Effect of shelterwood density on nocturnal near-ground temperature, frost injury risk and budburst date of Norway spruce

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2002-09, Vol.168 (1), p.149-161
• Main Authors: Langvall, O, Ottosson Löfvenius, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage; Agricultural and forest meteorology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Air temperature; Biological and medical sciences; Budburst; Crop climate. Energy and radiation balances; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Frost; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Picea abies; Pinus sylvestris; Reforestation; Shelterwood; Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00754-X

The near-ground temperature regime during summer periods in 1990–1992 was analysed in a high Scots pine ( Pinus silvestris (L.)) shelterwood located in the interior of southern Sweden. Using a mobile climate measuring unit, the air temperatures 0.4 and 1.7 m above the ground were continuously recorded along a 400 m transect covering a clear-cut area and a shelterwood with stem density ranging from 10 to 420 trees ha −1. Cuttings of two Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) clones were planted along the shelterwood transect. Bud development and shoot elongation of the cuttings were recorded several times during 1991, 1992 and 1997. The temperatures were measured close to each cutting. Soil surface moisture conditions influenced rates of nocturnal cooling. During clear and calm nights, the minimum temperature was 3.2 °C higher in the densest part of the shelterwood compared to the clear-cut area when the ground surface was dry (soil water potential