Article
Forestry
Qiao Zeng, Afsheen Khan, Annie Deslauriers, Sergio Rossi
Summary: The timing of xylem formation in black spruce is determined by environmental conditions, with spring temperatures playing a crucial role in initiating cambial activity. However, the end of xylem phenology appears to be less influenced by temperature. Under warming conditions, the onset of xylogenesis is expected to advance, potentially leading to an extended growing season and increased cell production.
Review
Forestry
Janos Boloni, Reka Aszlos, Tamas Frank, Peter Odor
Summary: The study reviewed the structure and composition of temperate old-growth oak forests based on 108 case studies, finding differences in tree diameter, density, and composition among dry, dry-mesic, and mesic forest types. In mesic oak forests, large tree density was higher than in dry stands, while tree and sapling density were lower. The volume of dead wood and proportion of downed dead wood increased along the humidity gradient.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Andrew N. Gray, Kristen Pelz, Gregory D. Hayward, Tom Schuler, Wade Salverson, Marin Palmer, Christian Schumacher, Christopher W. Woodall
Summary: Mature and old-growth forests are valued for their ecological and cultural significance. Land use change and industrialization have led to global declines in the area of older forests. This study aims to identify concepts and indicators to define mature and old-growth forests in the United States in order to quantify their abundance and distribution.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Katie J. A. Goodwin, Carissa D. Brown
Summary: This study used non-metric multidimensional scaling to investigate the impact of tundra microsite conditions and changes in plant community on the requirements of black spruce at different life stages. The results showed that the microsite associations of black spruce change throughout its life cycle, primarily driven by changes in plant community and soil moisture. These associations limit the establishment and reproduction of black spruce to a subset of microsites available within the heterogeneous landscape.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ben Spracklen, Dominick V. Spracklen
Summary: The study used LiDAR data from NASA's GEDI project to analyze the structure of old-growth forests in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains, finding significant differences in structural metrics between old-growth forests and non-old-growth forests, with OGF being more open, having a more complex vertical structure, and thicker ground-layer vegetation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maxence Martin, Osvaldo Valeria
Summary: This research aims to determine the ability of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) technology to identify age-related structural diversity in old-growth boreal forests. The study found that ALS technology can accurately distinguish between early and late old-growth forests, and revealed the presence of large tracts of late old-growth forests within old-growth forests of unknown age.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Niko Kulha, Antti Ahokas, Sylvie Gauthier, Tuomas Aakala
Summary: In boreal old-growth forests, advance regeneration achieves dominance through growth release events following disturbances. Initial size difference, time between germination and disturbance, and response strength to disturbance influence tree size hierarchies. Dominant trees generally respond strongly to disturbance and are more likely to gain dominance. Interspecific competition is less predictable than intraspecific competition and can change tree size hierarchies.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ella R. Gray, Matthew B. Russell, Chad Babcock, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione
Summary: Disturbances play a crucial role in forested ecosystems, affecting stand dynamics, species composition, and ecosystem services across multiple spatial scales. This study investigates the impact of the Eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe on black spruce forest structure and finds significant variations in different scales, highlighting the importance of considering appropriate scales in management planning and decision making.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Mikko Tikkinen, Johanna Riikonen, Jaana Luoranen
Summary: Field storage of container seedlings is necessary after transportation from nurseries, but suboptimal conditions can lead to reduced growth or mortality. This study examined the effects of using a reflective shading cloth on Norway spruce seedlings during field storage. Results showed that covering the seedlings increased the risk of grey mould and had negative effects on post-planting development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrea Hevia, Anabel Calzado, Reyes Alejano, Javier Vazquez-Pique
Summary: This study uses forest inventory data, low-density airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, and geostatistical analysis to estimate the old-growth indices (OGIs) of the oldest tree species in the Mediterranean areas and demonstrates its significance in identifying old-growth forests.
Article
Forestry
Joana Vieira, Filipe Campelo, Cristina Nabais
Summary: This study used continuous high-resolution measurements of stem diameter to investigate the effect of climate on the daily and seasonal growth dynamics of Quercus faginea in central Portugal. The results showed that the species relies on deep soil water reserves and remains physiologically active during summer drought.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rupert Seidl, Monica G. Turner
Summary: Forest ecosystems are strongly affected by climate change and disturbance activities. The short time window after a disturbance event plays a crucial role in shaping future forest development. Understanding and predicting forest reorganization through analyzing forest structure and composition is essential for anticipating forest change.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Endijs Baders, Kalev Jogiste, Didzis Elferts, Floortje Vodde, Andres Kiviste, Solveiga Luguza, Aris Jansons
Summary: The study assessed the resilience of natural forests to disturbance and regeneration patterns post-disturbance. Findings showed a close relationship between disturbance legacies and spatial indices, with leaving differential post-storm legacies promoting higher structural and species diversity in forests. The management approach of preserving canopy survivors was supported by the results.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Mark B. Green, Shawn Fraver, David A. Lutz, Christopher W. Woodall, Anthony W. D'Amato, Daniel M. Evans
Summary: Deadwood moisture plays a crucial role in deadwood decomposition rates and forest microclimate. By using a high-density sensor array, we were able to assess the temporal variation of deadwood moisture and found that it is similar to soil moisture. Rainfall is the primary driver of deadwood moisture, while diurnal cycles of subcanopy humidity and temperature contribute to variations between rain events.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Xin Yang, Jiajing Li, Niqiao Fan, Yiwen Wang, Zhidong Zhang
Summary: Our study aimed to assess the impacts of varying forest gap sizes on the density, growth, and spatial patterns of seedlings and saplings in spruce forests. The findings indicated that forest gap size did not significantly influence the density of seedlings or the ground diameter growth of saplings, but it did significantly influence the height growth of saplings. As the gap size increased, natural regeneration shifted from the edge areas to the gap centers. Large forest gaps exhibited the highest percentages of random distribution patterns.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiali Guo, Marcin Klisz, Radoslaw Puchalka, Roberto Silvestro, Patrick Faubert, Evelyn Belien, Jianguo Huang, Sergio Rossi
Summary: Climate warming is altering the movement of air masses in Northern latitudes, leading to warming and cooling events in boreal regions. These changes may disrupt plant phenology and impact tree growing periods. Understanding local adaptation in bud phenology helps predict plant responses to rapid environmental changes. Monitoring bud burst in black spruce saplings in Quebec revealed variances in phenology among populations and years. Warmer origin sites showed delayed bud phenology, with bud burst and set occurring later with higher temperatures. Bud set heritability was higher than bud burst, with significant variation among provenances and years. Yearly factors explained a large percentage of phenological variation. The study demonstrates the evolutionary responses of boreal ecosystems to climate change.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Siddhartha Khare, Annie Deslauriers, Hubert Morin, Hooman Latifi, Sergio Rossi
Summary: This study compares the phenology of black spruce using PhenoCam and MODIS data, and finds that the EVI index is more suitable for evaluating the phenology of evergreen species in the northern boreal region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Roberto Silvestro, Jean-Daniel Sylvain, Guillaume Drolet, Valentina Butto, Isabelle Auger, Maurizio Mencuccini, Sergio Rossi
Summary: This study explores the variability in wood phenology among balsam fir trees and highlights the connection between wood formation and carbon sequestration. However, the causes of the observed differences in wood phenology remain unresolved. The study emphasizes the importance of considering sample size when assessing wood phenology to allow reliable upscaling of carbon allocation in forests.
Article
Biophysics
Sara Yumi Sassamoto Kurokawa, Gabriel Weiss, David Lapointe, Sylvain Delagrange, Sergio Rossi
Summary: Global warming is impacting the dynamics of sugar maple growth and maple syrup production timings. A study conducted in Quebec, Canada, assessed the temperatures that induce the beginning and ending of sap production in sugar maple trees. The findings suggest that sap production occurs mostly under temperatures ranging from -2 to 2 degrees C, and the duration of sap production is influenced by the timing of freeze and thaw events.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Claudio Mura, Valentina Butto, Roberto Silvestro, Annie Deslauriers, Guillaume Charrier, Patricia Raymond, Sergio Rossi
Summary: This study investigated the impact of climate change on frost damage in trees and tested the link between intra-specific variability in bud phenology and frost exposure. The results showed that the timing of budbreak is associated with the degree of frost damage. Trees from northern provenances, with earlier budbreak, experienced more severe frost damage during a late frost event.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jian-Guo Huang, Yaling Zhang, Minhuang Wang, Xiaohan Yu, Annie Deslauriers, Patrick Fonti, Eryuan Liang, Harri Makinen, Walter Oberhuber, Cyrille B. K. Rathgeber, Roberto Tognetti, Vaclav Treml, Bao Yang, Lihong Zhai, Jiao-Lin Zhang, Serena Antonucci, Yves Bergeron, Jesus Julio Camarero, Filipe Campelo, Katarina Cufar, Henri E. Cuny, Martin De Luis, Marek Fajstavr, Alessio Giovannelli, Jozica Gricar, Andreas Gruber, Vladimir Gryc, Aylin Gueney, Tuula Jyske, Jakub Kaspar, Gregory King, Cornelia Krause, Audrey Lemay, Feng Liu, Fabio Lombardi, Edurne Martinez del Castillo, Hubert Morin, Cristina Nabais, Pekka Nojd, Richard L. Peters, Peter Prislan, Antonio Saracino, Vladimir V. Shishov, Irene Swidrak, Hanus Vavrcik, Joana Vieira, Qiao Zeng, Yu Liu, Sergio Rossi
Summary: Despite ongoing debates, evidence suggests the existence of a threshold temperature for forests' response to rising temperatures, separating conifers into cold and warm thermal niches. This study collected data on xylem cell-wall-thickening onset dates in 20 coniferous species across the Northern Hemisphere and identified a threshold temperature of 4.9 +/- 1.1 degrees C, above which the response of xylem phenology to temperature decline significantly. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating this thermal threshold into Earth-System-Models to better understand and predict spring phenology in response to global warming.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Butto, Siddhartha Khare, Pratiksha Jain, Gian de Lima Santos, Sergio Rossi
Summary: The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their distinct spatial patterns have raised interest in tree susceptibility. This study investigates the spatial patterns and environmental drivers of spring leaf phenology in maple stands in eastern North America. The results show that the location of the stands and climate factors significantly affect spring phenology.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Qiao Zeng, Afsheen Khan, Annie Deslauriers, Sergio Rossi
Summary: The timing of xylem formation in black spruce is determined by environmental conditions, with spring temperatures playing a crucial role in initiating cambial activity. However, the end of xylem phenology appears to be less influenced by temperature. Under warming conditions, the onset of xylogenesis is expected to advance, potentially leading to an extended growing season and increased cell production.
Article
Forestry
Rafaella Dutra, Anselmo Nogueira, Sergio Rossi, Larissa Chacon Doria, Valentina Butto, Carmen Regina Marcati
Summary: This study tested the influence of different plant organs (stem and roots) and leaf habits (deciduous, semi-deciduous, and evergreen) on xylem anatomy variation in 15 woody species from the Brazilian Cerrado. The results showed that roots had a higher parenchyma fraction and lower fiber fraction compared to stems across species. Additionally, only the root ray fraction was higher in evergreen species compared to deciduous species. These findings highlight the potential role of organs and leaf habits in xylem storage in Cerrado woody species.
Article
Agronomy
Jiani Gao, Bao Yang, Claudio Mura, Yan Boucher, Sergio Rossi
Summary: Species spreading across large geographical ranges show adaptations to local conditions. Thermal gradients can produce clines in phenology among populations. The spatial heterogeneity of temperature fluctuations under the current warming may alter phenological patterns due to the specific responses of the vegetation to thermal conditions. The study examined the budburst timing and temperature requirements of black spruce populations across the boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. The results confirmed that budburst occurs earlier in colder provenances, and there is a non-linear delay in budburst towards the northern range edge. The ongoing climate change can accelerate budburst and increase phenological variability, particularly in northern populations.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Tim Rademacher, Michael Cliche, Elise Bouchard, Sara Yumi Sassamoto Kurokawa, Joshua Rapp, Annie Deslauriers, Christian Messier, Sergio Rossi, Jerome Dupras, Elise Filotas, Sylvain Delagrange
Summary: Maple sugaring, a traditional activity, relies on tapping sugar and red maples for sap. The amount of sap and its sweetness can vary due to meteorological conditions. However, systematic investigation on the factors contributing to the variation in sap yield and sugar content has been lacking.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Olivia Pereira Lopes, Valentina Butto, Sergio Rossi, Bruna Zanatto, Guillermo Angeles, Eduardo Luiz Longui
Summary: The study found that anatomical and hydraulic properties of three Brazilian tree species were mainly influenced by differences between species, while the impact of crown position differences was minimal. Despite growing in the same environment and having the same age, these species exhibited contrasting carbon allocation and hydraulic species-specific strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberto Silvestro, Qiao Zeng, Valentina Butto, Jean-Daniel Sylvain, Guillaume Drolet, Maurizio Mencuccini, Nelson Thiffault, Shaoxiong Yuan, Sergio Rossi
Summary: A study on balsam fir found that trees exhibit individual variability in growth traits within a year. Trees with larger cell production experience longer growing seasons but do not produce more biomass in the wood. Earlywood production explains most of the variability in cell production.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Xiali Guo, Jian-Guo Huang, Valentina Butto, Dawei Luo, Chunyu Shen, Jingye Li, Hanxue Liang, Shaokang Zhang, Xingliang Hou, Ping Zhao, Sergio Rossi
Summary: This study examines the relationship between growth of subtropical pine trees and auxin concentration. The results show that unlike in temperate forests, wood formation in subtropical forests does not have a clear seasonality, and there is no significant relationship between auxin concentration and number of xylem cells.
Article
Forestry
Biyun Yu, Sergio Rossi, Hanxue Liang, Xiali Guo, Qianqian Ma, Shaokang Zhang, Jian Kang, Ping Zhao, Wei Zhang, Yuxi Ju, Jian-Guo Huang
Summary: Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and increasing precipitation can affect xylem growth in trees. Xylem width is more responsive to supplemental precipitation, but the positive effect of precipitation on xylem growth can be offset by elevated nitrogen resources.
Article
Forestry
Sadadi Ojoatre, Jos Barlow, Suzanne R. Jacobs, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in a forest complex in Kenya and finds that within 20 years of disturbance, there is rapid recovery of aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation, and the species diversity remains high in these previously disturbed fragments.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Astor Torano Caicoya, Peter Biber, Miren del Rio, Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado, Catia Arcangeli, Robert Matthews, Hans Pretzsch
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of site and climate on the self-thinning line in Scots pine forests in Europe. The results showed that species tolerance, temperature, and precipitation influenced the slope of the self-thinning line. In terms of the intercept, latitude and radiation had compensating effects. Time did not show significant trends in the self-thinning line. The study highlights the need to adapt management strategies and models based on self-thinning to different latitudes. Climate change has not yet significantly impacted the self-thinning trajectory, but a continuous rise in temperature and high precipitation may accelerate the self-thinning process and result in increased biomass accumulation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Haonan Zhang, Jianing Xu, Weiqi Meng, Zhonglin Li, Yanyan Ni, Weijie Li, Hao Chen, Xingshuo Zhang, Huanhuan Yuan, Zhi Wang
Summary: Secondary forests play a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity recovery. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying secondary succession in a restored secondary forest and found that deciduous tree species transition from diversity accumulators to repellents as they progress through different life history stages, while evergreen tree species can act as accumulators or remain neutral. The study also revealed the effects of density dependence on the mortality and regeneration of different tree species, and highlighted the importance of early-arriving tree species in facilitating the establishment and diversity of late-arriving counterparts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Yierxiati Abulaiti, Zijian Huang, Guojiao Xie, Xiaojuan Zou, Qin Luo, Minhuang Wang, Qiong Yang, Ping Hu, Shixiao Yu
Summary: In this study, the resistance to pest infestation of native and exotic mangrove species was compared based on their traits and spectral reflectance. The results showed that exotic species exhibited higher resistance to pest infestation compared to native species.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Thomas Feiss, Vincent Robin, Delphine Aran, Joseph Levillain, Thierry Paul, Jean-Luc Dupouey
Summary: Fagus sylvatica L. is a competitive tree in European temperate deciduous forests, but often sporadic or absent in present-day stands where Quercus spp. are dominant. Through soil charcoal analysis in the Lorraine Plateau in France, the presence of Fagus and Quercus in mature Quercus stands was confirmed. Radiocarbon dating results indicated that historical forest management caused the replacement of Fagus by Quercus, starting from the Bronze Age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Paula Halbig, Anne-Sophie Stelzer, Peter Baier, Josef Pennerstorfer, Horst Delb, Axel Schopf
Summary: The incidence of oak processionary moth in Central Europe has been increasing, posing severe threats to oak trees, humans, and animals. To address this issue, researchers have developed an online early warning system that provides phenological forecasts and decision support for the protection of oak trees and human health.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Jean-Baptiste Ndamiyehe Ncutirakiza, Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury, Philippe Lejeune, Xavier Bry, Catherine Trottier, Frederic Mortier, Adeline Fayolle, Francois Muhashy Habiyaremye, Leopold Ndjele Mianda-Bungi, Gauthier Ligot
Summary: This study examines the influence of canopy structure on tropical tree growth using data collected through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and field measurements. The results show that combining UAV and field data can improve the prediction of tree diameter increment. Diameter at breast height and crown area are complementary predictors, and crown-based competition indices significantly enhance prediction models. The calibrated model at one site can accurately predict growth at another site.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Abebe Damtew, Emiru Birhane, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys
Summary: Restoring degraded dryland requires a diverse mixture of trees and shrubs. Shading and species diversity can improve seedling survival and vitality. Shaded conditions led to higher seedling survival, vitality, and chlorophyll content, while increasing species richness improved seedling vitality in non-shaded conditions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Francois Hebert, Isabelle Delisle, Marc Tremblay, Pascal Tremblay, Jean- Francois Boucher, Yan Boucher, Daniel Lord
Summary: Regeneration failures in the closed-crown boreal forest, resulting in the creation of open lichen woodlands, can be restored through clear-cutting, scarification, and natural seeding. Clear-cutting combined with scarification promotes seedling establishment, and scarification creates suitable microsites for germination. Seedling growth in lichen woodlands is higher when logging and scarification are combined, but lower compared to feather moss stands. Afforestation through natural seeding following scarification could be a cost-effective option for restoring lichen woodlands.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bianca Wulansari Kassun, A. Maarit I. Kallio, Erik Tr Omborg, Meley Mekonen Rannestad
Summary: Mapping and analyzing forest ecosystem services in dry and mountain forests can provide valuable knowledge for sustainable forest management strategies.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Michael Premer, Eric Turnblom, Aaron Weiskittel
Summary: Managed forests serve as a natural climate change solution by sequestering carbon and storing it in harvested wood products, while also providing ecosystem services and wildlife habitat. This study focused on the stem sinuosity of juvenile coastal Douglas-fir and found that genetic improvement, silviculture practices, and local growing conditions can impact stem sinuosity. Factors such as tree spacing, vegetation control, and climate variables also affect the severity of stem sinuosity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bronwyn Lira Dyson, Rhea Herpel, Peter Karasch, Jorg Mueller, Dominik Thom, Claus Baessler
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of different forest management strategies, dead wood types, and microclimates on Fomes fomentarius. The results showed that the occupancy of Fomes fomentarius was lower in control stands, while the percent cover occupied on snags under a closed canopy was higher. Increasing the number of snags and maintaining dense forest canopies could enhance the presence of Fomes fomentarius as well as provide important microhabitats for various arthropods.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Di Liu, Chaofan Zhou, Xiao He, Xiangdong Lei, Huiru Zhang, Xianzhao Liu
Summary: Canopy structure plays a significant role in the distribution and growth of saplings. Traditional canopy metrics are inadequate in irregular stands. The innovative framework of canopy triangular units provides a comprehensive understanding of the canopy's three-dimensional attributes. Through this framework, we can analyze the differences in various triangular unit types and the spatial dispersion of saplings.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Amalia Valeria Ibanez Moro, Fabian Borghetti, Leonardo Galetto, Juan M. Cellini, Sandra J. Bravo
Summary: This study evaluated the size and persistence of soil seed banks (SSB) of six native woody species in dry subtropical forests of the western Argentine Chaco region. The results showed that SSB size was influenced by different sites and sampling years, and forest disturbances had varying effects on SSB.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Stephanie Landry, Marc-Andre Villard, Gaetan Pelletier, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: In many regions of the world, excessive browsing by ungulates has reached unsustainable levels, threatening biodiversity and forest regeneration. Moose, as ecological engineers, have severe impacts on forest structure and composition through overbrowsing. The distribution of forage and cover patches affects moose browsing pressure, and this relationship has been explored in conifer-dominated stands but not in hardwood-dominated landscapes.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
