Pattern of Beech Regeneration in the East-Central United States

Held, Michael E.

doi:10.2307/2996517

Cited by 59 publications

(41 citation statements)

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“…First, saplings of American holly, the only other species in our dataset with enough stems for individual analysis, were randomly distributed with respect to mature beech trees. This is not particularly surprising given the extreme shade tolerance of holly (Stutz and Frey 1980), but given that beech exhibits comparable shade tolerance (Grelen 1990;Tubbs and Houston 1990), we would expect beech regeneration to be tolerant of the same conditions (namely the shade beneath adult conspecifics). Second, saplings of all other canopy species (combined), many of which are less shade-tolerant, exhibited repulsion patterns around mature beech trees that were less pronounced than those for beech saplings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…However, for comparative purposes, we also conducted some analyses with "all other canopy species" (pooled into a single category) and smaller size classes of American holly (individually). Small stems of American holly were examined individually because of their high densities, which enabled robust statistical analysis, and the similar shade tolerances of American holly and American beech (Stutz and Frey 1980;Grelen 1990;Tubbs and Houston 1990), which allowed for a useful comparison presented in the Discussion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Conspecific negative density dependence in American beech

Ramage

Mangana

2017

For. Ecosyst.

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Background: One of the most important drivers of forest biodiversity is conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD), a reduction in performance when conspecific densities are high. While the majority of CNDD research has focused on tropical forests, evidence is mounting that CNDD may also play an important role in temperate forests. To further explore the potential reach of this phenomenon, we investigated CNDD in American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in a mature mid-Atlantic forest. Methods: We used bivariate point pattern analyses to examine spatial relationships between large beech trees and conspecific saplings, and we also contrasted these patterns with comparable patterns for heterospecifics. In addition, to address the possibility of dispersal limitation and the associated effects on spatial patterns, we analyzed seedling density as a function of adult conspecific abundance. Results: We found that beech saplings were more repelled from large conspecifics than large heterospecifics, despite the fact that beech seedling density was positively correlated with beech basal area. However, saplings of other canopy tree species were also repelled from adult beech trees, suggesting a general suppressive effect. Nonetheless, the discrepancy between beech seedling and sapling densities beneath adult conspecifics suggests that beech seedling survival rates were reduced in vicinity of conspecific adults. Conclusions: Regardless of the extent to which beech inhibits heterospecific trees, a negative effect on conspecific recruits may be critical for biodiversity maintenance. Without this conspecific suppression, a dense layer of shade-tolerant beech saplings could form beneath adult beech trees. If this were to occur, beech would have a substantial head-start following canopy disturbance, and this late-successional species could potentially dominate a stand in perpetuity, through repeated disturbance cycles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conspecific negative density dependence in American beech

Ramage

Mangana

2017

For. Ecosyst.

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“…It is for this reason that some American beech forests have a very minimal understory other than beech or similarly shade tolerant species. It is not uncommon for beech dominated forests to have substantial beech sprouting that appears to be even more robust under adverse conditions [16] including beech bark disease [17][18][19]. The beech understory effectively outcompetes other less shade tolerant trees.…”

Section: Natural History Of the American Beechmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Beech Bark Disease and Climate Change on American Beech

Stephanson

Coe

2017

Forests

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American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) is a dominant component of forest tree cover over a large portion of eastern North America and this deciduous, mast-bearing tree species plays a key role in these forest ecosystems. Beech bark disease (BBD) is a scale insect-fungus complex that has caused the decline and death of afflicted beech trees. This disease has become a common feature in North American forest landscapes. Resistance to BBD is at the level of the beech scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind.). Beech scale attack predisposes the tree to subsequent infection by Neonectria fungi. The impact of this tree disease has been shown to be significant, particularly in beech dominated forests. Scale-free trees (resistant to BBD) have been reported to range from only 1% to 3% in infested stands, with estimates ranging from 80-95% for overall infestation (for all beech within the current North American range). In addition to BBD, overall beech health will be directly impacted by climate change, if one specifically considers the expected fluctuations in precipitation leading to both drought periods and flooding. Beech is particularly sensitive to both extremes and is less resilient than other broad leaf tree species. Although the increase in global temperatures will likely shift the current range of the American beech, milder winters and less snowpack will favor propagation and survival of the beech scale. This review aims to present the current outlook for American beech in light of climate change. The natural history of the American beech and the onslaught of BBD during the last century will be covered, followed by the potential effects of a changing climate on BBD-infested forests. Evidence from models of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and other host-pathogen systems will supplement data directly gathered to evaluate BBD in American beech. We present the case that although climate change is likely to be a confounding factor in the continued loss of American beech, increasing our understanding of possible mechanisms of resistance and environmental factors that may influence susceptibility of American beech to BBD can inform proactive management strategies.

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“…Relative densities of beech seedlings and root suckers can vary considerably among sites, from complete absence of suckers to almost complete dominance of suckers over seedlings (Ward, 1961;Held, 1983;Houston, 2001;Kochenderfer et al, 2004;Morris et al, 2004). Variation among sites in proportion of beech root suckers can be influenced by many factors, including genetic differentiation of beech populations (Kitamura and Kawano, 2001), harvesting, and beech bark disease (Jones et al, 1989;Houston, 2001;Farrar and Ostrofsky, 2006).…”

Section: Density and Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Beech reproduces both sexually and vegetatively, the latter primarily by root suckers (Jones and Raynal, 1987). Root suckering in beech has been observed throughout the species' distributional range, with great variation among sites in the relative importance of this reproductive mode (e.g., Ward, 1961;Held, 1983;Kitamura and Kawano, 2001;Morris et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%