Silviculture of birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) in northern Europe

Hynynen, Jari; Niemistö, Pentti; Viherä‐Aarnio, Anneli; Brunner, Andreas; Hein, Sebastian; Velling, Pirkko

doi:10.1093/forestry/cpp035

Cited by 324 publications

(307 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…As a consequence, pioneer tree species can mitigate negative consequences associated with disturbed areas, such as soil erosion and the loss of nutrients (Barnes et al 1998, Schölch 1998, Argus 2006, Zerbe 2009, Fischer et al 2016. However, pioneer tree species exhibit irregular seed production patterns (mast years -Sarvas 1952, Bjorkbom 1967, Holm 1994, Osumi & Sakurai 1997, Sperens 1997, Hynynen et al 2010. A question that arises is whether pioneer tree species have the potential to regenerate from a soil seed bank in non-mast years, as shown by Hopfensperger (2007) for pioneer species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil seed banks of pioneer tree species in European temperate forests: a review

Tiebel¹,

Huth²,

Wagner³

2018

iForest

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The ability of short-lived tree species such as birch, alder, willow, poplar and rowan to form even a short-term soil seed bank is discussed controversially in the literature. Soil seed banks are an important component of succession and regeneration in ecosystems. Following disturbance, buried viable seeds germinate and the seedlings that establish cover the disturbed, exposed soil surfaces. The objective of this study was to review the literature on soil seed bank research carried out in central and north-west European temperate forests to provide an overview of the ability of pioneer tree species to form a viable seed bank. The review of 33 publications revealed that birch is the only pioneer tree species of temperate forests with longer-lived seeds, persisting in the soil for 1-5 years. Birch seeds remain viable in deeper soil layers (5-10 cm), so birch may be assigned to the short-term persistent soil seed bank type. The seeds of alder, willow and poplar would appear to be short-lived. Maximum seed densities of all tree species were found in the upper soil layers. With increasing soil depth, seed density declined. Viable seeds of rowan were not detected in any of the soil seed bank studies, although seed trees were present. We found that in spite of the capacity for long seed dispersal distances, high densities of birch, alder and willow seeds were only observed in close proximity to seed trees. The higher the numbers of seed trees, the higher the seed densities in soils. Maximum seed densities were recorded during and shortly after seed rains had occurred. Our results reveal that a birch seed bank may compensate for years of low seed production levels. However, as the seed bank is only short-term persistent, it must be supplemented by fresh seeds from surrounding seed trees as often as possible to guarantee a continuous capacity for regeneration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil seed banks of pioneer tree species in European temperate forests: a review

Tiebel¹,

Huth²,

Wagner³

2018

iForest

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“…In the coniferousdominated forests of Northern Europe, birch species (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) often grow in mixed stands with Scots pine and Norway spruce (Rytter et al, 2014), contributing significantly to the biodiversity sustention here, since birch trees provide living room for many other life forms, such as mycorrhiza-forming fungi, herbivores, wood-decaying fungi, and saproxylic insects (Hynynen et al, 2010). Besides its ecological significance, birch is important for bioenergy production in these northern regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Birch trees from naturally occurring and artificial plantations are also used as raw material in the manufacture of plywood and in sawmills (Ryynänen et al, 2005). Birch has a high potential for regeneration and a rapid growth rate even in poor soil; therefore it is suitable for planting in deserted agricultural lands (Walle et al, 2007) and promising for the establishement of economically valuable short rotation plantations (Hynynen et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that determine shoot viability and root development during in vitro adaptation and propagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Vaičiukynė¹,

Žiauka²,

Kuusienė³

2017

biologija

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Background. Micropropagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is used to obtain healthy plant material for high-value plantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the first steps of birch explant introduction and maintenance in vitro in order to make practical suggestions about the influence of these first steps on further micropropagation success.Materials and methods. Of the seven studied birch genotypes, one had been cultured in vitro for two years at the time of experiments, while six were newly planted in vitro from shoot segments disinfected after either one or two weeks of storage of collected branches. The explants were placed in glass culture tubes either on a hormone-free or cytokinin (6-benzylaminopurine)-supplemented medium.Results. A shorter branch storage time (one week instead of two) was better for the viability of explants, while external cytokinin, if used during the very first subculture in vitro, had largely a negative impact. Among the tested birch genotypes, 52BPL171 had the highest rate of viable explants and was followed in this respect by 01BPL115 which, however, contrasted strongly to the former because of its ability to maintain a green shoot apex alongside a green stem on the control medium. After 12 months in vitro, only genotype 01BPL115 was characterized by regular shoot growth and a well-developed root system.Conclusions. The green shoot apex on the control medium and, also, maintenance of viability on the medium with external cytokinin were found to be most helpful characteristics of birch explants during the first subculture, early recognition of those genotypes that would be most promising for obtaining multiple rooting shoots in vitro.

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“…in the boreal region of europe the pioneer species are also interesting for the forest economics (valkonen, valsta 2001;repola 2008;Hynynen et al 2010), while in the region of central and Western europe, their production and economic evaluation is taken into account only scarcely (Jirgle, tichý 1981;slodičák et al 2008;stark et al 2015). However, the use of pioneer tree species as nurse crops, short rotation coppice for biomass production (vande Walle et al 2007;stark et al 2013) and the selection of trees providing a high quality of timber are discussed (Buriánek 1993;Kula 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

Production and soil restoration effect of pioneer tree species in a region of allochthonous Norway spruce dieback

Martiník¹,

Adamec²,

Houška³

2017

J. For. Sci.

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Martiník A., Adamec Z., Houška J. (2017): Production and soil restoration effect of pioneer tree species in a region of allochthonous norway spruce dieback. J. for. sci., 63: 34-44. the paper analyses the growth, structure, production and soil chemistry of different tree species stands 20 years after allochthonous spruce dieback. the experiment was carried out at lower altitudes (300 m a.s.l.) at rich sites of the central europe region. norway spruce (Picea abies linnaeus) and beech (Fagus sylvatica linnaeus) stands established by artificial regeneration were compared with silver birch (Betula pendula roth), aspen (Populus tremula linnaeus) and birch-aspen stands, which were regenerated naturally. spruce stands showed a decrease of site index (site index 3), compared with the previous generation (site index 2). this leads to an expected lower production at the age of 100 years, compared to mature beech stands, which showed a site index of 1. the highest production (tree overbark volume) was found out in the aspen stand -294 m 3 ·ha -1 . the production (tree overbark volume) of other monoculture stands was comparable and reached 201-222 m 3 ·ha -1 . Most of the soil chemical characteristics under the compared stands (ca and Mg content, Al content and active and potential soil reaction) were significantly better under aspen and decreased in the following trend: birch -beech -spruce.

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Silviculture of birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) in northern Europe

Cited by 324 publications

References 86 publications

Soil seed banks of pioneer tree species in European temperate forests: a review

Soil seed banks of pioneer tree species in European temperate forests: a review

Factors that determine shoot viability and root development during in vitro adaptation and propagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Production and soil restoration effect of pioneer tree species in a region of allochthonous Norway spruce dieback

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