Ecophysiology and growth of advance red spruce and balsam fir regeneration after partial cutting in yellow birch-conifer stands.
Authors:
Dumais, Daniel Prévost, Marcel USDA, FS
Source:
Tree physiology. 2008 Aug., v. 28, no. 8, p. 1221-1229.
NALT Subjects:
Picea rubens Abies balsamea forest trees natural regeneration tree growth overstory photosynthesis tree crown gas exchange acclimation temperate forests solar radiation light plant response plant morphology stomatal conductance leaf area plant nutrition nutrients foliar uptake leaves Quebec
Other Subjects:
partial overstory removal
Issue Date:
Aug-2008
Abstract:
We investigated ecophysiological and growth responses of short (0.4 to 1.3 m in height) advance regeneration of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea L.) six years after removal of 0, 40, 50, 60 and 100% of the overstory basal area (BA) in two yellow birch-conifer stands. Partial cuts significantly increased stomatal conductance of red spruce only. Light-saturated photosynthesis (leaf-area basis) of both species increased with BA removal, but unlike red spruce, specific leaf area (SLA) of balsam fir decreased with increased cutting intensity. Partial cuts appreciably increased the concentration of N and Ca in red spruce and balsam fir foliage, respectively, and resulted in decreased foliar concentrations of K in red spruce and Mg in balsam fir. The height and lateral growth of both species increased with BA removal, although partial cuts were more beneficial to balsam fir. The data suggest that short advance regeneration of red spruce and balsam fir can coexist under partial overstory conditions, but balsam fir has physiological characteristics and a capacity for morphological adjustment (SLA) that places it at an advantage when in competition with red spruce.
