Clear-cut Pine Research Articles

Restoring Skyline Tier: Decommissioning pine plantations in Tasmania

Unerring prediction of potential to facilitate native regeneration at clearcut pine plantations provided a strong basis for this collaborative project between forest resources companies and environmentalists. The resulting recovery of nearly 700 ha of native forest to date has allowed unlikely partners to reach their goals as well as create some lasting social benefits for a range of stakeholders. Restore Skyline Tier aspires to restore 2,160 ha of Radiata Pine plantation back to native forest, with the methods transferrable to other sites.

Effects of fire on scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in a pine forest in Poland

Ecological consequences of fire on the scuttle fly communities were investigated in a pine forest in Poland (Garwolin Forest). Data from 1,243 identifiable individuals, representing 48 species, were used. The scuttle fly communities in fire-affected plots were similar in terms of the number of species but less diverse than those in an undisturbed reference plot. The response of the flies to the fire was species-specific. Four Megaselia species (M. brevicostalis, M. nigriceps, M. elongata and M. obscuripennis) were most numerous in the plot most affected by fire. Approximately three years after the fire the scuttle fly communities were relatively similar to those found in a clear-cut pine plantation (Bialowieza Primeval Forest) as well as to those in post-windthrow habitats (Pisz Forest) in which logs were removed or left. The Megaselia species are the winners in the fire affected habitats and seem to be more stress-tolerant than other genera ofthe scuttle flies.

Anthropogenic thermal gradient in managed landscapes determines physiological performance and explains the edge-biased distribution of ectothermic arthropods

The intensive management of tree plantations has replaced and fragmented native forests worldwide. A direct consequence of this activity is the creation of new edges, which generate changes in microclimatic conditions in the adjacent forest as well as in the neighboring clearcut stands left over after harvesting by clearcut logging. Thus, newly created anthropogenic thermal gradients could influence ectothermic responses regarding abundance and physiology of native species in fragmented landscapes. Interestingly, the consequences of these changes have not been studied in insects. To test the effects of the anthropogenic thermal gradient on the abundance and physiology of ectothermic species, we chose the fragmented Maulino forest and the ground-dwelling beetle Ceroglossus chilensis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as our biological model, working with seven fragments of native forest surrounded by active and clearcut pine plantation stands. We measured temperature variables and beetle abundance in different months using transects perpendicular to the edge and used general linear modelling to explain abundance with temperature. In addition, we assessed the preferential body temperatures (Tb) and Rollover Speed (RoS) of C. chilensis at five different temperatures in controlled conditions to explain field abundance. We found that mean ambient temperatures were up to 42% higher in clearcut stands than in native forest fragments during summer. However, ambient temperatures in autumn were similar between native forest fragments and clearcut stands. The abundance of C. chilensis, is concentrated near the edge in the native forest (between 2 and 10 m to interior of native forest), regardless of month sampled. The abundance of C. chilensis was higher at the edge than inside native forest interiors or clearcut stands, regardless of the month. Ambient temperature surpasses preferential body temperature (14–15.99 °C) and physiological performance of C. chilensis (15 °C), particularly during summer. Ceroglossus chilensis abundance at the edge of clearcut stands could be favored by understory structural complexity in understory vegetation, creating suitable microclimatic conditions and increasing abundance of prey resource. In essence, we found that the higher temperatures found near the edge inside forest interiors might enable individuals of C. chilensis to display thermoregulatory behavior by concentrating activity at these particular regions, resulting in increased abundances and more concentrated occurrences, helping to explain the edge-biased distribution. Thus, we offer evidence that physiological performance might be a key functional trait to explain abundance of ectothermic species in fragmented forest landscapes. We submit to decision makers linked to the forestry industry, that managing the understory of young tree plantations and increasing the structural complexity at remnant forest edges to cushion high temperatures in clearcut stands would enable more effective conservation planning of thermosensitive ectotherms in disturbed forest landscapes.

Quantifying dispersal of a non-aggressive saprophytic bark beetle.

Long distance dispersal to locate suitable breeding sites is recognized as a key trait influencing the population dynamics and distribution of bark beetles and other saprophytic insects. While dispersal behavior has been studied for a range of aggressive ‘tree killing’ bark beetles, few have considered the dispersal behaviour of non-aggressive saprophytic bark beetles that utilize kairomones (host volatiles). We present the results of a mark-recapture experiment that examined adult dispersal patterns of the saprophytic bark beetle Hylurgus ligniperda. Releases took place in summer and autumn 2014, in a clearcut pine forest in the central North Island, New Zealand. Both flight-experienced and flight-naïve adults were marked and released in the center of a circular trap grid that extended to 960 m with 170 or 200 panel traps baited with a kairomone blend of alpha-pinene and ethanol. Of the 18,464 released H. ligniperda, 9,209 (49.9%) of the beetles flew, and 96 (1.04%) of the beetles that flew were recaptured. Individuals were recaptured at all distances. The recapture of flight-experienced beetles declined with dispersal distance, and a diffusion model showed heterogeneous dispersal tendencies within the population. Our best model estimated that 46% of flight-experienced beetles disperse > 1 km, and 1.6% > 5 km. Conversely, no declining pattern was shown in the recapture of flight-naïve beetles, suggesting that emerging H. ligniperda may require a period of flight to initiate chemotropic orientation behavior and subsequent attraction to traps. We discuss the implications of these findings for the management of phytosanitary risks. For instance, combining landscape knowledge of source populations with dispersal processes facilitates estimation of pest pressure at economically sensitive areas such as harvest and timber storage sites. Quantitative dispersal estimates also inform pest risk assessments by predicting spread rates for H. ligniperda that has proven establishment capabilities in other countries.

Converting clear cutting into a less hostile habitat: The importance of understory for the abundance and movement of the Chestnut-throated Huet-Huet (Pteroptochos castaneus: Rhinocryptidae)

Sustainable forest management of commercial monoculture plantations may be difficult to achieve in plantations of Monterrey pine because these commercial monocultures are managed under a clear cutting system, where the understory vegetation is initially damaged by harvesting, and subsequently, by herbicide application. Despite its marked structural changes following harvesting, the ecological role of understory in mitigating the negative impact of clear cutting on biodiversity is scarcely known. We test for the positive effect of the understory vegetation present in clearcut pine stands on the abundance and movement ability of the Chestnut-throated Huet-Huet (Pteroptochos castaneus), an insectivorous bird sensitive to adult pine plantations with scarce understory cover. Abundance was assessed through passive and broadcasting surveys during reproductive and pos-reproductive season at native forests, mature pine stands and cleacut areas. Movement was experimentally assessed as the willingness of individual Huet-Huets to enter into clearcuts from adjacent mature pint stands of native forest. The understory vegetation was the main predictor of P. castaneus abundance in native forest and mature pine plantations, but not into clearcut stands. Although Huet-Huets tended to be reluctant to enter into clearcuttings, their displacement into clearcuttings was positively influenced by the understory present in both the clearcut stands and the habitats where they had been experimentally attracted by playbacks (i.e., native forest or mature pine). We conclude that the conservation of P. castaneus in forest plantations involves modifying the traditional clearcutting system into a forest management that minimizes the use of herbicides while promoting the retention of understory vegetation and woody debris.

Natural establishment of indigenous trees under planted nuclei: A study from a clear-felled pine plantation in an afrotropical rain forest

Applied nucleation has been proposed as a cost-effective reforestation alternative to large-scale re-planting or establishing plantations with exotic tree species. We tested applied nucleation in a regenerating clear-cut pine plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda, where natural succession had been slow. We planted Neoboutonia macrocalyx, a relatively common indigenous pioneer tree species with animal dispersed seeds and a wide crown, in the pine plantation clear-cuts as seeds and transplanted seedlings. After six years of monitoring the growth of the nucleus trees we identified all naturally recruited seedlings under the nuclei and adjacent control sites without planted nuclei. We monitored the growth and turnover of the recruited seedlings for one year and examined the ground vegetation structure under the nuclei and control sites. We found that the N. macrocalyx nucleus trees had survived equally well if planted as seeds or transplanted seedlings and had attained heights up to ten meters tall. Understory vegetation structure under the established nuclei was less dense (P=0.001) and shorter (P=0.039) compared to control sites. We also found that natural recruitment of indigenous tree species under the nuclei was higher compared to control sites. The seedling density under the nuclei was significantly higher (P=0.035), and there was a significant difference in the composition of seedling communities (P=0.0001) with a larger number of different tree species found under the nuclei. We found that a viable seedling community had been established with a good potential to take over when planted nucleus trees eventually die. Our results show that planting nucleus trees can increase recruitment of indigenous tree species in locations where natural succession is otherwise slow.

Pioneer effects on exotic and native tree colonizers: Insights for Araucaria forest restoration

We integrate analyses of spatial association with empirical measures of juvenile performance to develop a strategy for Araucaria forest restoration in Brazil. Because pioneer species can differentially facilitate or inhibit target species, we measure native Araucaria angustifolia and exotic Pinus taeda responses to two common pioneer species, Baccharis uncinella and Vernonia discolor in a clear-cut pine plantation. P. taeda establishment and growth was greater than that of A. angustifolia in all treatments, showing its potential for invasiveness. B. uncinella showed significant positive spatial associations with P. taeda and negative spatial associations with A. angustifolia. V. discolor showed significant negative spatial associations with P. taeda but neutral spatial associations with A. angustifolia, it also supported a higher diversity of native species under its canopy than B. uncinella. Experimental results show that these patterns are due to differential establishment restrictions imposed by both pioneers on target species. We conclude that B. uncinella promotes pine invasion while V. discolor restrains it. We suggest strategies for Araucaria forest restoration and highlight the broad applicability of our approach to restoration programs.

Soil CO 2 efflux in clear-cut and uncut red pine ( Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) stands in Korea

This study was carried out to determine the effects of clear-cutting on soil CO 2 efflux in a 42-year-old pine ( Pinus densiflora S. et. Z.) stand. The variation of soil CO 2 efflux rates with soil temperature, soil pH, soil moisture and soil organic carbon (C) content was measured monthly for 1 year in two pine plots; a clear-cut pine (CCP) and an uncut pine (UCP) plots. Mean soil CO 2 efflux rates during the study period were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in CCP (0.52 g CO 2 m −2 h −1) than in UCP (0.37 g CO 2 m −2 h −1). High soil CO 2 efflux rates in CCP were attributed to the change of soil temperature, soil pH, soil organic C and soil moisture content following canopy removal. In addition, soil temperature in CCP was significantly higher (1–3 °C) than in UCP except during winter ( P < 0.05). Soil pH was also significantly higher (0.1–0.5 units) in CCP than in UCP ( P < 0.05), suggesting a better environment for microbial or root growth activity. In contrast to soil temperature or soil pH, soil organic C and soil moisture content were significantly lower in CCP than in UCP ( P < 0.05). The results indicated that the increased soil CO 2 efflux rates in CCP compared with UCP could be due to the combined effect of high soil temperature, high soil pH, low soil organic C and soil moisture content.

Riparian buffers mitigate effects of pine plantation logging on New Zealand streams: 2. Invertebrate communities

The influences on forest stream invertebrate communities of riparian forest type (native/exotic Pinus radiata) and logging, with or without native forest riparian buffers, were investigated at 28 stream sites on Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. Stream reaches were surveyed under summer, baseflow conditions in six riparian/forest vegetation types: native forest, mature pine plantations with pines planted to the stream edge, mature pine plantations with native forest in the riparian area, clearcut pine plantations, and logged pine plantations with patch buffers of native forest vegetation (upstream areas clearcut) or continuous buffers along the perennially flowing stream length. Multivariate analyses showed that clearcut reaches differed in invertebrate community structure from pine and native forested reaches, and from logged reaches with continuous riparian buffers. Communities at patch buffer sites were intermediate between these groups. Amongst the common taxa, mayflies were the most sensitive to clearcut logging, with three species less abundant at clear-cut and/or patch buffer sites; only the algal-piercing caddis Oxyethira albiceps (Hydroptilidae) responded positively to logging. Clearcut reaches had lowest diversity, taxon richness, relative abundance and numbers of the sensitive mayfly, stonefly and caddisfly taxa, and index of biotic integrity. In contrast, sites that had been logged leaving continuous buffers did not differ in these biometrics from those in intact native or mature plantation forest, indicating that buffers greatly reduced disturbance associated with logging. Logged sites with patch buffers had biometric values intermediate between clearcut and forested/continuous buffered reaches, indicating less protection from logging impact. Correlation and multiple regression analyses showed that logging impacts are strongly related to increases in periphyton biomass and water temperature, associated with changes in stream lighting, and increased channel instability/fine sediment. The findings indicate that late-rotation exotic pine plantations can support very similar stream invertebrate communities to native forests, and highlight the benefit of retaining forested buffers along stream riparian areas to avoid harvesting impacts on stream habitat and invertebrate communities.

Relationship of macrofungal population to silvicultural treatments in a recently harvested pine forest

Both mechanical and chemical treatments of clear-cut pine forests have been shown to promote both growth and vigor in forest regeneration. Although the relationship between certain macrofungi and the forest ecosystem is well established, there is little information regarding the effects of silvicultural site-preparation treatments on the occurrence of these fungi. Randomly selected plots that received no (additional) treatment after clear-cutting [control (C)] and plots that were sheared roller-chopped (SC), and chopped and herbicide-treated (CH) following clear-cutting were sampled for visible macrofungal fruiting bodies. Fifty-five fungal genera were collected from the entire study areas. There were 29, 41 and 32 species collected in C, SC and CH plots, respectively. Fifty percent of the fruiting-body biomass occurred within CH plots, while 30% and 17% occurred within SC and C plots, respectively. The degree of correlation between both site-preparation and fungal biomass varied according to species.

Microbial transformations of labelled nitrogen in a clear-cut pine plantation

Labelled nitrogen was used to evaluate the effects of intensive forest management on soil nitrogen transformations. The total release of N into inorganic forms (ammonium plus nitrate) was much greater than net N mineralization in all treatments. Immobilization of N by microbes was greatest in minimally-treated harvested plots, while the turnover of N within soil microbes was greatest in intensively-treated plots. Ammonium was immobilized 2.4-3.2 times more rapidly than nitrate in havested plots; nitrification in disturbed sites could thus increase the availability of N to regrowing vegetation.

Seasonal and spatial variation in fungal biomass in a forest soil

Soil fungal biomass, determined by the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) method, was studied during a 3 yr period in three horizons in a mature and a clear-cut pine forest in Sweden with and without slash left on the ground. In the organic soil layer the amount of hyphae showed a similar seasonal periodicity at all three sites, and this periodicity was correlated to the soil moisture content. Such a periodicity was not found in the mineral soil. There were also annual differences in the amount of FDA-active hyphae which might be explained by different climatic conditions. The mean spatial variation in biomass content was 37.9% (coefficient of variation), which was almost as great as was the variation between different sampling dates. Only between 4 and 45% of the total variation in the fungal lengths could be explained by soil moisture and organic matter content.

Microfungi in a clear-cut pine forest soil in central Sweden

The soil microfungal flora was studied during the 3 years following a clear-cutting of a coniferous forest in Central Sweden. The influence of felling residues was also investigated. Fungi were isolated with a soil-washing technique. The most frequently isolated genera were Mortierella, found throughout the soil profile, and Penicillium, mostly isolated in the organic horizons. The fungal flora, as well as the number of isolates per plated particle, differed between the different horizons. Principal-component analysis indicated that the fungal flora was changing in the organic horizons in areas where slash had been removed after the clear-cutting. No obvious changes were found in areas with slash left on the ground or in the mineral horizons. An atypical form of Penicillium brevi-compactum was more often isolated after than before clear-cutting in the organic soil layers. This species was also isolated with high frequency in an adjacent 10-year-old clear-cut area.