Release of Suppressed Red Spruce Using Canopy Gap Creation—Ecological Restoration in the Central Appalachians

Abstract

Issue: Historic harvest of red spruce and related disturbance in the central and southern Appalachians has resulted in large losses of soil organic carbon into the atmosphere as CO 2 . Recent studies suggest that restoring red spruce with targeted forest management plans could restore significant parts of this carbon within a century while also improving regional habitat for threatened wildlife and ecosystem services like drinking water security. Red spruce and similar species promote soil carbon buildup: Many studies suggest that boreal ectomycorrhizal conifer species like red spruce promote large amounts of SOC buildup in forest floor and subsurface soil layers [1][2][3][4]

Characterizing Red Spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) Advanced Reproduction in an High Elevation Stand in West Virginia

“…In this study, we were able to observe the conditions that favor spruce presence as well as those associated with important red spruce characteristics within an unmanaged, second-growth forest. Spruce regeneration in previous studies has been shown to establish under variable light conditions (Greenwood et al, 2008;Mayfield and Hicks, 2010;Potheir and Prevost, 2008) and respond positively to increases in light availability (Moores et al, 2007;Olson et al, 2014;Rentch et al, 2016). The relationship between spruce seedling establishment and seed source proximity has also been illustrated (Beach and Halpern, 2001;Cavallin and Vasseur, 2009;Hughes and Bechtel, 1997) suggesting higher seedling densities within shorter distances from seed sources.…”

“…Lhotka et al (2018), examined the effects of gap size on species composition and volume increases over fifty years in oak stands and found that species diversity and growth were significantly reduced in light limited small gaps (200 m 2 ). The effects of gap size on regeneration species composition, survival, light availability, seedling density, and growth responses are well documented (Brokaw, 1985;Dumais and Prevost, 2016;Nakashizuka, 1984;Qinghong and Hytteborn, 1991;Rentch et al, 2016;Wu et al, 1999). Changes in irradiance have large impacts on seedling development and growth (Gilbert et al 2001;Denslow 1987).…”

“…When a gap forms (regardless of cause or extent), moisture availability, microclimate, nutrients, irradiance, soil properties, and growing space in and surrounding the disturbed site are modified resulting in gap partitioning (Rentch et al, 2016;Sleen et al 2013;Vilhar et al, 2014;Yamamoto, 2000). Seedling recruitment and development responses to these environmental changes are defined by species specific growth requirements (Holladay et al, 2006;Narukawa and Yamamoto, 2001;Rentch et al, 2010;Romer et al, 2007;Runkle, 2013).…”

“…It provides habitat for a number of species including the federally listed Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi) and recently de-listed Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) (Rentch et al, 2010;. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in restoring red spruce to its pre-settlement range (Rentch et al, 2010;Rentch et al, 2016;Thomas-Van Gundy and Sturtevant, 2014).…”

Using a Species Distribution Model and Site-Specific Microclimatic Variables to Model Presence of Spodic Soil Properties and Relative Occurrence Rate of Picea rubens (Red Spruce) to Inform Red Spruce Management

“…Historic documentation suggests that much of the central Appalachians were covered with red spruce forests, but extensive logging and wildfires decimated the population (Allard and Leonard, 1952;. Both governmental and non-governmental agencies are attempting to restore red spruce ecosystems in the central Appalachians (CASRI, 2017), so information on where these ecosystems existed historically, and where they are most likely to succeed today is needed (Rentch et al, 2016).…”