gradient, we quantified variation in height and crown allometries of six Bornean tree species from contrasting regeneration niches (light-demanding vs. shade-tolerant) on two soil habitats (clay-fine loam and sandy loam) within a 52-ha forest dynamics plot. Using empirically-fit allometric parameters and diameter growth rates from plot census data, we modeled tree height and crown area growth over the projected life span of each species. Based on resource competition theory, we hypothesized that tree species specializing on and populations of generalist species growing on the relatively moister, more fertile clay-fine loam soil habitat would have faster height and crown growth rates, compared to those on the sandy loam habitat, regardless of regeneration niche. Among soil specialists and within generalists of both genera, trees growing on clay-fine loam had taller stems and larger crowns at a given age and faster height and crown area growth rates at most sizes than trees on sandy loam. Differences in height and crown growth were driven by the faster diameter growth rates of trees on clay-fine loam, not by differences in height- and crown-diameter allometries, as trees on sandy loam were significantly taller at a given diameter, and differences in crown allometry were not consistent across soil habitats. Characterizing the height and crown growth responses of trees along resource gradients provides insight into the mechanisms that maintain diversity in tropical forests. Our results point to the importance of adaptive and plastic responses to both above and belowground resource availability in determining the allometric growth of trees and suggest that this diversity of responses may contribute tree species coexistence through competition-based trade-off mechanisms and variation in growth among individuals. Additionally, as the importance estimating natural carbon sequestration increases with the escalating effects of anthropogenic climate change, differences in tree growth and architecture across soil habitats also have implications for the approximation of forest carbon storage on heterogeneous tropical soils.     

Intra- and interspecific competition differently influence growth and stem quality of young oaks (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.)

Context

Cluster planting has become a conventional establishment method for oaks in Central Europe, where the spacing of seedlings within clusters varies between ‘nests’ (0.2?×?0.2 m) and ‘groups’ (1?×?1 m). Although the space between clusters is expected to fill with voluntary regeneration, its competitive effect on oak growth and quality had not been studied yet.

Aims

The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of inter- and intraspecific interactions on growth and quality of oaks grown in cluster plantings by quantifying the influence of neighbouring trees. In addition, we analysed whether the spatial position of oaks within groups (inner section or periphery) influenced their quality development.

Methods

Using Hegyi’s competition index, the influence of competition from intra- and interspecific trees from early, mid- and late-successional species, on diameter, height, slenderness and quality (length of branch-free bole) of 10- to 26-year-old oaks grown in cluster planting stands was quantified at seven sites in Baden-Württemberg and Hessen, Germany.

Results

In general, mid- and late-successional trees exerted a stronger competitive influence on growth of target oaks in clusters than the conspecific oaks and pioneer tree species. Oak quality development benefited from intraspecific competition, but self-pruning was not further promoted through additional interspecific competition. Within groups, inner oaks had a higher probability of developing into potential future crop trees than outer oaks.

Conclusion

Our study showed that intra- and interspecific competition had different effects on target oak trees and that these effect differed between nest and group plantings. The development of naturally regenerated and planted trainer trees in group plantings should be monitored carefully and if necessary be controlled through thinning or pollarding.     

Effect of gap size on mid-rotation stand structure and species composition in a naturally regenerated mixed broadleaf forest

This paper is an assessment of the effect of gap size on stand structure and species composition 48 years following treatment in a mixed broadleaf upland forest. Established in 1960, the study tests three circular openings, 15.2 m (0.02 ha), 45.7 m (0.16 ha), and 76.2 m (0.46 ha). Forty-eight years following treatment (2008) basal area, top height, and quadratic mean diameter were significantly lower in 15.2 m openings. Maple (Acer spp.) species had the highest mean importance value across treatments (0.40). Trends suggest that species composition of dominant and codominant trees among opening sizes may have been influenced by shade tolerance adaptations of the species groups present. Whereas 15.2 m openings were dominated by shade tolerant maple species, 45.7 and 76.2 m openings produced a mixture of commercial species including shade intolerant species such as yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), trees of intermediate shade tolerance like oak (Quercus spp.), and shade tolerant maple. Data further suggest the density of overstory oak was highest in the intermediate opening size (45.7 m), while yellow-poplar increased in the larger opening sizes. Evaluation of species shifts between 1981 and 2008 showed that relative basal area of maple increased across all treatments. Relative basal areas from 45.7 to 76.2 m openings suggest declines in yellow-poplar and other non-commercial species were balanced by increases in oak and maple.     

Modelling competition of paired columns of Eucalyptus on interplanted grass

Adequate evaluation of competition interfaces of tree growth on intercrops is an important consideration in the assessment of agroforestry systems. Spatial methods wherein positional effect of an observation with respect to trees or columns of trees can be accounted for were examined. Yield ofbhabbar grass (Eulaliopsis binata Ritz) planted under paired and staggered columns of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith) was analysed for four years. Grass production at 7 positions recorded across staggered and paired tree columns was significantly different. Spatial correlations among contiguous observations across paired tree columns were significant. Cyclicity corresponding to seven columns of grass of 3.5 m distance between paired tree columns explained variation in grass production significantly during the first observation year. Additional competition interfaces at 1.75 m and 1.17 m appeared in the subsequent years. These competition interfaces were attributed to pairing of trees and staggering. Error distributions of fitting of cyclic patterns were more acceptable as compared to ANOVA. Possibilities of the use of this methodology in many other agroforestry situations are discussed.     

Modeling individual tree height growth of Norway spruce and Scots pine from national forest inventory data in Norway

We developed individual tree height growth models for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Norway based on national forest inventory data. Potential height growth is based on existing dominant height growth models and reduced due to competition by functions developed in this study. Three spatially explicit and two spatially non-explicit competition indices were tested. Distance effects and diameter ratio effects were estimated from the data simultaneously with parameters of the potential modifier functions. Large height measurement errors in the national forest inventory data caused large residual variation of the models. However, the effects of competition on height growth were significant and plausible. The potential modifier functions show that height growth of dominant trees is largely unaffected by competition. Only at higher levels of competition, height growth is reduced as a consequence of competition. However, Scots pine also reduced height growth at very low levels of competition. Distance effects in the spatially explicit competition indices indicated that the closest neighbors are most important for height growth. However, for Scots pine also competitors at larger distance affected height growth. The five competition indices tested in this study explained similar proportions of the variation in relative height growth. Given that unbiased predictions can only be expected for the same plot size, we recommend a spatially explicit index, which describes the distance function with a negative exponential, for use in growth simulators.     

杨树新无性系木材性质的变异研究

The wood basic density, cellulose content and fiber form were investigated for all sample trees at breast height (1.3m) in seven poplar clones, and at 0 (butt), 5.6, 9.6, 13.6, 17.6, 19.6 and 21.6 m for clone Nanlin-95 and Nanlin-895, respectively,for providing information on variation patterns of wood density, fiber characteristics and holocellulose content within trees and among clones. The results showed that significant variations about wood density, cellulose content, fiber diameter and the ratio of fiber length to diameter existed among poplar clones examined. Variance analysis indicated that there were significant differences in wood basic density, fiber length, fiber diameter and cellulose content among the growth rings, which had an increasing tendency along the direction from pith to bark. The significant differences also existed in wood basic density, fiber length and fiber diameter at different tree height. The mean wood basic density had a general increase trend with increasing height of trees and the lowest was found at the base, while fiber length and fiber diameter had a general decline pattern with increasing height of trees and the biggest value was observed at the height of 5.6 m. Regression analysis indicated that the relationship between examined wood properties and growth ring number (cambial age), and the relationship between examined wood properties and tree height can be described by polynomial functions.     

日本落叶松人工林密度调控技术研究

以日本落叶松中幼林抚育间伐样地监测数据,利用树冠竞争因子（CCF）、林分密度指数、单位断面积生长过程等指标,分析了抚育间伐对断面积和蓄积两方面的影响,结果表明：间伐林分的断面积和蓄积有相同的生长过程,即林分在一定间伐强度范围内（强度小于50％）间伐强度越大,年均生长率越大;用树冠竞争因子描述日本落叶松人工林断面积的生长过程,未间伐林分的立木度接近稳定状态,而间伐林分降低了林分的CCF值,随着林龄的增加,CCF值不断增加,逐渐向未间伐林分靠近。总的来说间伐林分在间伐初期要小于未间伐林分,但随着林龄的增大及林木竞争的加剧,间伐林分逐渐向未间伐林分靠近。     

基于分层的典型中亚热带天然阔叶林林木竞争关系研究

[目的]通过分析不同林层林木之间的竞争情况,以期揭示林木间相互竞争的类型、林木受到的竞争压力与林木垂直分布之间的关系,为森林资源的保护与利用提供科学依据。[方法]在福建万木林自然保护区内设5块典型中亚热带天然阔叶林样地,采用Hegyi的竞争指数,按分层和不分层两种情形研究林木间的竞争强度。[结果]在1—5号样地,当取样半径超过4 m后,林木间的竞争强度随取样半径的增大而减小的趋势变缓,4 m是分析林木竞争的适宜半径;以4 m为半径分析林木间的竞争,发现有一半以上的组成树种只发生种间竞争,剩余同时发生种间和种内竞争的树种,其竞争木构成中数量占优势的普遍是与其相异的树种,且种间竞争强度普遍强于种内竞争;各样地的乔木层都可以划分出由高到低的3个林层,在平均水平,越高层的林木距离竞争木越远、在竞争木的组成中较矮小的第3林层林木数量也越多;越高层的林木,平均每株对象木与其全部竞争木之间的竞争压力越小。[结论]在调查的典型群落中,普遍发生的是种间竞争,而林木受到的竞争压力及其竞争木的组成都与它们的垂直分布关系密切,在森林资源保护和经营中应对垂直分布予以更多的关注;乔木层中的优势树种未发生激烈种间或种内竞争;可以发生激烈种间竞争的乔木树种有米槠、庆元冬青、少叶黄杞和杜英,不存在特定的竞争木与它们竞争,它们与竞争木相近、主要分布在第2或第3林层;种内竞争过于激烈的有山杜英、华杜英、山黄皮、野含笑和羊舌树,也主要分布在第2或第3林层。