Comparison of assimilation parameters of coppiced and non-coppiced sessile oaks

Abstract

Coppice forest is an alternative to high forest mainly aimed at the production of firewood with a short rotation period. A new interest in this silvicultural system has arisen with the demand for renewable energy resources. Exploiting the existing root system of the stump, sprouts are advantaged over plants of seed origin, and this advantage could induce changes at the level of a photosynthetic apparatus, especially in young plants. This paper presents a comparison of the photosynthetic ability of young sprouts, young seedlings and mature trees of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) growing in a forest stand managed as a coppice-with-standards in the southeast of the Czech Republic. The basic photosynthetic characteristics and transpiration rate at the leaf level were determined using gas-exchange measurement techniques. Data taken in non-limiting conditions were compared with those obtained under limiting soil moisture. The results revealed no differences between the measured parameters of sprouts, seedlings and old trees in non-limiting conditions. Contrastingly, sprouts had the highest photosynthetic capacity and transpiration during drought due to their ability to maintain a higher stomatal conductance as compared with seedlings and old trees. This suggests a better drought tolerance of sprouts compared to seedlings.

Genetic diversity in oak populations under intensive management for fuelwood in the Sierra de Zongolica, Mexico

“…Coppice has been the most commonly used method for fuelwood production worldwide; it is characterised by periodical harvest of adult trees vegetative reproduction or basal sprouts (Bond & Midgley, 2001; Holišová, Pietras, Dařenová, Novosadová, & Pokorný, 2016; Pinilla, Molina, & Aguilera, 2007; Vandekerkhove et al, 2016). This is the oldest forest management method in the world with records since the Middle Ages in Europe, Asia and North America (Holišová et al, 2016; Pinilla et al, 2007; Vandekerkhove et al, 2016).…”

“…Coppice has been the most commonly used method for fuelwood production worldwide; it is characterised by periodical harvest of adult trees vegetative reproduction or basal sprouts (Bond & Midgley, 2001; Holišová, Pietras, Dařenová, Novosadová, & Pokorný, 2016; Pinilla, Molina, & Aguilera, 2007; Vandekerkhove et al, 2016). This is the oldest forest management method in the world with records since the Middle Ages in Europe, Asia and North America (Holišová et al, 2016; Pinilla et al, 2007; Vandekerkhove et al, 2016). Negative effects of coppice indicate that it generates a forest homogeneous structure with individuals of the same size and age, twisted and ramified stems (Cullotta, La Placa, & Maetzke, 2016), it inhibits sexual reproduction, thus low regeneration rates, and loss of both species and genetic diversity (Darenova, Cater, & Pavelka, 2016; Holišová et al, 2016; Paz, 2012).…”

“…This is the oldest forest management method in the world with records since the Middle Ages in Europe, Asia and North America (Holišová et al, 2016; Pinilla et al, 2007; Vandekerkhove et al, 2016). Negative effects of coppice indicate that it generates a forest homogeneous structure with individuals of the same size and age, twisted and ramified stems (Cullotta, La Placa, & Maetzke, 2016), it inhibits sexual reproduction, thus low regeneration rates, and loss of both species and genetic diversity (Darenova, Cater, & Pavelka, 2016; Holišová et al, 2016; Paz, 2012). Nevertheless, among the positive effects are that this method facilitates short harvest cycles (Aguilar, Ghilardi, Vega, Skutsch, & Oyama, 2012; Mölder, 2016), promotes sites with high species diversity (Aguilar et al, 2012; Manos et al, 1999) and preserves tree cover and the composition of local species (Petzold, Butler‐Manning, & Feldwisch, 2014).…”