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Forests
Special Issues
Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery
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Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2019) | Viewed by 15090

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sarah L. Hall

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Associate Professor and Chair Agriculture and Natural Resources, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404, USA
Interests: restoration ecology; plant community ecology; plant-soil interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests worldwide are experiencing disturbances of both natural and anthropogenic origin, at many different spatial scales. Although this has been true throughout history, it is becoming increasingly difficult to categorize many disturbances, given that humans are altering the very climates that drive many so-called “natural” disturbances. This will become even more complex in the future, as biotic and abiotic factors interact to create disturbances with unknown outcomes. The ability of our forests to recover from future disturbances relies in large part on our ability to encourage succession and recovery in ways that incorporate the ecological integrity of the forest system. This issue aims to explore creative approaches to restoring forest systems following disturbance, and monitoring that recovery (please note that submissions should include some form of active restoration management, not monitoring alone). Manuscripts submitted may focus on disturbances at the stand/community to the ecosystem level, with emphasis on the methods used to facilitate restoration and to record changes over time as they relate to biotic and/or abiotic factors. Authors should link their work not only to the disturbance that was most recently experienced, but also to ecological resilience as it relates to possible future disturbances.

Prof. Sarah L. Hall
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Restoration
  • Disturbance
  • Resilience
  • Succession
  • Ecosystem services

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 17181 KiB  
Article
Influence of Microtopography and Soil Treatments on Tree Establishment on a Reclaimed Quarry
by Jennifer Franklin and David Buckley
Forests 2019, 10(7), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10070597 - 18 Jul 2019
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2631
Abstract
Research Highlights: Reclaimed minesites provide an opportunity to establish plantings of tree species of special concern, such as the American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.), white oak (Quercus alba L.) and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.). Background and Objectives: Reforestation [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: Reclaimed minesites provide an opportunity to establish plantings of tree species of special concern, such as the American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh.), white oak (Quercus alba L.) and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.). Background and Objectives: Reforestation success may be influenced by the physical and chemical characteristics of the substrate, which can be manipulated as part of the reclamation process. The objective of this study was to test the effects of three common reclamation treatments on the establishment of the above species on quarry overburden. Materials and Methods: This study tested the influence of lime and fertilizer (100 or 400 kg/ha N) application, loose dumped substrate vs. single pass grading and the resulting microtopography, on the survival and growth of planted 1:0 seedlings over seven years on reclaimed quarry overburden. Results: Grading had a negative impact on the survival of all species. Lime and fertilizer also influenced survival, but effects differed between species. A single application of fertilizer at the time of planting had a lasting and significant influence on the growth of all species. At year seven, across all species, microtopography influenced root collar diameter. The greatest growth was seen on the east upper, and west mid-slope positions. Conclusions: Fertilization and microtopography created by different site preparation techniques at the time of stand establishment can have a significant influence on tree growth over the first seven years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery)
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10 pages, 1129 KiB  
Article
Reforesting Appalachian Surface Mines from Seed: A Five-Year Black Walnut Pilot Study
by Sarah L. Hall, Christopher D. Barton, Kenton L. Sena and Patrick Angel
Forests 2019, 10(7), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10070573 - 10 Jul 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
Research Highlights: We found promising success for black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) planted on a legacy surface mine. Our results indicate that direct seeding can be an effective restoration method, and that shelters may not be needed. Background and Objectives: Reforestation [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: We found promising success for black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) planted on a legacy surface mine. Our results indicate that direct seeding can be an effective restoration method, and that shelters may not be needed. Background and Objectives: Reforestation in the Appalachian coalfields has primarily relied on the planting of nursery stock late in the dormant season. This study examined the use of direct seeding during the fall, a practice that, if successful, could both reduce costs of planting and open up a new season for reforestation planting. Black walnut is of particular value for wildlife habitats, timber value, and even human nutrition. In addition, it normally occurs in diverse forests with rich soils of the region. Therefore, establishment on previously surface-mined lands may indicate a positive successional trajectory and resilience. Materials and Methods: This study took place in eastern Kentucky, USA, on a site that was surface mined from 1996 to 2000 and subsequently reclaimed as a wildlife habitat. In 2010, the site was decompacted according to the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) by deep ripping with a bulldozer, and in November 2011, a 2 × 2 factorial experiment was initiated to compare the growth of walnut trees planted either by seed or as one-year seedlings, and either with or without tree shelters. Each treatment (four total: Unsheltered Seedling, Sheltered Seedling, Unsheltered Seed, and Sheltered Seed) had three replicate plots of 17 × 9 m, with 50 seeds or seedlings planted per plot. Measurements (survival, height, diameter, and volume) were made in 2012, 2013, and 2016. Effects of planting type and shelter presence, as well as their interaction, were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: Planting type was significant for all measurements in the first two years (seedlings > seed), but this difference was largely diminished by 2016. There was a significant interaction of the two main effects, such that shelters benefited (or did not affect) those trees planted as seedlings, but hindered those planted from seed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery)
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13 pages, 1519 KiB  
Article
Early Tree Growth in Reclaimed Mine Soils in Appalachia USA
by Kara Dallaire and Jeffrey Skousen
Forests 2019, 10(7), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10070549 - 29 Jun 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3001
Abstract
Surface mining disturbs hundreds of hectares of land every year in many areas of the world, thereby altering valuable, ecologically-diverse forests. Reforestation of these areas after mining helps to restore ecosystem functions and land value. In Appalachia, native topsoil is normally replaced on [...] Read more.
Surface mining disturbs hundreds of hectares of land every year in many areas of the world, thereby altering valuable, ecologically-diverse forests. Reforestation of these areas after mining helps to restore ecosystem functions and land value. In Appalachia, native topsoil is normally replaced on the surface during reclamation, but waivers allow for brown and gray sandstone materials to be used as topsoil substitutes. Numerous studies report the growth of trees in these substitute mine soil materials, but few studies have compared the height of trees grown in reclaimed mine soils to the heights of trees grown in native soils. This study determined the growth of red oak (Q. rubra L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) in two mine soil types which were compared to projected growth in native soils. Heights of tree seedlings in native soils at 11 years were estimated from site indices (SI) from USDA Soil Survey data. At the mine sites, areas with brown and gray mine soils (one site with a mulch treatment) had 12 tree species planted and growth was measured annually for 11 years. Mine soil pH after 11 years was 5.3 for brown mine soils, 6.6 for gray mine soils, 7.0 for mulched mine soils, and 4.1 to 5.2 for native forest soils. After 11 years, tree heights in gray mine soils were significantly lower (0.5 m) than tree heights in brown mine soils (2.8 to 4 m) for all three species. Trees in mulched mine soils were up to 0.7 m taller than trees in un-mulched brown mine soils. After 11 years, red oak height was 6.3 m in native soils and 3 m in brown and mulched mine soils (52% lower); white oak was 7.3 m tall in native soils compared to 3.6 m in brown mine soils (50% lower); and tulip poplar was 11.5 m tall in native soils and 3.5 to 4 m tall in brown and mulched mine soils (70% lower). In gray mine soils, trees were not growing at all. While the trees in brown mine soils are growing, tree growth has not reached projected levels of tree growth in native soils during the first 11 years after planting. The purpose of forestry reclamation is to restore ecosystem diversity and function. This study showed that one measure of ecosystem function, tree growth, was 50% lower on reclaimed mine soils than native forest soils. Maturing mine soils may develop properties over time that are similar to native soils and, with the increased rooting depth, may provide conditions where increased tree growth rates and height may be attained during the next several decades. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery)
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15 pages, 2993 KiB  
Article
Effects of Initial Soil Properties on Three-Year Performance of Six Tree Species in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Plantings
by Valentina Carrasco-Carballido, Cristina Martínez-Garza, Héctor Jiménez-Hernández, Flavio Márquez-Torres and Julio Campo
Forests 2019, 10(5), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10050428 - 17 May 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3079
Abstract
Deforestation of tropical dry forest reduces soil fertility, with negative effects on future restoration intervention. To evaluate the effect of initial soil properties on three-year performance of six tree species in restoration settings, we measured C, N, and P contents in topsoils of [...] Read more.
Deforestation of tropical dry forest reduces soil fertility, with negative effects on future restoration intervention. To evaluate the effect of initial soil properties on three-year performance of six tree species in restoration settings, we measured C, N, and P contents in topsoils of 48 plots under minimal (exclusions of livestock grazing) and maximal (plantings of six native species) restoration intervention during two years in tropical dry forest in central Mexico. Survival and height and diameter relative growth rates were evaluated by species and by growth rank (three fast- and three slow-growing species). After two years, organic C and the C:N ratio increased early during natural succession; these increases might be related to high density of N2-fixing recruits at both intervention levels. Changes in N availability for plants (i.e., NO3− and NH4+ contents) occurred after cattle exclusion. After 40 months, the fast-growing legume Leucaena esculenta (DC.) Benth. had the highest survival (65.55%) and relative growth rate in both height (3.16%) and diameter (5.67%). Fast-growing species had higher survival and diameter growth rates than slow-growing species. Higher diameter growth rates for fast-growing species may be associated with a higher ability to forage for soil resources, whereas similar height growth rates for slow and fast-growing species suggested low competition for light due to slow natural succession at the site. Planted seedlings had higher survival possibly due to initial high NO3− content in the soil. Also, fast-growing species seem to benefit from initially higher pH in the soil. Both soil properties (i.e., pH and NO3−) may be augmented to favor the performance of fast-growing species in restoration plantings and to further accelerate soil recovery in tropical dry forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery)
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12 pages, 3444 KiB  
Article
Spoil Type Influences Soil Genesis and Forest Development on an Appalachian Surface Coal Mine Ten Years after Placement
by Kenton Sena, Carmen Agouridis, Jarrod Miller and Chris Barton
Forests 2018, 9(12), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/f9120780 - 18 Dec 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3347
Abstract
Surface mining for coal (or other mineral resources) is a major driver of land-use change around the world and especially in the Appalachian region of the United States. Intentional and well-informed reclamation of surface-mined land is critical for the restoration of healthy ecosystems [...] Read more.
Surface mining for coal (or other mineral resources) is a major driver of land-use change around the world and especially in the Appalachian region of the United States. Intentional and well-informed reclamation of surface-mined land is critical for the restoration of healthy ecosystems on these disturbed sites. In Appalachia, the pre-mining land cover is predominately mixed hardwood forest, with rich species diversity. In recent years, Appalachian mine reforestation has become an issue of concern, prompting the development of the Forestry Reclamation Approach, a series of mine reforestation recommendations. One of these recommendations is to use the best available soil substitute; however, the characteristics of the “best” soil substitute have been an issue. This study was initiated to compare the suitability of several types of mine spoil common in the Appalachian region: brown sandstone (Brown), gray sandstone (Gray), mixed spoils (Mixed), and shale (Shale). Experimental plots were established in 2007 with each spoil type replicated three times. These plots were planted with a mix of native hardwood species. Ten years after plot construction and planting, tree growth and canopy cover were highest in Brown, followed by Shale, Mixed, and Gray. Soil conditions (particularly pH) in Brown and Shale were more favorable for native tree growth than Mixed or Gray, largely explaining these differences in tree growth and canopy cover. However, soil chemistry did not clearly explain differences in tree growth between Brown and Shale. These differences were more likely related to differences in near-surface soil temperature, which is related to soil color and available shade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Forest Recovery)
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