Benoît Côté

The effects of antecedent moisture conditions on the relationship of hydrology to hydrochemistry in a small forested watershed

The relationship between stream discharge and the concentration of different solutes reflects the hydrological processes occurring in a catchment, but is also strongly affected by antecedent moisture conditions. In this study, the effects of antecedent conditions were examined for a small forested watershed near Montreal (Quebec) by comparing data from sequences of fall events for two years of contrasting antecedent moisture conditions. The relationship between discharge and stream water chemistry was also quantified using cross-correlation analysis. Results show that concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, nitrate and calcium increased during storm events with dry antecedent conditions but that the relationships were weaker under wet conditions. For both years, concentrations of sulfate, silicon and sodium and the pH were negatively correlated with discharge (cross-correlations from −0·20 to −0·53). With dry antecedent conditions, there was a general decrease in the concentration of all solutes with time, whereas concentrations remained at about the same level under wet conditions. The concentration–discharge relationships for sulfate shifted frequently from higher concentrations during the rising limb to higher concentrations during the falling limb from one event to another as a result of changing antecedent conditions. Although the contrast in antecedent moisture conditions between the two years was moderate in comparison with that reported in other studies (25% dryer than average in 1995 and 12% wetter than average in 1996), the hydrochemistry of the stream was markedly different. Copyright

Decomposition of roots of black alder and hybrid poplar in short-rotation plantings: Nitrogen and lignin control

The decomposition of the roots (0–2 mm, 2–5 mm and 5–10 mm) of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and hybrid poplar (Populus nigra L. X Populus trichocarpa Torr & Gray) was followed over a 462-day period in pure and mixed plantings in southern Quebec. Small roots of alder had the highest initial concentrations of nitrogen and lignin, and lost 9 and 10% less mass than medium and large roots, respectively. Large roots of poplar had the highest lignin-to-nitrogen ratio and showed the smallest loss of mass over the total incubation period. Slow root decomposition of black alder and hybrid poplar was characterized by a greater proportion of initial root nitrogen immobilized per unit of carbon respired. Lignin concentration in roots of alder and poplar increased rapidly at the beginning of the incubation. Our results suggest that high levels of nitrogen in roots of alder could contribute in slowing the rate of decomposition by allowing the formation of nitrogen-lignin derivatives and low levels of nitrogen in roots of poplar may limit the growth of microorganisms and the rate of root decomposition. A multiple regression was developed using initial nitrogen, lignin concentration and the ratio of lignin to nitrogen to produce an index of the rate of root decomposition. The correlation between the index values and the percentage of residual root mass was significant (r=0.98, p<0.01).

The phenology of fine root growth in a maple-dominated ecosystem: relationships with some soil properties

A two-year study was undertaken in a maple-dominated watershed of southern Québec, Canada, to examine relationships between trends in fine root growth, stem diameter growth, soil moisture, soil temperature, mineralized-N and extractable-P. Until September, soil temperature was consistently higher in 1995 than in 1994. Apart from the first sampling in mid-May, soil moisture was higher in 1994 than in 1995. In 1994, most fine roots were produced before leaf expansion, whereas in 1995, fine root production peaked in July. Annual fine root production was estimated to be 2.7 times higher in 1994 than in 1995. Stem growth was strongly associated with the seasonal and annual variation in soil temperature. Root and diameter growth were asynchronous in 1994 but not in 1995. Fine root production was associated with two groups of variables: a soil fertility (mineralized-N and extractable-P) group and a physical soil environment (moisture and temperature) group. Our results are consistent with the negative effect of high soil-N fertility on fine root production but are inconclusive as to the positive effect of high soil-P fertility. Soil conditions that are detrimental to root growth such as high N availability and anaerobiosis could modify the normal dynamics of fine root growth.

Autumnal changes in tissue nitrogen of autumn olive, black alder and eastern cottonwood

Two experiments were conducted to determine patterns of N change in tissues of autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.) during autumn in central Illinois, U.S.A. In the first study leaf nitrogen concentrations of autumn olive decreased 40% at an infertile minespoil site and 39% at a fertile prairie site throughout autumn whereas nitrogen concentrations in respective bark samples increased by 39% and 37%. Salt-extractable protein concentrations increased in bark and decreased in leaves over the sampling period. Free amino acid concentrations of autumn olive leaves decreased over the course of the experiment from peak concentrations in August. Asparagine, glutamic acid and proline were major constituents of the free amino acid pools in leaves. Total phosphorus concentrations of autumn olive leaves declined by 40–46% during autumn while bark concentrations of P did not significantly change.In the second experiment non-nodulated seedlings of alder receiving a low level of N-fertilization did not exhibit net resorption of leaf N during autumn whereas foliar N concentration of contrasting nonactinorhizal cottonwood plants (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex. Marsh) under the same fertilization regime decreased by 27% after the first frost. A gradual but significant decrease of 38% in foliar N concentration of nodulated alder seedlings grown under a low N-fertilization regime was associated with the cessation of nitrogenase activity during autumn in nodules. Compared with the low N fertilization regime, the higher level of N-fertilization resulted in smaller autumnal decreases of foliar N concentration in nodulated alder (17%) and in cottonwood (20%); but there was no decrease in foliar N concentration in non-nodulated alder. The higher level of N-fertilization promoted a greater accumulation of N in the roots than in the bark of both tree species after the first frost.Our results suggest that black alder lackingFrankia symbionts does not exhibit net leaf N resorption and that autumnal decreases in leaf N ofFrankia-nodulated black alder result primarily from declining foliar N import relative to export due to low temperature inhibition of N2 fixation. In contrast, autumn olive exhibited greater and more precipitous autumnal declines in foliar N concentration than those of alder, and the pattern of N decline was unaffected by site fertility.

Application of leaf, soil, and tree ring chemistry to determine the nutritional status of sugar maple on sites of different levels of decline

Nutrient concentrations and D.R.I.S. indices of leaves, soil chemistry and dendrochronological changes of elemental concentrations in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were used to determine its nutritional status on three sites of contrasting levels of decline. We hypothesized that the ratio of Al to base cations in tree rings would increase more at the most severely declining site, and that the ratios of K+ to divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) would increase slower or decrease more rapidly over time than at the less severely declining sites. Forest health, based on percentage of foliage missing, and leaf K and Mg concentrations of the three sites were ranked as follows: Morgan Arboretum > Saint-Hippolyte > Entrelacs. Soil pH, Ca, Mg, E.C.E.C. and percentage of base saturation were highest at the Morgan Arboretum, and exchangeable Al in the organic horizon was highest at Entrelacs. Concentrations of K, Ca, Mg and Al, and ratios of these elements in wood were determined for each of the following periods: 1940–1956, 1957–1973 and 1974–1989. Variations in tree ring chemistry among sites were significant for K and Al and all elemental ratios except K:Mg. Al concentration and the ratios of Al to base cations in wood were all significantly higher at Entrelacs (7.0 vs 2.6 and 2.8 mg Al kg−1 for the other two sites, respectively). Weak relationships were generally observed between leaf and soil elemental concentrations, and wood elemental concentrations. The D.R.I.S. K index and soil exchangeable K and Al showed good concordance with wood concentrations. With the exception of Mg, Al and Al:Mg, the effect of period was significant for all other elements and ratios of elements. The most severely declining stand (Entrelacs) differed from the healthiest stand by decreasing K:Ca and increasing A1:K from the 1940–1956 to the 1957–1973 period.

Growth, nitrogen accumulation, and symbiotic dinitrogen fixation in pure and mixed plantings of hybrid poplar and black alder

SummaryGrowth and N accumulation were assessed in pure and mixed plantings (2 years old) of hybrid poplar and black alder in southern Québec. Symbiotic dinitrogen fixation was evaluated by natural15N dilution. Growth of hybrid poplar plants and N accumulation in their tissues increased with their decreasing contribution to species ratio whereas no differences among treatments were measured for black alder. Yield and N content per hectare of aboveground components increased with the proportion of black alder in the plantation. Symbiotic dinitrogen fixation was estimated at 68% of alder nitrogen in both pure and mixed treatments. The maximum rate of N-fixation was 53kg ha−1 yr−1 in pure alder plots. The amount of nitrogen accumulated in entire plants of black alder from symbiotic fixation could be sufficient to balance the N export in harvested stems and branches of short-rotation plantations containing at least 33% of alder.

Effect of snow removal on leaf water potential, soil moisture, leaf and soil nutrient status and leaf peroxidase activity of sugar maple

Effect of removal of snow cover in winter was investigated in an 80-year-old sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stand in southern Quebec. We hypothesized that winter soil frost would induce some of the decline symptoms observed in sugar maple stands in southern Quebec in the early 1980s. Snow was continuously removed from around trees for a one week (partial removal) or for a four-month period (complete removal) during the 1990–1991 winter. Foliage and soils were sampled periodically during the summer of 1991. The complete snow removal treated trees showed decreased leaf water potential and increased peroxidase activity over most of the growing season. Foliar Ca was reduced in both snow removal treatments early in the growing season while foliar N was reduced in the complete snow removal trees late in the growing season. Soil NO3− and K+ were elevated in both snow removal treatments at various times throughout the growing season. Prolonged soil frost in a sugar maple stand can induce lower leaf water potential, higher leaf peroxidase activity and early leaf senescence during the following growing season. Soil frost may have reduced nutrient uptake without affecting significantly the leaf nutrient status.

Possible interference of fertilization in the natural recovery of a declining sugar maple stand in southern Quebec

A five year study was conducted in a 100–120 year old even-aged sugar maple stand in southern Quebec (46°07’N 73° 56’W; 305 m altitude) to explore the effect of different fertilization formulations aimed at 1) correcting the most common nutrient deficiencies observed in declining maple stands (K and Mg), 2) decreasing soil acidity, and 3) simulating enrichment with atmospheric N. Seven fertilizer mixtures were applied in the spring of 1987: 400 kg ha-1 of K2SO4, CaCO3, CaMg(CO3)2, (NH4)2SO4, complete fertilizer (“Maplegro”) and 800 kg ha-1 of an equal mixture of K2SO4 + CaCO3 or K2SO4 + CaMg(CO3)2. The site was divided into twenty-four 25 × 25 m plots and treatments including control were replicated three times. Leaves and soils (organic and mineral) were sampled in 1987,1988 and 1991. Trees were cored at 1.2 m to measure their response in diameter growth. The application of K2SO4 + CaMg(CO3)2 was the only treatment that significantly increased (+13%) the average growth rate over the five year period after fertilization. The application of (NH4)2SO4, “Maplegro”, CaMg(CO3)2 and K2SO4 reduced growth relative to the control for the five year period by 29, 24, 20 and 12 %, respectively. Positive and negative effects on growth can be explained mainly in terms of changes in leaf K. Both the application of Maplegro and (NH4)2SO4 increased soil P availability. Overall, the rate of growth showed a cubic pattern of change over the 5 year period with peaks in 1988 and 1991. Trees in control plots went from a limiting foliar status of Ca and Mg, and surplus N in 1987 to a surplus of Ca and Mg, and lower N concentration in 1991. Our results suggest that nutrient deficiencies observed at our site were associated with a disturbance of the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients rather than soil nutrient depletion.

Boundary-Line Approach to Determine Standards of Nutrition for Mature Trees From Spatial Variation of Growth and Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Natural Environments

Abstract Optimum nutritional standards for most tree species of eastern Canada are unknown. This can be attributed to the fact that controlled conditions typically required to develop such standards are impractical and prohibitive to obtain with mature trees. In this study, a boundary-line approach was developed for determining standards of optimum nutrition for forest trees based on natural variation in tree growth and nutritional status. The study site was located in the unmanaged forest of the Station de Biologie de l’Université de Montréal, 90 km north of Montreal in the Lower Laurentians in Quebec. As many as 87 dominant to codominant sugar maples were sampled (foliage, increment cores) and measured (live-crown ratio, dendrometer bands) over the 1995–2001 period. Leaves were analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn), and radial growth was converted to basal-area growth for use with the boundary-line approach to determine standards of nutrition. An algorithm was developed to select boundary points to be used in quadratic models describing the relationships between leaf-nutrient concentration and basal-area growth. Eight, 10, and 20 intervals (points) and an index based on the live-crown ratio of the trees to correct for forest density were tested. The application of the boundary line on raw data without correction for outliers or live-crown ratio generally produced models that were significant. Correction of outliers and the use of 10 intervals generally improved the models. Critical and optimum leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn concentrations derived from the boundary-line approach were generally similar to published values. These results suggest that the approach is particularly well suited for the determination of critical and optimum nutrient concentrations and is less so for the determination of toxic concentrations.

Simulation of soil chemistry and nutrient availability in a forested ecosytem of southern Quebec. Part II. Application of the SAFE model

The dynamic soil model SAFE was calibrated and validated in a small hardwood forest of southern Quebec as a function of its ability to reproduce current soil chemistry and similar pre-industrial soil conditions despite the difference in forest history. SAFE was relatively accurate for reproducing soil chemistry, but comparison of pre-industrial soil conditions between unburned and burned stands casts doubt as to its applicability at sites where specific processes may be involved in nutrient cycling, e.g. the immobilization of N by microbes. Simulated soil chemistry in the unburned zone reinforced the conclusions of a few historical studies which support the hypothesis that acid-sensitive forest sites of northeastern USA underwent significant acidification when major inputs of acidity from the atmosphere occurred, i.e. during the 1930-1980 time span. Model projections in the mineral soil suggest that a new steady-state should be reached in the 21st century assuming no harvest, but that this equilibrium is broken if timber harvesting is done. Model output also suggests that cation nutrient deficiencies could occur in the long-term, but future Al phytotoxic responses are unlikely to occur due to a relatively high projected pH. Finally, it was demonstrated that the time-series files of nutrient cycling should be prepared with care as they can be the source of some abnormalities in model calibration. (Less)