Long-term thinning alters ponderosa pine reproduction in northern Arizona

Flathers, Kelsey N.; Kolb, Thomas E.; Bradford, John B.; Waring, Kristen M.; Moser, W. Keith

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2016.04.053

Cited by 39 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The considerably lower specific shoot height of P. nigra compared to P. sylvestris across all treatments is congruent with the species higher intrinsic tolerance to low water availability (Bachofen et al., ; Niinemets & Valladares, ; Richter et al., ), which may further explain the smaller effect of combined drought and shading on biomass partitioning of P. nigra seedlings in our experiment. Hence, under the climatic conditions of the Central Alps, shading was not beneficial for drought‐stressed P. sylvestris seedlings, as suggested by experiments with nurse trees in the Mediterranean (Gómez‐Aparicio et al., ) or southwestern U.S. (Flathers et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In contrast to observations that show mitigating effects of shading, for example in the Mediterranean (Gómez‐Aparicio et al., ; Quero et al., ), our results demonstrate aggravated drought effects under moderate shading under the simulated future climatic conditions of the Central Alps. This result has important implications for the management of older and/or only slightly managed pine forests, where thinning may not only ameliorate soil water availability for adult trees by reducing competition with other plants (Flathers et al., ; Giuggiola et al., ) but also improve light conditions for pine regeneration. Even under future CO 2 enriched conditions, the growth of pine seedlings is more limited by light than water availability, which, in turn, confirms the wide regeneration niche of both P. sylvestris and P. nigra regarding soil water conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance future climate conditions with more frequent heat waves and longer drought spells (Lindner et al, 2014) may hamper pine regeneration in dry valleys of the Central Alps (Moser, Temperli, Schneiter, & Wohlgemuth, 2010;Rigling et al, 2013). In these regions, the persistence of forests may be facilitated by thinning competing tree and shrub species, which increases water availability for individual trees (Flathers, Kolb, Bradford, Waring, & Moser, 2016;Giuggiola et al, 2016). But, thinning also increases light availability in the understorey, which might affect the performance of tree seedlings during drought.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Bachofen

Wohlgemuth

Moser

2019

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Climate change alters both water and CO2 availability for plants, but it is largely unknown how they interact with light to affect tree seedling establishment and early growth. Light availability is often regulated by forest management, thus understanding how these resources co‐limit the regeneration success of tree species and populations with contrasting drought tolerances is essential for adaptive forest management and particularly for assisted migration. We studied biomass partitioning of 3‐year‐old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European black pine (Pinus nigra) seedlings in response to combined effects of light (22% and 40% shade), soil water availability (moist and dry conditions) and CO2 (ambient and elevated), and examined the responses of seedlings from Central Alpine and Mediterranean origin. Seedlings of nine populations with varying drought tolerances were grown in a common garden in the European Central Alps. Shoot height, vertical root length, shoot and root biomass of the plants were assessed at the end of the third growing season. Under 40% shade and dry conditions, P. sylvestris seedlings severely reduced shoot biomass, resulting in an increased specific shoot height (SSH) compared to seedlings under 22% shade and moist conditions. In contrast, P. nigra seedlings retained a constant shoot biomass under all treatment combinations. Seedlings from drier origin were generally larger, heavier and had longer vertical roots than those from wetter locations. In order to keep up shoot height, seedlings from wetter origins disproportionately increased SSH under shaded conditions compared to populations from drier origin. Synthesis and applications. Under high light availability, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European black pine (Pinus nigra) seedlings were well adapted to dry conditions. Moderate shading, however, substantially reduced Scots pine but not black pine growth, and potentially amplified the vulnerability of Scots pine seedlings to drought. Optimising light conditions in forests, for example by thinning, may thus enhance early Scots pine regeneration in a drier future climate.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Bachofen

Wohlgemuth

Moser

2019

Journal of Applied Ecology

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“…, Flathers et al. ). Our RP criteria suggest that thinning practices which can increase near‐surface moisture availability without increasing surface temperatures could promote seedling survival and germination (Appendix : Table S1), and are consistent with a recent study showing that maintaining stands at intermediate density enhances ponderosa pine regeneration (Flathers et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change may restrict dryland forest regeneration in the 21st century

Petrie

Bradford

Hubbard

et al. 2017

Ecology

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The persistence and geographic expansion of dryland forests in the 21st century will be influenced by how climate change supports the demographic processes associated with tree regeneration. Yet, the way that climate change may alter regeneration is unclear. We developed a quantitative framework that estimates forest regeneration potential (RP) as a function of key environmental conditions for ponderosa pine, a key dryland forest species. We integrated meteorological data and climate projections for 47 ponderosa pine forest sites across the western United States, and evaluated RP using an ecosystem water balance model. Our primary goal was to contrast conditions supporting regeneration among historical, mid-21st century and late-21st century time frames. Future climatic conditions supported 50% higher RP in 2020-2059 relative to 1910-2014. As temperatures increased more substantially in 2060-2099, seedling survival decreased, RP declined by 50%, and the frequency of years with very low RP increased from 25% to 58%. Thus, climate change may initially support higher RP and increase the likelihood of successful regeneration events, yet will ultimately reduce average RP and the frequency of years with moderate climate support of regeneration. Our results suggest that climate change alone may begin to restrict the persistence and expansion of dryland forests by limiting seedling survival in the late 21st century.

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“…Previous operational planting treatments focused on commercially valuable species but we suggest incorporating considerations related to IK such as representation of all native species, to the extent possible, in consultation with traditional land users. There is a lack of studies on ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and pinyon survival rates and success under drought conditions in this forest, information from studies across the Southwest show promising results such as research on southwestern white pine seedlings (Goodrich and Waring 2016) and ponderosa pine seedling establishment and survival (Flathers et al 2016). The next management plan should include testing of planting strategies within the capacity and availability of funds and emphasize the cultural importance of the Din e forest within indigenous principles.…”

Section: Impacts To Biodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Diné kinship as a framework for conserving native tree species in climate change

Yazzie

Fulé

Kim

et al. 2019

Ecological Applications

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Climate change affects all ecosystems but despite increasing recognition for the needs to integrate Indigenous knowledge with modern climate science, the epistemological differences between the two make it challenging. In this study, we present how Indigenous belief and knowledge system can frame the application of a modeling tool (Climate‐Forest Vegetation Simulator). We focus on managing forest ecosystem services of the Diné (Navajo) Nation as a case study. Most Diné tribal members depend directly on the land for their livelihoods and cultural traditions. The forest plays a vital role in Diné livelihoods through social, cultural, spiritual, subsistence, and economic factors. We simulated forest dynamics over time under alternative climate change scenarios and management strategies to identify forest management strategies that will maintain future ecosystem services. We initialized the Climate‐Forest Vegetation Simulator model with data from permanent plots and site‐specific growth models under multiple management systems (no‐management, thinning, burning, and assisted migration planting) and different climate scenarios (no‐climate‐change, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0). Projections of climate change show average losses of basal area by over 65% by 2105, a shift in tree species composition to drier‐adapted species, and a decrease in species diversity. While substantial forest loss was inevitable under the warming climate scenarios, the modeling framework allowed us to evaluate the management treatments, including planting, for conserving multiple tree species in mixed conifer forests, thus providing an anchor for biodiversity. We presented the modeling results and management implications and discuss how they can complement Diné kinship concepts. Our approach is a useful step for framing modern science with Indigenous Knowledge and for developing improved strategies to sustain natural resources and livelihoods.

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Long-term thinning alters ponderosa pine reproduction in northern Arizona

Cited by 39 publications

References 46 publications

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Climate change may restrict dryland forest regeneration in the 21st century

Diné kinship as a framework for conserving native tree species in climate change

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Long-term thinning alters ponderosa pine reproduction in northern Arizona

Cited by 39 publications

References 46 publications

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO2enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO2enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Climate change may restrict dryland forest regeneration in the 21st century

Diné kinship as a framework for conserving native tree species in climate change

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings

Biomass partitioning in a future dry andCO₂enriched climate: Shading aggravates drought effects in Scots pine but not European black pine seedlings