Article
Forestry
K. J. Wallace, Bruce D. Clarkson, Bridgette Farnworth
Summary: Successfully reconstructing functioning forest ecosystems from early-successional tree plantings is a long-term process. However, many projects lack monitoring and observations of critical successional information, such as the restoration trajectory of key ecosystem attributes and ecological thresholds. This study presents results from a 14-year urban temperate rainforest restoration project in New Zealand, showing relationships between key ecosystem attributes and forest age, as well as the occurrence of ecological thresholds.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kelly A. Heilman, Michael C. Dietze, Alexis A. Arizpe, Jacob Aragon, Andrew Gray, John D. Shaw, Andrew O. Finley, Stefan Klesse, R. Justin DeRose, Margaret E. K. Evans
Summary: This study applies a Bayesian state-space model to analyze the ecological complexity of Pinus ponderosa var. brachyptera in the southwestern US using a fusion of tree-ring and forest inventory data. The study quantifies the effects of climate, tree size, stand density, site quality, and their interactions on tree growth and identifies the uncertainties associated with these effects. Results show negative effects of fall-spring maximum temperature and positive effects of water-year precipitation on tree growth. The study also reveals that tree vulnerability to climate stress increases with competition, tree size, and poor site conditions. Future climate scenarios are projected to cause significant declines in tree growth.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alice Di Sacco, Kate A. Hardwick, David Blakesley, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Elinor Breman, Loic Cecilio Rebola, Susan Chomba, Kingsley Dixon, Stephen Elliott, Godfrey Ruyonga, Kirsty Shaw, Paul Smith, Rhian J. Smith, Alexandre Antonelli
Summary: Urgent solutions are needed to address global climate change, with ambitious tree-planting initiatives aiming to sequester carbon and compensate for CO2 emissions. However, poorly planned tree planting could have negative impacts. We propose 10 golden rules based on recent ecological research to maximize carbon sequestration and biodiversity recovery while improving livelihoods.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Natalia Mesa-Sierra, Marines de la Pena-Domene, Julio Campo, Christian P. Giardina
Summary: Deforestation poses a significant threat to tropical dry forests in Mexico, and active restoration measures are required to reintroduce tree cover. Through synthesizing restoration literature, we found that the Yucatan Peninsula had the highest number of restoration sites, and planting seedlings was the most commonly used strategy. Plant survival was influenced by factors such as maximum annual temperature and aridity index.
Article
Ecology
Kathryn M. Miller, Stephanie J. Perles, John Paul Schmit, Elizabeth R. Matthews, Aaron S. Weed, James A. Comiskey, Matthew R. Marshall, Peter Nelson, Nicholas A. Fisichelli
Summary: Advanced regeneration is crucial for the long-term viability of forest ecosystems in the eastern United States. However, a lack of regeneration and compositional mismatch can lead to shifts in forest composition and structure. This study examined regeneration across national parks and found widespread regeneration debt, with deer browse impact being the strongest predictor.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Adrian Lazaro-Lobo, Rima D. Lucardi, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Gary N. Ervin
Summary: Invasive plants are widely spread in the forests of the southern United States and are expected to increase their distributional ranges. They have negative impacts on forest regeneration at local scales, with fast-growing hardwood tree species showing the least negative associations with invasive plants. Incorporating invasive plants into management strategies is crucial for ensuring the persistence of native forest communities and the ecological services they provide.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Teresa Moran-Lopez, Javier Rodriguez-Perez, Isabel Donoso, Daniel Martinez, Juan Manuel Morales, Daniel Garcia
Summary: Applied nucleation strategy can promote tree colonization in deforested areas with reasonable costs and labor. However, large tree islets may hinder colonization in the matrix, and the scale of movement of frugivores has an impact on the effectiveness of applied nucleation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Eduardo Soares Calixto, Irfan Rashid, Gaurav Srivastava, Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
Summary: Elevation plays a crucial role in determining the diversity and distribution of forest tree species in mountainous landscapes. This study in the Indian Himalaya region found that tree species richness decreases with increasing altitude, with four distinct forest communities identified based on distribution patterns. Abies pindrow showed the highest regeneration performance at higher elevations.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shubhi Sharma, Robert Andrus, Yves Bergeron, Michal Bogdziewicz, Don C. Bragg, Dale Brockway, Natalie L. Cleavitt, Benoit Courbaud, Adrian J. Das, Michael Dietze, Timothy J. Fahey, Jerry F. Franklin, Gregory S. Gilbert, Cathryn H. Greenberg, Qinfeng Guo, Janneke Hille Ris Lambers, Ines Ibanez, Jill F. Johnstone, Christopher L. Kilner, Johannes M. H. Knops, Walter D. Koenig, Georges Kunstler, Jalene M. LaMontagne, Diana Macias, Emily Moran, Jonathan A. Myers, Robert Parmenter, Ian S. Pearse, Renata Poulton-Kamakura, Miranda D. Redmond, Chantal D. Reid, Kyle C. Rodman, C. Lane Scher, William H. Schlesinger, Michael A. Steele, Nathan L. Stephenson, Jennifer J. Swenson, Margaret Swift, Thomas T. Veblen, Amy Whipple, Thomas G. Whitham, Andreas P. Wion, Christopher W. Woodall, Roman Zlotin, James S. Clark
Summary: The study shows that tree fecundity and recruitment have not been quantified at scales needed to anticipate biogeographic shifts in response to climate change. Migration is in progress with regional limitations on rates, with the southeastern continent emerging as a fecundity hotspot and high seedling success in the West and North partially offsetting limited seed production near poleward frontiers. The evidence of fecundity and recruitment control on tree migration can inform conservation planning for the expected long-term disequilibrium between climate and forest distribution.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Erickson Basave-Villalobos, Victor M. Cetina-Alcala, Victor Conde-Martinez, Miguel A. Lopez-Lopez, Carlos Trejo, Carlos Ramirez-Herrera
Summary: Understanding how plants respond to different light environments can help optimize their production and growth. In this study, morpho-physiological changes in Crescentia alata and Enterolobium cyclocarpum were examined under varying light levels. The results showed that C. alata responded better to higher light levels, while E. cyclocarpum preferred lower levels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer L. Baltzer, Nicola J. Day, Xanthe J. Walker, David Greene, Michelle C. Mack, Heather D. Alexander, Dominique Arseneault, Jennifer Barnes, Yves Bergeron, Yan Boucher, Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Carissa D. Brown, Suzanne Carriere, Brian K. Howard, Sylvie Gauthier, Marc-Andre Parisien, Kirsten A. Reid, Brendan M. Rogers, Carl Roland, Luc Sirois, Sarah Stehn, Dan K. Thompson, Merritt R. Turetsky, Sander Veraverbeke, Ellen Whitman, Jian Yang, Jill F. Johnstone
Summary: Intensifying wildfire activity and climate change are driving rapid forest compositional shifts in boreal North America, potentially leading to a loss of black spruce dominance. Following fires, post-fire regeneration failure is common for black spruce, while forests dominated by jack pine or broad-leaved trees show more resilience. Climate moisture deficits and increased fire activity may erode the remaining resilience in black spruce forests, pushing the system towards a tipping point not seen in thousands of years.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Ennia Bosshard, Merel Jansen, Sara Lofqvist, Chris J. Kettle
Summary: Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is crucial globally to address social and environmental issues caused by landscape degradation and deforestation. Despite the recognition of the importance of restoring biodiversity and ecological functioning, there is a gap between political commitments and on-ground actions. Market forces can be transformed to have a positive influence on land use change, providing funding and incentives for FLR. Current eco-marketing initiatives mainly focus on funding tree-planting projects, highlighting the need for strong safeguards and governance to ensure a balanced approach to FLR interventions.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Xiaofeng Wang, You Tu, Xiaoming Feng, Shirong Liu, Lichang Yin, Jiahao Ma, Zixu Jia, Jitao Zhou, Xiaoxue Wang, Wenjie Yao, Zechong Sun
Summary: Using the Pattern-Process-Mechanism theory, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal differentiation pattern and change trend of evapotranspiration (ET) in the Natural Forest Protection Project area in China (NFPP) from 2000 to 2018. The study identified the dominant factors and response mechanisms of ET changes, particularly those resulting from vegetation recovery and climate change. The findings showed that ET in NFPP exhibited a fluctuating increasing trend, with the proportion of areas with decreasing ET trend approximately equal to that of areas with increasing ET trend. Vegetation restoration, water conditions, and thermal conditions were identified as the predominant factors influencing the changes and distribution of ET in NFPP.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kureha F. Suzuki, Yuta Kobayashi, Rupert Seidl, Cornelius Senf, Shinichi Tatsumi, Dai Koide, Wakana A. Azuma, Motoki Higa, Tomoyo F. Koyanagi, Shenhua Qian, Yuji Kusano, Ryota Matsubayashi, Akira S. Mori
Summary: The study in Shiretoko National Park, Japan found that the presence of the alien tree species Larix kaempferi can protect native species from wind disturbance and promote the abundance of native saplings and seedlings under excessive browsing pressure. Although no invasive characteristics were observed, the positive impact of Larix kaempferi on the regeneration of native tree species suggests that existing alien species have the potential to act as nurse plants and contribute to natural forest restoration in the short-term.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Joshua Bauld, Matthew Guy, Samuel Hughes, Jack Forster, Kevin Watts
Summary: There is a global drive to increase forest cover to protect biodiversity and combat climate change. This study examines the effectiveness of natural colonization in creating new forests within temperate agricultural landscapes. The research shows that natural colonization is a variable and relatively slow process, restricted to a narrow fringe around existing forests and trees. In some cases, tree planting may be needed to supplement natural colonization and increase forest cover.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
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)