Article
Forestry
Angelo T. Filicetti, Ryan A. LaPointe, Scott E. Nielsen
Summary: Restoring anthropogenic footprints to pre-disturbance conditions or minimizing their long-term impacts is an important goal in conservation. In this study, it was found that wildfires can stimulate natural recovery of fire-adapted species, such as jack pine, on disturbances as large as exploratory well pads, while the type and amount of woody debris affects these patterns.
Article
Environmental Sciences
William Marchand, Martin P. Girardin, Henrik Hartmann, Mathieu Levesque, Sylvie Gauthier, Yves Bergeron
Summary: The increase in frequency, intensity, and duration of drought events affects forested ecosystems by causing trees to adjust stomatal conductance to maximize the trade-off between carbon gains and water losses. This study found that a decline in growth rates of black spruce and jack pine in an exceptionally dry period from 1988 to 1992 was related to physiological adjustments of trees to drought. Isotopic signals were linked to climate moisture index, vapor pressure deficit, and annual snowfall amount, impacting tree growth and physiological responses.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Holly D. Deighton, Frederick Wayne Bell, Nelson Thiffault, Eric B. Searle, Mathew Leitch, Mahadev Sharma, Jennifer Dacosta
Summary: The study evaluates the long-term trade-offs among different conifer release treatments in boreal and sub-boreal forests by assessing plant diversity, stand yield, and individual crop tree responses. The results show that vegetation management treatments significantly influence plant diversity and productivity in boreal jack pine forests, with more intensive release treatments providing maximum benefits. However, none of the treatments maximized all 27 indicators studied, highlighting the need for forest managers to make trade-offs when choosing treatments. Further research on longer term effects is essential to fully understand the outcomes of vegetation management on forest diversity and productivity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Emmanuelle Pelletier, Guillaume de Lafontaine
Summary: Research has shown that marginal populations of jack pine in Canada have adapted to uncommon and unpredictable wildfire regimes by reducing the opening temperature of their cones. This adaptation allows for steady seed viability and successful regeneration during fire-free intervals. In contrast, core populations have a more constant, but higher, opening temperature for their cones and experience a decline in seed viability over time.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emmanuelle Pelletier, Magali Couture, Guillaume de Lafontaine
Summary: Rear-edge populations at the warm margin of species distribution are expected to rely more on intraspecific phenotypic variation for their persistence. In this study, the role of variation in cone serotiny for the maintenance of rear-edge populations of fire-prone jack pine was investigated. The findings suggest that rear-edge populations can rely on a dual life-history strategy to ensure survival and regeneration in the absence of frequent wildfires.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alistar Moy, Karolina Czajka, Paul Michael, Kabwe Nkongolo
Summary: Understanding the genetic response of P. banksiana to nickel stress is important for environmental remediation and restoration. This study used transcriptome analysis to reveal the gene expression changes in P. banksiana seedlings exposed to nickel ion toxicity. The results showed that nickel ions induced changes in gene expression, particularly in stress response, chemical stimuli response, and carbohydrate metabolism processes. This is the first report of transcriptome analysis in a conifer species treated with nickel.
Article
Forestry
K. L. Webster, P. W. Hazlett, G. Brand, S. A. Nelson, M. J. Primavera, T. P. Weldon
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different slash loadings and treatments on soil physical, chemical, and biological processes. The findings suggest that retaining moderate amounts of slash can maintain a suitable balance of soil conditions for promoting forest regeneration.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Zach M. Smith, Kevin D. Chase, Etsuro Takagi, Aubree M. Kees, Brian H. Aukema
Summary: The study found that using ipsenol, an aggregation pheromone of Ips grandicollis, on jack pine logs can attract more Ips grandicollis compared to logs baited with pheromones of mountain pine beetle and host volatiles. The presence of lures for mountain pine beetle inhibits colonization by Ips grandicollis, while longhorn borers are more attracted to logs baited with ipsenol. These results suggest that common bark and woodboring species like Ips grandicollis and longhorn borers may not compete with mountain pine beetles at tree-colonizing stages, posing little resistance to invasion if mountain pine beetle were to invade the Great Lakes Region.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Victor J. Lieffers, Julie Benedik, Ken Stadt, S. Ellen Macdonald
Summary: The expansion of mountain pine beetle into northern boreal pine forests in Alberta, Canada has caused dramatic changes in tree regeneration conditions. A study showed that pine regeneration was very poor after 6-9 years, primarily due to high levels of cone serotiny, unsuitable regeneration microsites, and competition from other vegetation. Without intervention, many of these stands will likely transition away from pine to other species.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ramiro R. Ripa, Julissa Roncal, Yan B. Linhart, Jorgelina Franzese, Estela Raffaele, Andrea C. Premoli
Summary: Evolutionary forces such as genetic drift and natural selection play a crucial role in biological invasion. The gene pool of invasive fire-adapted species may differ from the native and originally planted species due to selective forces and founder effects. Genetic differentiation is influenced by both neutral and adaptive drivers, and fire acts as a rapid selection factor promoting the adaptive divergence of cohorts recruited after fires in fire-prone ecosystems.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Francisco M. Azcarate, Javier Seoane, Mariola Silvestre
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of factors influencing the susceptibility of pine forests to the pine processionary moth (PPM) in Central Spain. It finds that pine species and grazing pressure are important determinants of vulnerability to PPM. The occurrence of structurally simple pine forests with abundant open spaces is associated with higher incidences of PPM.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Manuel Fernandez, Raul Tapias, Victoriano Camacho, Joaquin Alaejos
Summary: The use of wood and residual biomass from forestry works as energy source has CO2 emission-neutral effect and helps reduce forest fire risk in Mediterranean climate. This study assessed the commercial quality of pellets made from different types of cutting residues and wood. The results showed that high-quality pellets can be obtained by combining residual biomass with stone pine debarked wood, but the proportion varies depending on the residue type. It is recommended to utilize thick wood and a proportion of medium branches and bark, while leaving needles and thinnest branches in the forest.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chandra H. McAllister, Catherine I. Cullingham, Rhiannon M. Peery, Michael Mbenoun, Eden McPeak, Nicolas Feau, Richard C. Hamelin, Tod D. Ramsfield, Colin L. Myrholm, Janice E. K. Cooke
Summary: This study investigates the coevolutionary relationship between Cronartium harknessii and Pinus spp. It examines the genetic structure and virulence of C. harknessii associated with lodgepole pine, jack pine, and their hybrids. The study also improves the assessment and diagnosis of infection in these hosts. The results show a shared genetic structure between the fungus and host species, supporting a coevolutionary relationship. Additionally, the study finds differential responses of the host species to different fungal lineages.
Article
Forestry
Haley M. W. Ritger, Steven T. Brantley, Kier D. Klepzig, Kamal J. K. Gandhi
Summary: This study assessed the effects of various fire regimes on bark and root-feeding beetles in a longleaf pine ecosystem. The results showed that interactions between soil properties, stand conditions, and fire regimes can have differential impacts on the catches of these beetles.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alejandra G. Vovides, Marie-Christin Wimmler, Falk Schrewe, Thorsten Balke, Martin Zwanzig, Cyril Piou, Etienne Delay, Jorge Lopez-Portillo, Uta Berger
Summary: Root grafts, the union of roots of different trees, are common and may reduce stress and facilitate resource exchange. Research shows that the probability and frequency of root grafting increase with environmental stress, leading to smaller group sizes of trees within grafted groups.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miren Lorente, S. Gauthier, P. Bernier, C. Ste-Marie
Article
Ecology
Yosune Miquelajauregui, Steven G. Cumming, Sylvie Gauthier
Article
Forestry
T. B. Splawinski, D. F. Greene, S. T. Michaletz, S. Gauthier, D. Houle, Y. Bergeron
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Forestry
Tadeusz B. Splawinski, Dominic Cyr, Sylvie Gauthier, Jean-Pierre Jette, Yves Bergeron
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Forestry
A. Cardil, M. Lorente, D. Boucher, J. Boucher, S. Gauthier
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Yan Boulanger, Dominique Arseneault, Yan Boucher, Sylvie Gauthier, Dominic Cyr, Anthony R. Taylor, David T. Price, Sebastien Dupuis
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
William Marchand, Martin P. Girardin, Henrik Hartmann, Sylvie Gauthier, Yves Bergeron
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Forestry
Dominique Boucher, Sylvie Gauthier, Nelson Thiffault, William Marchand, Martin Girardin, Morgane Urli
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
William Marchand, Martin P. Girardin, Henrik Hartmann, Claire Depardieu, Nathalie Isabel, Sylvie Gauthier, Etienne Boucher, Yves Bergeron
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victor Danneyrolles, Osvaldo Valeria, Ibrahim Djerboua, Sylvie Gauthier, Yves Bergeron
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victor Danneyrolles, Dominic Cyr, Martin P. Girardin, Sylvie Gauthier, Hugo Asselin, Yves Bergeron
Summary: The study found that climate fluctuations had the most significant impact on forest burned areas, while the effects of Euro-Canadian settlement were relatively weak. In fire-prone climate conditions, burned areas were maximized regardless of fluctuations in the Euro-Canadian population.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mathilde Pau, Sylvie Gauthier, Raphael D. Chavardes, Martin P. Girardin, William Marchand, Yves Bergeron
Summary: This study assessed the impacts of climate change on black spruce and jack pine growth in boreal forests of North America. Climate factors such as vapor pressure deficit and temperature were found to have positive effects on tree growth, although the effects varied depending on site conditions and climate scenarios. Future projected increases in tree height were relatively small and may not be enough to offset potential increases in disturbances like forest fires.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
William Marchand, Martin P. Girardin, Henrik Hartmann, Mathieu Levesque, Sylvie Gauthier, Yves Bergeron
Summary: The increase in frequency, intensity, and duration of drought events affects forested ecosystems by causing trees to adjust stomatal conductance to maximize the trade-off between carbon gains and water losses. This study found that a decline in growth rates of black spruce and jack pine in an exceptionally dry period from 1988 to 1992 was related to physiological adjustments of trees to drought. Isotopic signals were linked to climate moisture index, vapor pressure deficit, and annual snowfall amount, impacting tree growth and physiological responses.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Mathilde Pau, Sylvie Gauthier, Yan Boulanger, Hakim Ouzennou, Martin P. Girardin, Yves Bergeron
Summary: Climate change in the boreal forest has complex impacts on tree growth and fire activity. This study assesses the combined impact of these changes on timber supply in Quebec, Canada. The study projects climate-induced impacts on growth and fire activity at different time periods and highlights the importance of considering fire in forest management planning in the context of climate change.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kaysandra Waldron, Nelson Thiffault, Lisa Venier, Fidele Bognounou, Dominique Boucher, Elizabeth Campbell, Ellen Whitman, Lucas Brehaut, Sylvie Gauthier
Summary: Studying post-disturbance recovery is crucial for predicting forest ecosystem resistance and resilience. However, research on recovery after natural disturbances is relatively scarce, with a strong focus on forest harvesting. Long-term research, chronosequences, and consecutive disturbance studies are important for establishing sustainable forest management strategies.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)