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How to shift unproductive Kalmia angustifolia Rhododendron groenlandicum heath to productive conifer plantation

Summary

Published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36(2006): 2364-2376

Conifer-regeneration failure is often observed on sites invaded by ericaceous shrubs. In northeastern Québec, Canada, these sites are frequently characterized by dense Kalmia angustifolia L. – Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) K.A. Kron & Judd cover. Such failures are potential consequences of nutrient limitation, allelopathy, or low soil temperatures. Conversion of productive forests into heaths poses a threat to the maintenance of forest productivity and biodiversity. We evaluated scarification, spot fertilization, and increased seedling foliar N concentration as treatments to promote planted black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedling survival and growth. We measured seedling, vegetation, and soil responses to the treatments for 5 years following planting. Scarification had positive impacts on seedling growth: the differences between scarified and unscarified plots increased over time, and double-pass scarification proved slightly more effective than a single-pass treatment. Responses to scarification were enhanced when seedlings were fertilized. A slow-release fertilizer with micronutrients proved slightly more effective than the 26N-12P-6K formulation; the latter also induced higher mortality than the former or no fertilizer. Gains due to increased N concentrations based on nursery practices were significant but short-lived. Our results demonstrate how silviculture and nursery practices can be used for resetting the secondary succession where ecosystem retrogression is observed following K. angustifolia – R. groenlandicum invasion.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture

Author(s)

THIFFAULT, Nelson and Robert JOBIDON

Year of publication :

2006

Keywords :

Kalmia à feuilles étroites, thé du Labrador, épinette noire, scarifiage, fertilisation, type de plant, plantation, Kalmia angustifolia, Rhododendron groenlandicum, Picea mariana, sylviculture et rendement des plantations, silviculture and yield of plantations, sheep laurel, bog Labrador tea, black spruce, scarification, fertilization, stock type, silviculture, plantation

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