Article
Forestry
Jianfeng Peng, Liu Yang, Meng Peng, Xiaoxu Wei, Jinkuan Li, Jiayue Cui, Xuan Li, Jingru Li
Summary: Climate transition zone is a sensitive area where forests are vulnerable to climate extremes. Extreme droughts, caused by climate change, have led to changes in forest ecosystems. In this study, tree-ring-width chronologies were developed to analyze the relationship between climate and tree growth. The results showed that precipitation in April and temperature in August were key factors affecting tree growth. The study also found that tree growth was lower during the period of 1999-2005, with different growth patterns between two tree species. Furthermore, the study revealed that P. tabulaeformis had greater resilience to extreme droughts compared to P. massoniana. These findings have implications for predicting tree resilience and identifying tree species in forest landscapes vulnerable to future climate change.
Article
Forestry
Teresa Valor, Sharon M. Hood, Miriam Pique, Asier Larranaga, Pere Casals
Summary: The study found that bark thickness, tree size and growth rate, as well as resin ducts, play important roles in trees' resistance to bark beetles. The black pine subspecies P. nigra subsp. salzmannii is more fire-resistant compared to the Scots pine, resulting in fewer attacks. Overall, tree size and resin duct characteristics determine the tree's resistance to bark beetles.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erica R. Bigio, Thomas W. Swetnam, Christopher H. Baisan, Christopher H. Guiterman, Yegor K. Kisilyakhov, Sergey G. Andreev, Eduard A. Batotsyrenov, Alexander A. Ayurzhanaev
Summary: This study uses dendrochronology to analyze fire activity in Siberia over the past 400 years. It finds that the frequency of fires has varied, with agricultural burning and regional drought being major contributors. Although fire frequencies increased in the 20th century, the relationship between fires and climate weakened, suggesting that human-caused ignitions may override climate drivers.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Austin M. Yantes, Samuel P. Reed, Anna M. Yang, Rebecca A. Montgomery
Summary: Temperate savannas are unique and biodiverse ecosystems that have experienced extensive habitat conversion worldwide. In the midwestern United States, the majority of historic oak savanna area has been lost, and the remaining patches are degraded due to the absence of fire and large herbivore disturbances. Restoring the degraded savanna remnants is challenging due to a lack of understanding of how to effectively mimic historic disturbance dynamics.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Anthony C. Caprio, Nathan L. Stephenson, Adrian J. Das
Summary: Prescribed fire reduces fire hazards by removing dead and live fuels, while also potentially increasing trees' ability to survive drought. Studies show that reductions in forest density following prescribed fire treatments, combined with mechanical treatments, may help lessen competition and improve tree survival rates.
Article
Ecology
Lucas B. Harris, Stacy A. Drury, Alan H. Taylor
Summary: Legacy effects from a 1984 wildfire influenced post-2012 tree regeneration by creating variable fuel loading, affecting soils, litter cover, and shade after the subsequent fire. A low- to moderate-severity fire increases forest resilience relative to a high-severity fire even when the next fire burns at high severity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Serge Payette, Pierre-Luc Couillard, Mathieu Fregeau, Jason Laflamme, Martin Lavoie
Summary: The Earth's climate has been rapidly warming since the beginning of the industrial era, leading to the need for terrestrial organisms to adapt. Migration is an effective method for survival and growth, but the rate at which tree species migrate due to climate change remains uncertain. This study used radiocarbon-dated macrofossils to examine the past migration velocity of jack pine and black spruce in North American boreal forest. The results showed that the migration velocity of jack pine varied based on different climatic conditions, while black spruce migrated at a faster rate.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Jackson P. Audley, Christopher J. Fettig, A. Steven Munson, Justin B. Runyon, Leif A. Mortenson, Brytten E. Steed, Kenneth E. Gibson, Carl L. Jorgensen, Stephen R. McKelvey, Joel D. McMillin, Jose F. Negron
Summary: The study identified factors influencing the fall rates of lodgepole pines killed by bark beetles, with slope aspect having the strongest influence. Northern aspects, increased canopy cover, and taller snag heights decreased the probability of snag fall, while southern aspects and increased height:dbh ratios increased the probability. The predicted half-life for snag fall was around 16 years since death, with a gradual decline in snag survival probability beyond that point.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
R. Allen, A. Mazis, B. Wardlow, P. Cherubini, J. Hiller, D. Wedin, T. Awada
Summary: Through a 30-year study, we found that precipitation, temperature, and drought severity index are important factors influencing the growth of J. virginiana and P. ponderosa, while soil water content significantly affects the performance of J. virginiana. In addition, there is a significant relationship between vegetation indices (VIs) and tree growth, and VIs can be an effective tool to replace or complement ground measurements. This study provides evidence for using remote sensing to monitor the growth of woody species and evaluate grassland vegetation growth.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andrew G. Baker, Claudia Catterall, Kirsten Benkendorff
Summary: Suppressing Aboriginal burning and wildfires in historically frequent fire areas may lead to environmental changes that further decrease fire frequency and intensity. In high-rainfall regions, long-unburnt open forests are often invaded by rainforest pioneer trees, altering the understorey structure and composition.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Hanxue Liang, Zhou Wang, Shaowei Jiang, Cun Zhang, Jianguo Huang
Summary: This study investigates the growth-climate relationship of Pinus taiwanensis in subtropical China, and finds a significant change in the relationship between 1980-1990. During this period, tree growth was mainly negatively affected by precipitation in September of the growing season. From 1990 to 2014, a significant negative correlation appeared between tree growth and sunshine duration from March to April in the growing season. These findings highlight the need to consider growth-climate inconsistency in dendroclimatology studies in subtropical China.
Review
Plant Sciences
Lilian P. Matallana-Ramirez, Ross W. Whetten, Georgina M. Sanchez, Kitt G. Payn
Summary: The warming of Earth's atmosphere is leading to changes in temperature and precipitation, impacting forest ecosystems. New technologies offer opportunities to address these changes, but also come with challenges. Management and breeding strategies can enhance forest resilience to climate change.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fangli Wei, Shuai Wang, Martin Brandt, Bojie Fu, Michael E. Meadows, Lixin Wang, Lanhui Wang, Xiaowei Tong, Rasmus Fensholt
Summary: Drylands in Africa cover 43% of the continent and have a significant impact on global carbon cycling and local livelihoods. Understanding the response of dryland ecosystems to environmental changes is crucial for sustainable management. Recent studies using remote sensing have shown that factors like increased CO2 levels, changes in rainfall patterns, and reduced fire activity have led to vegetation greening and woody plant growth in African drylands, challenging the traditional desertification narrative.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Mao Wei, Xinbin Guo, Yuanfan Ma, Mulualem Tigabu, Wenxia Zheng, Mengxia Liu, Futao Guo
Summary: By analyzing the responses of tree rings to forest fires, specifically the radial growth and element concentrations, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between trees and fires.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephen B. Vander Wall
Summary: Pines play a crucial role in forest ecosystems due to their economic and ecological value, and their importance in managing wildland fires. The dispersal and establishment of pine seeds have significant implications for forest health. 75% of pines are wind-dispersed, while 25% are dispersed by animals. Some pines are dispersed by both wind and animals. Serotiny, the feature of having closed cones that open and shed seeds after fire, allows pines to establish a seed bank that can last for decades. Masting, the intermittent production of large seed crops, increases seedling establishment and improves seed dispersal efficiency.
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)