The Impacts of Increasing Drought on Forest Dynamics, Structure, and Biodiversity in the United States
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Dynamics and Disturbance in an Old-Growth Forest Remnant In
DYNAMICS AND DISTURBANCE IN AN OLD-GROWTH FOREST REMNANT IN WESTERN OHIO Thesis Submitted to The College of Arts and Sciences of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Master of Science in Biology By Sean Michael Goins UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON Dayton, Ohio August, 2012 DYNAMICS AND DISTURBANCE IN AN OLD-GROWTH FOREST REMNANT IN WESTERN OHIO Name: Goins, Sean Michael APPROVED BY: __________________________________________ Ryan W. McEwan, Ph.D. Committee Chair Assistant Professor __________________________________________ M. Eric Benbow, Ph.D. Committee Member Assistant Professor __________________________________________ Mark G. Nielsen, Ph.D. Committee Member Associate Professor ii ABSTRACT DYNAMICS AND DISTURBANCE IN AN OLD-GROWTH FOREST REMNANT IN WESTERN OHIO Name: Goins, Sean Michael University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Ryan W. McEwan Forest communities are dynamic through time, reacting to shifts in disturbance and climate regimes. A widespread community shift has been witnessed in many forests of eastern North America wherein oak (Quercus spp.) populations are decreasing while maple (Acer spp.) populations are increasing. Altered fire regimes over the last century are thought to be the primary driver of oak-to-maple community shifts; however, the influence of other non-equilibrium processes on this community shift remains under- explored. Our study sought to determine the community structure and disturbance history of an old-growth forest remnant in an area of western Ohio where fires were historically uncommon. To determine community structure, abundance of woody species was measured within 32 plots at 4 canopy strata and dendrochronology was used to determine the relative age-structure of the forest. -
Old-Growth Forests
Pacific Northwest Research Station NEW FINDINGS ABOUT OLD-GROWTH FORESTS I N S U M M A R Y ot all forests with old trees are scientifically defined for many centuries. Today’s old-growth forests developed as old growth. Among those that are, the variations along multiple pathways with many low-severity and some Nare so striking that multiple definitions of old-growth high-severity disturbances along the way. And, scientists forests are needed, even when the discussion is restricted to are learning, the journey matters—old-growth ecosystems Pacific coast old-growth forests from southwestern Oregon contribute to ecological diversity through every stage of to southwestern British Columbia. forest development. Heterogeneity in the pathways to old- growth forests accounts for many of the differences among Scientists understand the basic structural features of old- old-growth forests. growth forests and have learned much about habitat use of forests by spotted owls and other species. Less known, Complexity does not mean chaos or a lack of pattern. Sci- however, are the character and development of the live and entists from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, dead trees and other plants. We are learning much about along with scientists and students from universities, see the structural complexity of these forests and how it leads to some common elements and themes in the many pathways. ecological complexity—which makes possible their famous The new findings suggest we may need to change our strat- biodiversity. For example, we are gaining new insights into egies for conserving and restoring old-growth ecosystems. canopy complexity in old-growth forests. -
A Single Tree Model to Consistently Simulate Cooling, Shading, and Pollution Uptake of Urban Trees
International Journal of Biometeorology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-02030-8 ORIGINAL PAPER A single tree model to consistently simulate cooling, shading, and pollution uptake of urban trees Rocco Pace1,2 & Francesco De Fino3 & Mohammad A. Rahman4 & Stephan Pauleit4 & David J. Nowak5 & Rüdiger Grote1 Received: 3 April 2020 /Revised: 24 September 2020 /Accepted: 6 October 2020 # The Author(s) 2020 Abstract Extremely high temperatures, which negatively affect the human health and plant performances, are becoming more frequent in cities. Urban green infrastructure, particularly trees, can mitigate this issue through cooling due to transpiration, and shading. Temperature regulation by trees depends on feedbacks among the climate, water supply, and plant physiology. However, in contrast to forest or general ecosystem models, most current urban tree models still lack basic processes, such as the consideration of soil water limitation, or have not been evaluated sufficiently. In this study, we present a new model that couples the soil water balance with energy calculations to assess the physiological responses and microclimate effects of a common urban street-tree species (Tilia cordata Mill.) on temperature regulation. We contrast two urban sites in Munich, Germany, with different degree of surface sealing at which microclimate and transpiration had been measured. Simulations indicate that differences in wind speed and soil water supply can be made responsible for the differences in transpiration. Nevertheless, the calculation of the overall energy balance showed that the shading effect, which depends on the leaf area index and canopy cover, contributes the most to the temperature reduction at midday. Finally, we demonstrate that the consideration of soil water availability for stomatal conductance has realistic impacts on the calculation of gaseous pollutant uptake (e.g., ozone). -
Sass Forestecomgt 2018.Pdf
Forest Ecology and Management 419–420 (2018) 31–41 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Forest Ecology and Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco Lasting legacies of historical clearcutting, wind, and salvage logging on old- T growth Tsuga canadensis-Pinus strobus forests ⁎ Emma M. Sassa, , Anthony W. D'Amatoa, David R. Fosterb a Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA b Harvard Forest, Harvard University, 324 N Main St, Petersham, MA 01366, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Disturbance events affect forest composition and structure across a range of spatial and temporal scales, and Coarse woody debris subsequent forest development may differ after natural, anthropogenic, or compound disturbances. Following Compound disturbance large, natural disturbances, salvage logging is a common and often controversial management practice in many Forest structure regions of the globe. Yet, while the short-term impacts of salvage logging have been studied in many systems, the Large, infrequent natural disturbance long-term effects remain unclear. We capitalized on over eighty years of data following an old-growth Tsuga Pine-hemlock forests canadensis-Pinus strobus forest in southwestern New Hampshire, USA after the 1938 hurricane, which severely Pit and mound structures damaged forests across much of New England. To our knowledge, this study provides the longest evaluation of salvage logging impacts, and it highlights developmental trajectories for Tsuga canadensis-Pinus strobus forests under a variety of disturbance histories. Specifically, we examined development from an old-growth condition in 1930 through 2016 across three different disturbance histories: (1) clearcut logging prior to the 1938 hurricane with some subsequent damage by the hurricane (“logged”), (2) severe damage from the 1938 hurricane (“hurricane”), and (3) severe damage from the hurricane followed by salvage logging (“salvaged”). -
Predicting Future Mangrove Forest Migration in the Everglades Under Rising Sea Level
Predicting Future Mangrove Forest Migration in the Everglades Under Rising Sea Level Mangroves in the Everglades punctuate the vulnerability of mangrove ha) on an annual basis for the entire simu- forests to rising sea level and other climate lated landscape. Each land unit is defined Mangroves are highly productive changes. Global climate change has been by habitat type (forest, marsh, aquatic), ecosystems that provide valued habitat for projected to increase seawater tempera- land elevation, water level, and salinity fish and shorebirds. Mangrove forests are tures and accelerate the rise in sea level conditions. SELVA also calculates prob- universally composed of relatively few which may further compound ecosystem ability functions of disturbance for each tree species and a single overstory strata. stress in mangrove-dominated systems. forest unit relative to potential sea-level Three species of true mangroves are com- These forests are subject to coastal and rise, lightning, and hurricane strikes. In- mon to intertidal zones of the Caribbean inland processes of hydrology largely tertidal forest units are then simulated with and Gulf of Mexico Coast, namely, black controlled by regional climate, disturbance the MANGRO model based on unique sets mangrove (Avicennia germinans), white regimes, and human decisions about water of environmental factors and forest history. mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and management. MANGRO is a spatially explicit red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). Man- Mangroves are halophytes, mean- stand simulation model constructed for grove forests occupy intertidal settings of ing they can tolerate the added stress of mangrove forests of the Neotropics (fig. the coastal margin of the Everglades along waterlogging and salinity conditions that 2). -
Ecological Insights from Long-Term Research Plots in Tropical and Temperate Forests
Ecological Insights from Long-term Research Plots in Tropical and Temperate Forests Organized Oral Session 40 was co-organized by Amy Wolf, Stuart Davies, and Richard Condit, and held on 6 August 2009 during the 94th ES A Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. An International Network of Forest Research Sites This session was devoted to findings from an international network of long-term forest dynamics plots, providing some of the first comparisons between the tropical and temperate study areas. Whereas most ecologists recognize the importance of long-term research (Callahan 1984, Likens 1989, Magnuson 1990, Hobbie et al. 2003, and others), large-scale projects like this one are rare. The global network of forest dynamics plots has expanded since its origin in the early 1980s, yet research at the plots has remained integrated due to a combination of individual scientists' efforts and institutional commitments from the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS, <www.ctfs.si.edu> of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University (Hubbell and Foster 1983, Condit 1995). Today, 26 large plots have been established in tropical or subtropical forests of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, along with 8 recently added temperate forest plots. A standard protocol (Condit 1998) is followed at all sites, including the marking, mapping, and measuring of all trees and shrubs with stem diameters >1 cm. Reports October 2009 519 Reports An underlying objective of the ESA session was to illustrate how an understanding of forest dynamics can contribute to long-term strategies of sustainable forest management in a changing global environment. -
Silvicultural Activities: Description and Terminology 1
WHITE PAPER F14-SO-WP-SILV-34 Silvicultural Activities: Description and Terminology 1 David C. Powell; Forest Silviculturist Supervisor’s Office; Pendleton, OR Initial Version: JUNE 1992 Most Recent Revision: FEBRUARY 2018 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2 Silvicultural systems ............................................................................................................ 2 Age-based silvicultural systems .................................................................................... 2 Even-aged management ............................................................................................... 3 Figure 1 – Three common stand structures ........................................................................... 4 Figure 2 – Clearcutting ............................................................................................................ 5 Figure 3 – Seed-tree and shelterwood cutting ....................................................................... 6 Figure 4 – Windthrow in spruce-fir forest in the northern Blue Mountains .......................... 8 Figure 5 – Examples of overstory removal and understory removal cutting ......................... 9 Uneven-aged management ........................................................................................ 10 Figure 6 – Examples of individual-tree selection cutting in ponderosa pine ....................... 12 Figure 7 – Examples of group selection -
An Indicator of Tree Migration in Forests of the Eastern United States
Forest Ecology and Management 257 (2009) 1434–1444 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Forest Ecology and Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco An indicator of tree migration in forests of the eastern United States C.W. Woodall a,*, C.M. Oswalt b, J.A. Westfall c, C.H. Perry a, M.D. Nelson a, A.O. Finley d a USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, St. Paul, MN, United States b USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Knoxville, TN, United States c USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Newtown Square, PA, United States d Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Changes in tree species distributions are a potential impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. The Received 18 August 2008 examination of tree species shifts in forests of the eastern United States largely has been limited to Received in revised form 20 November 2008 simulation activities due to a lack of consistent, long-term forest inventory datasets. The goal of this Accepted 12 December 2008 study was to compare current geographic distributions of tree seedlings (trees with a diameter at breast height 2.5 cm) with biomass (trees with a diameter at breast height > 2.5 cm) for sets of northern, Keywords: southern, and general tree species in the eastern United States using a spatially balanced, region-wide Climate change forest inventory. Compared to mean latitude of tree biomass, mean latitude of seedlings was significantly Tree migration farther north (>20 km) for the northern study species, while southern species had no shift, and general United States Forest species demonstrated southern expansion. -
Comparing Water-Related Plant Functional Traits Among Dominant Grasses of the Colorado Plateau: Implications for Drought Resistance
Plant Soil https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04107-9 REGULAR ARTICLE Comparing water-related plant functional traits among dominant grasses of the Colorado Plateau: Implications for drought resistance David L. Hoover & Kelly Koriakin & Johanne Albrigtsen & Troy Ocheltree Received: 7 September 2018 /Accepted: 24 April 2019 # This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply 2019 Abstract above- and belowground biomass, and morphology, Background and aims Water is the primary limiting then assessed how these traits varied by species, and factor for plants in drylands, which are projected to photosynthetic pathway. become even drier with climate change. Plant functional Results Individual water-related traits varied widely, but traits related to water influences individual performance, did not consistently vary by photosynthetic pathway. community composition, and can provide insight into We identified three unique functional trait syndromes which species will be most vulnerable to drought. that could be classified as either conservative or non- Methods Here, we used a trait-based approach to exam- conservative with regard to water use. ine key water-related traits of five perennial grasses of Conclusions Variation in water-related traits may be the Colorado Plateau, with the goals of identifying func- key to the coexistence of species in drylands, but there tional trait syndromes, and assessing vulnerability to is uncertainty as which traits or functional trait syn- drought. We examined 14 traits including hydraulic, dromes will be most vulnerable to changes in climate. Based on the traits examined here, and forecast changes Responsible Editor: Ian Dodd. -
Decelerating Growth in Tropical Forest Trees
Ecology Letters, (2007) 10: 461–469 doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01033.x LETTER Decelerating growth in tropical forest trees Abstract Kenneth J. Feeley,1* S. Joseph The impacts of global change on tropical forests remain poorly understood. We Wright,2 M. N. Nur Supardi,3 examined changes in tree growth rates over the past two decades for all species occurring Abd Rahman Kassim3 and Stuart in large (50-ha) forest dynamics plots in Panama and Malaysia. Stem growth rates 2,4 J. Davies declined significantly at both forests regardless of initial size or organizational level 1 Center for Tropical Forest (species, community or stand). Decreasing growth rates were widespread, occurring in Science, Arnold Arboretum Asia 24–71% of species at Barro Colorado Island, Panama (BCI) and in 58–95% of species at Program, Harvard University, 22 Pasoh, Malaysia (depending on the sizes of stems included). Changes in growth were not Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, consistently associated with initial growth rate, adult stature, or wood density. Changes in MA 02138, USA 2Smithsonian Tropical Research growth were significantly associated with regional climate changes: at both sites growth Institute, Panama City, Panama was negatively correlated with annual mean daily minimum temperatures, and at BCI 3Forest Environment Division, growth was positively correlated with annual precipitation and number of rainfree days Forest Research Institute (a measure of relative insolation). While the underlying cause(s) of decelerating growth is Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, still unresolved, these patterns strongly contradict the hypothesized pantropical increase Malaysia 52109 in tree growth rates caused by carbon fertilization. Decelerating tree growth will have 4Center for Tropical Forest important economic and environmental implications. -
Pre-Fire Treatment Effects and Post-Fire Forest Dynamics on the Rodeo-Chediski Burn Area, Arizona
Pre-fire treatment effects and post-fire forest dynamics on the Rodeo-Chediski burn area, Arizona by Barbara A. Strom A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Forestry Northern Arizona University May 2005 Approved: __________________________________ Peter Z. Fulé, Ph.D., Chair __________________________________ Stephen C. Hart, Ph.D. __________________________________ Thomas E. Kolb, Ph.D. ABSTRACT Pre-fire treatment effects and post-fire forest dynamics on the Rodeo-Chediski burn area, Arizona Barbara A. Strom The 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire was the largest wildfire in Arizona history at 189,000 ha (468,000 acres), and exhibited some of the most extreme fire behavior ever seen in the Southwest. Pre-fire fuel reduction treatments of thinning, timber harvesting, and prescribed burning on the White Mountain Apache Tribal lands (WMAT) and thinning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (A-S) set the stage for a test of the upper boundary of effectiveness of fuel reduction treatments at decreasing burn severity. On the WMAT, we sampled 90 six-hectare study sites two years after the fire, representing 30% of the entire burn area on White Mountain Apache Tribe lands, or 34,000 hectares, and comprising a matrix of three burn severities (low, moderate, or high) and three treatments (cutting and prescribed burning, prescribed burning only, or no treatment). Prescribed burning without cutting was associated with reduced burn severity, but the combination of cutting and prescribed burning had the greatest ameliorative effect. Increasing degree of treatment was associated with an increase in the number of live trees and a decrease in the extremity of fire behavior as indicated by crown base height and bole char height. -
Mapping the Flow of Forest Migration Through the City Under Climate Change Keeffe, Greg; Han, Qiyao
www.ssoar.info Mapping the flow of forest migration through the city under climate change Keeffe, Greg; Han, Qiyao Veröffentlichungsversion / Published Version Zeitschriftenartikel / journal article Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Keeffe, G., & Han, Q. (2019). Mapping the flow of forest migration through the city under climate change. Urban Planning, 4(1), 139-151. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v4i1.1753 Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Dieser Text wird unter einer CC BY Lizenz (Namensnennung) zur This document is made available under a CC BY Licence Verfügung gestellt. Nähere Auskünfte zu den CC-Lizenzen finden (Attribution). For more Information see: Sie hier: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.de Urban Planning (ISSN: 2183–7635) 2019, Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 139–151 DOI: 10.17645/up.v4i1.1753 Article Mapping the Flow of Forest Migration through the City under Climate Change Qiyao Han * and Greg Keeffe School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK; E-Mails: [email protected] (Q.H.), [email protected] (G.K.) * Corresponding author Submitted: 24 September 2018 | Accepted: 12 October 2018 | Published: 21 February 2019 Abstract Rapid climate change will create extreme problems for the biota of the planet. Much of it will have to migrate towards the poles at a rate far beyond normal speeds. In this context, the concept of assisted migration has been proposed to facilitate the migration of trees. Yet current practices of assisted migration focus on “where tree species should be in the future” and thus have many uncertainties.