Water relations of Yezo spruce and Todo fir in declined stands of boreal Forest in Hokkaido, Japan

Recently, symptoms of decline have been widely observed in Yezo spruce (Picea jezoensis) and Todo fir (Abies sachalinensis) in Hokkaido. In order to clarify the mechanism of decline, the water status of Yezo spruce and Todo fir trees in the Tokyo University Forest in Hokkaido were investigated. The decline is observed mainly in stands damaged by Typhoon XV of 1981 (D-stands), but is not observed in undamaged stands (C-stands). Sampled trees in both types of stands were selected, the severity of their decline estimated, diurnal water potentials measured and water relation parameters such as water potential at turgor-loss point ( ) and osmotic potential at full saturation ( ) were estimated by pressure-volume analysis. The diurnal trends of leaf water potential and midday water potential ( ) of the sample trees were clearly different between the D-stands and the C-stand. Water stress in trees was much more severe in the D-stands than in the C-stand. and of the declining trees were lower in the D-stands than in the C-stand. However, and were not significantly different between declining trees and healthy-looking trees in D-stands. It was concluded that stand-level water stress, induced by the destruction of the canopy by the typhoon, was associated with the decline symptoms. The measurement of water relation parameters proved to be useful for diagnosis and prediction of decline at a stand level in this area.     

Factors affecting soil-based natural regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies sachalinensis</Emphasis> following timber harvesting in a sub-boreal forest in Japan

Natural regeneration of Abies sachalinensis on soil was studied in a natural sub-boreal forest managed by single tree selection cutting located within the Hokkaido Tokyo University Forest. First, seedlings of A. sachalinensis on skid trails, soil mounds, soil pits, and undisturbed soil were counted, and their areas were measured. Most seedlings were found on skid trails. Seedling densities of A. sachalinensis on sites with soil disturbance, with the exception of soil pits, were significantly greater than that on undisturbed soil. Second, densities of Sasa senanensis, heights of S. senanensis, and seedling densities of A. sachalinensis on skid trails and undisturbed soil in both a closed-canopy stand and in a canopy gap were compared. Seedling density of A. sachalinensis on skid trails in the closed-canopy stand was significantly greater than that in the canopy gap. Average density and average height of S. senanensis, which is known to interfere with regeneration of many woody species, were significantly greater on skid trails and undisturbed soil in the canopy gap than those in the closed-canopy stand. It could be concluded from this study that both crown closure and soil disturbance are essential for natural regeneration of A. sachalinensis on soil in sub-boreal forests.     

Effect of thinning on the development of compression wood in stems of Corsican pine

This study considered the effects of thinning on the development of compression wood in stems of 35-year-old stand of Corsican pine (Pinus nigra L.). Part of the stand had been thinned at 5-yearly intervals and part left unthinned. Twenty trees each from the thinned and unthinned stands were randomly selected and felled. Measurements were made on tree height, stem diameter, stem slenderness and canopy depth. Wood samples were removed from the central part of the main log and cross-sectional measurements made on ring width, basic density and compression wood content. Cross-sectional area of compression wood was found to be three time higher in stems from the unthinned trees in comparison with those from the thinned trees. No significant differences in mean radial ring width or basic density were found between treatments. Correlations indicated that, with increasing in stem diameter, compression wood content increased in the unthinned trees, while a decline in compression was observed in the thinned trees. Tree height was also positively correlated with compression wood content in unthinned trees, while no equivalent relationship was observed in thinned trees. Observations from this study, while not conclusive, suggest that phototropic stimulus may be producing stem inclinations in the unthinned stand as trees compete for space in the canopy, whereas crown competition has been largely eliminated in the thinned stand; and that this is responsible for compression wood levels recorded in this study.     

Diameter distribution of trees in natural stands managed on polycyclic cutting system

Diameter frequency distribution in a specific stand provides basic information for forest resources management.In this study,four probability models were applied to analyze diameter distribution of natural forests after selective cutting with different intensities (low intensity of 13.0% in volume,medium intensity of 29.1%,high intensity of 45.8%,and extra-high intensity of 67.1%).The results show that the skewness and kurtosis of the four models are positive except that of low intensity selective cutting,which suggest that the number of small-size trees dominate the stand.The more intensity of selective cutting,the wider range of diameter distributions.The diameter structure of selective cutting with low intensity met Weibull and Beta distributions;that of medium intensity met Weibull,negative exponential as well as Gamma distributions;that of high intensity cutting met Weibull and negative exponential distributions,but that of extra-high intensity could not meet any above model.Weibull distribution model fits better than others regarding the structure of diameter distribution in natural forests managed on polycyclic cutting system.The results will provide basic information for sustainable management for mixed natural stands managed on a polycyclic cutting system.     

Effect of thinning and fertilizer on the cellulose crystallite width of Eucalyptus globulus

An analysis of cellulose crystallite width, microfibril angle and wood density after the time of thinning (at 8 years) in straight vertical trees was undertaken in a 13-year-old E. globulus trial designed to assess the effect of thinning on tension wood formation. The most important effect was on cellulose crystallite width, which increased with thinning intensity and this was mitigated where fertilizer was applied at the time of thinning. Given the relationship between high crystallite width and tension wood occurrence the results demonstrate that heavy thinning of E. globulus at this age can contribute to tension wood formation. However, tension wood production may be significantly reduced where fertilizer is applied. This is possibly because increased diameter growth as a response to fertilizer application stabilises the stems and this is the mechanism by which trees cope with internal stresses that are generated from wind in destabilsed stands following thinning. In contrast, trees that respond poorly to thinning produce tension wood.     

Model-based investigation on the effects of spatial evenness,and size selection in thinning of Picea abies stands

Size and spatial distribution of trees are important for forest stand growth, but the extent to which it matters in thinning operations, in terms of wood production and stand economy, has rarely been documented. Here we investigate how the choice of spatial evenness and tree-size distribution of residual trees impacts wood production and stand economy. A spatially explicit individual-based growth model was used, in conjunction with empirical cost functions for harvesting and forwarding, to calculate net production and net present value for different thinning operations in Norway spruce stands in Northern Sweden. The in silico thinning operations were defined by three variables: (1) spatial evenness after thinning, (2) tree size preference for harvesting, and (3) basal area reduction. We found that thinning that increases spatial evenness increases net production and net present value by around 2.0%, compared to the worst case. When changing the spatial evenness in conjunction with size preference we could observe an improvement of the net production and net present value up to 8.0%. The magnitude of impact differed greatly between the stands (from 1.7% to 8.0%) and was highest in the stand with the lowest stem density.     

Effect of Japan Sea climate on geographic distribution ofCastanopsis sieboldii andC. cuspidata

The geographic distributions ofCastanopsis sieboldii andCastanopsis cuspidata overlap each other on the Pacific coast of Japan, but on the Japan Sea coastC. sieboldii tends to dominate at similar temperatures. The authors attempted to explain this phenomenon by analyzing the effects of climatic factors. Nuts were collected from the Pacific and Japan Sea coasts of the Kinki and Chugoku districts, and the nut characteristics and the number of layers of epidermis in the leaves of the seedlings were investigated. The distribution ofC. sieboldii andC. cuspidata was satisfactorily explained by a multiple regression equation that was developed using three climatic factors: maximum snow depth in winter, lowest temperature in the coldest month, and annual mean temperature, out of fourteen such factors that were considered. The estimated distribution ofC. sieboldii andC. cuspidata from the multiple regression equation agreed with 66.2% of the actual observations.     

Effects of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on wind damage to coniferous trees in subalpine forest of central Japan

We evaluated the effect of bark stripping by sika deer (Cervus nippon), and subsequent wood decay, on tree fall in a coniferous forest on Mt Ohdaigahara in central Japan from July to September 2006. This valuable primeval coniferous forest is declining because of bark stripping. Broken trunks of Abies homolepis and Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis had more serious decay and larger bark-stripping wounds on the trunk than standing trees, suggesting that bark stripping causes trunk decay and results in broken trunks and uprooting by typhoons.     

Effect of simulated acid fog on membrane-bound calcium (mCa) in fir (Abies firma) and cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) mesophyll cells

The decline of virgin fir (Abies firma) forest at Mt. Oyama has been reported. Related field observations suggest that high acidity fog is linked with its decline. However, cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) in the same area shows no symptoms of decline. For assessing effects of acid fog on membrane-bound calcium (mCa) of the leaf mesophyll cells, 9-year-old seedlings of fir (Abies firma) and 8-year-old seedlings of cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) were exposed twice a week to simulated acid fog (SAF at pH 3 with pH 5 as control) for 2 h per day in a chamber during May–December 2007 (except August). Current and 1-year-old needles were collected from seedlings and analyzed at 1-month intervals. For current-year needles of fir, mCa levels in cells exposed to SAF at pH 3 were significantly lower than in cells exposed to pH 5, especially during September 2007–March 2008. In contrast, it is noteworthy that mCa levels of cedar were maintained as virtually constant irrespective of SAF acidity, indicating that fir is more sensitive to acid fog than is cedar. Based on these results, mCa loss by acid fog might also be caused in the declining virgin fir forest at Mt. Oyama.     

Composition and structure of natural mixed-oak stands in northern and central Portugal

Stand composition and structure of natural mixed-oak stands of common-oak (Quercus robur L.) and pyrenean-oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) were studied. Diverse compositional and structural elements in early and late successional stand stages were analysed. The study was conducted in north and central Portugal where different natural mixed oak forests types are located. The following mixed-oak forest types involving common-oak and pyrenean-oak were studied: common-oak & other hardwoods; common-oak & cork-oak (Quercus suber L.); ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) & pyrenean-oak; and pyrenean-oak & madrone (Arbutus unedo L.). Measurements were made in early and late successional stand stages on the different mixed oak forest types. Different stand characteristics and indices were used to describe and compare stand structure and composition. The study showed changes in species diversity and stand structure. Most tree species in mature stands are present in early stages but with higher abundance. Shannon diversity index may change between 0.798 and 1.915. Significant differences on species diversity and abundance were found depending on the forest type and successional stage. Mature mixed-oak forests have high species diversity with an abundance of small to medium tree size species. Species distribution and diameter differentiation indices range from 0.30 to 0.70 and 0.52 to 0.82, respectively, revealing significant structural complexity. The average number of standing and downed dead trees was 265 and 83 trees ha⁻¹ for early and late stage, respectively, with 6.9 and 65.4 m³ ha⁻¹. Higher values of stand diversity index were 41 and 53 in more complex and developed forests. Later stand stages have complex structure, with a wider range of tree diameter distribution and higher degree of irregularity.     

Forest thinning and subsequent bark beetle-caused mortality in Northeastern California

The Warner Mountains of northeastern California on the Modoc National Forest experienced a high incidence of tree mortality (2001–2007) that was associated with drought and bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) attack. Various silvicultural thinning treatments were implemented prior to this period of tree mortality to reduce stand density and increase residual tree growth and vigor. Our study: (1) compared bark beetle-caused conifer mortality in forested areas thinned from 1985 to 1998 to similar, non-thinned areas and (2) identified site, stand and individual tree characteristics associated with conifer mortality. We sampled ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) and Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. and Balf.) trees in pre-commercially thinned and non-thinned plantations and ponderosa pine and white fir (Abies concolor var lowiana Gordon) in mixed conifer forests that were commercially thinned, salvage-thinned, and non-thinned. Clusters of five plots (1/50th ha) and four transects (20.1 × 100.6 m) were sampled to estimate stand, site and tree mortality characteristics. A total of 20 pre-commercially thinned and 13 non-thinned plantation plot clusters as well as 20 commercially thinned, 20 salvage-thinned and 20 non-thinned mixed conifer plot clusters were established. Plantation and mixed conifer data were analyzed separately. In ponderosa pine plantations, mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) (MPB) caused greater density of mortality (trees ha⁻¹ killed) in non-thinned (median 16.1 trees ha⁻¹) compared to the pre-commercially thinned (1.2 trees ha⁻¹) stands. Percent mortality (trees ha⁻¹ killed/trees ha⁻¹ host available) was less in the pre-commercially thinned (median 0.5%) compared to the non-thinned (5.0%) plantation stands. In mixed conifer areas, fir engraver beetles (Scolytus ventralis LeConte) (FEN) caused greater density of white fir mortality in non-thinned (least square mean 44.5 trees ha⁻¹) compared to the commercially thinned (23.8 trees ha⁻¹) and salvage-thinned stands (16.4 trees ha⁻¹). Percent mortality did not differ between commercially thinned (least square mean 12.6%), salvage-thinned (11.0%), and non-thinned (13.1%) mixed conifer stands. Thus, FEN-caused mortality occurred in direct proportion to the density of available white fir. In plantations, density of MPB-caused mortality was associated with treatment and tree density of all species. In mixed conifer areas, density of FEN-caused mortality had a positive association with white fir density and a curvilinear association with elevation.     

Growth pattern analysis and stemwood production in an unmanaged old plantation of hiba, Thujopsis dolabrata, in northern Japan

We analyzed the growth patterns of Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai trees in an old plantation (161 years old), where no silvicultural treatments (e.g., thinning) have been conducted since the initial planting. The analysis focused on understanding individual growth under a long-term self-thinning process, and the stand-level stemwood production at the mature stage was evaluated. Nine canopy-layer trees and one suppressed tree were used for the analysis of annual increments in stem diameters, heights, and stemwood volumes for a given past year using the ring-width data. Both the diameter (at basal portion) and height of all the canopy-layer trees increased at similar rates during the early stage (i.e., 60–70 years after planting); however, after this period, only the height growth rates declined sharply. The annual growth rates of stemwood volume also simultaneously leveled off at the stand age of 40–60 years. Subsequently, the patterns diverged conspicuously, e.g., the growth rates were maintained or increased in some individuals, while it gradually decreased in the case of others until the present year. The divergence of growth pattern was likely to be triggered by intertree competition at several decades after the onset of canopy closure. The current stemwood production of the sample trees, including the suppressed one, was positively correlated with certain size parameters such as stem diameter at breast height and sapwood area at a height of 4 m. Based on the diameter-base allometry, the total stand stemwood production was estimated to be about 12.8 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. This estimate was higher than those of some old natural T. dolabrata forests (2.0–8.6 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) that have been well managed by repetitive selection thinning. Furthermore, individual mean stemwood production of the study plantation (0.03 m³ tree⁻¹ year⁻¹) was within the range of these natural stands (0.01–0.05 m³ tree⁻¹ year⁻¹). These comparisons suggested that the old T. dolabrata plantation still maintained a relatively high stemwood production potential despite the absence of artificial controls of tree density in the past. In terms of timber production, this fact implied that a rather long rotation (>100 years) can be applicable in the management of T. dolabrata plantations.     

Fossil history and modern distribution of the genus Abies (Pinaceae)

The plants of the genus Abies are dominant and key species in the dark coniferous forest in the Northern Hemisphere. There are 52 species, one subspecies and 12 varieties in the genus Abies in the world. The history and modern distribution of Abies were discussed. The genus has three modern distribution centers: South Europe, North America and East Asia. These areas are also rich in fossil records. The vertical distribution regions of Abies are from sea level to an elevation of 4,700 m, concentrated in 1,000–2,000 m (15 species). In China, the genus distributes in 20 provinces, especially abundant in the Hengduan Mountains. Meanwhile, endemic and relic phenomena are obvious in this genus. There are seven relic species with both limited individuals and limited distributed regions. Based on the fossil records and the latest phylogenetic data, the following hypothesis was proposed: Abies originated from the middle and high altitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in the middle Cretaceous and it was dispersed southward in the Eocene due to global climate cooling down. The distribution of Abies was deeply influenced by geological events such as the uplift of Himalaya, the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, the occurrence of the Asian Monsoon as well as the Quaternary glaciers. Finally, the current distribution pattern appeared in the Quaternary. The genus Abies has a fossil history and modern distribution pattern similar to that of Cathaya and Pseudolarix. __________ Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2006, 28(5): 439–452 [译自: 云南植物研究]     

Bark stripping by sika deer on veitch fir related to stand age, bark nutrition, and season in northern Mount Fuji district, central Japan

We carried out this study to clarify the relationships between the seasonal changes of bark stripping and food quality, and between bark-stripping intensity and bark nutrition with age of veitch fir (Abies veitchii) by sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the northern Mount Fuji district, from June 2000 to July 2003. We found that sika deer gnawed and ate all of the bark stripped, and a seasonal change in bark stripping occurred from December to May or June with a peak in March–April. The stripping period largely overlapped with the periods of low food availability and poor food nutrition (indicated by fecal chemical component index) of sika deer, from January to April. Both bark nutritional quality and bark-stripping intensity related to stand age and tree size of veitch fir negatively. Consequently, bark-stripping intensity related to bark nutritional quality positively. February is the worst forage period in terms of both quantity (due to deep snow) and quality (indicated by fecal chemical components). There was a time lag of 1 to 2 months in the peak of bark stripping in March–April when compared with the poor forage period in February. This time lag may suggest that sika deer need more nutritious and easily digested food from March due to increased nutrient demands that result from depleted body condition in both sexes, gestation of pregnant females, and the recovery of active metabolism.     

Effects of thinning on growth of six tree species in north-temperate forests of Lithuania

This paper summarises the results from 35 years-observed thinning experiments on 256 permanent sample plots in 10–60 year-old stands of ash, aspen, birch, oak, pine and spruce in Lithuania. Thinning enhanced crown projection area increment of residual trees. The largest effect was observed in stands of aspen and birch (growth increase by 200%), followed by ash and oak (over 100%), and spruce and pine (about 80%). Thinning also promoted dbh increment, especially in younger stands, and the increase of dbh increment was positively correlated with the thinning intensity. The strongest reaction was exhibited by oak and aspen, while ash, birch and conifers reacted to a lower extent. Low and moderate intensities of thinning stimulated volume production in younger stands while the opposite was observed in older stands with increasing removals. Spruce stands exhibited relatively strongest increase of volume increment and pine, –the weakest, while the effect on deciduous species was intermediate. The results demonstrate that significant increase in volume increment is achievable with thinning of only young forest stands, e.g. 10–20 year-old pine, birch and ash, or 10–30 year-old oak, aspen and spruce.     

Growth variation and early selection ofBetula platyphylla in natural stands

The stem analysis ofBetula platyphylla in natural forest at the Maoershan Forest Experimental Station of Northeast Forestry University, showed that the growth variation of the trees, including height and diameter breast height, decreases with the increase of the age. There is the turning point for the growth variation of the tree from acute change to relative stability when the trees are in eighteen years old. There are significant differences among the height, diameter and volume growth of the trees at that time. Therefore, the optimal age for early selection of this species in natural stands is eighteen years old (18 a). Diameter is used as main index for selection and height growth as auxiliary one. (Responsible Editor: Zhu Hong)     

横断山区云杉林与冷杉林的对比研究

通过对横断山区的自然地理状况,我国云杉属和冷杉属植物的分布状况调查,分析了两属植物的分化、生境和种间差异。结果如下,横断山区具有极高的生物多样性,是世界上云杉属和冷杉属种数最多的地区;但该两属存在较大的差异,云杉属的分布范围比冷杉属植物宽,分布的海拔高度低于冷杉属植物,从而为确定横断山区是云杉属和冷杉属的地理分布和分化中心提供理论依据。     

Effects of surface and light conditions of fallen logs on the emergence and survival of coniferous seedlings and saplings

We surveyed the germination number (N _cs) of 2-year and a 1-year survival of Abies sachalinensis and Picea jezoensis seedlings and saplings on 29 fallen logs from 2004 to 2005 in a natural coniferous forest in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in relation to the surface and light conditions of fallen logs. Moss height (H _moss), log hardness (Hardness), and the area of fallen log (Area) were measured as the surface conditions by each 1-m block from bottom to top of all fallen logs. The relative photosynthetic photon flux density (rPPFD) 10 cm above the tallest seedling in each block was measured as the light condition. In addition, the height of the tallest seedling or sapling in each block (H _max), the difference between a height of each seedling and sapling and the H _max (Shading), and a height of seedlings and saplings in 2004 (H _ini) were considered. N _cs of A. sachalinensis was affected by Hardness and Area, whereas N _cs of P. jezoensis was affected by H _moss, Hardness, Area, H _max, and rPPFD. The survival of seedlings (height < 5 cm) and saplings (5 cm ≤ height < 50 cm) were affected by H _ini, rPPFD, and shading for both species. However, the survival of P. jezoensis saplings was more sensitive to decrease in rPPFD and increase of shading than that of A. sachalinensis. Therefore, seedling emergence was influenced by surface conditions, whereas survival was affected by light conditions. Furthermore, P. jezoensis emergence and survival were more sensitive to surface and light conditions than that of A. sachalinensis.     

Effects on stem growth of Scots pine 33 years after thinning and/or fertilization in northern Sweden

Thinning and fertilization are two common and important stand treatments in forest management. In terms of area treated, thinning is the single most common form of stand treatment. The extent of forest fertilization on the other hand, has varied widely in recent decades and is currently not very common. Thinning is done primarily to promote stand properties while fertilization is done to increase growth before future final felling. After thinning stands of Scots pine, overall growth decreases, while growth of residual trees increases. An experiment was established outside Vindeln in northern Sweden where the long-term growth effects after thinning and/or fertilization were evaluated after 33 years. Experimental set-up was a randomized block design including 12 replications of four treatments. Treatments were control, fertilization, thinning, and thinning and fertilization combined. Thinning decreased overall and annual volume growth ha^?1, and increased green crown size and diameter growth at breast height (1.3 m, DBH) for the individual trees. No positive growth responses to fertilization could be seen after 33 years. In summary, this study showed that thinning can have long term effects on the growth of a Scots pine stand in northern Sweden. Possible reasons for the lack of positive response following fertilization are discussed.     

The relationships between the number of seeds in the cones of Abies alba Mill. and their damage by spermatophagous insects

A study was conducted on the relationships between the total number of seeds in cones of Abies alba Mill. and the number of seeds that were viable, infertile, infested with the larvae of Megastigmus suspectus Borr. or damaged by Resseliella piceae Seitn. The seeds were obtained from cones collected in southern Poland in the Gorce National Park in both partial and strict reserves during 1996–1998. A total of 54,958 seeds extracted from 217 cones were used in the study. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was computed. A correlation was found between the total number of seeds and each of the groups mentioned above except seeds infested with M. suspectus. An appropriate test was also used to compare the proportions of each of the groups. It was found that the proportions differ from year to year, and for the different sites, except the proportion of viable seeds. No correlation was found between the numbers of seeds infested with M. suspectus and the number of seeds damaged by R. piceae.