Forest Decline in the Atlantic and Pacific Region

373 Pages·1993·13.265 MB·English

by  F. Haemmerli, R. Schlaepfer (auth.), Dr. habil Reinhard F. Huettl, Professor. Dr. Dieter Mueller-Dombois (eds.)

R.F. Huettl D. Mueller-Dombois (Eds.)
Forest Decline
in the Atlantic
and Pacific Region
With 148 Figures, Partly in Colour
Springer-Verlag
Berlin Heidelberg New York
London Paris Tokyo
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Budapest
Dr. habil. REINHARD F. HUETTL
Center for Agricultural Landscape and Landuse Research
Institute of Forest Ecology
Dr.-Zinn-Weg
0-1300 Eberswalde
Federal Republic of Germany
Professor Dr. DIETER MUELLER-DoMBOIS
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Botany
3190 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
ISBN-13: 978-3-642-76997-9 e-ISBN-13: 978-3-642-76995-5
DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-76995-5
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Forest decline in the Atlantic and Pacific
region/R.F. Huettl, D. Mueller-Dombois (eds.). p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and
index. ISBN 3-540-54640-5 (acid-free paper)-ISBN 0-387-54640-5 (U.S.: acid-free paper). 1.
Forest declines-Congresses. I. Huettl, R.F. (Reinhard F.), 1957- . II. Mueller-Dombois, Dieter,
1925 . SB765.F67 1992. 582.16'05222-dc 20. 92-25602
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Preface and Introductory Remarks
Forest damage, forest decline and forest dieback - not initiated by
biotic agents - are occurring in the Atlantic and Pacific regions. In
plantation forests of Central Europe and southeastern USA, this
serious problem is considered to be at least to some extent related to
the adverse impacts of industrial air pollutants and their atmo
spheric conversion products such as acid rain or ozone. The same is
true for non-commercial forests in the northeastern USA (e.g. red
spruce decline) and in southeastern Canada (e.g. sugar maple de
cline). We will not discuss the long series of hypotheses which have
originated through the intensive research in this field over the last 15
years which ranged from direct impacts such as S02 or 0 damage
3
to indirect pathways such as Al toxicity or N saturation. It should
simply be noted that all these impacts have to be seen in the context
of the prevailing site and stand conditions, and these vary con
siderably, even locally. In general, however, the declining forests are
growing on acid soils. Therefore it is not too surprising that nutrit
ional imbalances are involved in various site- and stand-specific
decline types. The most common disorder and also a truly new
phenomenon is that of Mg deficiency, particularly in conifers (e.g.
Norway spruce).
Abiotic forest declines are also observed in natural forests of the
Pacific region, for example in the Hawaiian Islands, in New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea, Australia, Japan, the Galapagos Islands and
Alaska. These declines have been related to natural causes, with
stand demography and infertile soils (e.g. N, P deficiency) playing an
important role in certain die back situations since air pollution and
other negative anthropogenic influences are practically absent in
these areas. However, it is noteworthy that almost synchronously
with the Mg-deficiency phenomenon, associated with declining Eu
ropean and North American conifer plantations, Mg deficiency has
also developed in artificial Pinus radiata stands on acid soils of the
north island in New Zealand, an area completely devoid of industrial
air pollutants or acid rain.
Hence, comparable forest decline phenomena exist in plantation
and natural forests in the Atlantic and Pacific region. But only the
forests of the Atlantic area are influenced by air pollution. Up to now
no serious approach has been undertaken to explain why abiotic
declines are believed to be caused by the adverse effects of air
VI Preface and Introductory Remarks
pollution whereas comparable forest declines in areas free of air
pollution, have been attributed to natural causes. Furthermore, the
global increase in the atmospheric CO concentration is not recei
2
ving the attention it probably deserves with respect to forest decline.
It therefore appeared appropriate and timely to conduct a
conference to report on typical decline phenomena in these two
regions, to discuss potential causes, effects and mitigation strategies,
and to seriously address the question whether there are any com
monalities/similarities on a functional and/or structural basis that
are relevant to the forest decline in both regions.
To accomplish this goal an international symposium with the
theme "Forest Decline in the Atlantic and Pacific Region" was held
in Hilo, Hawaii (USA), June 2-6,1991 as a satellite conference of the
XVII Pacific Science Congress that took place in Honolulu, Hawaii,
May 27-June 2, 1991. Several of the papers included in this volume
were presented in Hilo and some were especially prepared to guaran
tee a comprehensive and objective review of the present state of
knowledge of this problem. The contributions are organized under
three main headings:
- Forest decline in the Atlantic region;
- Forest decline in the Pacific region;
- Summary and concluding remarks.
We would like to take the opportunity here to thank the organizers
and participants who made this meeting a truly international and
successful event. The symposium was sponsored by the USDA Forest
Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station and Northeastern
Area, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Monitoring Pro
gram, Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA.
The success of the symposium and the associated field tours were
due, in large part, to the spirit of friendship, the willing cooperation
and active participation shown by the more than 50 scientists
coming from as far north as Finnish Lapland and as far south as
Australia. This is a tribute to both the symposium committee and the
Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu,
which hosted the symposium.
In addition, we would like to thank the authors of the invited
papers who could not attend the Hawaii symposium for their
valuable contributions and all authors for keeping within the pro
posed time frame set for preparing and submitting their interesting
manuscripts. We hope that this volume will stimulate greater inter
national commitment to integrated research on the forest decline in
the Atlantic and Pacific regions and especially the proper applica
tion of research results for ecological, economic and social benefits.
Eberswalde, Germany R.F. HUETTL
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA D. MUELLER-DoMBOIS
May 1992
Acknowledgement
The help of the following colleagues who referred manuscripts is
gratefully acknowledged.
Abetz, P. - Germany Lamb, D. - Australia
Arndt. U. - Germany Landmann, G. - France
Berlyn, G. P. - USA Matzner, E. - Germany
Brahmer, G. Germany Miller, H.G. - Great Britain
Braekke, F.H. - Norway Ogden, J. - New Zealand
Clarkson, B. - New Zealand Pollanschuetz, J. - Austria
Dimitri, L. - Germany Pretsch, H. - Germany
Drake, D.R. - USA Raitio, H. - Finland
Ende, H.-P. - Germany Rehfuess, K.-E. - Germany
Evers, F.-H. - Germany Robichaux, R. - USA
Feger, K.-H. - Germany Schlaepfer, R. - Switzerland
Fink, S. - Germany Schroter, H. - Germany
Gerrish, G. - USA Schulze, E.-D. -Germany
Heinsdorf, D. - Germany Skelly, J. - USA
Hertel, G. - USA Spiecker, H. - Germany
Hosking, G. - New Zealand Stefan, K. - Austria
Jacobi, J.D. - USA Tomlinson, G.H. - Canada
Jaeger, A. - Germany Ulrich, B. - Germany
Johnson, D.W. USA Vitousek, P. - USA
Kandler, O. - Germany Weetman, G. F. - Canada
Keller, Th. - Switzerland Wellburn, F. - Great Britain
Kenk, G. - Germany Wissel, C. - Germany
Kreutzer, K. - Germany Zottl, H.W. - Germany
Contents
I. Forest Decline in the Atlantic Region
Forest Decline in Switzerland: A Review
F. HAEMMERLI and R. SCHLAEPFER. With 6 Figures .. 3
Role of Climate, Stand Dynamics and Past Management in
Forest Declines: A Review of Ten Years of Field Ecology
in France
G. LANDMANN. With 9 Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Some Factors Affecting the Crown Density of Trees in
Great Britain Based on Recent Annual Surveys of
Forest Condition
J.L. INNES. With 3 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40
The Effects of Acidic Deposition and Ozone on Forest Tree
Species in the Eastern United States: Results from the
Forest Response Program
G.D. HERTEL, C. EAGAR, S.A. MEDLARZ, and
M.W. McFADDEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 54
Atmospheric Deposition, Forest Nutrient Status, and Forest
Decline: Implications of the Integrated Forest Study
D.W. JOHNSON, S.E. LINDBERG, H. VAN MIEGROET,
G.M. LOVETT, D.W. COLE, MJ. MITCHELL, and D. BINKLEY.
With 6 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66
Changes in the Role of Nitrogen in Central European Forests
K. KREUTZER. With 4 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Mg Deficiency - A "New" Phenomenon in Declining
Forests - Symptoms and Effects, Causes, Recuperation
R.F. HUETTL. With 6 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 97
K Deficiency of Spruce on Acid Soils Results in Needle
Yellowing Quite Similar to "Acute Yellowing", A Syndrome
of the New Type of Forest Decline
M. SENSER and K.-A. HOPKER. With 7 Figures .......... 115
x Contents
Calcium and Magnesium Deficiency in Young Pines and the
Stand Structure on the Affected Habitats
H. RAITIO. With 1 Figure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 132
Temporal Changes in Norway Spruce Foliar Nutrients and
Response to Fertilization
A. ADAMOWICZ, J.M. SKELLY, and L.H. MCCORMICK ....... 144
Response of Sugar Maple to Seven Types of Fertilization in
Southern Quebec: Growth and Nutrient Status
B. COTE, W.H. HENDERSHOT, and I. O'HALLORAN.
With 1 Figure ............................. 162
Microscopic Criteria for the Diagnosis of Abiotic Injuries to
Conifer Needles
S. FINK. With 31 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Vitality of Mycorrhizas and Health Status of Trees in
Diverse Forest Stands in West Germany
1. KOTTKE, R. WEBER, T. RITTER, and F. OBERWINKLER.
With 6 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Growth in "Declining" Forests of Baden-Wiirttemberg
(Southwestern Germany)
G. KENK. With 10 Figures ...................... 202
Development of the Recent Episode of Tannensterben
(Fir Decline) in Eastern Bavaria and the Bavarian Alps
O. KANDLER. With 8 Figures .................... 216
II. Forest Decline in the Pacific Region
Forest Decline in the Hawaiian Islands: A Brief Summary
D. MUELLER-DOMBOIS. With 6 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . .. . 229
Distribution and Dynamics of M etrosideros Dieback on the
Island of Hawai'i: Implications for Management Programs
J.D. JACOBI. With 4 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Using a Life History-Carbon Balance Model for Forest
Decline Research
G. GERRISH. With 1 Figure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Modelling Factors Which May Cause Stand-Level Dieback
in Forest
F. JELTSCH and C. WISSEL. With 6 Figures ............ 251
Contents XI
Episodic Mortality, Forest Decline and Diversity in a
Dynamic Landscape: Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
J. OGDEN, Ch.H. LUSK, and M.G. STEEL. With 7 Figures. 261
N othofagus Decline in New Zealand: Separating Causes
from Symptoms
G. HOSKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 275
The Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis) Are Dying:
Investigations of Sudden Decline in New Zealand
P. SIMPSON. With 4 Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
The Role of Nutrition in Forest Decline - A Case Study of
Pinus radiata in New Zealand
I.R. HUNTER. With 9 Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 293
Rural Dieback in Australia and Subsequent Landscape
Amelioration
M.D. LOWMAN and H. HEATWOLE. With 5 Figures. . ... 307
Group Death of Araucaria hunsteinii K. Schumm
(Klinkii Pine) in a New Guinea Rainforest
N.J. ENRIGHT. With 6 Figures. . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..... 321
On the Decline of Fir (Abies densa Griff.) in Bhutan
E. DONAUBAUER. With 1 Figure. . . . . . . . . . . .. ..... 332
Biotic Impoverishment and Climate Change: Global
Causes of Forest Decline?
D. MUELLER-DoMBOIS. With 1 Figure ............... 338
III. Summary and Concluding Remarks
R.F. HUETTL .............................. 351
Subject Index . ............................. 359
List of Contributors
Addresses are given at the beginning of the respective contribution.
Adamowicz, A. 144 Kottke, I. 189
Kreutzer, K. 82
Binkley, D. 66
Landmann, G. 18
Cole, D.W. 66
Lindberg, S.E. 66
Cote, B. 162
Lovett, G.M. 66
Donaubauer, E. 332 Lowman, M.D. 307
Lusk, Ch.H. 261
Eagar, C. 54
Enright, N.J. 321 McCormick, L.H. 144
McFadden, M.W. 54
Fink, S. 175
Medlarz, S.A. 54
Mitchell, M.J. 66
Gerrish, G. 243
Mueller-Dombois, D. 229, 338
Haemmerli, F. 3
Heatwole, H. 307 Oberwinkler, F. 189
Hendershot, W.H. 162 Ogden, J. 261
Hertel, G.D. 54 O'Halloran, I. 162
Hapker, K.-A. 115
Raitio, H. 132
Hosking, G. 275
Ritter, T. 189
Huettl, R.F. 97, 351
Hunter, I.R. 293 Schlaepfer, R. 3
Senser, M. 115
Innes, J.L. 40
Simpson, P. 280
Jacobi, J.D. 236 Skelly, J.M. 144
Jeltsch, F. 251 Steel, M.G. 261
Johnson, D.W. 66 Van Miegroet, H. 66
Kandler, O. 216 Weber, R. 189
Kenk, G. 202 Wissel, C. 251