Defoliation and growth relationships for mid-rotation Sitka spruce attacked by the green spruce aphid, Elatobium abietinum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Straw, Nigel A.; Fielding, N. J.; Green, Gill; Price, John

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.06.020

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…These factors are likely to increase the risk of windthrow (Quine et al 1995) and may constrain the use of alternative silvicultural systems to clear felling, given that implementation of such systems depends on the feasibility of regular thinning interventions (Mason 2003). The warming climate is likely to increase the incidence of insect pests such as the green spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum) which is known to reduce the volume increment in mid-rotation Sitka spruce (Straw et al 2011). The potential use of Scots and lodgepole pines at Craik is currently limited because of the impacts of Dothistroma needle blight elsewhere in Britain (Brown, Webber 2008) while Japanese larch has proved very vulnerable to attack by Phytophthora ramorum (Forestry Commission 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silvicultural strategies for adapting planted forests to climate change: from theory to practice

Mason¹,

Petr²,

Bathgate³

2012

J. For. Sci.

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Adapting forests to climate change involves silvicultural measures such as use of a range of species and the fostering of mixed stands. We tested these in a Sitka spruce forest in southern Scotland, employing the Ecological Site Classification to match suitability of 24 species to six climatic and edaphic variables under values of accumulated temperature and moisture deficit projected for a medium emissions scenario for the present century. Both median and 90 th percentile values were contrasted. In the first case there was a small change in species suitability with Sitka spruce, noble fir, downy birch, sycamore and aspen being the most suitable species. When the 90 th percentile values were employed, the suitability of Sitka spruce and similar conifers had declined by the 2050's due to soil moisture deficits. The actual performance of a range of species in a long-term experiment on a similar, warmer site showed several productive conifers including Sitka spruce that maintained reasonable growth when planted in mixture. Mixed plots were developing into pure stands of the most productive species. Species diversification was the most practical adaptation measure for this forest and should concentrate on areas of the greatest risk like south-facing slopes with free-draining soils.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silvicultural strategies for adapting planted forests to climate change: from theory to practice

Mason¹,

Petr²,

Bathgate³

2012

J. For. Sci.

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“…), while the rate of needle loss associated with E. abietinum feeding affects the increments in older trees (Straw et al. ). By altering reproductive rates, and hence population densities, water deficit can be expected to mediate growth effects of E. abietinum in Sitka spruce stands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The growth of Sitka spruce is reduced under E. abietinum infestation as a consequence of direct impacts by the aphids on shoot extension and bud set in young trees , while the rate of needle loss associated with E. abietinum feeding affects the increments in older trees (Straw et al 2011). By altering reproductive rates, and hence population densities, water deficit can be expected to mediate growth effects of E. abietinum in Sitka spruce stands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction of an arboreal aphid pest, Elatobium abietinum, is altered under drought stress

Banfield‐Zanin

Leather

2014

J Applied Entomology

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Climate change in the UK is predicted to increase both winter temperatures and the frequency of summer drought events. Elatobium abietinum, the green spruce aphid, is the most important defoliating pest of Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, a conifer very widely used in British forest industry. This aphid is expected to respond strongly to altered climate, with changes to population densities leading to more frequent serious outbreaks and defoliation. The impact of simulated spring–summer drought on the reproductive performance of E. abietinum was investigated under laboratory conditions. Rates were assessed under five drought treatments of differing frequencies and intensities to characterize the direction of responses under different drought scenarios, and in time‐staggered trials to explore seasonal variation. Variation in the response of reproduction to water deficit was mediated by drought frequency and magnitude. Low‐amplitude, moderate intermittent stress improved reproductive rates, while severe stress, both continuous and high‐amplitude intermittent, had a detrimental impact when compared with observations made on well‐watered controls. Season was also found to modify the response, with improvements to plant nutritional quality under high‐amplitude stress reflected by improving reproduction. Despite this, no differences in rates were found during the autumn, suggesting no advancement in spruce dormancy under drought. Drought stress therefore has the potential to alter E. abietinum population densities, structure and phenology in Sitka spruce plantations, with implications for forest management, damage levels and natural control of the aphid under future altered climate.

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“…Severe outbreaks of the green aphid have been linked to mild winters and can result in volume loss [21]. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that future milder winters may benefit the green spruce aphid and that attacks on Sitka spruce may have a greater impact on growth, particularly in eastern part of Scotland where drought stress is predicted to become more frequent [18,22].…”

Section: Susceptibility To Pests and Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building Resilience into Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) Forests in Scotland in Response to the Threat of Climate Change

Cameron

2015

Forests

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Abstract:It is expected that a warming climate will have an impact on the future productivity of European spruce forests. In Scotland, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) dominates the commercial forestry sector and there is growing pressure to develop alternative management strategies to limit potential economic losses through climate change. This review considers management options to increase the resilience of Sitka spruce dominated forests in Scotland. Given the considerable uncertainty over the potential long-term impacts of climate change, it is recommended that Sitka spruce should continue to be planted where it already grows well. However, new planting and restocking should be established in mixtures where silviculturally practicable, even if no-thin regimes are adopted, to spread future risks of damage. Three potentially compatible species with Sitka spruce are western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), grand fir (Abies grandis (Lamb.) Lindl.) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and all form natural mixtures in its native range in North America. The predicted windier climate will require a range of management inputs, such as early cutting of extraction racks and early selective thinning, to improve stability. The potential to improve resilience to particularly abiotic damage through transforming even-aged stands into irregular structures and limiting the overall size of the growing stock is discussed.

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Defoliation and growth relationships for mid-rotation Sitka spruce attacked by the green spruce aphid, Elatobium abietinum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Cited by 16 publications

References 38 publications

Silvicultural strategies for adapting planted forests to climate change: from theory to practice

Silvicultural strategies for adapting planted forests to climate change: from theory to practice

Reproduction of an arboreal aphid pest, Elatobium abietinum, is altered under drought stress

Building Resilience into Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) Forests in Scotland in Response to the Threat of Climate Change

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