Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Predicting tree regeneration in Picea abies snag stands

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A bark beetle (Ips typographus) infestation caused the death of almost all Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees in a mountain forest in the Swiss Alps. We developed a tree regeneration model, ‘RegSnag’ (=REGeneration in a SNAG stand), to project the future amount and height of tree regeneration in these snag stands. The model combines a height-class structured tree module with a microsite-based module of snag decay and ground-vegetation succession. Microsite-specific rates of germination, mortality and height growth were modelled for four tree species (Picea abies, Sorbus aucuparia, Acer pseudoplatanus and Betula pendula) in eight height classes (from seedlings to saplings 5 m tall) and on 26 microsite types (e.g. moss, grass). Model tests with independent field data from 8 years after the Picea die-back demonstrated that microsites had a considerable effect on the development of tree regeneration on both the montane and the subalpine level. With microsite-specific parameters, the height and frequency of Picea in each microsite could be simulated more accurately than without considering microsite effects (e.g. bias of 8 vs. 119 saplings ha−1 on the montane level). Results of simulations 40 years into the future suggest that about 330–930 Picea saplings per ha out of those that germinated in 1994 and 1996 will reach a height of 5 m within 30–35 years after Picea die-back. This is due to differences in seed inflow and browsing intensities. Picea and not Betula or Sorbus trees will replace the current herbaceous vegetation in these snag stands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker BH, Kemperman JA (1974) Spruce beetle effects on a white spruce stand in Alaska. J Forest 72:423–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Beudert B (1999) Veränderungen im Stoffhaushalt eines abgestorbenen Fichtenökosystems im Forellenbachgebiet des Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald. Einzugsgebiet Grosse Ohe - 20 Jahre hydrologische Forschung im Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald, Symposiumsbericht. Nationalparkverwaltung Bayerischer Wald, pp 83–106

  • Bossel H, Krieger H (1991) Simulation model of natural tropical forest dynamics. Ecol Model 59(1–2):37–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brang P (1996a) Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Ansamungsökologie der Fichte im zwischenalpinen Gebirgswald. Beih Schweiz Z Forstwes 77:1–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Brang P (1996b) Ansamungsgunst und Verteilung der Direktstrahlung in schlitzförmigen Bestandesöffnungen zwischenalpiner Fichtenwälder. Schweiz Z Forstwes 147(10):761–784

    Google Scholar 

  • Brang P (1997) Ecological niches of seedling establishment in high-elevation forests. In: Hollstedt C, Vyse A (eds) Sicamous Creek Silvicultural Systems Project: Workshop proceedings. Research Branch, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C, Kamloops, Biritish Colombia, Canada, pp 144–153

  • Brang P, Schönenberger W, Ott E, Gardner B (2001) Forests as protection from natural hazards. In: Evans J (ed) The forest handbook. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 53–81

  • Brang P, Duc P (2002) Zu wenig Verjüngung im Schweizer Gebirgs-Fichtenwald: Nachweis mit einem neuen Modellansatz. Schweiz Z Forstwes 153(6):219–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bugmann H, Marti F, Wallimann K (1989) Auswirkungen eines Phosphorsäureesters (Insektizid Ekamet) auf die Planktonbiozönose des Greifensees. Diplomarbeit, ETH Zürich, EAWAG Dübendorf, Schweiz, 232 p

  • Burkart A (2001) Einschätzung - Samenbehang. interner Bericht, Eid. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf, 8 p

  • Cameron AD (1996) Managing birch woodlands for the production of quality timber. Forestry 69(4):357–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chauvin C, Renaud J-P, Rupé C, Leclerc D (1994) Stabilité et gestion des forêts de protection. Bull tech 27(27):37–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Ducan AJ, Hartley SE, Iason GR (1998) The effect of previous browsing damage on the morphology and chemical composition of Sitka spruce (Picea stichensis) saplings and on their subsequent susceptibility to browsing by red deer (Cervus elaphus). For Ecol Manage 103:57–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eiberle K (1975) Ergebnisse einer Simulation des Wildverbisses durch den Triebschnitt. Schweiz Z Forstwes 126:821–839

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiberle K, Nigg H (1986) Untersuchung über den Verbiss durch die Gemse (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) an Fichte (Picea abies). Ber Bot-Zool Ges Liecht-Sargans-Werdenberg 15:15–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiberle K, Nigg H (1987) Grundlagen zur Beurteilung des Wildverbisses im Gebirgswald. Schweiz Z Forstwes 183:747–785

    Google Scholar 

  • Frehner M (2000) Untersuchungen über den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Kleinstandorte und der Pflanztechnik auf Fichtenpflanzungen in subalpinen Lawinenschutzwäldern. Beih Schweiz Z Forstwes 92:1–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill RMA (1992a) A review of damage by mammals in north temperate forests: 1. Deer. Forestry 65(2):145–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gill RMA (1992b) A review of damage by mammals in North Temperate forests: 3. Impact on trees and forests. Forestry 65(4):363–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golser M, Hasenauer H (1996) Height growth development of Norway spruce, fir and common beech regeneration in uneven-aged mixed species stands. In: Skovsgaard JP, Johannsen VK (eds) IUFRO Conference. Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute, Copenhagen, pp 493–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Golser M, Hasenauer H (1997) Predicting juvenile tree height growth in uneven-aged mixed species stands in Austria. For Ecol Manage 97(2):133–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasenauer H, Stampfer E, Rohrmoser C, Sterba H (1994) Solitärdimensionen der wichtigsten Baumarten Östereichs. Österr Forstztg 105(3):28–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Hester AJ, Millard P, Gordon J, Wendler B, Wendler R (2004) How does timing of browsing affect above- and below-ground growth of Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris and Sorbus aucuparia? OIKOS 105(3):536–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heurich M (2001) Waldentwicklung im montanen Fichtenwald nach grossflächigem Buchdruckerbefall im Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald. In: Heurich M (ed) Waldentwicklung im Bergwald nach Windwurf und Borkenkäferbefall. Nationalparkverwaltung Bayerischer Wald, Grafenau, Deutschland, pp 99–176

    Google Scholar 

  • High Performance Systems Inc (2001) Stella research software. Hanover, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Holeksa J (1998) Rozpad drzewostanu i odnowienie swierka a struktura i dynamika karpackiego boru gornoreglowego (Breakdown of tree stand and spruce regeneration versus structure and dynamics of a Carpathian subalpine spruce forest). Monogr Bot 82:1–201 (English summary 201–209)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hörnberg G, Ohlson M, Zackrisson O (1997) Influence of bryophytes and microrelief conditions on Picea abies seed regeneration patterns in boreal old-growth swamp forests. Can J For Res 27:1015–1023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huth A, Ditzer T, Bossel H (1998) The rain forest growth model FORMIX 3-model description and analysis of forest growth and logging scenarios for the Dermakot Forest Reserve (Malaysia). Göttinger Beitr Land- und Forstwirtsch Trop Subtrop 124:1–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishizuka M, Toyooka H, Osawa A, Kushima H, Kanazawa Y, Sato A (1998) Secondary succession following catastrophic windthrow in a boreal forest in Hokkaido, Japan: the timing of tree establishment. J Sust For 6(3/4):367–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jorritsma ITM, Van Hees AFM, Mohren GMJ (1999) Forest development in relation to ungulate grazing: a modeling approach. For Ecol Manage 120:23–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S, Väisänen H (1991) Application of a gap model for the simulation of forest ground vegetation in boreal conditions. For Ecol Manage 42:35–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinnaird JW (1974) Effect of site conditions on regeneration of birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh). J Ecol 62(2):467–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kristöfel F, Pollanschütz J (1995) Entwicklung von Fichtenpflanzungen nach Triebrückschnitten. FBVA-Berichte 85:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuoch R (1965) Der Samenfall 1962/63 an der oberen Fichtenwaldgrenze im Sertigtal. Mitt EAFV 41:61–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupferschmid AD (2002) Bark influence on vegetation development in a dead Picea abies mountain forest. In: Bottarin R, Tappeiner U (eds) Interdisciplinary mountain research. Blackwell Verlag, Berlin, pp 242–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupferschmid AD, Schönenberger W, Wasem U (2002) Tree regeneration in a Norway spruce snag stand after tree die-back caused by Ips typographus. For Snow Landsc Res 77(1/2):149–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupferschmid AD, Bugmann H (2005) Predicting decay and vegetation development in Picea abies snag stands. Plant Ecol 197:247–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kupferschmid Albisetti AD (2003) Succession in a protection forest after Picea abies die-back. PhD thesis, Nr. 15228, E-Collection: <http://e-collection.ethbib.ethz.ch/cgi-bin/show.pl?type=diss&nr=15228>, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland, 238 p

  • Kupferschmid Albisetti AD, Brang P, Schönenberger W, Bugmann H (2003) Decay of Picea abies snag stands on steep mountain slopes. For Chron 79(2):247–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Lässig R, Egli S, Odermatt O, Schönenberger W, Stöckli B, Wohlgemuth T (1995) Beginn der Wiederbewaldung auf Windwurfflächen. Schweiz Z Forstwes 146(11):893–911

    Google Scholar 

  • Lexer MJ, Hönninger K (2001) A modified 3D-patch model for spatially explicit simulation of vegetation composition in heterogeneous landscapes. For Ecol Manage 144(1–3):43–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lüscher F (1990) Untersuchungen zur Höhenentwicklung der Fichtennaturverjüngung im inneralpinen Gebirgswald. Dissertation, ETH, Zürich, Schweiz, 138 p

  • Mayer H, Ott E (1991) Gebirgswaldbau Schutzwaldflege; Ein waldbaulicher Beitrag zur Landschaftsökologie und zum Umweltschutz. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren BE (1996) Plant-specific response to herbivory: simulated browsing of suppressed balsam fir on Isle Royale. Ecology 77(1):228–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mencuccini M, Piussi P, Zanzi Sulli A (1995) Thirty years of seed production in a subalpine Norway spruce forest: patterns of temporal and spatial variation. For Ecol Manage 76:109–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monserud RA, Ek AR (1977) Prediction of understory tree height growth in northern hardwood stands. For Sci 23(3):391–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Mössmer EM (1998) Ohne Schutzwald geht’s bergab! Allg. Forstztg (21):1284–1285

    Google Scholar 

  • Nüsslein S, Faisst G (1998) Waldentwicklung im Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald 1998: Totholzflächen und Waldverjüngung. Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft, Freising, Deutschland, 25 p

  • Ott E, Lüscher F, Frehner M, Brang P (1991) Verjüngungsökologische Besonderheiten im Gebirgsfichtenwald im Vergleich zur Bergwaldstufe. Schweiz Z Forstwes 142(11):879–904

    Google Scholar 

  • Ott E, Frehner M, Frey H-U, Lüscher P (1997) Gebirgsnadelwälder: Ein praxisorientierter Leitfaden für eine standortgerechte Waldbehandlung. Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern, Schweiz

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacala SW, Canham CD, Saponara J, Silander JA, Kore RK, Ribbens E (1996) Forest models defined by field measurements: estimation, error analysis and dynamics. Ecol Monogr 66(1):1–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson CJ, Pickett STA (1995) Forest reorganization: a case study in an old-growth forest catastrophic blowdown. Ecology 76(3):763–774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth I (1996) Untersuchungen über die forstliche Ansamung in einem abgestorbenen Fichtenbestand, Objekt: Gandberg oberhalb Schwanden GL. Diplomarbeit, ETH, Zürich, Schweiz, 99 p

  • Rüegg D, Schwitter R (2002) Untersuchungen über die Entwicklung der Verjüngung und des Verbisses im Vivian-Sturmgebiet Pfäfers. Schweiz Z Forstwes 135(4):130–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid JM, Frye RH (1977) Spruce beetle in the Rockies. US Dep Agric For Serv Gen Tech Rep RM 49:1–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt A (1983) Der Freiberg Kärpf; Das älteste Wildschutzgebiet der Schweiz in den Glarner Alpen. Buchhandlung Baeschlin, Glarus, Schweiz

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Schütz A (1999) Wiederbewaldung von Fichten-Sturmwurfflächen auf vernässenden Standorten mit Hilfe von Pioniergehölzen. Forstl Forsch ber München 176:120–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Schönenberger W (2000) Silvicultural problems in subalpine forests in the Alps. In: Price MF, Butt N (eds) Forests in sustainable mountain development: a state of knowledge report for 2000. CABI Publishing, UK, pp 197–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba H, Golser M, Schwiger J, Hasenauer H (1997) Modelle für das Ankommen und das Wachstum der Naturverjüngung. Cent bl gesamte Forstwes 1:11–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulanova NG (2000) The effects of windthrow on forests at different spatial scales: a review. For Ecol Manage 135:155–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urban DL, Bonan GB, Smith TM, Shugart HH (1991) Spatial applications of gap models. For Ecol Manage 42:95–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veblen TT, Hadley KS, Reid MS, Rebertus AJ (1989) Blowdown and stand development in a Colorado subalpine forest. CJFR 19:1218–1225

    Google Scholar 

  • Walcher J, Kupferschmid AD (2001) Borkenkäfer-Schadenflächen bei Schwanden. In: Rageth T (eds) Binding Preis für vorbildliche Waldpflege 2001: Vivian als Chance. Gemeinde Schwanden GL. Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung, Basel, Schweiz, pp 43–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Wasem U, Senn J (2000) Fehlende Weisstannenverjüngung: Hohe Schalenwildbestände können die Ursache sein. Wald Holz 9(81):11–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Wohlgemuth T, Kull P (2002) Disturbance of microsites and early tree regeneration after the catastrophic windthrow Vivian 1990 in Swiss mountain forests. For Snow Landsc Res 77(1/2):17–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Wunder J (2002) Naturverjüngung in schlitzförmigen Bestandesöffnungen. Erfolgskontrolle in hochmontanen und subalpinen Schutzwäldern des Vorderreintales, Graubünden. Diplomarbeit, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Deutschland, 67 p

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Marc Battaglia, Ulrich Wasem, Massimo Albisetti and the Forest Service of Schwanden for their valuable help during the fieldwork. This research was supported by the Foundation for the Advancement of Forest and Wood Research, the government of the canton Glarus and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Universitätstrasse 16, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland

    Andrea D. Kupferschmid & Harald Bugmann

  2. Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Andrea D. Kupferschmid, Peter Brang & Walter Schönenberger

Authors
  1. Andrea D. Kupferschmid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter Brang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Walter Schönenberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harald Bugmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea D. Kupferschmid.

Additional information

Communicated by Jürgen Bauhus

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kupferschmid, A.D., Brang, P., Schönenberger, W. et al. Predicting tree regeneration in Picea abies snag stands. Eur J Forest Res 125, 163–179 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0080-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0080-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation