Interactions between climate, soil and competition drive tree growth in Quebec forests

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 555, С. 121731 - 121731

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2024

Climate, soil, and competition factors jointly drive tree growth variability at local regional scale. However, the comprehensive interaction of these their combined effects on responses within environment remains poorly explored in current research. Using a detailed forest inventory dataset Québec, we examined balsam fir (Abies balsamea Mill), black spruce (Picea mariana red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sugar saccharum Marshall), white birch (Betula papyrifera yellow alleghaniensis Britton), as function for light space with neighboring trees, climate soil-related variables. Interactions between all variables were considered Bayesian model predicting growth. The amount received by trees was main explaining except coniferous species which influenced mostly Among studied species, only exhibited increased under warmer conditions. Intraspecific had strong species-specific impacts, varying from negative fir, to positive birch. climate, played crucial role shaping patterns, especially maple, that strongly responded combination factors. In general, also soil cation-exchange capacity (CEC), when higher CEC is coupled temperatures precipitation, spruce. While anticipated conditions Quebec, even most optimistic scenarios, will have impact management can mitigate this promoting diversity more complex stand structures.

Язык: Английский

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Cycles in Hydrologic Intensification and De‐Intensification Create Instabilities in Spring Nitrate‐N Export C‐Q Relationships in Northern Temperate Forests

Water Resources Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 61(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Abstract Northern temperate forests are experiencing changes from climate and acidification recovery that influence catchment nitrate‐nitrogen (N) flushing behavior. N behavior is characterized by metrics such as: (a) time—the exponential decrease in stream concentration during the peak snowmelt episode; (b) (C) discharge (Q) hysteresis metrics—flushing index (FI) (HI)—representing slope, direction, amplitude of C‐Q loop. We hypothesized climate‐driven hydrologic intensification results longer times, lower FI (less to more diluting), HI proximal distal sources). tested this hypothesis using four decades data two headwater catchments. Hydrologic was estimated ratio potential evapotranspiration precipitation actual precipitation. From 1982 2005, a period decline atmospheric acidic deposition, we observed C Q. This led stable patterns reflected (positive FI) sources HI). However, 2006 2019, de‐intensification coupled with an ongoing deposition associated continued but increase Q, leading unstable shift HI) toward (negative instability less variable large wetland, indicating wetlands buffer against changing conditions.

Язык: Английский

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To flow or to grow? Impacts of tapping on sugar maple

Quantitative Plant Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 6

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract Maple sugaring is a rapidly growing industry in North America. Maples are tapped annually, thus undergoing repeated wounding and resource reduction for sap water collection. We aim to understand the effects of tapping exudation on annual radial wood growth xylem traits sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.), utilizing eight mature trees monitored during 2018-2021 Simoncouche, Canada. Compared first year tapping, exhibited 49.7% drop tree-ring width. Vessel density, potential hydraulic conductivity vessel diameter decreased, but not lumen area. showed evidence trade-off among extraction, depletion reduced tree growth. The resources through can have detrimental effect growth, even if function remains marginal. These insights underscore need sustainable practices that consider long-term health productivity trees.

Язык: Английский

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Do drought and understory beech interact to influence the nutrition and growth of sugar maple?

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8

Опубликована: Май 15, 2025

Hardwood forests dominated by sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ) at its northern limit (Quebec) are threatened rising regional temperatures and recurrent summer drought. In a rainfall exclusion experiment, we imposed artificial drought in six stands where American beech Fagus grandifolia saplings proliferated the understory (with overstory presence) or were absent. Two paired plots established sites vs. those that beech-free, i.e., covered excluders left uncovered for 2021 2022. Responses to four resulting treatments subjected Bayesian analysis. Dendroclimatological estimates of annual basal area increment (BAI) produced three canopy maples within 12 plots, together with foliar nutrients same mature trees soil nutrient pools (ion-exchange probes, increasing burial duration), compared across plots. Comparisons included ordination scores foliage (DCA1, Detrended Correspondence Analysis) Principal Component Analysis (PCA: PC1 PC2) soils. Soil water content (SWC) beneath was 56% adjacent rainfall-accessible plots; saplings, this deficit negatively affected BAI, but only Diagnosis Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices indicated Mg insufficiency Ca sufficiency. increased exclusion, regardless sapling presence. Rainfall reduced supply levels relative controls; some rates (total pools, PC1, PC2, acidity) progressively over probe duration (2021: 14–56 days) diffusion-dependent manner under excluders, while reaching plateau (equilibrium-dependent adsorption) accessible rainfall. NO 3 -N beech-free inorganic-N time, which diminished exclusion. Likewise, base cations (Ca + K) remained high beech’s absence, vice versa acidity (Al Fe Mn). Modest manipulations decreased altered adsorption processes, shifted from endo- ectomycorrhizal dominance. Even short-term moisture deficiency soils may incur further stress already nutrient-stressed stands, initiating cycle uncoupling between pools.

Язык: Английский

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Sugar Maple Litter Decay Rates Are Reduced More Strongly by Drought Than by American Beech Proliferation in the Understory

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Recurrent drought threatens high‐latitude deciduous forests in eastern North America. The decline of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ) at its northern limits under additional stress imposed by changing climate regimes and replacement American beech Fagus grandifolia cannot maintain the ecosystem services that former provides, including nutrient‐rich leaf litter. In 2022, we incubated litter bags three stands (Kenauk Reserve, Quebec) where saplings proliferated (Proliferation = Yes) versus beech‐free ones No), which paired plots were established with rainfall excluders accessibility summer 2021 2022. Moisture was two‐fold higher rainfall‐accessible soils (Rainfall exclusion, but half as spatially variable (CV%) excluder plot (Exclusion, Yes). Mesh (mm apertures: 50, Large; 20, Medium; 0.1, Small) filled or leaves, their 50:50 mixtures (Species), deployed June 2022 within 12 plots, 30‐, 60‐, 90‐day removals. Mass loss did not change mesh size a consistent manner over 90 days (initial prediction: L > M S). We estimated k ‐values (year −1 extending linearized exponential decay model to Proliferation‐Exclusion‐Species combinations. Maple decayed 16%–30% faster than when soil moisture limited. rates 2.7–4.13 (beech saplings, 2.3–2.9 (beech, No) times deficiency, ordered: ≥ mixed beech. Separate for mixed‐bag species monospecific counterparts, suggesting synergistic behavior. Early leaching is drought‐sensitive; mass losses 2.5–2.9 accessible exclusion. Furthermore, may be increased slowly decaying “mulch.” Indeed, slightly observed beneath understories, despite possible negative effects leachates produced latter. Recurring shifting stand composition through continued beech‐maple competition threaten persistence productivity hardwood communities, thereby affecting functioning, decomposition associated biogeochemical transformations.

Язык: Английский

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The regeneration ratio: Combining seedling growth and mortality data to predict regeneration success

Forest Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 556, С. 121737 - 121737

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Six Decades of Forest Inventory Data Highlight Decline of Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) Sapling Abundance in Eastern Canada

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

Six decades of temporal changes in the abundance sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were investigated using a network multi-agency ground plots (MAGPlots) located across Ontario, Québec, and New Brunswick, Canada. Based on composite dataset nearly 400 mainly composed trees (≥ 50% basal area, m2 ha-1), results showed that relative (% total sapling area) saplings declined significantly over time. On average, decreased between 1970 2022. Out wide range potential explanatory variables, including stand conditions, harvest intensity (0%-92% area removal), regional ecozones, climate American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) was only variable had negative effect saplings. The plot-specific distribution change final initial measurements time revealed many showing decline also experienced an increase abundance. lack differences harvested unharvested suggests control understory soil liming treatments may be required to help promote regeneration development.

Язык: Английский

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Does single-tree selection work? Observations from 56 years of measurements at Parkside Gully, Algonquin Park, Ontario

The Forestry Chronicle, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 18

Опубликована: Май 26, 2025

Le site du ravin de Parkside a été mis en place 1967, suivi par l’addition d’une parcelle non exploitée 1974 afin répondre aux questions portant sur le jardinage pied d’arbre Ontario. exploité une dernière fois à grande échelle au début des années 1930. Depuis connu quatre récoltes expérimentales. Les méthodologies mesurage ont changé et n’ont pas reproduites. Cependant, demeure l’une expériences les plus longues d’arbres Canada comporte précieuses informations. Au cours la présente étude, nous avons utilisé données provenance 15 parcelles d’un acre (10 exploitées, 5 témoins) pour démontrer période 56 ans, que maintenu densité, structure objectifs d’amélioration qualité tout long écoulées. même période, densité dans témoins diminué, tandis s’est améliorée, cependant un rythme lent. Nous constaté également tiges haute valeur présentent risque mortalité faible croissent vite valeur. Malgré fait tous reliés peuplement atteints, démontré développement hêtre problématique: supplante l’érable est dominant niveau régénération depuis moins 2005, malgré l’absence maladie corticale hêtre. La compréhension ce qui permet récolte Ontario essentiel maintien durabilité mode prochaines années.

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Age and growth reductions increase the proportion of dark heartwood in sugar maple at the northern limit of its range

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 9, 2024

Abstract The wood of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) in the northernmost part species range often exhibits high proportions discoloured at centre stems, which is referred to as dark heartwood. This defect significantly decreases market value species, which, turn, challenges implementation state-of-the art silvicultural treatments. causes heartwood are associated with trauma and colder climate northern regions. In this study, we investigate factors influencing occurrence maple’s populations, considering tree age, vigour, stem growth, local climate. We also aimed determine whether proportion higher stands compared more southern ones. collected samples from 302 stems 16 sites within two bioclimatic domains Quebec, Canada, i.e. balsam fir–yellow birch domain (representing limit range) maple–yellow a location range). Our results indicate positive relationship between well amplitude maximum growth reduction throughout tree’s lifespan length longest suppression period. observed for given age stands. suggest that systems aiming release suppressed crop trees through group selection using cut-to-length system could favour development quality timber.

Язык: Английский

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Six year efficacy of silvicultural treatments to control American beech regeneration in stands affected by beech bark disease in Ontario, Canada

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 54(11), С. 1270 - 1281

Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2024

High beech regeneration density is a concern in northern shade tolerant hardwood forests. densities of ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh) can crowd out other desirable species, such as sugar maple Acer saccharum Marsh.), and jeopardize long-term sustainability since under threat from bark disease Cryptococcus fagisuga/Neonectria spp. Complex). We examined the efficacy three tending (no tending, brush saw, basal herbicide) two timing harvesting (deferred 5 years post-single tree selection harvest, concurrent with uniform shelterwood harvest) treatments on reducing promoting over 6 years. Six after we found that large was reduced, medium had recovered to pre-tending levels most treatments, small remained unaffected. Tending no effect any size class but harvest promoted more than single-tree harvest. Despite this increase, all treatment combinations below stocking targets. Our results suggest while temporarily reduce densities, unable take advantage increased growing space.

Язык: Английский

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