Pinus Strobus Research Articles

Effects of subsidy quality on reciprocal subsidies: how leaf litter species changes frog biomass export

Spatial subsidies are resources transferred from one ecosystem to another and which can greatly affect recipient systems. Increased subsidy quantity is known to increase these effects, but subsidy quality is likely also important. We examined the effects of leaf litter quality (varying in nutrient and tannin content) in pond mesocosms on gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) biomass export, as well as water quality and ecosystem processes. We used litter from three different tree species native to Missouri [white oak (Quercus alba), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum)], one non-native tree [white pine (Pinus strobus)], and a common aquatic grass [prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata)]. We found that leaf litter species affected almost every variable we measured. Gray treefrog biomass export was greatest in mesocosms with grass litter and lowest with white oak litter. Differences in biomass export were affected by high tannin concentrations (or possibly the correlated variable, dissolved oxygen) via their effects on survival, and by primary production, which altered mean body mass. Effects of litter species could often be traced back to the characteristics of the litter itself: leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and tannin content, which highlights the importance of plant functional traits in affecting aquatic ecosystems. This work and others stress that changes in forest species composition could greatly influence aquatic systems and aquatic-terrestrial linkages.

A multi-century eastern white pine tree-ring chronology developed from salvaged river logs and its utility for dating heritage structures in Canada's National Capital Region

The early settlement history of Canada's National Capital Region, including Ottawa (Ontario) and Gatineau (Québec), was shaped in large part by the towering eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) forests that once covered the Ottawa Valley and fuelled a lucrative lumber export industry spanning the 19th and much of the 20th century. Some of the first dwellings and farmsteads of this era are still standing and serve as reminders of this history. A crucial piece of information in the assessment of a structure's heritage value is its date of construction. Unfortunately, this information is not always known and is approximated based on construction styles and other sources of information. In this study, dendroarchaeology methods are applied to constrain the construction dates of six historic structures in the National Capital Region of 19th century vintage. A multi-century (AD 1670–2009) eastern white pine ring-width chronology was developed for dating the study structures using cross sections from sunken logs recovered from the Ottawa River and cores from live trees from the Petawawa Research Forest. The tree-ring inferred construction dates for the six structures ranged from 1830 to 1878. For most structures, historical records about the property or first inhabitants were available to corroborate the results. The ring-width chronologies of the individual structures were well correlated with the regional chronology (ravg=0.63, p≤0.01), and this regional coherence clearly demonstrates the value of tree-rings for heritage structure assessments and reconstructing the settlement history of this region.

Short Communication Cross-species transferability of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) nuclear microsatellite markers to five Mexican white pines

We examined cross-species transferability and usefulness of six nuclear microsatellite markers developed in consubgeneric eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) with regard to ecologically and commercially important Mexican white pine species of conservation genetics concern: Pinus chiapensis (Mart.) Andresen, P. flexilis James, P. strobiformis Engelm., P. ayacahuite Ehrenb. Ex Schltdl, and P. ayacahuite var. veitchii (Roezl) G.R. Shaw. Four to six microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphic in different species, with moderate to high informativeness in a relatively small number of samples (PIC/HE=0.25-0.93). This successful transfer sidesteps the time- and resource-consuming development of species-specific microsatellite markers, and will facilitate population and conservation genetic studies and genetic resource management of the less studied Mexican white pines.

Wood chips compaction: First energetic analysis

The need to mitigate climate change and the progressive fossil fuel exhaustion have engendered a great interest for renewable fuels. This boosted the demand for wood fuel in all industrialized Countries creating a considerable business opportu6548 Alessio Facello et al. nity for the different stakeholders of the forestry sector. To increase the efficiency of the entire wood fuel supply chain, it is necessary to reduce the cost of harvesting, processing and transportation. One possible way to cut the handling costs is the densification of the chips. This paper reports the results of a study conducted on the densification process of chips, with particular focus on the demand of energy required by the process and on the density achieved. The investigation has been carried out on chips from hybrid poplar (PC) chestnut (CC), and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine (MC) at different pressures (20, 30, 50, 80 and 110 MPa). The study pointed out that average values for density ranges between 546-898, 559-1082 and 543-913 kg m for PC, CC and MC respectively. Specific energy demand ranges between 22.5-58.1, 18.8-43.3 and 19.4-50.2 kJ kg for PC, CC and MC respectively.

Inorganic Nitrogen Retention by Watersheds at Fernow Experimental Forest and Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory

Because elevated N loading can impair both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, understanding the abiotic and biotic controls over retention and export of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) is crucial. Long‐term research has been conducted on experimental watersheds at two U.S. Forest Service experimental forests in the Appalachian region: Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) in West Virginia and Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory (CHL) in North Carolina. While similar in vegetation and research history, FEF and CHL differ in climate, historic DIN deposition, and soils. We evaluated long‐term patterns of DIN inputs and exports from three watersheds at each location with similar treatments including clear‐cut harvest, conversion to conifer plantation (Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] at FEF and white pine [Pinus strobus L.] at CHL), as well as reference watersheds. We examined DIN export and retention in these watersheds, comparing treated and reference watersheds within each experimental forest and comparing similarly treated watersheds between the experimental forests. Despite current similar levels of N deposition, stream water DIN concentrations and exports were generally greater at FEF by almost an order of magnitude. We found differences between FEF and CHL in stream DIN concentrations, watershed export, and retention of DIN inputs not only in the untreated reference watersheds but also in the watersheds with similar disturbance treatment. We hypothesize that these differences are the result of site and vegetation differences as well as site history including long‐term patterns of DIN deposition. We document the switch from biogeochemical to hydrologic controls that occurred when N availability exceeded N immobilization, due to either N deposition or biological N inputs.

Evaluating of bonding strength of pine, oak and nyatoh wood species related to their surface roughness

The objective of this study was to evaluate bonding strength of samples from three wood species, namely pine (Pinus strobus), white oak (Quercus alba) and nyatoh (Palaquium balance). Defect free samples were sanded with 80-, 100- and 240-grit sandpaper before their surface roughness was quantified employing a stylus type profilometer. Samples were bonded in the form of pairs to each other using polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) at a spread rate of 0.15g/cm2 by compressing for 24h. The specimens of nyatoh sanded with 80-grit sand paper resulted in the highest average roughness value of 14.75μm. The same samples also showed the highest bonding strength of 527.35N among the others. It appears that stylus type equipment can be used to evaluate and differentiate roughness of such species due to grit size of sandpaper. Having rougher surfaces of the samples revealed that their higher bonding strength values can be achieved.

<I>Matsucoccus macrocicatrices</I> (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae): First Report, Distribution, and Association With Symptomatic Eastern White Pine in the Southeastern United States

We provide the first report of Matsucoccus macrocicatrices Richards (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae) feeding and reproducing on eastern white pine, Pinus strobus L., in the southeastern United States. Until now, M. macrocicatrices had been reported only from the Canadian Atlantic Maritimes, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Entomological holdings of 27 major museums in eastern North America have no historical records for M. macrocicatrices from the southeastern region. However, our field surveys and molecular analyses (DNA barcoding) have resulted in the collection and positive identification of M. macrocicatrices in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia In addition to the new geographic range, M. macrocicatrices is also being associated with dieback and mortality of all diameter classes of P. strobus leading to concern about a potential shift from its historically nonpestiferous presence on the host tree. On P. strobus, M. macrocicatrices was found embedded in cankers or present on top of the bark with necrotic tissue under their feeding area, indicating that they may be creating wounds for opportunistic pathogenic fungi to infest. Further, we found M. macrocicatrices living outside of the epiphytic mats of its symbiotic fungus, Septobasidium pinicola Snell. This study shows that M. macrocicatrices is now widespread in the southeastern United States, with implications for the future survival and regeneration of P. strobus in eastern North America.

Environmental factors influencing immigration behaviour of the invasive earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Despite the ecological threats posed to northeastern North American forests by the invasive earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L., 1758 (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae), the dispersal behaviour of this organism is poorly understood. This study investigated how environmental conditions influence the immigration behaviour of L. terrestris. Experimental mesocosms were used to test for differences in burrow establishment depending on leaf-litter type (sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) or white pine (Pinus strobus L.)) or the background population density of conspecifics (0, 25, or 100 m−2). Choice chambers were used to test for selection between habitat conditions. Video recording was used to measure the latency between introduction and establishment. A significantly greater proportion of individuals established burrows in the presence of maple over pine litter, although this preference did not result in a significant difference in latency. For higher population density treatments, the time since establishment of the background population of conspecifics had a significant effect on earthworm habitat selection, with an increasing preference for the high-density habitat over time. Population density had a significant effect on latency, with greater latency under low-density conditions. These results suggest that L. terrestris detects differences in litter type and conspecific population density and modifies its immigration behaviour accordingly. Findings may be useful in predicting and responding to future dispersal patterns of this invader.

Community‐specific impacts of exotic earthworm invasions on soil carbon dynamics in a sandy temperate forest

Exotic earthworm introductions can alter above- and belowground properties of temperate forests, but the net impacts on forest soil carbon (C) dynamics are poorly understood. We used a mesocosm experiment to examine the impacts of earthworm species belonging to three different ecological groups (Lumbricus terrestris [anecic], Aporrectodea trapezoides [endogeic], and Eisenia fetida [epigeic]) on C distributions and storage in reconstructed soil profiles from a sandy temperate forest soil by measuring CO2 and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) losses, litter C incorporation into soil, and soil C storage with monospecific and species combinations as treatments. Soil CO2 loss was 30% greater from the Endogeic x Epigeic treatment than from controls (no earthworms) over the first 45 days; CO2 losses from monospecific treatments did not differ from controls. DOC losses were three orders of magnitude lower than CO2 losses, and were similar across earthworm community treatments. Communities with the anecic species accelerated litter C mass loss by 31-39% with differential mass loss of litter types (Acer rubrum > Populus grandidentata > Fagus grandifolia > Quercus rubra > or = Pinus strobus) indicative of leaf litter preference. Burrow system volume, continuity, and size distribution differed across earthworm treatments but did not affect cumulative CO2 or DOC losses. However, burrow system structure controlled vertical C redistribution by mediating the contributions of leaf litter to A-horizon C and N pools, as indicated by strong correlations between (1) subsurface vertical burrows made by anecic species, and accelerated leaf litter mass losses (with the exception of P. strobus); and (2) dense burrow networks in the A-horizon and the C and N properties of these pools. Final soil C storage was slightly lower in earthworm treatments, indicating that increased leaf litter C inputs into soil were more than offset by losses as CO2 and DOC across earthworm community treatments.

Growth, straightness and survival at age 32 in a Pinus strobus x P. wallichiana F1 hybrid population (Experiment 1)

Growth, straightness and survival at age 32 in a Pinus strobus x P. wallichiana F1 hybrid population (Experiment 1)

Tree Growth and Resilience to Extreme Drought Across an Urban Land-use Gradient

Understanding the response of urban forests to extreme climatic events, such as drought, will be essential to predicting impacts of climate change on the urban tree canopy and related ecosystem services. This study evaluated variation in tree growth and drought resistance (growth during drought) and resilience (growth in period following drought) across four land-use categories (built, transportation, park, and semi-natural forest) and four species (Acer saccharum, Gymnocladus dioicus, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Pinus strobus) at The Morton Arboretum in suburban Lisle, Illinois, U.S. Tree growth and resistance to drought both varied as an interaction between landuse and species (F15, 100 = 5.25, p < 0.001; F15, 100 = 2.42, p = 0.005). Resilience of tree growth to extreme drought was generally high and did not vary across species and land-uses. In this study, individual tree species responses to drought varied across land-uses, illustrating the difficulty of predicting the reaction of urban forests to projected increases in the frequency of extreme climatic events. Tree growth response to drought varied even across the relatively narrow range of growing conditions studied here. Investigation of a broader range of sites, encompassing the full urban forest continuum, would likely demonstrate even greater variation in tree response to extreme climatic events.

Historical patterns of exotic earthworm distributions inform contemporary associations with soil physical and chemical factors across a northern temperate forest

Understanding environmental factors related to exotic earthworm distributions across invasion stages (i.e., introduction, colonization, regional spread) is critical for assessing long-term impacts on previously earthworm-free forests. Studies following earthworm community establishment in North America, however, remain limited. We address this by characterizing historical and current exotic earthworm distributions in a regionally representative aspen-dominated forest, where their presence was first documented in the early 1900s. We map historic earthworm distribution records in a 360-km2 area surrounding our current study site, and re-analyze data collected nearly 60 years ago to inform contemporary associations between species densities and environmental factors. Field surveys were conducted over two years (2008–2010) using 10 permanent plots, with concurrent measurements of environmental ‘effect factors’ determined by large-scale ecosystem processes (leaf litter inputs, soil physical properties, soil C and N content), and environmental ‘response factors’ likely impacted by earthworm activity over short time scales (annual litter mass loss and soil isotopic values). Present-day communities included five exotic species with varying densities: Lumbricus rubellus ≥ Lumbricus terrestris >> Dendrobaena octaedra ≥ Aporrectodea spp. (Aporrectodea trapezoides + Aporrectodea caliginosa). These species were also present in the landscape in the early to mid-1900s though shifts in species composition, particularly the movement of L. terrestris into upland forest soils, were evident. Over two years, earthworm community composition did not show strong temporal or spatial trends characteristic of incipient invasions. However, species-specific associations with environmental factors were observed: L. terrestris and L. rubellus densities were positively associated with soil C and N content, Acer rubrum (red maple) inputs, and soil moisture; and were negatively associated with Pinus strobus (white pine) inputs. D. octaedra, and Aporrectodea spp. densities were positively associated with % sand; and negatively associated with plot-to-road distance. Soil moisture and texture were significant drivers of earthworm species abundance in historical surveys, though associations with soil C were only evident for Aporrectodea spp. Contemporary associations between earthworm species and soil C and N content suggest greater nutrient limitation in upland forest soils, while the importance of plot-to-road distance suggests the persistence of dispersal limitation and repeated introductions as a mechanism maintaining population densities. Species-specific associations with environmental response variables were also observed, where: surface soil δ13C depletion was associated with Aporrectodea spp. and D. octaedra biomass; δ15N enrichment was associated with total earthworm biomass, but negatively associated with L. rubellus biomass; and increased leaf litter mass loss was associated with L. terrestris and juvenile biomass. As soil C and N pools were not higher in plots with higher earthworm biomass, these results suggest earthworm activity may influence soil nutrient cycling by decreasing turnover times of nutrient pools over the long-term. Our results characterize exotic earthworm distributions at scales relevant to forest ecosystem processes, and allow for future extrapolation of laboratory and controlled field studies assessing impacts on soil nutrient cycling across northern temperate forests.

The Effect of Experimental Prescribed Fire on White Pine Regeneration

We examined the effects of prescribed fire on white pine (Pinus strobus) advance regeneration in small experimental plots in mixed hardwood-pine forests in southwestern Virginia during the fall and spring. Fires killed all newly germinated seedlings in both spring and fall. Saplings (ranging from 0.7 - 3.4 m in height) all suffered some degree of crown scorch, but sapling survival was higher on plots burned in the fall (54%) compared to those burned in the spring (20%). After one growing season following the fires, seedling density had recovered to a level similar to that of control plots for fall burns, but was still significantly lower than control plots for spring burns. After one growing season, the amount of crown mortality for saplings was reduced with increasing height and root collar diameter. Height growth of saplings after one growing season following fires was not different between burned and control plots. Fall burns may be less detrimental to white pine regeneration because of reduced mortality to saplings and by providing microsite conditions during the period of seed rain that are conducive to recover seedling regeneration.

White pine (Pinus strobus L.) regeneration dynamics at the species’ northern limit of continuous distribution

The abundance of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) has been significantly reduced across its distribution range over the past few centuries. The species’ regeneration dynamics is well documented in the centre of its range, but is poorly understood at the northern limit of continuous distribution. To address this knowledge gap, we quantified natural white pine regeneration in unmanaged mature stands, identified the most important variables influencing it, and evaluated the impact of damaging agents, namely white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch.), white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck), and herbivory. We also quantified the influence of remnant stands and residual trees on the spatial distribution of regeneration in logged sites. The results reveal continuous but low recruitment in mature stands. The basal area of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Miller) had a strong negative effect on white pine regeneration. Regeneration was more abundant than expected on moister substrates, including moss, decaying wood and organic matter. White pine regeneration was noted in recently logged areas, where distance from remnant stands had a significant effect on the abundance of white pine regeneration. The northern limit of continuous distribution holds potential for white pine restoration, for example by preserving remnant white pine stands that can provide seed sources for natural regeneration in a shelterwood cut system, or in adjacent clearcut areas. This study illustrates that different management strategies should be used near northern range limits, where effects of site conditions and disturbance agents are different than in the center of a species’ range.

Load Duration Effects in Wood at High Strain Rates

AbstractStrain rate can significantly affect the strength of materials. The split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was initially utilized to study the effects of high-strain rate (∼103-1/s) on the behavior of metals. Subsequent modifications to the original technique allowed the study of brittle materials such as ceramics, concrete, and rock. Although material properties of wood for static and creep strain rates are readily available, data on the dynamic properties of wood are limited. Previous work using the SHPB technique with wood has considered only a few conditions, and tests to prove the applicability of the SHPB on wood have not been performed. In this study, tests were conducted using a large diameter [75-mm (3.0-in.)] SHPB. Hard maple specimens, consisting of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black maple (Acer nigrum), and eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) specimens were utilized to represent a dense hardwood and a low-density soft wood. Specimens were machined to diameters of 63.5 and 75-mm (2.5 and 3...

Resolution of Respect: F. Herbert Bormann 1922–2012

Resolution of Respect: F. Herbert Bormann 1922–2012

English

On a surface coal mine in southern West Virginia, the forestry reclamation approach was applied while quantifying the effects of substrate type and seeding prescription on survival and growth of native tree species and herbaceous vegetation. Four substrates were used: weathered sandstone (brown), unweathered sandstone/shale mix (gray), mixture of weathered and unweathered rock (mixed), and a mixture of the soil solum and unconsolidated soil parent material (soil). Each substrate treatment was split into two subplots; one seeded with a tree-compatible herbaceous seed mixture and one unseeded. Trees were planted in March 2012, measured for initial height in June 2012, and measured for height and survival in late October 2012. Herbaceous groundcover and species richness were measured during the growing season. After one growing season, mean percent survival and growth of planted trees differed among tree species and seeding treatments. There were no differences in tree survival among substrate treatments. Of planted tree species, survival was higher for hawthorn and black cherry (~85%) than for most other species and lowest for Eastern white pines (25.3%) and shagbark hickory (24.3%). Unseeded treatments had higher tree survival (70.4%) than seeded treatments (56.4%). Of the trees which survived the first growing season, black cherry, red oak, sugar maple, and white oak showed differences in height growth related to experimental treatments. Black cherry and red oak trees grew more in the unseeded treatment, compared to the seeded treatment. White oaks grew the most in the brown sandstone treatment. Sugar maples grew the most in the seeded mixed treatment. Gray and soil substrate treatments had the highest total herbaceous richness and the soil treatment had the highest volunteer richness. Seeded treatments had less bare ground and higher mean herbaceous species richness than unseeded subplots. Leaving the landscape unseeded facilitated tree establishment, but the impact of seeding on the future understory community remains unclear. Soil appears superior to rock spoils for re-establishing a diverse understory. We expect that the influence of substrate and seeding treatments will become clearer after additional growing seasons.

Comprehensive Cell-specific Protein Analysis in Early and Late Pollen Development from Diploid Microsporocytes to Pollen Tube Growth

Pollen development in angiosperms is one of the most important processes controlling plant reproduction and thus productivity. At the same time, pollen development is highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, including temperature, drought, and nutrition. Therefore, pollen biology is a major focus in applied studies and breeding approaches for improving plant productivity in a globally changing climate. The most accessible developmental stages of pollen are the mature pollen and the pollen tubes, and these are thus most frequently analyzed. To reveal a complete quantitative proteome map, we additionally addressed the very early stages, analyzing eight stages of tobacco pollen development: diploid microsporocytes, meiosis, tetrads, microspores, polarized microspores, bipolar pollen, desiccated pollen, and pollen tubes. A protocol for the isolation of the early stages was established. Proteins were extracted and analyzed by means of a new gel LC-MS fractionation protocol. In total, 3817 protein groups were identified. Quantitative analysis was performed based on peptide count. Exceedingly stage-specific differential protein regulation was observed during the conversion from the sporophytic to the gametophytic proteome. A map of highly specialized functionality for the different stages could be revealed from the metabolic activity and pronounced differentiation of proteasomal and ribosomal protein complex composition up to protective mechanisms such as high levels of heat shock proteins in the very early stages of development.

INVESTIGATION OF POLARIZATION PHASE DIFFERENCE RELATED TO FOREST FIELDS CHARACTERIZATIONS

Abstract. The information content of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data significantly included in the radiometric polarization channels, hence polarimetric SAR data should be analyzed in relation with target structure. The importance of the phase difference between two co-polarized scattered signals due to the possible association between the biophysical parameters and the measured Polarization Phase Difference (PPD) statistics of the backscattered signal recorded components has been recognized in geophysical remote sensing. This paper examines two Radarsat-2 images statistics of the phase difference to describe the feasibility of relationship with the physical properties of scattering targets and tries to understand relevance of PPD statistics with various types of forest fields. As well as variation of incidence angle due to affecting on PPD statistics is investigated. The experimental forest pieces that are used in this research are characterized white pine (Pinus strobus L.), red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench Voss), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P.), poplar (Populus L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.) , aspen and ground vegetation. The experimental results show that despite of biophysical parameters have a wide diversity, PPD statistics are almost the same. Forest fields distributions as distributed targets have close to zero means regardless of the incidence angle. Also, The PPD distribution are function of both target and sensor parameters, but for more appropriate examination related to PPD statistics the observations should made in the leaf-off season or in bands with lower frequencies.

Little to no genetic structure in the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Suillus spraguei (Syn. S. pictus) across parts of the northeastern USA

Population genetic studies of ectomycorrhizal fungi at scales larger than 100km are still relatively rare with highly variable results. In this study, we determined the population genetic structure of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Suillus spraguei over distances up to 600km in northeastern USA forests. S. spraguei associates exclusively with five-needled pines and only with white pine (Pinus strobus) in the eastern USA. We used six microsatellite loci to assess the genetic structure between eight sites sampled in the Adirondack Park of New York and seven sites sampled in other forests of New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Except for one site, little to no genetic differentiation was detected in pairwise comparisons of the sites (F ST = 0 to 0.05). Only one site was moderately differentiated from most other sites (F ST = 0.02 to 0.15). The Mantel test showed no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances (isolation by distance; R (2) = 0.003, P = 0.3). The STRUCTURE analysis also supported the presence of a single cluster (K = 1).