Predicting temperature and rainfall for plantation forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa, using locally developed climate models

Merwe, Jaco-Pierre van der; Wang, Tongli; Clarke, Charlie; Mansfield, Shawn D.

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109275

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109275

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Predicting temperature and rainfall for plantation forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa, using locally developed climate models

Jaco-Pierre van der Merwe

Tongli Wang

Charlie Clarke

et al.

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Cited by 3 publications

References 93 publications

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The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

van der Merwe,

Lindner,

Ernst

et al. 2024

Can. J. For. Res.

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Plantation forests were introduced into South Africa to satisfy the regional demand for wood-based products, which are largely found in the Mpumalanga province. To better understand the impacts of climate on the dominant height growth of commercially important plantation species, enumeration data collected from 2012 to 2023 was scrutinised, representing 34740 plots in 2082 plantation compartments. Statistically significant multiple linear regression models were developed to predict dominant heights for Pinus elliottii, Pinus taeda, Pinus patula, and Pinus patula x Pinus tecunumanii hybrids using climate variables as independent factors. Mean annual maximum temperature was statistically significant when modelling dominant height for P. elliottii, while winter maximum temperature was significant for P . taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii. Rainfall was found to be significant for P. elliottii and P. taeda, while spring rainfall was found to be more important when modelling dominant height for P. patula. Interestingly, autumn rainfall was found to have a negative impact on dominant height growth of P. taeda and P. patula, while rainfall was not significant in P. patula x P. tecunumanii. The findings imply that the southern pines have water thresholds, while Mexican pines are more temperature limited than water limited.

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The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

van der Merwe,

Lindner,

Ernst

et al. 2024

Can. J. For. Res.

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Site quality impacts tree form, heartwood content and veneer production of plantation-grown Pinus patula

van der Merwe,

Madiope,

Spogter

et al. 2023

Holzforschung

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Plantation forest species were introduced into South Africa due to limited availability of native forests for wood-derived products. Currently, the Mexican pine species, Pinus patula, is the most widely planted softwood species in the country. To study the effect of growth environment on wood and processing properties for the species, sample plots were established in a 20-year rotation covering a wide range of soil geologies and altitudes in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Temperature and seasonal rainfall were also determined for the sample plots. Randomly selected sample trees were harvested from the plots and processed at a plywood plant to determine veneer recovery and quality. Trees grown on sites composed of granite soils, with higher annual maximum temperatures and less rainfall, found in the Highveld region, displayed superior tree size, slenderness, and volume growth, compared to trees grown on dolomite and shale soils common to the Lowveld region. Veneer derived from Lowveld trees had more splits which were largely related to defects. Larger trees also had a greater percentage volumetric heartwood and a smaller live crown, compared to smaller trees. Highveld trees had greater net veneer recovery and produced better quality veneer than trees grown on the Lowveld. In the Mpumalanga forestry region, strong co-relatedness exists between soil geology, altitude, and climate. Although tree form and wood properties were found to differ with varying soil geology and altitude, these differences were primarily related to climate rather than soil properties. These findings highlight the pitfalls associated with neglecting either climate or soil properties when analysing site-specific growing conditions on tree growth and form.

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The impact of site on tree form, wood properties, and lumber quality of plantation-grown Pinus patula

van der Merwe,

Bacher,

Madiope

et al. 2023

Holzforschung

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South Africa is a water scarce country with minimal natural forests. Plantation forest species such as the Mexican tropical hard pine, Pinus patula Schiede & Deppe ex Schltdl. & Cham., was introduced into the country to satisfy local fibre demand. Today, the majority of pine plantations in South Africa are found in the Mpumalanga province. The province has diverse growing conditions in relation to climate and soil properties. Sample plots were established in even-aged P. patula plantations and stratified according to soil parent material and altitude. Growing conditions of each sample plot were characterised according to climate and soil properties. A total of 540 sample trees were measured for height, diameter, density, and latewood content. The sample trees were harvested to produce 2690 logs. The logs were milled, and the resultant lumber was graded according to density, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture. Annual maximum temperature had the most significant impact on tree growth, while rainfall correlated with wood density and latewood content of standing trees. However, annual maximum temperature and tree height had a negative relationship with the recovered lumber properties and dimensional stability. Spring rainfall appeared to be the most important factor influencing lumber twist and this was possibly due to the associated larger juvenile core present in the trees.

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Predicting temperature and rainfall for plantation forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa, using locally developed climate models

Cited by 3 publications

References 93 publications

The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

Site quality impacts tree form, heartwood content and veneer production of plantation-grown Pinus patula

The impact of site on tree form, wood properties, and lumber quality of plantation-grown Pinus patula

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