Predicting natural regeneration of white spruce in boreal mixedwood understories

Successful mixedwood management in the boreal forest of Alberta requires better knowledge of the occurrence and success of natural white spruce regeneration. In this study we developed statistical models to predict the natural establishment and height growth of understory white spruce (Picea glauca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forestry chronicle 2001, Vol.77 (6), p.1006-1013
Main Authors: Stewart, J.D, Landhausser, S.M, Stadt, K.J, Lieffers, V.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
altitude
basal area
biogeochemical cycles
clay fraction
establishment
forest ecology
forest litter
grasses
height
mathematical models
mineral soils
mixed forests
natural regeneration
Pinus
plant characteristics
prediction
understory
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Summary:Successful mixedwood management in the boreal forest of Alberta requires better knowledge of the occurrence and success of natural white spruce regeneration. In this study we developed statistical models to predict the natural establishment and height growth of understory white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in the boreal mixedwood forest in Alberta using data from 148 provincial permanent sample plots, supplemented by measurements of the amount and height growth of regenerating white spruce, and the amount and type of available substrate. A discriminant model correctly classified 73% of the sites as to presence or absence of a white spruce understory based on the amount of spruce basal area, rotten wood, ecological nutrient regime, soil clay fraction and elevation, although it explained only 30% of the variation in the data. On sites with a white spruce understory, a regression model related the abundance of regeneration to rotten wood cover, spruce basal area, pine basal area, soil clay fraction, and grass cover (R2 = 0.36). About half of the seedlings surveyed grew on rotten wood, and only 3% on mineral soil, and seedlings were 10 times more likely to have established on these substrates than on litter. Exposed mineral soil was rare, covering only 0.3% of the observed transect area, rotten wood covered 4.5%, and litter/undisturbed forest floor covered the remainder. The regreesion models developed for average relative height growth rate included feather moss cover and soil clay fraction for seedlings between 1m and 3m (R2 = 0.27).
ISSN:0015-7546
1499-9315
DOI:10.5558/tfc771006-6