Ecology and management of Sitka spruce, emphasizing its natural range in British Columbia / E.B. Peterson ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peterson, N. Merle, Author.

Contributor:

Peterson, E. B. (Everett B.)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sitka spruce--British Columbia.

Sitka spruce.

Sitka spruce--Ecology--British Columbia.

Forest management--British Columbia.

Forest management.

Forest ecology--British Columbia.

Forest ecology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (359 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Vancouver : UBC Press, c1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Sitka spruce, the largest of the world's spruces, is an important component of British Columbia's coastal forests. Its ecology gives it a special place in the sustainable management of the province's forests. However, in west coast forestry it is poorly known in comparison with its main coniferous companions -- Douglas-fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock. As an important international forestry resource, it is crucial that Sitka spruce -- its ecology and the ecosystems in which it occurs -- be clearly understood by those who are involved with its management. This book is the most recent major work on the ecology and management of Sitka spruce. The authors describe how this fascinating tree reproduces, grows, and functions in its natural geographic range. They discuss both the ecology of Sitka spruce and silvicultural questions such as original plantation spacing, juvenile spacing, and fertilization to accelerate the harvestability of second-growth coastal spruce stands. Sitka spruce derives its importance not only from its prominence as an international transportable genetic resource but also from its role in riparian systems and its biodiversity values. Here in North America's west coast rainforest, this magnificent tree illustrates the ecology of complex forest ecosystems and their cultural, wilderness, historic, and economic values.

Contents:

Contents; Acknowledgments; 1 Introduction; Sitka Spruce Supply in Its Natural Range; Approach Used to Assemble and Select Information for This Book; 2 Biology and Ecology of Naturally Occurring Sitka Spruce; Nomenclature and Taxonomy; History of Sitka Spruce Nomenclature; Taxonomy of Sitka Spruce in Relation to Other British Columbia Spruces; Natural Variation of Sitka Spruce; Sitka Spruce Tree Morphology; Roots; Stems, Bark, and Stem Epiphytes; Needles, Twigs, and Branches; Crowns; Cones; Seeds; Maximum Dimensions of Mature Trees

Geographic Distribution and Ecological Characteristics of Ecosystems Supporting Sitka SpruceLatitudinal and Altitudinal Distribution of Sitka Spruce; An Overview of Sitka Spruce and Sitka Spruce-Western Hemlock Forest Types in Coastal British Columbia; An Example of a Typical Mature Sitka Spruce Ecosystem; Sitka Spruce in Sparsely Treed Wetland Ecosystems; Summary of Biogeoclimatic Zones, Subzones, Variants, and Site Series Where Sitka Spruce Occurs in British Columbia; Biogeoclimatic Units Where Sitka Spruce Hybrids Occur; Biogeoclimatic Units Where Sitka Spruce Is Uncommon or Rare

An Example of a Typical Ecosystem Where Sitka Spruce Occurs in Oregon and WashingtonSitka Spruce's Tree Associates and Successional Sequences; Succession on Alluvial Ecosystems in British Columbia; Succession Involving Sitka Spruce on Landslides in British Columbia; Successional Sequences in Washington and Oregon; Succession on Coastal Dunes; Succession in Coastal Marshlands; Shade Tolerance and Light Relationships; Regeneration; Regeneration after Clearcutting; Regeneration Dynamics in Relation to Age Structure of Sitka Spruce Stands; Growth and Productivity

Early Growth and Comparisons with Other SpeciesRoot Production and Structure; Nutrient Relationships and Comparisons with Other Species; Mycorrhizal Relationships; Soil and Soil-Water Relationships; Drought Tolerance; Response to Flooding; Physical and Chemical Damaging Agents; Wind Influences and Blowdown/Mass-Wasting Relationships; Frost Tolerance; Response to Herbicides, Salt, and Airborne Pollutants; Fire; Insects and Diseases; Insects; White Pine Weevil Damage; White Pine Weevil Control; Other Insects Associated with Sitka Spruce; Diseases; Cone Diseases; Seed Diseases; Nursery Diseases

Root Diseases of Young Sitka Spruce StandsStem Rusts; Stem Decay; Dwarf Mistletoe; Some Fish, Mammalian, and Bird Habitat Features of Sitka Spruce Ecosystems; Fish Relationships; Mammal Relationships; Bird Relationships; 3 Management of Sitka Spruce; Silvicultural Steps to Encourage Natural Regeneration; Control of the Main Competing Species; Steps for Plantation Establishment; Stock Selection; Propagation and Nursery Practices; Site Diagnosis for Selection of Sitka Spruce as a Reforestation Species; Site Preparation; Planting Requirements, Spacing, and Early Care of Plantations

An Overview of British Experience in Sitka Spruce Plantation Establishment

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [282]-318).

ISBN:

0-7748-5452-9

1-283-13192-7

9786613131928

1-283-11183-7

9786613111838

0-7748-0750-4

0-7748-4425-6