Using Scenario Modeling for Red Spruce Restoration Planning in West Virginia

Gundy, Melissa Thomas-Van; Sturtevant, Brian R.

doi:10.5849/jof.13-087

Cited by 7 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Spruce restoration and research are needed to restore this species back to more than just a fraction of its original extent. Red spruce in the central Appalachians historically covered around 600,000 hectares, the species current extent is limited to approximately 10,000 hectares (Rentch et al, 2010;Thomas-Van Gundy and Sturtevant, 2014). The benefits of this important tree species highlight the importance of maintaining and encouraging the expansion of red spruce forest cover.…”

Section: Importance Of Red Sprucementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Privately owned forest lands experienced minimal silvicultural treatments or management that promoted the growth of red spruce. Publicly owned timberlands however, such as the Monongahela National Forest (MNF), did experience timber stand treatments/improvements which promoted the growth of red spruce (Thomas-Van Gundy & Sturtevant, 2014). These treatments involved girdling or applying herbicide to individual trees competing with red spruce stems.…”

Section: History Of Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These soil characteristics may help isolate stands suitable for enrichment plantings after partial harvests. Restoration activities will likely be more successful at higher elevations (Thomas-Van Gundy & Sturtevant, 2014). Higher elevation areas will provide more favorable climatic conditions and also allow red spruce to be more competitive (Kosiba et al, 2017).…”

Section: Red Spruce Restoration Research and Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…My linear models use data that was only collected in the central Appalachians and should be more effective at predicting red spruce site index in the central Appalachian region. Linear models that use associated species, climatic, and geographic variables, are critical for estimating site index in the central Appalachians as much of red spruces' home range is now dominated in forest cover other than red spruce (Thomas-Van Gundy et al, 2014;Nauman et al, 2015). In locations where red spruce is absent, these linear models could be useful for estimating site productivity in terms of height growth for red spruce.…”

Section: Predicting Red Spruce Site Index With Associated Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much of the forest land in the central Appalachians that was once dominated by red spruce is now dominated by associated hardwood species such as red maple (Acer rubrum) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) (Burns and Honkala, 1990;Rentch et al, 2010;Thomas-Van Gundy & Sturtevant, 2014). There have been no studies published that predict the site index of red spruce using site index values of associated species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dendroclimatic Analysis and Site Index Modeling of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

Yetter¹

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Red spruce (Picea rubens) was historically an important and dominant timber species in the central Appalachian mountain range. The tree species is now found in a small fraction of its original home range. Threatened and endangered organisms such as the Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi) rely on red spruce associated forests for survival. Recent concerns including air pollution and climate change may threaten the health of remaining red spruce populations.

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Section: Importance Of Red Sprucementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History Of Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Red Spruce Restoration Research and Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Predicting Red Spruce Site Index With Associated Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dendroclimatic Analysis and Site Index Modeling of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

Yetter¹

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Assessing red spruce (Picea rubensSarg.) restoration potential under current and future predicted climate change in Virginia

Brown,

Griscom

2023

Restoration Ecology

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Global climate change threatens many species across the planet. High‐elevation species, such as red spruce (Picea rubens), face significant and immediate threats from climate change. Red spruce has faced anthropogenic disturbances for over a century and is only recently beginning to recover across its range. Ecological niche modeling has become a common method of identifying the suitable habitat of a species, providing vital information to land managers carrying out restoration efforts. In this study, ecological niche models were used in a novel way, predicting distribution and habitat suitability separately and simultaneously to determine the spatial extent to which red spruce forests can be restored. In addition to models, surveys were conducted to elucidate the current regeneration trends of red spruce. Furthermore, climate projections were used to determine how restoration potential may change over the course of the twenty‐first century. Comparisons between distribution and habitat suitability models indicate that there is additional habitat available for red spruce expansion. Regeneration surveys show that there is positive regeneration both within and beyond red spruce canopies, validating model comparisons. Climate change projections indicate total elimination of suitable habitat in Virginia by 2100. However, these projections likely predict increased competition for red spruce from low elevation competitors as opposed to physiological limitations imposed by climate change. It is therefore prudent to protect established populations and encourage further regeneration within and beyond current red spruce stands in anticipation of future ecological shifts.

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Dendroclimatic analysis of central Appalachian red spruce in West Virginia

2021

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We conducted dendroclimatic analyses and constructed future growth projections for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) throughout the central Appalachians in the state of West Virginia. This study involved field sampling of 18 sites across red spruce’s range throughout Monongahela National Forest in 6 regions based on pairwise combinations of three latitudinal groups (north, central, and southern latitudes) with two aspects (north and south aspect). Each combination of latitudinal group and aspect was referred to as a landscape cluster. Growth was negatively impacted by high summer temperature stress, but responded favorably to high fall temperatures. The results also suggested that red spruce was likely impacted by the degree of winter harshness in all landscape clusters. In the northern latitudinal landscape clusters, red spruce responded favorably to warm spring temperatures by allowing an early start to the growing season. Growth projections under a future climate change scenario show that future expected increases in mean and maximum monthly temperatures will have negative effects on future spruce growth. The forecasting results suggested that red spruce in northern latitudes on south aspects or central latitudes on north aspects are the landscape clusters that will likely be the most resilient to future climate change. Dendroclimatic results and future growth projections can assist with identifying locations that are most suitable for future red spruce restoration activities.

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Using Scenario Modeling for Red Spruce Restoration Planning in West Virginia

Cited by 7 publications

References 27 publications

Dendroclimatic Analysis and Site Index Modeling of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

Dendroclimatic Analysis and Site Index Modeling of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

Assessing red spruce (Picea rubensSarg.) restoration potential under current and future predicted climate change in Virginia

Dendroclimatic analysis of central Appalachian red spruce in West Virginia

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