1
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Germain SJ, Lutz JA. Shared friends counterbalance shared enemies in old forests. Ecology 2021; 102:e03495. [PMID: 34309021 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mycorrhizal mutualisms are nearly ubiquitous across plant communities. Yet, it is still unknown whether facilitation among plants arises primarily from these mycorrhizal networks or from physical and ecological attributes of plants themselves. Here, we tested the relative contributions of mycorrhizae and plants to both positive and negative biotic interactions to determine whether plant-soil feedbacks with mycorrhizae neutralize competition and enemies within multitrophic forest community networks. We used Bayesian hierarchical generalized linear modeling to examine mycorrhizal-guild-specific and mortality-cause-specific woody plant survival compiled from a spatially and temporally explicit data set comprising 101,096 woody plants from three mixed-conifer forests across western North America. We found positive plant-soil feedbacks for large-diameter trees: species-rich woody plant communities indirectly promoted large tree survival when connected via mycorrhizal networks. Shared mycorrhizae primarily counterbalanced apparent competition mediated by tree enemies (e.g., bark beetles, soil pathogens) rather than diffuse competition between plants. We did not find the same survival benefits for small trees or shrubs. Our findings suggest that lower large-diameter tree mortality susceptibility in species-rich temperate forests resulted from greater access to shared mycorrhizal networks. The interrelated importance of aboveground and belowground biodiversity to large tree survival may be critical for counteracting increasing pathogen, bark beetle, and density threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Germain
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322-5230, USA
| | - James A Lutz
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 84322-5230, USA
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2
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Steel ZL, Goodwin MJ, Meyer MD, Fricker GA, Zald HSJ, Hurteau MD, North MP. Do forest fuel reduction treatments confer resistance to beetle infestation and drought mortality? Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Z. L. Steel
- John Muir Institute University of California Davis California95616USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California Berkeley California94720USA
| | - M. J. Goodwin
- Department of Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico87131USA
| | - M. D. Meyer
- Pacific Southwest Region USDA Forest Service Southern Sierra Province Bishop California93514USA
| | - G. A. Fricker
- Social Sciences Department California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo California93407USA
| | - H. S. J. Zald
- Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources Humboldt State University Arcata California95521USA
| | - M. D. Hurteau
- Department of Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico87131USA
| | - M. P. North
- John Muir Institute University of California Davis California95616USA
- Pacific Southwest Research Station USDA Forest Service Mammoth Lakes California93546USA
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3
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Diez JM, Boone R, Bohner T, Godoy O. Frequency-dependent tree growth depends on climate. Ecology 2021; 102:e03284. [PMID: 33464571 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Climate and competition interact to affect species' performance, such as growth and survival, and help determine species distributions and coexistence. However, it is unclear how climatic conditions modulate frequency-dependent performance, that is, how performance changes as a species becomes locally rare or common. This is critical because declines in performance as a species becomes more common (negative frequency dependence) is a signature of niche differences among species that stabilize coexistence, whereas positive frequency dependence leads to priority effects and hampers species coexistence. Here, we used dendrochronology and hierarchical models to test whether frequency-dependent growth of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) depends on climatic conditions. We found that growth rates were strongly dependent on annual precipitation, but no frequency dependence was evident across all years. However, there was a strong interaction between precipitation and frequency dependence, revealing stabilizing niche differences in dry years but positive frequency dependence in wet years. These differences emerged because of precipitation-driven changes in the direction and strength of both con- and heterospecific competition. Overall, these results show how stabilizing and destabilizing effects can be temporally dynamic for long-lived species and interact with climate variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Diez
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, 92501, USA
| | - Rohan Boone
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, 92501, USA.,School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
| | - Teresa Bohner
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, 92501, USA
| | - Oscar Godoy
- Departamento de Biología, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, E-11510, Spain
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4
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Buonanduci MS, Morris JE, Agne MC, Harvey BJ. Neighborhood context mediates probability of host tree mortality in a severe bark beetle outbreak. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michele S. Buonanduci
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
| | - Jenna E. Morris
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
| | - Michelle C. Agne
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
| | - Brian J. Harvey
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
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5
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Furniss TJ, Larson AJ, Kane VR, Lutz JA. Wildfire and drought moderate the spatial elements of tree mortality. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tucker J. Furniss
- Wildland Resources Department and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah84322USA
| | - Andrew J. Larson
- Wilderness Institute and Department of Forest Management University of Montana Missoula Montana59812USA
| | - Van R. Kane
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington98195USA
| | - James A. Lutz
- Wildland Resources Department and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah84322USA
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6
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Searle EB, Chen HYH. Complementarity effects are strengthened by competition intensity and global environmental change in the central boreal forests of Canada. Ecol Lett 2019; 23:79-87. [PMID: 31631491 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Increases in niche complementarity have been hypothesised to reduce the intensity of interspecific competition within natural forests. In regions currently experiencing potentially enhanced growth under global environmental change, niche complementarity may become even more beneficial. However, few studies have provided direct evidence of this mechanism. Here, we use data from 180 permanent sample plots in Manitoba, Canada, with a full spatial mapping of all stems, to show that complementarity effects on average increased with neighbourhood competition intensity and temporally rising CO2 , warming and water availability. Importantly, complementarity effects increased with both shade tolerance and phylogenetic dissimilarity between the focal tree and its neighbours. Our results provide further evidence that increasing stand functional and phylogenetic diversity can improve individual tree productivity, especially for individuals experiencing intense competition and may offer an avenue to maintain productivity under global environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B Searle
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Han Y H Chen
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada.,Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, China
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7
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Gómez-Sanz V. Site- scale ecological marginality: Evaluation model and application to a case study. Ecol Modell 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Żywiec M, Fedriani JM, Kurek P, Holeksa J. Non‐trophic plant–animal interactions mediate positive density dependence among conspecific saplings. OIKOS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Żywiec
- Centre for Applied Ecology ‘Prof. Baeta Neves’ (CEABN‐InBIO), Inst. Superior of Agronomy, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
- W. Szafer Inst. of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences Lubicz 46, 31 512 Kraków Poland
| | - José M. Fedriani
- Centre for Applied Ecology ‘Prof. Baeta Neves’ (CEABN‐InBIO), Inst. Superior of Agronomy, Univ. of Lisbon Lisboa Portugal
- Dept of Conservation Biology, Estacion Biologica de Doñana (EBD – CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - Przemysław Kurek
- Dept of Plant Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz Univ Poznań Poland
| | - Jan Holeksa
- Dept of Plant Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz Univ Poznań Poland
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9
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Xuan W, Ting WX, Zhu LC, Mei NY. Nitrogen deposition changes the distribution of key plant species in the meadow steppe in Hulunbeier, China. RANGELAND JOURNAL 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/rj16075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Improved understanding of how nutrient levels affect the distribution of plants can provide important insights into the potential impacts of increasing global nitrogen (N) deposition. We used point pattern analyses to examine the impact of nutrient addition on heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the three main plant species of the meadow steppe community of Hulunbeier, Inner Mongolia: Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel (aka Aneurotepidimu chinense), a rhizamotous grass; Stipa baicalensis Rasher, a bunch grass; and Artemisia tanacetifolia Linn, a rhizamotous forb. The six treatments tested added nitrogen N in three different concentrations, N with phosphorus (P), P alone and a Control. Although the three plant species were randomly distributed at the start of the experiment in 2011, the spatial distribution of some species in some treatments had changed at the end of 3 years of nutrient addition. There was a significant increase in aggregation of L. chinensis at fine scales of analysis from application of N and P in tandem. However, S. baicalensis and A. tanacetifolia distributions remained random under all treatments. Positive associations of L. chinensis with S. baicalensis and with A. tanacetifolia were apparent at the lowest concentration of added N, 2.5 g N m–2 year–1, which represented an approximate doubling of global N deposition. These associations, which represent clustering among individuals of these species were also apparent where only P was applied. Negative associations, representing dispersion, were prevalent with higher N concentrations. The results indicate that increases in global N deposition up to about double current levels may have a positive influence on meadow steppe communities by increasing the niche overlap of different species. However, increases beyond that level may trigger substantial ecological change through increased competition for other, more limited, environmental resources, and disassociation between plants of the different dominant species. Our findings suggest that studies of the spatial patterning of plant communities can contribute to understanding the potential impacts of climate change.
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Moran E, Lauder J, Musser C, Stathos A, Shu M. The genetics of drought tolerance in conifers. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2017; 216:1034-1048. [PMID: 28895167 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Contents 1034 I. 1034 II. 1035 III. 1037 IV. 1038 V. 1042 VI. 1043 VII. 1045 References 1045 SUMMARY: As temperatures warm and precipitation patterns shift as a result of climate change, interest in the identification of tree genotypes that will thrive under more arid conditions has grown. In this review, we discuss the multiple definitions of 'drought tolerance' and the biological processes involved in drought responses. We describe the three major approaches taken in the study of genetic variation in drought responses, the advantages and shortcomings of each, and what each of these approaches has revealed about the genetic basis of adaptation to drought in conifers. Finally, we discuss how a greater knowledge of the genetics of drought tolerance may aid forest management, and provide recommendations for how future studies may overcome the limitations of past approaches. In particular, we urge a more direct focus on survival, growth and the traits that directly predict them (rather than on proxies, such as water use efficiency), combining research approaches with complementary strengths and weaknesses, and the inclusion of a wider range of taxa and life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Moran
- UC Merced, 5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | | | - Cameron Musser
- Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | | | - Mengjun Shu
- UC Merced, 5200 N Lake Rd, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
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11
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Cailleret M, Jansen S, Robert EMR, Desoto L, Aakala T, Antos JA, Beikircher B, Bigler C, Bugmann H, Caccianiga M, Čada V, Camarero JJ, Cherubini P, Cochard H, Coyea MR, Čufar K, Das AJ, Davi H, Delzon S, Dorman M, Gea-Izquierdo G, Gillner S, Haavik LJ, Hartmann H, Hereş AM, Hultine KR, Janda P, Kane JM, Kharuk VI, Kitzberger T, Klein T, Kramer K, Lens F, Levanic T, Linares Calderon JC, Lloret F, Lobo-Do-Vale R, Lombardi F, López Rodríguez R, Mäkinen H, Mayr S, Mészáros I, Metsaranta JM, Minunno F, Oberhuber W, Papadopoulos A, Peltoniemi M, Petritan AM, Rohner B, Sangüesa-Barreda G, Sarris D, Smith JM, Stan AB, Sterck F, Stojanović DB, Suarez ML, Svoboda M, Tognetti R, Torres-Ruiz JM, Trotsiuk V, Villalba R, Vodde F, Westwood AR, Wyckoff PH, Zafirov N, Martínez-Vilalta J. A synthesis of radial growth patterns preceding tree mortality. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:1675-1690. [PMID: 27759919 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tree mortality is a key factor influencing forest functions and dynamics, but our understanding of the mechanisms leading to mortality and the associated changes in tree growth rates are still limited. We compiled a new pan-continental tree-ring width database from sites where both dead and living trees were sampled (2970 dead and 4224 living trees from 190 sites, including 36 species), and compared early and recent growth rates between trees that died and those that survived a given mortality event. We observed a decrease in radial growth before death in ca. 84% of the mortality events. The extent and duration of these reductions were highly variable (1-100 years in 96% of events) due to the complex interactions among study species and the source(s) of mortality. Strong and long-lasting declines were found for gymnosperms, shade- and drought-tolerant species, and trees that died from competition. Angiosperms and trees that died due to biotic attacks (especially bark-beetles) typically showed relatively small and short-term growth reductions. Our analysis did not highlight any universal trade-off between early growth and tree longevity within a species, although this result may also reflect high variability in sampling design among sites. The intersite and interspecific variability in growth patterns before mortality provides valuable information on the nature of the mortality process, which is consistent with our understanding of the physiological mechanisms leading to mortality. Abrupt changes in growth immediately before death can be associated with generalized hydraulic failure and/or bark-beetle attack, while long-term decrease in growth may be associated with a gradual decline in hydraulic performance coupled with depletion in carbon reserves. Our results imply that growth-based mortality algorithms may be a powerful tool for predicting gymnosperm mortality induced by chronic stress, but not necessarily so for angiosperms and in case of intense drought or bark-beetle outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Cailleret
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Steven Jansen
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Elisabeth M R Robert
- CREAF, Campus UAB, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management (APNA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Wood Biology and Xylarium, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Lucía Desoto
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tuomas Aakala
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27 (Latokartanonkaari 7), 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joseph A Antos
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3020, STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5, Canada
| | - Barbara Beikircher
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christof Bigler
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Harald Bugmann
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Caccianiga
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giovanni Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Vojtěch Čada
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 961/129, 165 21, Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jesus J Camarero
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Avenida Montañana 1005, 50192, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Paolo Cherubini
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research - WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Hervé Cochard
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 547 PIAF, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Université Clermont Auvergne, 63100, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marie R Coyea
- Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Centre for Forest Research, Faculté de foresterie, de géographie et de géomatique, Université Laval, 2405 rue de la Terrasse, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Katarina Čufar
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Adrian J Das
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA
| | - Hendrik Davi
- Ecologie des Forest Méditerranéennes (URFM), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Domaine Saint Paul, Site Agroparc, 84914, Avignon Cedex 9, France
| | - Sylvain Delzon
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1202 BIOGECO, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Université de Bordeaux, 33615, Pessac, France
| | - Michael Dorman
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Guillermo Gea-Izquierdo
- Centro de Investigación Forestal (CIFOR), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera La Coruña km 7.5, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sten Gillner
- Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
- Fachgebiet Vegetationstechnik und Pflanzenverwendung, Institut für Landschaftsarchitektur und Umweltplanung, TU Berlin, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laurel J Haavik
- Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Henrik Hartmann
- Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans Knöll Strasse 10, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Ana-Maria Hereş
- CREAF, Campus UAB, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, National Museum of Natural History (MNCN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Serrano 115bis, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Pavel Janda
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 961/129, 165 21, Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jeffrey M Kane
- Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA
| | - Vyacheslav I Kharuk
- Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Sukachev Institute of Forest, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
| | - Thomas Kitzberger
- Department of Ecology, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral S/N, Barrio Jardín Botánico, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones de Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBOMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Tamir Klein
- Institute of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), PO Box 6, 50250, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - Koen Kramer
- Alterra - Green World Research, Wageningen University, Droevendaalse steeg 1, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frederic Lens
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University, PO Box 9517, 2300RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Levanic
- Department of Yield and Silviculture, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Juan C Linares Calderon
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Pablo de Olavide University, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Lloret
- CREAF, Campus UAB, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Raquel Lobo-Do-Vale
- Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fabio Lombardi
- Department of Agricultural Science, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, loc. Feo di Vito, 89060, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Rosana López Rodríguez
- Forest Genetics and Physiology Research Group, Technical University of Madrid, Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Science Road, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - Harri Mäkinen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Viikinkaari 4, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stefan Mayr
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ilona Mészáros
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Juha M Metsaranta
- Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, 5320-122nd Street, Edmonton, AB, T6H 3S5, Canada
| | - Francesco Minunno
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27 (Latokartanonkaari 7), 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Walter Oberhuber
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Papadopoulos
- Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Stereas Elladas, Ag Georgiou 1, 36100, Karpenissi, Greece
| | - Mikko Peltoniemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), PO Box 18 (Jokiniemenkuja 1), 01301, Vantaa, Finland
| | - Any M Petritan
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research - WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- National Institute for Research-Development in Forestry ''Marin Dracea'', Eroilor 128, 077190, Voluntari, Romania
| | - Brigitte Rohner
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research - WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Dimitrios Sarris
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Latsia, 2252, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Division of Plant Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Jeremy M Smith
- Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309-0260, USA
| | - Amanda B Stan
- Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15016, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Frank Sterck
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dejan B Stojanović
- Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Cehova 13, PO Box 117, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maria L Suarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones de Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBOMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Miroslav Svoboda
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 961/129, 165 21, Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Roberto Tognetti
- Dipartimenti di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università del Molise, C. da Fonte Lappone, 86090, Pesche, Italy
- European Forest Institute (EFI) Project Centre on Mountain Forests (MOUNTFOR), Via E. Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - José M Torres-Ruiz
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1202 BIOGECO, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Université de Bordeaux, 33615, Pessac, France
| | - Volodymyr Trotsiuk
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 961/129, 165 21, Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Ricardo Villalba
- Laboratorio de Dendrocronología e Historia Ambiental, Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales (IANIGLA), CCT CONICET Mendoza, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, CP 5500, Argentina
| | - Floor Vodde
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alana R Westwood
- Boreal Avian Modelling Project, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 751 General Services Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Peter H Wyckoff
- University of Minnesota, 600 East 4th Street, Morris, MN, 56267, USA
| | - Nikolay Zafirov
- University of Forestry, Kliment Ohridski Street 10, 1756, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jordi Martínez-Vilalta
- CREAF, Campus UAB, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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12
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Bakaj F, Mietkiewicz N, Veblen TT, Kulakowski D. The relative importance of tree and stand properties in susceptibility to spruce beetle outbreak in the mid‐20th century. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Bakaj
- Graduate School of Geography Clark University Worcester Massachusetts 01610 USA
| | - Nathan Mietkiewicz
- Graduate School of Geography Clark University Worcester Massachusetts 01610 USA
| | - Thomas T. Veblen
- Department of Geography University of Colorado Boulder Colorado 80309 USA
| | - Dominik Kulakowski
- Graduate School of Geography Clark University Worcester Massachusetts 01610 USA
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF 7270 Davos Switzerland
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13
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Das AJ, Stephenson NL, Davis KP. Why do trees die? Characterizing the drivers of background tree mortality. Ecology 2016; 97:2616-2627. [PMID: 27859135 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The drivers of background tree mortality rates-the typical low rates of tree mortality found in forests in the absence of acute stresses like drought-are central to our understanding of forest dynamics, the effects of ongoing environmental changes on forests, and the causes and consequences of geographical gradients in the nature and strength of biotic interactions. To shed light on factors contributing to background tree mortality, we analyzed detailed pathological data from 200,668 tree-years of observation and 3,729 individual tree deaths, recorded over a 13-yr period in a network of old-growth forest plots in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. We found that: (1) Biotic mortality factors (mostly insects and pathogens) dominated (58%), particularly in larger trees (86%). Bark beetles were the most prevalent (40%), even though there were no outbreaks during the study period; in contrast, the contribution of defoliators was negligible. (2) Relative occurrences of broad classes of mortality factors (biotic, 58%; suppression, 51%; and mechanical, 25%) are similar among tree taxa, but may vary with tree size and growth rate. (3) We found little evidence of distinct groups of mortality factors that predictably occur together on trees. Our results have at least three sets of implications. First, rather than being driven by abiotic factors such as lightning or windstorms, the "ambient" or "random" background mortality that many forest models presume to be independent of tree growth rate is instead dominated by biotic agents of tree mortality, with potentially critical implications for forecasting future mortality. Mechanistic models of background mortality, even for healthy, rapidly growing trees, must therefore include the insects and pathogens that kill trees. Second, the biotic agents of tree mortality, instead of occurring in a few predictable combinations, may generally act opportunistically and with a relatively large degree of independence from one another. Finally, beyond the current emphasis on folivory and leaf defenses, studies of broad-scale gradients in the nature and strength of biotic interactions should also include biotic attacks on, and defenses of, tree stems and roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Das
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Three Rivers, California, 93271, USA
| | - Nathan L Stephenson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Three Rivers, California, 93271, USA
| | - Kristin P Davis
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
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14
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Cailleret M, Bigler C, Bugmann H, Camarero JJ, Cˇufar K, Davi H, Mészáros I, Minunno F, Peltoniemi M, Robert EMR, Suarez ML, Tognetti R, Martínez-Vilalta J. Towards a common methodology for developing logistic tree mortality models based on ring-width data. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:1827-1841. [PMID: 27755692 DOI: 10.1890/15-1402.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Tree mortality is a key process shaping forest dynamics. Thus, there is a growing need for indicators of the likelihood of tree death. During the last decades, an increasing number of tree-ring based studies have aimed to derive growth-mortality functions, mostly using logistic models. The results of these studies, however, are difficult to compare and synthesize due to the diversity of approaches used for the sampling strategy (number and characteristics of alive and death observations), the type of explanatory growth variables included (level, trend, etc.), and the length of the time window (number of years preceding the alive/death observation) that maximized the discrimination ability of each growth variable. We assess the implications of key methodological decisions when developing tree-ring based growth-mortality relationships using logistic mixed-effects regression models. As examples, we use published tree-ring datasets from Abies alba (13 different sites), Nothofagus dombeyi (one site), and Quercus petraea (one site). Our approach is based on a constant sampling size and aims at (1) assessing the dependency of growth-mortality relationships on the statistical sampling scheme used, (2) determining the type of explanatory growth variables that should be considered, and (3) identifying the best length of the time window used to calculate them. The performance of tree-ring-based mortality models was reasonably high for all three species (area under the receiving operator characteristics curve, AUC > 0.7). Growth level variables were the most important predictors of mortality probability for two species (A. alba, N. dombeyi), while growth-trend variables need to be considered for Q. petraea. In addition, the length of the time window used to calculate each growth variable was highly uncertain and depended on the sampling scheme, as some growth-mortality relationships varied with tree age. The present study accounts for the main sampling-related biases to determine reliable species-specific growth-mortality relationships. Our results highlight the importance of using a sampling strategy that is consistent with the research question. Moving towards a common methodology for developing reliable growth-mortality relationships is an important step towards improving our understanding of tree mortality across species and its representation in dynamic vegetation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Cailleret
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Christof Bigler
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Harald Bugmann
- Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jesús Julio Camarero
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE, CSIC), Avda. Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Katarina Cˇufar
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana,SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hendrik Davi
- INRA, URFM, UR 629, Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes, Domaine Saint Paul, Site Agroparc, F-84914, Avignon Cedex 9, France
| | - Ilona Mészáros
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, PO Box 14, H-4010, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Francesco Minunno
- Department of Forest Science, University of Helsinki, PO Box 27, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Mikko Peltoniemi
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokiniemenkuja 1, 01301, Vantaa, Finland
| | - Elisabeth M R Robert
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management (APNA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Wood Biology and Xylarium, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), B-3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - María Laura Suarez
- INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional Comahue, Quintral 1250, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Roberto Tognetti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, Pesche, I-86090, Italy
| | - Jordi Martínez-Vilalta
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès E-08193, Barcelona, Spain
- University Autònoma Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès E-08193, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Eitzel MV, Battles J, York R, de Valpine P. Can't see the trees for the forest: complex factors influence tree survival in a temperate second growth forest. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00105.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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16
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Larson AJ, Lutz JA, Donato DC, Freund JA, Swanson ME, HilleRisLambers J, Sprugel DG, Franklin JF. Spatial aspects of tree mortality strongly differ between young and old-growth forests. Ecology 2015; 96:2855-61. [DOI: 10.1890/15-0628.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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17
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Luo Y, Chen HYH. Climate change-associated tree mortality increases without decreasing water availability. Ecol Lett 2015; 18:1207-1215. [PMID: 26306828 DOI: 10.1111/ele.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Temporal increases of tree mortality have been observed in regions where global warming has decreased long-term water availability and/or induced droughts. However, temporal decreases in water availability are not a global phenomenon. Understanding how water deficit-free forests respond to the recent effects of climate change is paramount towards a full appreciation of the impacts of climate change on global forests. Here, we reveal temporally increasing tree mortality across all study species over the last three decades in the central boreal forests of Canada, where long-term water availability has increased without apparent climate change-associated drought. In addition, we find that the effects of conspecific tree-to-tree competition have intensified temporally as a mechanism for the increased mortality of shade-intolerant tree species. Our results suggest that the consequences of climate change on tree mortality are more profound than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Luo
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Han Y H Chen
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
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18
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Half-century evidence from western Canada shows forest dynamics are primarily driven by competition followed by climate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:4009-14. [PMID: 25775576 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1420844112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree mortality, growth, and recruitment are essential components of forest dynamics and resiliency, for which there is great concern as climate change progresses at high latitudes. Tree mortality has been observed to increase over the past decades in many regions, but the causes of this increase are not well understood, and we know even less about long-term changes in growth and recruitment rates. Using a dataset of long-term (1958-2009) observations on 1,680 permanent sample plots from undisturbed natural forests in western Canada, we found that tree demographic rates have changed markedly over the last five decades. We observed a widespread, significant increase in tree mortality, a significant decrease in tree growth, and a similar but weaker trend of decreasing recruitment. However, these changes varied widely across tree size, forest age, ecozones, and species. We found that competition was the primary factor causing the long-term changes in tree mortality, growth, and recruitment. Regional climate had a weaker yet still significant effect on tree mortality, but little effect on tree growth and recruitment. This finding suggests that internal community-level processes-more so than external climatic factors-are driving forest dynamics.
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19
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Oli BN, Subedi MR. Effects of management activities on vegetation diversity, dispersion pattern and stand structure of community-managed forest (Shorea robusta) in Nepal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES & MANAGEMENT 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2014.984334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bishwa Nath Oli
- Department of Food and Resource Economics, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, 25 Rolighedsvej, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Forests, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mukti Ram Subedi
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, USA
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20
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Lutz JA, Larson AJ, Furniss TJ, Donato DC, Freund JA, Swanson ME, Bible KJ, Chen J, Franklin JF. Spatially nonrandom tree mortality and ingrowth maintain equilibrium pattern in an old-growth Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forest. Ecology 2014; 95:2047-54. [PMID: 25230456 DOI: 10.1890/14-0157.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mortality processes in old-growth forests are generally assumed to be driven by gap-scale disturbance, with only a limited role ascribed to density-dependent mortality, but these assumptions are rarely tested with data sets incorporating repeated measurements. Using a 12-ha spatially explicit plot censused 13 years apart in an approximately 500-year-old Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forest, we demonstrate significant density-dependent mortality and spatially aggregated tree recruitment. However, the combined effect of these strongly nonrandom demographic processes was to maintain tree patterns in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Density-dependent mortality was most pronounced for the dominant late-successional species, Tsuga heterophylla. The long-lived, early-seral Pseudotsuga menziesii experienced an annual stem mortality rate of 0.84% and no new recruitment. Late-seral species Tsuga and Abies amabilis had nearly balanced demographic rates of ingrowth and mortality. The 2.34% mortality rate for Taxus brevifolia was higher than expected, notably less than ingrowth, and strongly affected by proximity to Tsuga. Large-diameter Tsuga structured both the regenerating conspecific and heterospecific cohorts with recruitment of Tsuga and Abies unlikely in neighborhoods crowded with large-diameter competitors (P < 0.001). Density-dependent competitive interactions strongly shape forest communities even five centuries after stand initiation, underscoring the dynamic nature of even equilibrial old-growth forests.
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21
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Balance between facilitation and competition determines spatial patterns in a plant population. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-014-0142-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Collins BM, Das AJ, Battles JJ, Fry DL, Krasnow KD, Stephens SL. Beyond reducing fire hazard: fuel treatment impacts on overstory tree survival. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:1879-1886. [PMID: 29185659 DOI: 10.1890/14-0971.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Fuel treatment implementation in dry forest types throughout the western United States is likely to increase in pace and scale in response to increasing incidence of large wildfires. While it is clear that properly implemented fuel treatments are effective at reducing hazardous fire potential, there are ancillary ecological effects that can impact forest resilience either positively or negatively depending on the specific elements examined, as well as treatment type, timing, and intensity. In this study, we use overstory tree growth responses, measured seven years after the most common fuel treatments, to estimate forest health. Across the five species analyzed, observed mortality and future vulnerability were consistently low in the mechanical- only treatment. Fire-only was similar to the control for all species except Douglas-fir, while mechanical-plus-fire had high observed mortality and future vulnerability for white fir and sugar pine. Given that overstory trees largely dictate the function of forests and services they provide (e.g., wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, soil stability) these results have implications for understanding longer-term impacts of common fuel treatments on forest resilience.
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23
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Ma L, Chen C, Shen Y, Wu LF, Huang ZL, Cao HL. Determinants of tree survival at local scale in a sub-tropical forest. Ecol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-013-1100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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24
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Canham CD, Rogers N, Buchholz T. Regional variation in forest harvest regimes in the northeastern United States. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2013; 23:515-522. [PMID: 23734482 DOI: 10.1890/12-0180.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Logging is a larger cause of adult tree mortality in northeastern U.S. forests than all other causes of mortality combined. We used Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to develop statistical models to quantify three different aspects of aggregate regional forest harvest regimes: (1) the annual probability that a plot is logged, as a function of total aboveground tree biomass, (2) the fraction of adult tree basal area removed if a plot was logged, and (3) the probability that an individual tree within a plot was removed, as a function of the fraction of basal area removed at the plot level, the species of tree, and its size. Results confirm that relatively frequent partial harvesting dominates the logging regimes, but with significant variation among different parts of the region and different forest types. The harvest regimes have similarities with natural disturbance regimes in imposing spatially and temporally dynamic mortality that varies predictably as a function of stand structure as well as tree species and size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D Canham
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, New York 12545, USA.
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25
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Ruiz-Benito P, Lines ER, Gómez-Aparicio L, Zavala MA, Coomes DA. Patterns and drivers of tree mortality in iberian forests: climatic effects are modified by competition. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56843. [PMID: 23451096 PMCID: PMC3581527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree mortality is a key process underlying forest dynamics and community assembly. Understanding how tree mortality is driven by simultaneous drivers is needed to evaluate potential effects of climate change on forest composition. Using repeat-measure information from c. 400,000 trees from the Spanish Forest Inventory, we quantified the relative importance of tree size, competition, climate and edaphic conditions on tree mortality of 11 species, and explored the combined effect of climate and competition. Tree mortality was affected by all of these multiple drivers, especially tree size and asymmetric competition, and strong interactions between climate and competition were found. All species showed L-shaped mortality patterns (i.e. showed decreasing mortality with tree size), but pines were more sensitive to asymmetric competition than broadleaved species. Among climatic variables, the negative effect of temperature on tree mortality was much larger than the effect of precipitation. Moreover, the effect of climate (mean annual temperature and annual precipitation) on tree mortality was aggravated at high competition levels for all species, but especially for broadleaved species. The significant interaction between climate and competition on tree mortality indicated that global change in Mediterranean regions, causing hotter and drier conditions and denser stands, could lead to profound effects on forest structure and composition. Therefore, to evaluate the potential effects of climatic change on tree mortality, forest structure must be considered, since two systems of similar composition but different structure could radically differ in their response to climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Ruiz-Benito
- Department of Forest Ecology and Genetics, Forest Research Center - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain.
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26
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Forest dynamics of a subtropical monsoon forest in Dinghushan, China: recruitment, mortality and the pace of community change. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467413000059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Structure and demographics in many tropical forests is changing, but the causes of these changes remain unclear. We studied 5 y (2005–2010) of species turnover, recruitment, mortality and population change data from a 20-ha subtropical forest plot in Dinghushan, China, to identify trends in forest change, and to test whether tree mortality is associated with intraspecific or interspecific competition. We found the Dinghushan forest to be more dynamic than one temperate and two tropical forests in a comparison of large, long-term forest dynamics plots. Within Dinghushan, size-class distributions were bell-shaped only for the three most dominant species and reverse J-shaped for other species. Bell-shaped population distributions can indicate a population in decline, but our data suggest that these large and long-lived species are not in decline because the pattern is driven by increasing probabilities of transition to larger size class with increasing size and fast growth in saplings. Spatially aggregated tree species distributions were common for surviving and dead individuals. Competitive associations were more frequently intraspecific than interspecific. The competition that induced tree mortality was more associated with intraspecific than interspecific interactions. Intraspecific competitive exclusion and density-dependence appear to play important roles in tree mortality in this subtropical forest.
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27
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Lutz JA, Larson AJ, Swanson ME, Freund JA. Ecological importance of large-diameter trees in a temperate mixed-conifer forest. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36131. [PMID: 22567132 PMCID: PMC3342248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-diameter trees dominate the structure, dynamics and function of many temperate and tropical forests. Although both scaling theory and competition theory make predictions about the relative composition and spatial patterns of large-diameter trees compared to smaller diameter trees, these predictions are rarely tested. We established a 25.6 ha permanent plot within which we tagged and mapped all trees ≥1 cm dbh, all snags ≥10 cm dbh, and all shrub patches ≥2 m2. We sampled downed woody debris, litter, and duff with line intercept transects. Aboveground live biomass of the 23 woody species was 507.9 Mg/ha, of which 503.8 Mg/ha was trees (SD = 114.3 Mg/ha) and 4.1 Mg/ha was shrubs. Aboveground live and dead biomass was 652.0 Mg/ha. Large-diameter trees comprised 1.4% of individuals but 49.4% of biomass, with biomass dominated by Abies concolor and Pinus lambertiana (93.0% of tree biomass). The large-diameter component dominated the biomass of snags (59.5%) and contributed significantly to that of woody debris (36.6%). Traditional scaling theory was not a good model for either the relationship between tree radii and tree abundance or tree biomass. Spatial patterning of large-diameter trees of the three most abundant species differed from that of small-diameter conspecifics. For A. concolor and P. lambertiana, as well as all trees pooled, large-diameter and small-diameter trees were spatially segregated through inter-tree distances <10 m. Competition alone was insufficient to explain the spatial patterns of large-diameter trees and spatial relationships between large-diameter and small-diameter trees. Long-term observations may reveal regulation of forest biomass and spatial structure by fire, wind, pathogens, and insects in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forests. Sustaining ecosystem functions such as carbon storage or provision of specialist species habitat will likely require different management strategies when the functions are performed primarily by a few large trees as opposed to many smaller trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Lutz
- College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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28
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Abstract
Tree survival plays a central role in forest ecosystems. Although many factors such as tree size, abiotic and biotic neighborhoods have been proposed as being important in explaining patterns of tree survival, their contributions are still subject to debate. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine the relative importance of tree size, local abiotic conditions and the density and identity of neighbors on tree survival in an old-growth temperate forest in northeastern China at three levels (community, guild and species). Tree size and both abiotic and biotic neighborhood variables influenced tree survival under current forest conditions, but their relative importance varied dramatically within and among the community, guild and species levels. Of the variables tested, tree size was typically the most important predictor of tree survival, followed by biotic and then abiotic variables. The effect of tree size on survival varied from strongly positive for small trees (1-20 cm dbh) and medium trees (20-40 cm dbh), to slightly negative for large trees (>40 cm dbh). Among the biotic factors, we found strong evidence for negative density and frequency dependence in this temperate forest, as indicated by negative effects of both total basal area of neighbors and the frequency of conspecific neighbors. Among the abiotic factors tested, soil nutrients tended to be more important in affecting tree survival than topographic variables. Abiotic factors generally influenced survival for species with relatively high abundance, for individuals in smaller size classes and for shade-tolerant species. Our study demonstrates that the relative importance of variables driving patterns of tree survival differs greatly among size classes, species guilds and abundance classes in temperate forest, which can further understanding of forest dynamics and offer important insights into forest management.
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29
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Size-specific tree mortality varies with neighbourhood crowding and disturbance in a Montane Nothofagus forest. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26670. [PMID: 22046327 PMCID: PMC3202550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree mortality is a fundamental process governing forest dynamics, but understanding tree mortality patterns is challenging because large, long-term datasets are required. Describing size-specific mortality patterns can be especially difficult, due to few trees in larger size classes. We used permanent plot data from Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides (mountain beech) forest on the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps, New Zealand, where the fates of trees on 250 plots of 0.04 ha were followed, to examine: (1) patterns of size-specific mortality over three consecutive periods spanning 30 years, each characterised by different disturbance, and (2) the strength and direction of neighbourhood crowding effects on size-specific mortality rates. We found that the size-specific mortality function was U-shaped over the 30-year period as well as within two shorter periods characterised by small-scale pinhole beetle and windthrow disturbance. During a third period, characterised by earthquake disturbance, tree mortality was less size dependent. Small trees (<20 cm in diameter) were more likely to die, in all three periods, if surrounded by a high basal area of larger neighbours, suggesting that size-asymmetric competition for light was a major cause of mortality. In contrast, large trees (≥20 cm in diameter) were more likely to die in the first period if they had few neighbours, indicating that positive crowding effects were sometimes important for survival of large trees. Overall our results suggest that temporal variability in size-specific mortality patterns, and positive interactions between large trees, may sometimes need to be incorporated into models of forest dynamics.
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Stand- and tree-level determinants of the drought response of Scots pine radial growth. Oecologia 2011; 168:877-88. [PMID: 21983639 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Characterizing the responses of key tree species to extreme climatic events may provide important information for predicting future forest responses to increased climatic variability. Here we aimed at determining which tree- and stand-level attributes were more closely associated with the effect of a severe drought on the radial growth of Scots pine, both in terms of immediate impact and recovery after the drought event. Our dataset included tree-ring series from 393 plots located close to the dry limit of the species range. Time series analysis and mixed-effects models were used to study the growth of each tree and its detailed response to a severe drought event that occurred in 1986. Our results showed that the radial growth responses of Scots pine were determined primarily by tree-level characteristics, such as age and previous growth rate, and secondarily by stand basal area and species richness, whereas local climate had a relatively minor effect. Fast-growing trees were more severely affected by the drought and retained proportionally lower growth rates up to three years after the episode. In absolute terms, however, fast-growing trees performed better both during and after the event. Older trees were found to be less resilient to drought. The effect of stand basal area and species richness indicated that competition for resources worsened the effects of drought, and suggested that the effect of interspecific competition may be particularly detrimental during the drought year.
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Stand-structural effects on Heterobasidion abietinum-related mortality following drought events in Abies pinsapo. Oecologia 2010; 164:1107-19. [PMID: 20838816 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-010-1770-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2010] [Accepted: 08/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Climate change may affect tree-pathogen interactions. This possibility has important implications for drought-prone forests, where stand dynamics and disease pathogenicity are especially sensitive to climatic stress. In addition, stand structural attributes including density-dependent tree-to-tree competition may modulate the stands' resistance to drought events and pathogen outbreaks. To assess the effects of stand structure on root-rot-related mortality after severe droughts, we focused on Heterobasidion abietinum mortality in relict Spanish stands of Abies pinsapo, a drought-sensitive fir. We compared stand attributes and tree spatial patterns in three plots with H. abietinum root-rot disease and three plots without root-rot. Point-pattern analyses were used to investigate the scale and extent of mortality patterns and to test hypotheses related to the spread of the disease. Dendrochronology was used to date the year of death and to assess the association between droughts and growth decline. We applied a structural equation modelling approach to test if tree mortality occurs more rapidly than predicted by a simple distance model when trees are subjected to high tree-to-tree competition and following drought events. Contrary to expectations of drought mortality, the effect of precipitation on the year of death was strong and negative, indicating that a period of high precipitation induced an earlier tree death. Competition intensity, related to the size and density of neighbour trees, also induced an earlier tree death. The effect of distance to the disease focus was negligible except in combination with intensive competition. Our results indicate that infected trees have decreased ability to withstand drought stress, and demonstrate that tree-to-tree competition and fungal infection act as predisposing factors of forest decline and mortality.
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Raventós J, Wiegand T, Luis MD. Evidence for the spatial segregation hypothesis: a test with nine-year survivorship data in a Mediterranean shrubland. Ecology 2010; 91:2110-20. [DOI: 10.1890/09-0385.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Raventós J, Mujica E, Wiegand T, Bonet A. Analyzing the Spatial Structure of Broughtonia cubensis (Orchidaceae) Populations in the Dry Forests of Guanahacabibes, Cuba. Biotropica 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00684.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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