Mixed Deciduous Trees Research Articles

Estimation of mean dominant height using NAIP digital aerial photogrammetry and lidar over mixed deciduous forest in the southeastern USA

• Temperate deciduous tree heights estimated with point clouds from digital aerial photogrammetry. • Photogrammetrically-derived point clouds a possible surrogate for those derived from lidar data. • Lidar-derived DEM necessary to normalize point clouds derived from digital aerial photogrammetry. • A poor photogrammetric solution led to reduced estimation accuracy in some shadowed areas. In the absence of complete lidar coverage, digital surface models (DSMs) and point clouds produced from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) are increasingly being analyzed for quality and application feasibility. This study compared canopy heights derived from NAIP DSMs (10 m) and point clouds to those derived from lidar data collected over Mountain Lake Biological Station and the Great Smoky Mountains Twin Creeks Site by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Airborne Observation Platform for 62 mixed deciduous tree plots. Mean dominant height (MDH) was estimated using lidar and the NAIP products using the 90th percentile of heights in a given plot as the independent variable for both the lidar- and NAIP-derived point clouds. The dependent variable was field-measured MDH, calculated using the four tallest trees for each 0.04-hectare plot based on the NEON woody vegetation structure dataset. All data (field and remotely sensed) were collected in 2018. Using maximum likelihood spatial error model for all analyses, the NAIP DSM (10 m resolution) resulted in a strong relationship with MDH (coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) = 0.90, standard error ( SE ) = 1.71 m). However, the 90th percentiles of heights derived from the point clouds were better at estimating MDH than was the comparatively coarse resolution DSM (NAIP point clouds: R 2 = 0.94, SE = 1.40 m; lidar: R 2 = 0.95, SE = 1.29 m, respectively) and are strongly correlated to each other ( R 2 = 0.99, SE = 0.68 m). The main limitation of the NAIP datasets was found to be where shadowing occurred due to steep terrain in the Great Smoky Mountain site. These areas resulted in erroneously high vegetation heights. Mean dominant heights estimated using NAIP DSMs and point clouds are thus comparable to those estimated using lidar data in these closed-canopy temperate deciduous forests where shadowing from steep terrain is not present. The utility of both the NAIP-derived 10 m DSM and the point clouds for estimating tree heights paves the way for statewide mapping of heights over the deciduous forests in Tennessee, Virginia, and possibly beyond.

Dark CO2 fixation in temperate beech and pine forest soils

Soils are the largest terrestrial organic carbon pool and the largest terrestrial source of atmospheric CO2. Non-phototrophic CO2 fixation by microbes re-fixes and recycles CO2 respired in soils. Our previous study showed that in temperate deciduous forest soil profiles, rates of dark CO2 fixation were proportional to microbial biomass, irrespective of soil depth. However, the amount and quality of organic matter entering different soil depths vary for different temperate forest types and these influence microbial communities with unknown consequences for CO2 fixation rates. To test whether differences in the amount and quality of SOC caused by tree species affect dark CO2 fixation rates with depth, we conducted a study using acidic soils from two forest plots from the Schorfheide-Chorin Exploratory, Germany. These soils, dominated by either beech (deciduous) or pine (coniferous) tree stands differ in their SOC content and quality. We traced the incorporation of 2% (v:v) 13C–CO2 label into microbial biomass and estimated the CO2 fixation rates relative to microbial biomass carbon content (in μg C g MBC−1 d−1) across the soil profiles. The rates of dark CO2 fixation per g MBC were similar across the beech soil profiles, but significantly lower in the pine soils at the B2 and BC horizons, suggesting that while dark CO2 fixation rates are linked to MBC in deciduous forest soils, other factors influence dark CO2 fixation rates in coniferous forest soils. The pine subsoils had low SOC content and quality, with a microbial community enriched with heterotrophic fermenters like Chloroflexi that are predicted to have a lower potential for heterotrophic CO2 fixation compared to the other dominant bacteria phyla. In contrast, the beech soil profiles, characterized by higher SOC inputs, featured higher fractions of copiotrophs like Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria predicted to have high heterotrophic CO2 fixation potential. We thus speculate that in contrast to the beech soils, lower SOC inputs in the pine subsoils affected the community composition, leading to lower CO2 fixation rates. We further made comparisons to soils dominated by mixed deciduous trees and featuring a higher MBC and SOC content. Over this range of temperate forest soils, CO2 fixation rates were highest in the mixed deciduous forest soils, with MBC and Shannon index (used as a proxy parameter for community composition) showing the strongest correlations with the varying CO2 fixation rates. Our study suggests that predictions of dark CO2 fixation rates need to consider tree-species specific or site-specific conditions, as these may alter root carbon inputs and affect microbial community composition and their metabolic CO2 fixation potentials in soil.

Isolation, identification and quantification of gallic acid (gallotannins) through HPTLC in leaf galls of Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) j.f. Macb

Plant galls (cecidia) are pathologically produced cells, tissues, or organs of plants that have developed by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of plant tissues under the effect of gall causing organisms. Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) j.f Macb. is an economically and medicinally very important plant of the family Sapotaceae. It is a tropical mixed deciduous tree. Various galls due to insect infestation are found on almost all tree species. Leaf galls of Madhuca longifolia induced by insects of order Diptera and Hymenoptera represent a unique pattern of chemical perturbations which normally do not occur in normal leaf. During the present investigation, an accurate, fast and easy HPTLC method was followed for quantification of gallic acid occur in the normal leaf and dried leaf galls of the Madhuca longifolia plant. The protocol followed in this study resulted in an intense peak and was able to give a good resolution of gallic acid from normal leaf and galled tissues of Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) j.f. Macb. Adaxial leaf gall induced by insect Mohwadiplosis Orientalis Rao belonging to Diptera class, Marginal gall induced by another Dipteran and vein gall by chalcidoiid Hymenopteran class of insect. Variation in Gallic acid present in normal leaf and leaf galls of Madhuca longifolia was critically reported. It was found that Gallic acid content increased almost two folds in gall tissues as compared to normal leaf tissue. Galled leaf (Dipteran adaxial gall) had a maximum amount of Gallic acid (344.4 ng) while in normal leaf and another leaf galls had less amount of gallic acid was found (180ng). This study is of practical importance because gallic acid is the most important active phenolic acid, which may be correlated with post-infection biochemical defense. Compound gallic acid has been reported for the first time from leaf galls of Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) j. f. Macb. Plant in the study.

Seasonal Differences in Forest Height Estimation From Interferometric TanDEM-X Coherence Data

This paper demonstrates the use of X-band bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric coherence for retrieving tree height of coniferous and deciduous forests during leaf-off season in early spring and leaf-on period in summer. TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements (TanDEM-X) HH and VV polarization channel coherence images were studied for over 249 ha of forests in Estonia and compared against light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and forest registry field inventory data. Strong correlation was found between interferometric coherence magnitude and LiDAR measured average tree height, especially for winter period. The regression models show the strongest correlation between pine stand heights and single-polarization interferometric coherence, where the correlation coefficients ( ${{\text{r}}^{2}}$ ) range between 0.75 and 0.97. The highest correlation for mixed deciduous tree stands was found during leaf-off period with ${{\text{r}}^{2}}$ ranging from 0.87 to 0.94, whereas leaf-on period resulted in ${{\text{r}}^{2}}$ from 0.58 to 0.75. Strong correlations were also found for spruce trees with ${{\text{r}}^{2}}$ between 0.54 and 0.83. Moreover, a simple semiempirical model based on random volume over ground model framework was constructed to describe the relation between the forest height and interferometric coherence. Also, the seasonal variability of the correlation was studied. Our results demonstrate that under Northern-European conditions, seasonal changes have a significant effect for deciduous trees as standard deviations dropped from 1.34–1.78 m during leaf-off conditions to 2.22–3.16 m for leaf-on conditions. Thus, height estimation of deciduous stands requires leaf-off conditions for accurate coherence-based height retrieval. Correlation coefficients for pine stands were unvarying across different weather conditions and least affected by the season. The observed strong sensitivity of interferometric coherence to forest height makes it feasible for estimating canopy height for boreal and deciduous forests in both summer and winter conditions. The estimation algorithm works best for coniferous forests.

Holocene floodplain palaeoecology of the Humberhead Levels; implications for regional wetland development

The acquisition of high quality, well-dated local site records is essential for progressing regional environmental reconstructions. As part of a wider study designed to examine intra- and extra- site ecosystem responses to environmental change, this paper presents new palaeoecological data from the floodplain of the River Torne in the Humberhead Levels, South Yorkshire. The sampling site lies adjacent to the lowland raised mire of Hatfield Moors, a location with a long history of palaeoecological investigations. The potential of using floodplain records to reconstruct local variations in ecosystem response to environmental change is also considered. Coleoptera and pollen are used to reconstruct floodplain ecosystem dynamics, whilst chronologies are established using Bayesian age–depth modelling. Between 10,200 cal BP and 2300 cal BP, the floodplain experienced multiple phases of ecological change. At 10,200–9910 cal BP, a cut-off channel began to infill with peat, while the surrounding floodplain remained relatively dry with Pinus forest growing nearby. Between 9630–9500 cal BP and 7270–7020 cal BP, a depositional hiatus occurred in the sedimentary record. By the end of this period, the local woodland had diversified and expanded to mixed deciduous tree cover. A wet shift identified at 6870–6160 cal BP was shortly followed by a rise in Alnus and Tilia from 6410–6160 cal BP. At this time, widespread floodplain paludification had occurred in the Humberhead Levels, which was largely controlled by relative sea-level (RSL) rise and the associated rise in regional water tables. Floodplain expansion also resulted in the widespread occurrence of Alnus dominated fen woodland. The local Torne floodplain experienced varying levels of wetness that influenced the decline and subsequent regeneration of the woodland from 5870–5640 cal BP. At this time, the Ulmus decline is identified in the pollen stratigraphic record. Floodplain hydrology appears to have been controlled by a combination of water table fluctuations and changes in channel pattern/flow, both of which can be linked to RSL variations recorded in the Humber Estuary. Floodplain alluviation, also linked to rising water tables, is dated to 4360–4160 cal BP. Anthropogenic woodland clearance further upstream may have further compounded this event.

Allometry and biomass of Korean pine ( Pinus koraiensis) in central Korea

Aboveground tree biomass of Korean pine ( Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) was determined for a natural forest of Korean pine and mixed deciduous trees and seven age classes of plantation forests in central Korea. Regression analyses of the dry weights of stem wood, stem bark, branches, and needles versus diameter at breast height were used to calculate regression equations of the form of log Y=a+b log X . Biomass of Korean pine in the mixed forest was 118 Mg ha −1, and biomass in the plantations was linearly related to stand age, ranging from 52.3 Mg ha −1 in 11 to 20-year-old stands to 317.9 Mg ha −1 in 71 to 80-year-old stands. The proportions of stem wood and stem bark in the total aboveground biomass decreased with stand age while those of branch and needle increased. Specific leaf area of Korean pine ranging from 35.2 to 52.1 cm 2 g −1 was significantly different among crown positions and needle ages; in general, lower crown position and current needles had the greatest surface area per unit dry weight.

Field Evaluation of Azalea Species and Cultivars for Resistance to Azalea Lace Bug and Cranberry Rootworm

Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) is the most serious pest on azalea. Both evergreen and deciduous azaleas are susceptible, though more resistance has been observed in the deciduous. To identify genes for resistance, fourteen deciduous azalea species, three deciduous azalea cultivars derived from complex hybrids, and one evergreen cultivar were planted in a randomized complete-block design under mixed deciduous trees in the fall of 1994. Each block was replicated 12 times. In the spring and summer of 1995, azalea lace bugs were introduced onto branches of six plants of each of the taxa. One month later, and again in the fall of 1996, the percentage of infected shoots per plant was measured. Very little damage from azalea lace bug was observed on the R. canescens, R. periclymenoides, and R. prunifolium plants, while `Buttercup', `My Mary', R. japonicum, and R. oblongifolium had the greatest damage. The cranberry rootworm, Rhadopterus picipes, damages many woody ornamentals, including some azalea species. The injury appears as elongated cuts on the leaves, and is most severe on plants growing under dense canopies. The cranberry rootworm has been observed in this azalea field plot. Plants were evaluated for damage in June 1995 and 1996. Cranberry rootworm damage was most severe on `Buttercup', R. japonicum, R. prinophyllum, and R. calendulaceum, while the evergreen azalea `Delaware Valley White' was the most resistant.

Population Structure and Social Organization of Southwestern Riparian Birds

Breeding bird populations were studied on seven riparian woodland study plots in north-central Arizona. The densities of breeding birds varied from 193 to 847 pairs per 40 hectares. These differences were, in part, related to the vegetative structure of the habitat. Bird species diversity (BSD) was not correlated with foliage height diversity (FHD) in riparian habitats consisting of one major vegetational component (the cottonwood tree Populus fremontii ) where these habitats are bordered by agricultural fields. These areas supported the largest breeding bird populations (847, 612, 512, and 425 pairs per 40 hectares) while areas consisting of a mixed deciduous tree and shrub component ( Populus, Platanus, Salix, Acer, Fraxinus, Prosopis, etc. ) had smaller populations of breeding birds (322, 312, and 193 pairs per 40 hectares). On the mixed deciduous woodland areas the correlation between BSD and FHD was similar to what others have found in Eastern deciduous forests. The average weights of individual birds were significantly greater on the homogeneous cottonwood areas ( X ¯ = 46.4 g) than on the mixed deciduous areas ( X ¯ = 22.9 g). Data gathered indicate that two systems of social organization are being maintained. In areas of relatively low population density (mixed deciduous) 57% of the pairs maintained “class A” territories. On areas of relatively high population density (homogeneous cottonwood) only 22% of the pairs exhibited this form of spacing; here, most birds forage freely outside of the riparian habitat. We suggest that the differences in population density and average weights of birds found in the two habitat types are a result of the following: (i) relative productivity of areas adjacent to the riparian habitat, and (ii) degree of intra- and interspecific competition effected by avian populations found breeding in areas adjacent to the riparian habitat.