Inventory and analysis of tree injuries in a rockfall-damaged forest stand

Rockfall is a major threat to settlements and transportation routes in many places. Consequently, the protective function of mountain forests has recently gained particular interest. However, much is still unknown about the ideal properties of protective forest stands. Therefore the present paper discusses a method for the inventory and analysis of tree injuries in a rockfall-damaged forest stand. With this method, the interrelation between stand geometry and rockfall injuries in a subalpine Polygalo chamaebuxi-Piceetum was examined. The study site of 0.3 Ha is located in the transit zone of frequently passing, small rockfall fragments (~10 cm in diameter) causing healable tree injuries. Tree and injury parameters were recorded and analysed as to injury number, height and size. The spatial distribution of the 157 trees (diameter at breast height dbh>5 cm) in the stand as well as of the 1,704 identified rockfall injuries showed a very uneven pattern. As expected, number, height and size of the injuries generally declined with increasing distance from the cliff as well as due to higher stem densities. In contrast, results indicated that the dbh of trees has no significant influence on the number of injuries per tree. However, this study showed a clear interrelation between tree and injury distribution: in general, large trees close to the cliff and smaller trees with a high density further down the slope seem to be favourable for good protection. At least an uneven-aged, multilayered stand should be sustained. Overall, the combined analysis of stand geometry and injury parameters provides information on the spatial distribution of rockfall and on the influence of tree arrangements.     

The effects of selective logging on stand structure and the regeneration of subboreal forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan

We investigated the effects of selective logging on stand structure and regeneration in selectively logged subboreal forests in Taisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido in northern Japan. The basal area decreased and the size structure of trees altered in the stands studied due to repeated, intense selective logging, in which larger trees were cut down as a priority. Sapling density in the stands was much lower than that in primary forests. In the simple and multiple regression analyses that were used to estimate the effects of selective logging on sapling density, sapling density had a significant positive correlation with tree density and had little correlation with the density of logged stumps or the height ofSasa (dwarf bamboo) growing on the forest floor. These results suggest that the establishment sites around canopy trees influenced the establishment of saplings, rather than the gaps caused by selective logging. However, both the coefficient of determination and the standardized partial regression coefficient of multiple regression analysis were higher for the stand with a dense cover ofSasa than for the stand with a sparse cover ofSasa. Thus, the success of regenerating forests with selective logging depends on both the site of advanced regeneration and the light conditions that regulate growth.     

A density management diagram for Norway spruce in the temperate European montane region

Norway spruce is one of the most important conifer tree species in Europe, paramount for timber provision, habitat, recreation, and protection of mountain roads and settlements from natural hazards. Although natural Norway spruce forests exhibit diverse structures, even-aged stands can arise after disturbance or as the result of common silvicultural practice, including off-site afforestation. Many even-aged Norway spruce forests face issues such as senescence, insufficient regeneration, mechanical stability, sensitivity to biotic disturbances, and restoration. We propose the use of Density Management Diagrams (DMD), stand-scale graphical models designed to project growth and yield of even-aged forests, as a heuristic tool for assessing the structure and development of even-aged Norway spruce stands. DMDs are predicated on basic tree allometry and the assumption that self-thinning occurs predictably in forest stands. We designed a DMD for Norway spruce in temperate Europe based on wide-ranging forest inventory data. Quantitative relationships between tree- and stand-level variables that describe resistance to selected natural disturbances were superimposed on the DMD. These susceptibility zones were used to demonstrate assessment and possible management actions related to, for example, windfirmness and effectiveness of the protective function against rockfall or avalanches. The Norway spruce DMD provides forest managers and silviculturists a simple, easy-to-use, tool for evaluating stand dynamics and scheduling needed density management actions.     

不同经营模式的水源涵养林生态防护功能研究

在山西五台山研究了不同经营技术措施的水源涵养林的生态防护功能,研究结果表明：油松纯林的林冠截留率最大,桦木纯林的林冠截留率最小,针阔混交林林地的持水量较高,其次为阔叶林、人工针叶林,阔叶林地土壤入渗率较针阔混交林高;经过封禁和封育后的灌木林改良土壤的作用明显;抚育型的林木生长量比封育和封禁型的大。不同经营技术措施的水源涵养林的生态防护功能不同, 应根据具体的立地条件和林分结构以及植被类型选择不同的经营模式。     

The ecology of tree regeneration in mature and old forests: combined knowledge for sustainable forest management

We focused our attention on quantifying the factor complex of forest regeneration in 423 mature and old stands with contrasting environmental conditions. We recorded the microhabitat selection of tree recruits, the frequency of tree seedlings, and evaluated the drivers of sapling abundance and diversity. The majority of forest regeneration was established on undisturbed forest floor. Dead wood was a frequent substrate in spruce-(co)dominated forests. Seedling frequency within a stand was related to the site-type specific productivity gradient of stands—pine seedlings were common in low-productivity and spruce in high-productivity boreal forests. Seedlings of temperate broad-leaved trees dominated in productive boreonemoral forests, except for oak, which showed a uniform distribution of abundance in all forest site-types. Sapling abundance was dictated by forest site-type, and facilitated by stand diversity, variability in stand closure, lying dead wood, abundant moss, and a thick organic layer. Only in boreal forests was sapling abundance suppressed by the abundant spruce and younger trees. Upon considering the relationship between sapling abundance and species richness, sapling diversity was dependent on forest site-type, suppressed by stand density and dead wood (old gap) abundance, and facilitated by stand diversity. In addition, boreonemoral stands, competition from herbs, and facilitation by mosses occurred. The observed pattern of tree recruitment points to the importance of top-down effects of the overstory, competing or facilitating interactions with forest floor vegetation, and availability of regeneration microhabitats, which in complex make their ecology comparable with forest herbs. Natural forest regeneration can be enhanced if silvicultural methods support mixed stands and enhance field layer diversity. Oak can provide the universal tree species to improve stand structure over a wide range of habitats.     

Thirty years of gap dynamics in a central european beech forest reserve

Investigation of gap characteristics and tree regeneration patternsis central for our understanding of forest dynamics. By integratingaerial photograph analyses and ground surveys, we provide astudy of long-term canopy gap dynamics and tree regenerationpatterns in a Hungarian beech forest reserve. We found (1) thatin spite of the overall increase of gap area during the investigated30-years (from 2.5 to 7.7 per cent), total gap area and averagegap size (40–93 m²) were remarkably similar to those foundin other temperate and tropical forests, (2) if the fate ofindividual gaps was followed, two to three times more intensivecanopy dynamics (gap creation, closure and expansion) couldbe recognized than simple change of gap area indicated, and(3) average seedling density was considered to be sufficientfor natural regeneration. However, it was apparent that recentincreased deer browsing had prevented establishment of youngertrees of 1–2 m in height, as taller saplings were recordedonly in old gaps. Our results not only provide useful informationon forest dynamics but can also contribute to understandingthe potential roles that small forest reserves can play in providingessential reference data for nature-based forest managementof this forest type.     

我国西北主要天然林经营模式设计

[目的]研制森林经营模式属于森林经营研究的核心内容.如何将现有的、已被实践检验而富有成效的经营方法与技术进行组装配套,形成森林经营模式是目前天然林经营研究中亟待解决的科学问题.[方法]将天然林经营的目标设定为保育健康、稳定、优质、高效的森林,根据现有林中大径木的多少确定经营类型,基于众多的试验结果或研究成果进行经营措施安排,期望在百年左右的时段内,通过有序调整小树拥挤度、大树均匀性、林分成层性和幼树开敞度,并进行地力维护以及结构化森林经营等技术措施,使现有天然林演变为恒续林.[结果]设计出了3大类20种经营模式,即9种针叶林(松林、云杉林)复层异龄林模式、4种栎类阔叶林模式以及7种松栎(阔)混交林模式.所设计出的天然林经营模式都包含了林分整体经营和单木经营,而在单木经营中均采用了结构化森林经营技术.[结论]研究设计出的20个经营模式为我国西北地区天然林保育提供了既先进又实用的技术指南,也对我国其它地区天然林经营有非常重要的借鉴作用.     

Study of structure and dynamics of Korean pine forest in the Xiaoxing’an Mountains

The thesis for the Doctorate consist of two parts. The first is to study on structure, dynamics and tree growth of natural Korean pine forest. The second is to research for tree architecture, growth and stand structure of artificial Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests.The thesis compares the stand structure, process of regeneration, and various tree growth patterns between natural forests and artificial forests. Its purpose is to give a basis for forest management and silviculture. The study was carried out in Liangshui Experimental Forest Farm, which is located in the southern Xiaoxing’an Mountains.     

Restoring forests: regeneration and ecosystem function for the future

Conventions and policies for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation state the need for increased protection, restoration and climate change adaptation of forests. Much degraded land may be targeted for large-scale forest restoration, yet challenges include costs, a shortage of regeneration material and the need for restored forests to serve as a resource for communities. To ensure ecosystem function for the future, forest restoration programs must: (1) learn from the past; (2) integrate ecological knowledge; (3) advance regeneration techniques and systems; (4) overcome biotic and abiotic disturbances and (5) adapt for future forest landscapes. Historical forest conditions, while site-specific, may help to identify the processes that leave long-term legacies in current forests and to understand tree migration biology/population dynamics and their relationship with climate change. Ecological theory around plant–plant interactions has shown the importance of negative (competition) and positive (facilitation) interactions for restoration, which will become more relevant with increasing drought due to climate change. Selective animal browsing influences plant–plant interactions and challenges restoration efforts to establish species-rich forests; an integrated approach is needed to simultaneously manage ungulate populations, landscape carrying capacity and browse-tolerant regeneration. A deeper understanding of limiting factors that affect plant establishment will facilitate nursery and site preparation systems to overcome inherent restoration challenges. Severe anthropogenic disturbances connected to global change have created unprecedented pressure on forests, necessitating novel ecological engineering, genetic conservation of tree species and landscape-level approaches that focus on creating functional ecosystems in a cost-effective manner.

     

A review of the roles of forest canopy gaps

Treefall gap, canopy opening caused by the death of one or more trees, is the dominant form of disturbance in many forest systems worldwide. Gaps play an important role in forest ecology helping to pre- serve bio- and pedo-diversity, influencing nutrient cycles, and maintain- ing the complex structure of the late-successional forests. Over the last 30 years, numerous reviews have been written describing gap dynamics. Here we synthesize current understanding on gap dynamics relating to tree regeneration with particular emphasis on gap characteristics consid- ered critical to develop ecologically sustainable forest management sys- tems and to conserve native biodiversity. Specifically, we addressed the question： how do gaps influence forest structure？ From the literature re- viewed, the size of gaps induces important changes in factors such as light intensity, soil humidity and soil biological properties that influence tree species regeneration and differ in gaps of different sizes. Shade- tolerant species can colonize small gaps; shade-intolerant species need large gaps for successful regeneration. Additionally, gap dynamics differ between temperate, boreal, and tropical forests, showing the importance of climate differences in driving forest regeneration. This review summa- rizes information of use to forest managers who design cutting regimes that mimic natural disturbances and who must consider forest structure, forest climate, and the role of natural disturbance in their designs.     

Influence of fire and mountain pine beetle on the dynamics of lodgepole pine stands in British Columbia,Canada

An outbreak of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB), currently affecting over 10.1 million hectares of lodgepole pine forests (Pinus contorta Dougl.) in British Columbia, Canada, is the largest in recorded history. We examined the dynamics of even-aged lodgepole pine forests in southern British Columbia, which were undergoing this MPB outbreak. Using dendroecology and forest measurements we reconstructed the stand processes of stand initiation, stand disturbances, tree mortality, and regeneration, and explained the current stand structure and the potential MPB impacts in selected stands. Our results indicate that stand-replacing fires initiated even-aged seral lodgepole pine stands in this region. In the absence of fire in the 20th century, multiple MPB disturbances, which each resulted in partial canopy removal, modified the simple one-layer structure of the fire-origin stands by the initiation of post-MPB disturbance regeneration layers, transforming the stands into complex, multi-aged stands. Despite high overstory mortality due to the current MPB outbreak, regeneration layers, which are likely to survive the current outbreak, will provide important ecological legacies and will contribute to mid-term timber supply.     

Permanence of resilience and protection efficiency in mountain Norway spruce forest stands: A simulation study

An objective of mountain forest management is to increase the ability of forest stands to protect human activities against natural hazards such as rock-falls and snow avalanches in a sustainable way. The challenge is to find a compromise between efficient instantaneous protection, favoured by dense stands, and continuous renewal, minimizing time periods of low protection efficiency. We used a Norway spruce stand dynamics model to compare the respective advantages of individual tree and gap selection silviculture in this context. We simulated stand dynamics over 800 years with either individual tree or gap thinning every 20 years with several thinning intensities. At each time step, we evaluated stand resilience, protection efficiency against rock-falls, protection efficiency against avalanches, and structural complexity with four indicators based on stand structure. Every scenario produced short time periods with low stand resilience and protection efficiency. Such periods can be tolerated if they are sufficiently rare compared to the local disturbance regime. We characterized the permanence of resilience and protection of a forest stand as its ability to remain within boundary values of the different indicators, without going out of them during continuous time periods longer than fixed maximum durations. Permanence of resilience and permanence of protection decreased with thinning intensity. Efficient protection against rock-falls was obtained with gap thinning of intermediate intensity while protection against avalanches was obtained only for very low thinning intensities. For our ecological context, the best compromise between resilience and protection was obtained with three 10 m radius gaps per hectare every 20 years (9.5% of the area of a stand). This strategy led to uneven-aged stand structures with a high diversity of diameters classes. Our results suggest that small gap silviculture may be a good way to combine forest renewal and protection efficiency in mountain regions.     

Modeling successional patterns of high-elevation forests under changing herbivore pressure – responses at the landscape level

We describe an ecological risk assessment for determining the potential long-term impacts of browsing by red deer, roe deer and chamois on the stand dynamics of mountain forests in xeric parts of Central Europe. The assessment is performed by applying a forest succession model of the FORET/JABOWA type which was supplemented with an empirically based browsing subroutine to simulate the effects of browsing by red and roe deer, and chamois. The following scenarios are assumed: (1) no browsing; (2) actual browsing intensity as determined in field trials; (3) browsing intensity twice as high as in scenario (2); and (4) browsing intensity three times as high as in scenario (2). The simulations for two different forest sites in the subalpine region of Eastern Switzerland revealed that heavy browsing can alter development and composition of the observed forests. The extent of this alteration was influenced not only by high browsing intensity, but also by the selection of tree species which were browsed on a particular site at the same time. Taking into account all the uncertainties of the model approach, we conclude from our preliminary studies that, in the regions considered, even strong herbivore pressure (2–3 times today's values) is not a major threat for the survival of the forest as a biological resource, i.e. the long-term total woody biomass is not altered significantly and the changes in the successional pathways are not dramatic. High browsing intensities, however, alter the forest structure considerably. We found that heavily browsed forests tend to be more open, mortality is higher and trees reach an intermediate and adult size quicker. This shortened development cycle of the stands may have implications for forest functions. The risk assessment yields critical values for mean browsing intensity, ‘MBI', (Pinus cembra/Pinus mugo: 30%; Picea abies: 50%; and Larix decidua: 40%), below which successional patterns and forest structures with browsing are not significantly different from forest succession without browsing.     

Reduction of herbivore density as a tool for reduction of herbivore browsing on palatable tree species

Browsing of overabundant free-living herbivores often limits the natural as well as artificial regeneration of forest in Central-European Mountains. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of the extensive reductions of herbivore populations for protection of forest regeneration in preferred areas. We analysed the relationship between the intensity of shoot browsing and relative density of herbivores in viewpoint of natural regeneration of secondary mountain spruce stands with low proportion of broadleaved trees in Králicky Sněžník Reserve (Czech Republic). The distribution of seasonally migrating herbivores was established by counting faecal pellet groups (standing crop method) in growing season. The intensity of browsing of spruce, beech and rowan was assessed using the proportion of browsed shoots on individual tree sapling. Density of red deer was re-counted from the number of pellet groups and it was 15–56 individual/km². The intensity of spruce browsing was low in the whole area in all seasons. In general, the intensity of rowan and beech shoot browsing was high in the whole area. There were no correlations between deer density and browsing intensity of rowan (browsing was severe in all plots). We conclude that the natural regeneration of attractive trees and shrubs is nearly impossible in habitats where proportion of these food items is too small, even when the density of herbivores is low. Reduction of herbivores density is useful for protecting spruce and other tree species with low preference by herbivores. Forest managers should take into account the high palatability of deciduous tree species and distribution of herbivores on localities. Preference of localities is often based on grasses in the food supply. Regeneration of highly palatable tree species requires both low density of herbivores and sufficient protection of saplings.     

Stand development of Norway spruce dominated subalpine forests of the Swiss Alps

In densely populated regions, forests can help protect communities and infrastructures from natural hazards such as avalanches and rockfall. To promote the protective function, substantial efforts are made to actively manage forest stands. In 2009 alone the Swiss government invested more than 60 million sfr for the maintenance of protection forests. However, to date there has been no comprehensive evaluation of how the structural development of actively managed stands differs from that of passively managed stands in the Alps. Over the past century the structure of Norway-spruce dominated subalpine forests of the Swiss Alps has been changing and it is not clear how these changes affect the potential protective function of these forests, as well as other forest functions such as wildlife habitat. Furthermore, it is not clear how stand dynamics and structural changes differ between stands that are actively managed and those that are passively managed, and thus to what degree active efforts of forest management are contributing to stands that actually have a greater protective function than passively managed forests.In this study, we analyzed the dynamics of subalpine forests using time series of forest inventory data and examined the influence of active vs. passive management, exposition, distance to treeline, elevation and slope steepness on stand structure and dynamics. We analyzed data from 395 plots in dense, subalpine, spruce-dominated forests in the Swiss Alps. Data were collected during three distinct periods (1983-1985, 1993-1995 and 2004-2006) as part of the Swiss National Forest Inventory (NFI). Using regression trees and multivariate statistics, we investigated which factors have the most important influence on tree growth and stand development.Overall, forest density increased significantly over the last 20 years and the predominance of dense forests increased at higher elevations. However, forest density has not increased in actively managed forests over the past 10 years. In passively managed stands, density was higher on south-facing slopes than on north-facing slopes. The volume and density of dead wood has increased over the last 20 years in both actively managed and passively managed forests. Active management over the last 20 years has maintained forest conditions that adequately maintain stands’ protection functions in the Swiss Alps. However, stand development, especially increasing density, in the passively managed stands of the Swiss Alps suggests that the majority of passively managed stands also provide adequate protective functions against rock and avalanche hazards without the high costs of active management.     

基于近自然视角的矮林经营技术研究

指出了矮林由于质量差、长势差、应对气候变化的能力差,急需通过森林经营提高林分质量。提出了老龄矮林由于其已失去天然更新的能力,主要依靠渐进式人工造林的方式,逐步改造为乔林;中龄矮林则主要依靠天然更新进行转变经营,逐步转化为乔林;幼龄矮林可先采用目标树经营法进行经营,并同时促进天然更新,并在天然更新成功后逐步转变为乔林。探讨了在矮林向乔林转变的过程中,需持续关注乡土树种和珍贵阔叶树种的培育、野生动物生存环境的保护以及生物多样性的恢复。     

Effect of natural disturbances on the abundance of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration in nemoral forests of the southern boreal zone

The impact of natural disturbances on the canopy (trees ≥14 m high) and sapling stratum (>0.3 and ≤14 m high) composition was studied in nemoral old-growth forests located within the southern boreal zone in Central Russia (Central Forest Reserve, 32°29′–33°01′E, 56°26′–56°31′N). I hypothesized that the current disturbance regime does not allow the maintenance of current spruce abundance in the canopy, and, as a result, there is a continuous shift in the canopy composition towards a greater abundance of deciduous species. Three 300×20 m² transects were established to estimate the proportions of stand under non-closed unexpanded canopy gaps. Data on sapling composition of 49 canopy gaps were used to analyze pattern of gap refuting in these forests. Additionally, data from three forest inventories showed changes in canopy composition over a period from 1972 to 1990.

The current status of nemoral forests is characterized by the high proportion of stand area under treefall gaps (71%). The loss of spruce from the canopy caused by treefalls (53% of the total basal area of gap-makers) was slightly greater than its canopy abundance (45%). Canopy gaps of all sizes encouraged spruce regeneration which might be due to a decrease in sapling mortality and/or more active recruitment of spruce seedlings. After a gap was formed, the presence of spruce in sapling strata increased. However, within both small (<200 m² in size) and large (>200 m²) gaps, tall (>6 m) spruce saplings did not reach the level of its abundance in the tree canopy. In gaps, tall (>6 m) saplings of lime (Tilia cordata) and elm (Ulmus glabra) grew more quickly than those of spruce and maple. These data suggested a decrease in canopy spruce and an increase in deciduous species in the near future which supported the original hypothesis. Analysis of forest inventory records revealed similar changes in the canopy structure over the past two decades. However, the observed high proportion of stand area under gaps implies that for the next few decades large areas of nemoral communities will be occupied by relatively young stands. This may, in turn, decrease the frequency of large-scale treefalls revegetated mainly by deciduous saplings.     

The influence of storm-induced microsites to tree regeneration patterns in boreal and hemiboreal forest

We reviewed studies dealing with regeneration under variable conditions in boreal and hemiboreal forests as affected by different microsite types by tree species functional groups. Generally, the importance of storm-induced microsites for regeneration dynamics in boreal forests depends on several factors: (1) distribution and type of microsites (generated by storm characteristics and stand conditions); (2) viable seed supply (stand history, species dispersal traits and status of surviving trees) and their species’ life history strategy; (3) climatic and site conditions (pre-storm conditions and storm-induced changes); and (4) delayed storm effects, such as retarded falling of trees, favoured vegetation growth, etc. Studies acknowledging the significance of microsites were mostly related to intermediate or severe events, causing sufficient changes in resource levels and growth conditions, and influencing extrinsic factors such as frost heaving, erosion and browsing. Also, the dispersal traits of available tree species, including sprouting and response of surviving trees, such as canopy expansion, should be considered in evaluating microsite importance in individual cases. In intermediate to severe windstorm events, pioneer species are generally profiting most from the additional offer in microsites, requiring bare mineral soil and elevated locations for their establishment and growth. Under gap dynamics, shade-tolerant species benefit from dead wood and elevated locations as these offer safe sites in stands with abundant understorey vegetation.     

Evaluating the benefit of avalanche protection forest with GIS-based risk analyses—A case study in Switzerland

The protection of people, buildings and infrastructure against natural hazards is one of the key functions of mountain forests. Since the protective function strongly depends on small-scale local conditions such as terrain and stand characteristics, spatially explicit evaluation methods are necessary to provide information required for an effective and cost-efficient forest management. Risk analyses are recognized as the best method for estimating the danger from various natural hazards. Currently, however, risk-based strategies are rarely addressed in the management of protection forest. We present and discuss a risk-based approach to evaluate the protective effect of mountain forests in a spatially explicit manner to demonstrate the advantages of future risk-based protection forest management. We illustrate the approach by performing a GIS-based risk analysis in the case study area ‘Bannwald of Andermatt’ (Switzerland) for a 300-year snow avalanche event. Classifying forest structures based on aerial photographs allowed developing different forest cover scenarios and modeling potential avalanche release areas within the forest. Potential avalanche release areas above the forest and the avalanche run-out distances under five different scenarios of forest cover were calculated by using a two-dimensional avalanche simulation model. We calculated the annual collective risk for each scenario and compared the change in risk to reveal the spatial distribution of the protective effect of the forest. Resulting risks differed strongly between forest cover change scenarios. An enlargement of an existing wind-disturbed area within lower parts of the slope resulted only in a slight increase of risk. In contrast, the effect of an unforested area in the upper parts of the observed forest more than doubled the risk. These results show how a risk-based approach can help to quantify and illustrate the impact of differences in forest cover on the protective effect of mountain forests. It is a promising approach to determine the economic value of protection forests and thus provide quantitative and qualitative information for cost-efficient forest maintenance planning. With regard to the achievements of research to date, the presented approach may serve as a valuable method to support decision-making in a future protection forest management.