Mineral nitrogen dynamics following soil compaction and cultivation during hoop pine plantation establishment

The effects of soil compaction and cultivation on soil mineral N dynamics were investigated through an 18-month, in situ N mineralisation experiment during the inter-rotation and early establishment period of a second rotation (2R) hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) plantation in southeast Queensland, Australia. Treatments were 0, 1 and 16 passes of a fully laden forwarder (gross weight, 40.2 Mg) and cultivation by disc plough (zero cultivation and cultivation). Nitrate N was the dominant form of mineral N throughout the 18-month sampling period in both non-cultivated and cultivated soils, varying between 10 and 40 kg ha⁻¹ whilst ammonium N remained <10 kg ha⁻¹. Compaction had no significant effect on N mineralisation or nitrification. However, the remediation of the effects of compaction on soil through the use of the disc plough had significant impacts on N mineralisation, nitrification and N leaching. On a seasonal basis, the mean net N mineralisation increased from around 30 to 53 kg ha⁻¹, nitrification from 28 to 43 kg ha⁻¹ and nitrate N leaching from around 10 to 73 kg ha⁻¹ following cultivation.     

Nitrogen budgets for Scots pine and Norway spruce ecosystems 12 and 7 years after the end of long-term fertilisation

The magnitude of nitrogen storage and its temporal change in forest ecosystems are important when analysing global change. For example, the accelerated growth of European forests has been linked to increased nitrogen deposition, but the changes in the N inputs that cause long-term changes in ecosystems have not yet been identified. We used two Swedish forest optimum nutrition experiments with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) to study the long-term fate of N applied to these forest ecosystems. In the pine experiment, in addition to fertiliser (NPK) application, soil acidity was manipulated by application of lime and dilute sulphuric acid. From the spruce experiment, we selected treatments with similar fertiliser doses as in the pine experiment and with and without lime addition.We quantified various terms in the N budget 12 years (pine) and 7 years (spruce) after the last N addition. In the pine stand the NPK-treatment was the only treatment to produce a significant increase in N in the tree biomass (97% above control), whereas in the spruce stand the N additions increased tree N in all treatment combinations (207% above control). In the pine stand the relative distribution of nitrogen between trees and soil did not vary across treatments, with trees containing around 12% of ecosystem N and humus containing around 44% of soil N. The increases in N stocks in the pine stands were mainly in the soil. In contrast, in the spruce ecosystem trees accumulated most of the added N and the increase in the soil was restricted to the humus layer.In the pine ecosystem, large losses of added N (between 254 and 738 kg ha⁻¹ out of 1040 kg ha⁻¹ added as fertiliser) occurred, whereas in the spruce ecosystem we recovered more N than could be accounted for by inputs (between 250 and 591 kg ha⁻¹). There was no clear pattern in the interaction between acidification/liming and N additions.     

Effects of experimental acidification,nitrogen addition and liming on ground vegetation in a mature stand of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in SE Sweden

During the period 1976–1991, a combined experiment of acidification, liming and nitrogen addition in a mature spruce stand was conducted at Farabol in south-east Sweden. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of these treatments on the ground vegetation 0, 1, 5 and 15 years after experimental establishment. The treatment regimes were nitrogen (200 kg N ha⁻¹, repeated three times at 4–5-year intervals, totally 600 kg N ha⁻¹), sulphur powder (50 and 100 kg S ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, totally 600 and 1200 kg ha⁻¹), sulphur plus nitrogen (600+600 kg ha⁻¹) and limestone (500 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, i.e. totally 6000 kg ha⁻¹). The results showed that nitrogen addition and liming promoted the abundance of the grass Deschampsia flexuosa, while acidification had a negative effect on D. flexuosa and herbs in the field layer. There was a negative reaction giving immediate damage to the bryophytes in connection with additions of nitrogen, sulphur powder and lime. The magnitude of damage and the capacity to recover varied among species as well as among treatments. The recovery from immediate damage after liming was much faster than after the treatments with sulphur powder and/or nitrogen. A negative interaction between sulphur powder and nitrogen was found for herbs and mosses where the combined effects were stronger than the effects of a single treatment alone. Acidification also had a negative effect on the total number of species. The results of this study showed that acidification and nitrogen deposition could negatively influence forest vegetation by changing the nutrient availability in the soils. Liming led to an improved growth of the forest ground vegetation and the flora changed towards a more nitrophilic species composition.     

Carbon sources and sinks in high-elevation spruce–fir forests of the Southeastern US

This paper examines carbon (C) pools, fluxes, and net ecosystem balance for a high-elevation red spruce–Fraser fir forest [Picea rubens Sarg./Abies fraseri (Pursh.) Poir.] in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), based on measurements in fifty-four 20 m × 20 m permanent plots located between 1525 and 1970 m elevation. Forest floor and mineral soil C was determined from destructive sampling of the O horizon and incremental soil cores (to a depth of 50 cm) in each plot. Overstory C pools and net C sequestration in live trees was estimated from periodic inventories between 1993 and 2003. The CO₂ release from standing and downed wood was based on biomass and C concentration estimates and published decomposition constants by decay class and species. Soil respiration was measured in situ between 2002 and 2004 in a subset of eight plots along an elevation gradient. Litterfall was collected from a total of 16 plots over a 2–5-year period.The forest contained on average 403 Mg C ha⁻¹, almost half of which stored belowground. Live trees, predominantly spruce, represented a large but highly variable C pool (mean: 126 Mg C ha⁻¹, CV = 39%); while dead wood (61 Mg C ha⁻¹), mostly fir, accounted for as much as 15% of total ecosystem C. The 10-year mean C sequestration in living trees was 2700 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, but increased from 2180 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1993–1998 to 3110 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1998–2003, especially at higher elevations. Dead wood also increased during that period, releasing on average 1600 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Estimated net soil C efflux ranged between 1000 and 1450 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, depending on the calculation of total belowground C allocation. Based on current flux estimates, this old-growth system was close to C neutral.     

Carbon and nutrients loos in aboveground biomass along a fire induced forest-savanna gradient in the Gran Sabana,southern Venezuela

Forest degradation and savannization are critical environmental issues associated with forest fires in the Gran Sabana, southern Venezuela. Yet little is known about the ecological consequences resulting from the conversion of forest to savanna in this region. In this study we quantified the change in C and nutrients in aboveground biomass along a fire induced gradient consisting of unburned tall primary forest (TF), slightly fire-affected medium forest (MF), strongly fire-affected low forest (LF) and savanna (S). Total aboveground biomass (TAGB) decreased from 411 Mg ha⁻¹ in TF to 313 Mg ha⁻¹ in MF, 13 Mg ha⁻¹ in LF and 5 Mg ha⁻¹ in S. The pools of C and nutrients in TAGB decreased 13–25% from TF to MF, 88–97% from TF to LF and 97–98% from TF to S. In TF and MF, about 40% of C and over 80% of base cations (Ca, K and Mg) was stored in TAGB, whereas the bulk of N and P were stored in the soil (90% of N and 72% of P). This distribution of elements was different in LF and S, where about 50% of base cations were stored in TAGB, and more than 94% of C, 98% of N and 87% of P were stored in the mineral soil. The large amount of elements stored in the biomass of the tall unburned forest demonstrates the high sensitivity of this ecosystem to fire. The change from tall forest to low forest and savanna implies large losses of C and nutrients stored in aboveground biomass and soils (namely 390–399 Mg C ha⁻¹, 11–13 Mg N ha⁻¹, 70–72 kg P ha⁻¹, 783–818 kg K ha⁻¹, 736–889 kg Ca ha⁻¹, and 200–225 kg Mg ha⁻¹). Such drain of C and nutrients in soils extremely low in silicates, which can replenish the lost nutrients by weathering reduces the recuperation chance of these ecosystems and therefore their future capacity to sequester C and accumulate nutrients.     

Production,allocation, and stemwood growth efficiency of Pinus taeda L. stands in response to 6 years of intensive management

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is a highly plastic species with respect to growth responses to forest management. Loblolly pine is the most planted species across the southern United States, a region with the most expansive and intensively managed forest plantations in the world. Management intensity, using tools such as site preparation and fertilization, is increasing greatly in scope over time. To better define to the productive potential of loblolly pine under intensive management, the influence of 6 years of management with weed control (W), weed control plus irrigation (WI), weed control plus irrigation and fertigation (irrigation with a fertilizer solution) (WIF), or weed control plus irrigation, fertigation, and pest control (WIFP) since plantation establishment on stand productivity in loblolly pine was examined. The site is located near Bainbridge, GA (30°48′N latitude and 84°39′W longitude) and is of medium quality (site index=18 m, base age 25). Increasing management intensity greatly accelerated stand development and biomass accumulation. At age 6 total production (above plus belowground) was nearly doubled from 50 to 93 Mg ha⁻¹ in WIFP stands compared to W stands, and standing stem biomass increased from 24 Mg ha⁻¹ in W stands to 48 Mg ha⁻¹ in response to WIFP treatment. Stem current annual increment (CAI) peaked at age 5 in the WIF and WIFP stands at 17–18 Mg ha⁻¹ per year at a basal area between 18 and 21 m² ha⁻¹. Year to year variation in CAI was better explained by previous-year leaf area index (LAI) than current-year LAI. Maximum stemwood production in loblolly pine was achieved through large increases in LAI and small decreases in allocation to woody roots (tap+coarse roots) versus woody shoots (stem+branches) associated with intensive treatments.     

Changes in soil,seepage water and needle chemistry between 1984 and 2004 after liming an N-saturated Norway spruce stand at the Höglwald,Germany

In 1984, a liming experiment with a surface application of 4 t ha⁻¹ of dolomitic limestone was started at the acidic N-saturated Norway spruce forest “Höglwald” in southern Germany and monitored until 2004. The decay of surface humus due to the accelerated mineralisation accounted for 18.5 ± 2.7 t ha⁻¹ C or 50% of the initial pool and 721.6 ± 115.0 kg ha⁻¹ N or 46% for N. Due to some translocation of organic material to the mineral soil the values to 40 cm depth are slightly lower (13.5 ± 4.4 t ha⁻¹ C or 15% of the initial pool and 631.6 ± 192.8 kg ha⁻¹ N or 13% for N). In the control plot NO₃⁻ concentrations at 40 cm depth were above the European level of drinking water (0.8 mmolc l⁻¹ or 50 mg NO₃⁻ l⁻¹) for nearly the whole investigation period. Liming increased NO₃⁻ concentrations in seepage water for approximately 15 years, and accelerated leaching losses by 396.2 NO₃⁻–N kg ha⁻¹ from 1984 to 2003. The increase in pH of the soil matrix was more or less restricted to the humus layer and the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil during the whole time span, while the base cations Ca and Mg reached deeper horizons with seepage water. From 1984 to 2003, an amount that nearly equalled the applied Mg, was leached out of the main rooting zone, while most of the applied Ca was retained. The time series of the elemental concentrations in needles showed minor changes. Ca concentrations in needles increased with liming, while Mg remained nearly unchanged, and P decreased in older needles.     

Microbial activity,nutrient dynamics and litter decomposition in a Canadian Rocky Mountain pine forest as affected by N and P fertilizers

To study the specific effects of N and P fertilizers on soil microbial processes under field conditions, a pine forest in southern Alberta was fertilized with ammonium nitrate and urea (0 and 188 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively) singly and in combination with triple super phosphate (0 and 94 kg P ha⁻¹, respectively). Microbial respiration (BR), substrate induced respiration (SIR), metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and rates of microbially mediated key processes were monitored in the forest floor FH material during the growing periods of spring 1990 to fall 1992. A transient increase in soil NH₄⁺ availability was detected following N addition but significant increases in PO₄³⁻ availability were detected throughout the study as a result of P enhancement. Microbial variables were unaffected by N addition, whereas soil organic matter and SIR was increased with P fertilization. Microbial BR and qCO₂ were reduced with P fertilization suggesting more efficient utilization of C. Increased net mineralization of P in the P-fertilized plots was found during the second and third summers after fertilization, following immobilization of P during the first year. In contrast, NH₄⁺-N mineralization in the N-fertilized plots was significantly increased only during the first year. Rates of nitrification were unaffected by either N or P addition. Decomposition of pine litter was enhanced with N addition only during the first year and P had no effect on decomposition. Addition of N and P at these rates does not appear to impose a major ecological stress to the soil ecosystem.     

Long-term trends in loblolly pine productivity and stand characteristics in response to thinning and fertilization in the West Gulf region

Two levels each of thinning and fertilization were applied to a 7-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation on a nitrogen- and phosphorus-deficient West Gulf Coastal Plain site in Louisiana. Levels of thinning were no thinning, or thinning applied 7 and 14 years after stand initiation. Levels of fertilization were no fertilization or broadcast fertilization with diammonium phosphate at age 7 years plus refertilization with urea, monocalcium phosphate, and potash at age 14 years. Long-term measurements of climate, stand development and productivity, projected leaf area index, and foliar nutrition were initiated at age 11 years. We found that by age 17 years, thinning increased mean live-crown length from 4.2 to 7.8 m, and mean tree diameter from 15.0 to 21.8 cm compared to the unthinned treatment. After rethinning at age 14 years, stand basal area increased 1.2 and 19.2% between ages 15 and 17 years on the unthinned and thinned plots, respectively. Refertilization at age 14 years reestablished foliar N, P and K sufficiency, which increased leaf area index from 4.2 to 6.0 m² m⁻² on the unthinned plots and from 3.2 to 3.8 m² m⁻² on the thinned plots, and subsequently, increased gross stand biomass from 114 to 141 Mg ha⁻¹ on the unthinned plots and from 78 to 95 Mg ha⁻¹ on the thinned plots by age 17 years. Leaf area was an important factor controlling loblolly pine productivity. At our study site, however, competition for light and water and nutrition-limited foliage growth influenced the variability and scope of this relationship. Our results suggest that a positive and linear relationship between leaf area and loblolly pine productivity does not universally occur on loblolly pine sites.     

Long-term growth and ecophysiological responses of a southeastern Oklahoma loblolly pine plantation to early rotation thinning

A thinning levels study was initiated in a 9-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation containing 26.6 m² ha⁻¹ basal area during the spring of 1984 in southeastern Oklahoma. Thinning treatments consisted of (1) three control plots (BA100), (2) three plots thinned to approximately 50% of the original basal area (BA50) and (3) three plots that were thinned to 25% of the original basal area (BA25). In 1987 the BA50 and BA25 plots were both rethinned to a basal area of 12 m² ha⁻¹. No other thinnings were done through age 24.The control plots have attained a basal area of 45.3 m² ha⁻¹ and basal area is now starting to decline. The BA25 and BA50 plots have basal areas between 34 and 35 m² ha⁻¹. Mortality has averaged about 90 trees ha⁻¹ per year from age 10 to age 24 on the control plot, declining from 2078 trees ha⁻¹ at age 10 to 827 trees ha⁻¹ at age 24. Mortality losses in the BA25 and BA50 plots have been only 3.2–7.7 trees ha⁻¹ per year over the entire study period. Cumulative stem biomass lost to mortality was 10.5, 16.0 and 61 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively, for the BA25, BA50 and BA100 treatments. Cumulative standing live biomass at age 24 in the BA100 treatment is 132 Mg ha⁻¹. Cumulative standing live biomass in the BA25 and BA50 treatments at age 24 is 86 and 79%, respectively, of that observed in the BA100 treatment. These results suggest wide ranges of residual stand densities left after an early thinning will produce a high percentage of the potential total maximum standing stem biomass. Diameter distributions at age 24 show only 33% of the trees in the BA100 treatments have the dimensions to be sawtimber (≥30 cm) but 92 and 95% of the trees in the BA25 and BA50, respectively, are sawtimber dimension or larger. Mean annual stem biomass production (MAI) of the BA100 treatment is 7.5 Mg ha⁻¹ per year at age 24. MAI of the thinned treatments is about 5.1 Mg ha⁻¹ per year and is converging to that of the BA100 treatment. The basis for this convergence is not that the live trees in the BA100 treatment are producing live biomass less rapidly than the thinned plots, but that mortality losses in the BA100 plot are much higher. Current annual stemwood production in all treatments is often limited by the severe summer droughts that occur in this region. The wide variations in weather experienced at this site also result in variations in earlywood:latewood ratio and ring specific gravity.     

Estimation of biomass and net primary productivity of major planted forests in China based on forest inventory data

Reforestation and afforestation have been suggested as an important land use management in mitigating the increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration under Kyoto Protocol of UN Framework Convention on climate change. Forest inventory data (FID) are important resources for understanding the dynamics of forest biomass, net primary productivity (NPP) and carbon cycling at landscape and regional scales. In this study, more than 300 data sets of biomass, volume, NPP and stand age for five planted forest types in China (Larix, Pinus tabulaeformis, Pinus massoniana, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pouulus) from literatures were synthesized to develop regression equations between biomass and volume, and between NPP and biomass, and stand age. Based on the fourth FID (1989–1993), biomass and NPP of five planted forest types in China were estimated. The results showed that total biomass and total NPP of the five types of forest plantations were 2.81 Pg (1 Pg = 10¹⁵ g) and 235.65 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (1 Mg = 10⁶ g), respectively. The area-weighted mean biomass density (biomass) and NPP of different forest types varied from 44.43 (P. massoniana) to 146.05 Mg ha⁻¹ (P. tabulaeformis) and from 4.41 (P. massoniana) to 7.33 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (Populus), respectively. The biomass and NPP of the five planted forest types were not distributed evenly across different regions in China. Larix forests have the greatest variations in biomass and NPP, ranging from 2.7 to 135.37 Mg ha⁻¹ and 0.9 to 10.3 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. However, biomass and NPP of Populus forests in different region varied less and they were approximately 50 Mg ha⁻¹ and 7–8 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. The distribution pattern of biomass and NPP of different forest types closely related with stand ages and regions. The study provided not only with an estimation biomass and NPP of major planted forests in China but also with a useful methodology for estimating forest carbon storage at regional and global levels.     

Dynamics of above- and below-ground biomass and nutrient accumulation in an age sequence of Nothofagus antarctica forest of Southern Patagonia

Nothofagus antarctica (Forster f.) Oersted is a deciduous tree species, which naturally grows on poorly drained or drier eastern sites in the Andes Mountain near Patagonian steppe. Above- and below-ground biomass and nutrients pools were measured in pure even-aged stands at different ages (5–220 years) and crown classes. Functions were fitted for total biomass and nutrients accumulation, and root/shoot ratio of individual trees against age. Total biomass accumulated for mature dominant trees was eight times greater than mature suppressed trees. Biomass root/shoot ratio decreased with age from 1.8 to a steady-state of 0.5. All nutrients concentration (except Ca) decreased with age and varied according to the degree of crown suppression classes. Nutrient concentrations varied between biomass pool components following the order leaves > bark > small branches > fine roots > medium roots > rooten wood > coarse roots > sapwood > heartwood. Total nutrient accumulation followed the order dominant > codominant > intermediate > suppressed trees and its accumulation rate varied over time, e.g. P accumulation rate of dominant trees increased from 0.17 g tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ during regeneration to 1.39 g tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ in mature trees. Nutrients uptake reached a peak during the period of maximum biomass production, and root/shoot ratio of nutrients decreased from its maximum value at 5 years of age (0.6, 4.0, 0.9, 1.5, 1.0 and 2.6 for N, P, K, Ca, S and Mg, respectively) to a steady-state asymptote beyond 50 years of age. Thus, accumulation of nutrients in roots was greater during the regeneration phase of stand development, and nutrient accumulation increased in above-ground over time. Also, nutrient use efficiency increased in mature trees (111–220 years) and decreased in suppressed crown classes. The equations developed for individual trees have been used to estimate stand biomass and nutrient accumulation from forest inventories data. Total stand biomass varied from 62.5 to 133.4 t ha⁻¹ and total nutrients accumulation ranged from 3 kg Mg ha⁻¹ to 1235 kg Ca ha⁻¹. Proposed equations can be used for practical purposes such as to estimate pasture nutrients requirement in a silvopastoral system based on nutrients supply from leaf litter returns, or to determine amelioration practices like debarking stems before harvesting.     

Stand development and production dynamics of loblolly pine under a range of cultural treatments in north-central Florida USA

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of stand development and soil nutrient supply on processes affecting the productivity of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) over a period approximately equal to a pulpwood rotation (18 years). The experiment consisted of a 2×2 factorial combination of complete and sustained weed control and annual fertilization treatments (C: control treatment, F: fertilization, W: weed control, FW: combined fertilization and weed control), located on a Spodosol in north-central Florida, USA. The reduction of soil nutrient limitations through fertilization or control of competing vegetation resulted in dramatic increases in almost every measure of productivity investigated, including height (19.7 m in the FW treatment versus 12.5 m in the C treatment at age 18 years), basal area (FW=44.2 m² ha⁻¹, F=39.6 m² ha⁻¹, W=36.6 m² ha⁻¹, C=19.9 m² ha⁻¹ at age 16 years), stemwood biomass accumulation (114 Mg ha⁻¹ in FW versus 42.8 Mg ha⁻¹ in C at age 18 years), foliar nitrogen concentration (1.53% in plots receiving fertilization versus 1.06% in unfertilized plots at age 17 years) and leaf area index (age 16-year peak projected of approximately 3.3 at age 9–10 years in F and FW plots, 2.5 in the W treatment and 1.5 in the C plots). Cultural treatments also decreased the growth ring earlywood/latewood ratio, and accelerated the juvenile wood to mature wood transition. While soil nutrient supply was a major determinant of productivity, production changes that occurred within treatments over the course of stand development were equally dramatic. For example, between age 8 and 15 years, stemwood PAI in the FW treatment declined by 275%; similarly large reductions occurred in the F and W treatments over the same time period. The reductions in PAI in the treated plots were linearly related to stand BA, suggesting the decline in productivity was associated with the onset of inter-tree competition. Responses of stemwood PAI to re-fertilization treatments at age 15 years suggests that the declines in growth and growth efficiency with time were partially attributable to nutrient limitations.     

Indicators of nitrogen conservation in Austrocedrus chilensis forests along a moisture gradient in Argentina

Plant nitrogen conservation which may affect, for instance, rates of litter decomposition, soil N mineralization and N availability is thought to vary along gradients of soil fertility. Since Austrocedrus chilensis is adapted to a wide moisture gradient, we hypothesed that different intensities of N conservation would be found depending on site characteristics. We studied four sites along a moisture gradient in the Andean–Patagonian Region of Argentina, representative of the three A. chilensis forest-types (marginal, compact and mixed forests), and measured the following indicators of N conservation: (i) carbon, nitrogen and C/N ratio in young, mature and senescent leaves, total soil litter and soil; (ii) lignin concentration and lignin/N ratio in senescent leaves and total litter, and (iii) potential soil N mineralization during a 16-week incubation. A. chilensis showed a strong capacity to conserve N: (i) low N concentration in both young and mature leaves (10 and 6.5 g kg⁻¹, respectively); (ii) high N resorption proficiency (5.1 g N kg⁻¹ in senescent leaves) and N use efficiency (200), and (iii) high values of C/N, lignin and lignin/N in senescent leaves (107, 250 g kg⁻¹ and 50, respectively), and total litter (36, 420 g kg⁻¹ and 33, respectively). Some indicators (resorption proficiency, C/N in senescent leaves and lignin/N in total litter) were independent of site characteristics, while others (N and C/N in green leaves and lignin in litter) showed significant differences, suggesting a higher capacity to conserve N in the intermediate sites of the gradient (compact forests). Contrary to expectations, the marginal forest (drier, less fertile soils) showed the lowest values of lignin in litter, the highest N concentrations in green leaves and the highest rates of potential N mineralization.     

Stand development after different thinnings in two uneven-aged Picea abies forests in Sweden

Two field experiments, located in Central and Northern Sweden, were used to study the influence of standing volume on volume increment and ingrowth in uneven-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands subjected to different thinnings. Each experiment had a 3 × 2 factorial block design with two replications. Treatments were thinning grade, removing about 45, 65, and 85% of pre-thinning basal area, and thinning type, removing the larger or the smaller trees, respectively. Each site also had two untreated control plots. Plot size was 0.25 ha. Volume increment was 0.5–6.8 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for the plots, and significantly positively (p < 0.01) correlated with standing volume. Within treatment pairs, plots thinned from Above had consistently higher volume increment than plots thinned from Below. Ingrowth ranged from 3 to 33 stems ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, with an average of 14 and 21 stems ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ at the northern and southern site, respectively. At the southern site ingrowth was significantly negatively (p < 0.01) correlated with standing volume, but not at the northern site. Mean annual mortality after thinning was 2 and 7 stems ha⁻¹ year⁻¹at the northern and southern site, respectively.     

A comprehensive analysis of teak plantation investment in Colombia

A financial assessment of forest investments is comprehensive if the analysis includes reliable yield estimates, land expectation value (LEV) and risk calculation. All of these aspects were considered and applied to teak plantations in Colombia, an emergent economy where high forest productivity, low opportunity cost of land, and decreased financial/economic risk have substantially contributed to promote forest investments. The von Bertalanffy non-linear mixed effect model was used to estimate forest yields using data collected from 31 permanent sample plots, measured over a 17 year period. A stochastic version of LEV along with other financial criteria was calculated by using a computer algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, probabilities obtained from stochastic financial calculations were used in logistic models to estimate probabilities of success for a forest plantation project, a measure of risk assessment, after changing land prices. Results suggest that the potential forest productivity (i.e., the biological asymptote) ranges from 93 to 372 m³ ha^− 1. The mean annual increment is 27.8 m³ ha^− 1 year^− 1, which is attained 6 years after the forest plantation is established. Profitability analyses for teak plantations in Colombia suggest a LEV of US$7000 ha^− 1. The risk analyses indicate negligible financial risk for forestlands whose prices are lower than US$2000 ha^− 1.     

Nutrient uptake and growth of young trees in a P-deficient soil: Tree species and phosphorus effects

Phosphorus deficiency is widespread in the subhumid highlands of eastern Africa but there are few data on the effect of P deficiency on the growth of agroforestry tree species. We studied the effect of P application on growth, nutrient uptake and dry matter partitioning in young trees of Calliandra calothyrsus, Cedrela serrulata, Eucalyptus grandis, Grevillea robusta, Markhamia lutea, Senna spectabilis, and Sesbania sesban on a P-deficient soil (Kandiudalfic Eutrudox, bicarbonate-EDTA extractable P = 1 mg kg⁻¹) in western Kenya. The trees were grown at two P levels (control and 500 kg added P ha⁻¹) at 1 m² spacing in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Leaf K concentrations were in the low range for all species (5–9 mg g⁻¹) and K deficiency may have limited responses to P. Averaged over species, P addition increased aboveground shoot dry matter by a factor of 2.6 at 62 and 124 days, but the response decreased to 1.3 at 325 days. The increases at 62 days were large in sesbania (5.4) and eucalyptus (3.2) but small in calliandra (1.4) and markhamia (1.1). Relative response to P was more strongly correlated with shoot growth rate per unit root length among species than with shoot growth rate alone. Calliandra, which had high early growth rate but low response to added P, had an exceptionally high root length (6.0 km m⁻²) compared with the other species (0.3–2.1 km m⁻²). P addition increased N and P content but decreased final shoot K content in sesbania and calliandra, and had little effect on K content in the other species. The high-yielding species (eucalyptus, sesbania and calliandra) accumulated more than 30 g N and 2 g P m⁻² in shoots in 325 days of growth. The proportion of total shoot N in wood (branch + stem) was in a higher range (67–75%) in the shrubby species (sesbania, calliandra, senna) than in the upperstorey tree species (38–43%). Slow early shoot growth relative to total root length, and high specific root length (root length per unit root mass) are proposed as criteria for the selection of species and provenances that are well adapted to P deficient soils.     

Effects of uneven-aged silviculture on the stand structure,species composition,and economic returns of loblolly pine stands

Uneven-aged silviculture in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands has many economic and ecological benefits. Here, the consequences of various uneven-aged management regimes are predicted with the SouthPro simulator. Results indicate that target distributions for pines with residual merchantable basal areas of ≈12.5 m² ha⁻¹, maximum diameters of ca. 40 cm, and q-ratios of 1.2–1.25 for 2.5 cm DBH classes are likely to provide high economic returns on good sites when combined with hardwood control. Increasing this maximum diameter would enhance tree-size diversity, but reduce sawtimber production and profits. Retaining a hardwood component with 1.15–2.3 m² ha⁻¹ of basal area could enhance tree-species diversity, but this too would result in moderate reductions in income. Insisting on maximizing tree-size diversity or tree-species diversity among softwoods, soft hardwood, and hard hardwoods would be quite costly in terms of lost income and production. Results also illustrate how short-term economic incentives can lead to high-grading practices, despite substantial reductions in stand productivity and net returns in the long term.     

Uptake of nutrients in Calluna vulgaris seed plants grown with and without mycorrhiza

A simple method to inoculate seed plants of heather Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull with its fungal associate was tested in peat soil under greenhouse conditions. This resulted in colonization of all the pots where inoculation was carried out. The average percentage colonization was 27. Colonization was not observed in the non-inoculated pots. This opens the way for experiments designed to create knowledge of the significance of ericaceous mycorrhiza to the members of the family Ericaceae that typically dominates nutrient-poor sites such as heathland, raised bog and tundra in the Northern Hemisphere. In association with the inoculation, experiments were carried out to determine differences between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal seed plants of heather, as regards the concentration of nutrients (NPK) in the shoots. No significant increase of nutrient concentrations in shoots or aboveground biomass due to the presence of mycorrhiza was observed. Phosphorous concentration was 16% lower in the shoots from the plants inoculated with mycorrhiza; this result was the only significant effect that could be ascribed to mycorrhiza. Increased growth rate in the plants with mycorrhiza dilutes the nutrient concentrations in the shoots from these plants. The mean nitrogen content (g N/pot) in shoots of heather was 10% higher in mycorrhizal plants than in non-mycorrhizal plants, whereas the difference in concentration (g N/g dry matter) was only 2% in favor of mycorrhizal plants. This indicates that the presence of mycorrhiza rather increases the growth rate than the nutrient concentration in the shoots. Fertilizer application experiments were carried out on the same plants. When 10 kg N ha⁻¹ was supplied as NH₃–N in aqueous solution, the concentration of N in the shoots was increased by 14%, from 0.75 to 0.86%. Both these concentrations are lower than those observed in nature. The total growth was increased by 32% in the potassium-fertilized (10 kg K ha⁻¹) pots. The percentage colonization was positively correlated to the N:P ratio in the shoot tissue. None of the treatments influenced the percentage colonization significantly.     

Height growth of planted conifer seedlings in relation to solar radiation and position in Scots pine shelterwood

Seedlings of different provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl., var. latifolia Engelm.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were planted in three Scots pine shelterwoods (125, 65 and 43 stems ha⁻¹) and a clear-cut, all in northern Sweden. The sites were mounded and planting took place during 2 consecutive years (1988 and 1989). The solar radiation experienced by the individual seedlings was determined using a simulation model. Height development of the seedlings was examined during their first 6 years after planting. During the final 3 years of the study, height growth of Norway spruce was relatively poor, both in the shelterwoods and the clear-cut area. Height growth of lodgepole pine was significantly greater than that of Scots pine, both in the shelterwoods and the clear-cut. In contrast to Norway spruce, Scots pine and lodgepole pine displayed significantly greater height growth in the clear-cut than in the shelterwoods. For all three species in the shelterwoods, regression analyses showed that height growth was more strongly correlated with the distance to the nearest tree than with the amount of radiation reaching the ground, i.e. growth was reduced in the vicinity of shelter trees. Therefore, we conclude that the significant reduction in height growth of seedlings of Scots pine and lodgepole pine in Scots pine shelterwoods was partially caused by factors associated with the distance to the nearest shelter tree. Because the substrate was a nitrogen-poor sandy soil, we suggest that root competition for mineral nutrients, especially nitrogen, accounts for the reduction in height growth.