Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Temperate oaks'

La reproduction de nombreuses espèces d’arbres forestiers est caractérisée par le masting, une production de graines fortement variable d’une année à l’autre au niveau individuel et synchronisée au sein d'une population. Cette dynamique de fructification fluctuante a des effets en cascade importants sur la dynamique et la régénération des écosystèmes forestiers. Dans le cas des chênes tempérés (Quercus robur et Q. petraea), la disponibilité annuelle en pollen pour la reproduction (ou la limitation pollinique) joue un rôle clé dans la production de graines. Celle-ci résulte à la fois de l’investissement dans la floraison, à l'échelle de la population, et des conditions météorologiques dans lesquelles se font la maturation et la diffusion du pollen. La phénologie pollinique, c'est-à-dire le moment du développement et de l’émission de pollen, entretient ainsi une relation étroite avec la dynamique des fructifications en contrôlant en grande partie le niveau de limitation pollinique. Pourtant, les mécanismes qui régissent la phénologie pollinique n’ont pas été étudiés, ce qui empêche de prédire l'impact du changement climatique sur celle-ci, et conséquemment sur les patrons de reproduction des chênes et la régénération des chênaies. Cette thèse a pour objectif de combler ce manque en établissant le lien entre la phénologie pollinique et le masting des chênes tempérés. Pour cela, j’ai cherché à identifier les déterminants de leur phénologie pollinique, à caractériser les liens avec la limitation pollinique et à investiguer les influences observées et attendues du changement climatique. J’ai en particulier croisé un jeu de données polliniques conséquent (rassemblant des données collectées par le Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique sur un large réseau déployé dans 79 sites à travers la France métropolitaine depuis 1989 pour l’enregistrement quotidien de la quantité de pollen aéroportée) avec un jeu de données météorologique (SAFRAN) en mobilisant des modèles statistiques et mécanistes. Mon travail montre que (i) dans les conditions climatiques actuelles, le forçage (le cumul de chaleur en fin d’hiver et début de printemps) explique une grande partie (79 %) de la variabilité de la phénologie pollinique, ce qui en fait un mécanisme prioritaire à considérer pour proposer des projections réalistes sur le devenir du masting des chênes tempérés, (ii) les conditions météorologiques autour de la phénologie pollinique déterminent largement le niveau limitation pollinique, (iii) il existe une forte hétérogénéité spatiale en France dans la trajectoire de la limitation pollinique face au changement climatique depuis 1960, (iv) la trajectoire climatique récente a conduit à une avancée de la phénologie pollinique et une diminution de la limitation pollinique dont la diversité entre sites reste à expliquer. Mon travail illustre ainsi l’importance d’intégrer la phénologie florale aux travaux concernant le devenir de la reproduction des plantes pérennes dans le contexte du changement climatique
The reproduction of many forest tree species is characterised by masting, a highly variable seed production between years at individual level, and synchronised within a population. This fluctuating fruiting dynamics has major cascading effects on the dynamics and regeneration of forest ecosystems. In the case of temperate oaks (Quercus robur and Q. petraea), the annual availability of pollen for reproduction (or pollen limitation) plays a key role in seed production. This is the result both of investment in flowering, at the population scale, and of the meteorological conditions in which pollen maturation and distribution take place. Pollen phenology, i.e. the timing of pollen development and emission, is therefore closely linked to fruiting dynamics, largely controlling the level of pollen limitation. However, the mechanisms governing pollen phenology have not been studied, which makes it impossible to predict the impact of climate change on pollen phenology, and consequently on oak reproductive patterns and oak forest regeneration. The aim of this thesis is to fill this gap by establishing the link between pollen phenology and the masting of temperate oaks. To do this, I sought to identify the determinants of their pollen phenology, to characterise the links with pollen limitation and to investigate the observed and expected influences of climate change. In particular, I cross-referenced a large pollen dataset (gathering data collected by the Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique on a large network deployed in 79 sites across mainland France since 1989 for daily recording of the quantity of airborne pollen) with a meteorological dataset (SAFRAN) using statistical and mechanistic models. My work shows that (i) under current climatic conditions, forcing (heat accumulation in late winter and early spring) explains a large part (79%) of the variability in pollen phenology, which makes it a priority mechanism to consider when proposing realistic projections for the future of temperate oak masting, (ii) meteorological conditions around pollen phenology largely determine the level of pollen limitation, (iii) there is strong spatial heterogeneity in France in the trajectory of pollen limitation in the face of climate change since 1960, (iv) the recent climate trajectory has led to an advance in pollen phenology and a decrease in pollen limitation, the diversity of which between sites remains to be explained. My work demonstrates the necessity of integrating floral phenology into studies examining the future of perennial plant reproduction in the context of climate change

In an effort to identify the influence of light and temperature on the physiology and leaf structural characteristics of three species of Quercus from Coahuila, Mexico, we measured a comprehensive suite of plant traits as functions of light and temperature intensity. We tested the hypotheses that 1) species' physiological responses to light and temperature were related to their distributions in their native habitats; and 2) that species' physiological responses corresponded to similar variation in leaf anatomical and morphological traits. Quercus sideroxyla was adapted to high elevation forest over stories as evidenced by its high photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, relative water content (RWC), leaf density (LD), and thick palisade and spongy parenchyma. Quercus rugosa displayed typical characteristics of a forest understory species including a low photosynthetic rate and light saturation point, thick spongy parenchyma tissue and high RWC, leaf density, and leaf mass per unit area. Quercus laceyi was adapted to hot, dry sites based on its lower RWC and LD, intermediate photosynthetic rate, thick cuticle and upper epidermis, and low transpiration rates at high temperatures. Our results suggest that the physiological and structural adaptations of Mexican oaks to changing environmental conditions across resource gradients are key regulators of plant community structure.

Biology
M.S.
Temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America are undergoing a long-term compositional shift from oak/hickory-dominated forests to maple/birch-dominated forests, resulting in decreased species diversity and more homogeneous understory communities. This shift is likely due to secondary regrowth after extensive logging and intensive fire suppression efforts that together allowed shade-tolerant but fire-intolerant species to flourish. Managers have more recently sought to use forest management practices to counteract this shift. Our aim in this study was to improve understanding of how prescribed burning and mechanical tree thinning shape forest communities and the extent to which they favor declining species and communities of temperate eastern deciduous forest. We conducted our study at Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center in south-central Pennsylvania. Prescribed burning and mechanical thinning have been conducted onsite since 2003. Forestry plots were surveyed in 2003 just prior to management implementation and again about ten years after intensive management began, during 2013-2014. The data collected at forestry plots, including number of stems, tree diameter at breast height, management activities undertaken at the plot, and other environmental characteristics were analyzed using model selection and generalized linear mixed models. A broader community analysis was then conducted using non-metric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) analyses. Specifically, we analyzed tree species persistence, changes in tree basal area, changes in the abundance of tree stems, and changes in the the distribution of basal area and stems within 16 tree species targeted for management and throughout the forest community as a whole following management action. Burning and thinning both had significant effects on tree species persistence, basal area, and stem abundance. The interaction of the two management techniques was rarely significant, but since thinning and burning affected different species of trees, the two management practices were complementary. At a whole community level, management by both burning and thinning shifted the forest composition back toward an oak/hickory-dominated forest, and without such management the shift to a maple/birch-dominated forest is likely to continue.
Temple University--Theses

Spatial distribution of species and thus the composition of deciduous forests are expected to change in response to global climatic warming. Climate-growth response algorithms in forest simulation models that represent the influence of climate on tree growth are based on the geographic range limits of a species. These models assume that temperature limitations control the latitudinal range boundaries for tree species in the eastern United States, and that water limitations control the western range boundary. This study investigated spatial variation of tree-growth responses to historical variations in climate using tree-ring data for Quercus rubra L. from 71 study sites across latitudinal and longitudinal temperature and precipitation gradients in eastern North America. Correlation analyses were used to identify significant site-specific associations between radial growth indices and 130 climate variables for the common time interval 1930-1980. Geographic information systems (GIS), and Mantel and partial Mantel spatial correlation analyses were used to map, identify, and measure spatial associations between oak sensitivity to climate and regional climate patterns to test the hypothesis that climate controls the spatial distributions of species range limits.Seasonal climate variables exhibited the strongest correlations with radial growth most consistently across the 71 study sites. However, spatial patterns in regional climate were only weakly associated with spatial variation in red oak sensitivity to climate variables. Contrary to expectations, correlations between red oak radial growth indices and temperature variables at northern and southern sites were not significant, failing to support the hypothesis that latitudinal range limits are defined by temperature effects on mature tree growth. High early growing season temperature reduced growth mostly at sites in the southwest region, which concomitantly experienced high inter-annual variability in soil moisture. Increased early growing season site water balance and precipitation was associated with greater radial growth in the western third of red oak's range, partially supporting the hypothesis that the western range limit is defined by limited water availability. These results indicate that climate only partially determines range limit locations; thus model projections may exaggerate forest responses to climate change.
Department of Biology

Trä är ett biologiskt och organiskt material vars egenskaper möjliggör att det vid rätt förhållanden kan växa mögel på det. Mögeltillväxt på trä som människor hanterar och har i sin närhet kan skapa hälsoproblem då vissa mögelarter kan orsaka respiratoriska problem samt allergisk alveolit.En undersökning av vilken mögelsvamp som växer på brädor vid ett sågverk i södra Sverige har utförts. Utöver detta har möjliga tillväxtmiljöer för mögel undersökts under brädgårdstorkning samt en torkprocess. De undersökta parametrarna var temperatur och relativ luftfuktighet.Mögelsvampen Paecilomyces hittades samt Aspergillus niger och jäst. Klimatet under brädgårdstorkning samt torkprocessen visade att de under stor del av den tidiga hanteringen av virket fanns ett klimat gynnsamt för mögeltillväxt.
Wood is a biological and organic material whose properties makes it possible for mold to grow on it under the right conditions. Mold growth on wood that humans handle and get in contact with can create health problems as some mold species can cause respiratory problems and allergic alveolitis.An investigation of which mold that grows on boards at a sawmill in southern Sweden has ben carried out. In addition to this, possible growth environments for mold have been investigated during lumber yard drying and a kiln drying process. The parameters examined were temperature and relative humidity.Mold of Paecilomyces, Aspergillus niger and yeast was found on boards. The climate during lumber yard drying and the kiln drying process showed that a large part of the early handling of the wood had a favourable climate to mold growth.

Oats is a crop that contains a high amount of fiber, protein and fat, but like all other crops it contains mostly starch. In this study the focus has been oat flours and brans with different b-glucan content. The health benefits of b-glucan, a soluble fiber are well documented and a correlation between intake of b-glucan with high molecular weight and a low glycemic response has been observed. Food with a low glycemic index can lower the risk for diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Also a connection between intake of b-glucan with high molecular weight and a reduction of LDL-cholesterol has been observed. b-glucans from oat absorb water and build a viscous gel, which make them an interesting component when developing new products, as a fat replacer in for example meat products and pastries. To optimize the use of flours and brans with a modified b-glucan content in new applications, the water absorption was measured with a method called Solvent Retention Capacity and the viscosity with a Rapid Viscosity Analyzer (RVA). The results showed that a higher amount of b-glucan in the flour or bran, a higher water holding capacity (WHC) was observed. The WHC for oat flour with a b-glucan content at 2% was calculated to 73±7%, while the WHC for oat bran with a b-glucan content at 28%, was calculated to a WHC of 880±45%. A comparison of different flours and brans indicates that dietary fiber, where b-glucan have the greatest impact on the WHC. The result from the RVA indicates that a flour with a combination of a high b-glucan content (0.24g) and high starch content (3.72g) leads to a high viscosity 12700 cP, compared to other flours or brans with either a lower b-glucan content (0.12g) or lower starch content (0.12g) gives lower final viscosity, 5390 and 780 cP. The result also indicates that other factors such as a smaller particle size and a higher temperature during the heating step (95°C instead of 64°C) might give a higher viscosity.

Analysis of the relationship between ring-width indices of pedunculate oaks (Quercus robur L.) in the Niepotomice Forest with average monthly air temperatures (1826-1980) and total monthly precipitation (1881-1985) in Cracow revealed a strict relationship between tree -growth and the precipitation of June-July, May-July, and June-August. These relationships are described by a high percentage of agreement, at or around 70 %, and coefficients of correlation (rx) of 0.40 (June-July), 0.36 (May-July) and 0.30 (June-August). The group of 10 oaks with the highest coefficients between growth and precipitation yielded still higher correlations: 0.50, 0.50, and 0.41, respectively. High total monthly precipitation in June and July favors radial growth, while low precipitation reduces radial growth. The influence of air temperature on oak ring-width indices is less significant. The highest positive correlation occurs for January to April of the preceding year. Correlations for the years of radial growth have values close to or below (June) zero except for August.

Tree-rings were analyzed to assess the relative importance of slope position and aspect as determinants of the climate-sensitivity of sugar maple and white oak radial growth. Tree size, crown condition, forest and soil composition, and site indices were assessed to document environmental differences between site-types and to verify similarity of stands within the same site-type. Climate-sensitivity was assessed using mean between-tree correlation, principal components analysis, mean sensitivity, regression analysis, and analysis of radial growth decline after severe drought. Ecological differences were found between high and low sites on north and south facing aspects. Sugar maple did not exhibit greater climate-sensitivity than white oak. Both species showed greater climate-sensitivity on upper and south-facing slopes.
Department of Biology

Surface mining is a major industry in eastern Tennessee that removes much of the native forest. To restore the forest, reclamation practices are used. These include planting a ground cover species with native hardwoods. Competition between the ground cover and tree species for soil resources could hinder growth and decrease survival of the trees. Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) was used for this study to examine the possible effects of this competition and the relationships between root growth and soil moisture through a field and a greenhouse experiment. A field experiment was designed using four different ground cover treatments (Soldiago nemoralis, Medicago sativa, Panicum virgatum, and bare ground) with four different hardwood species. Northern red oak was measured for this study. The results showed that the site physical factors (slope position, soil temperature, and soil moisture) were not related to each other. Soil moisture varied by depth with the lower depths (46 cm to 76 cm) was much higher than the upper depths (0 to 46 cm). Root growth did not differ by treatment or percent cover. Both soil temperature and ground cover percentage increased over the growing season. Root growth showed a relationship with depth with the upper depths of soil having more roots than the lower depths. Annual rye was used as well as switchgrass, alfalfa, and bare ground treatments for a green house study. Two-year-old Northern red oak seedlings were first planted in pots and then ground covers were established and grown for 9 weeks. Then water stress was imposed over two dry down periods during which transpiration and soil moisture were measured. Root growth was measured after harvest. The results showed a relationship between transpiration and soil moisture. Soil moisture was highest in the bare ground treatment and lowest in the annual rye treatment. Fine root development of trees was greatest in the bare and alfalfa and lowest in the annual rye. Switchgrass had the second highest soil moisture and third highest fine root development. Root growth was related to both soil moisture and transpiration.

Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
A respiração do solo é um dos principais fluxos do balaço de carbono entre os ecossistemas terrestres e a atmosfera. O objectivo deste estudo foi analisas, num montado de sobreiro, no Ribatejo os principais factores que influenciam a respiração total do solo especialmente a temperatura e teor de água do solo. Relacionado com a dinâmica do carbono no solo estudou-se a actividade microbiana do solo e a concentração de azoto no solo.