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Shields against pollution: phytoremediation and impact of particulate matter on trees at Wigry National Park, Poland
Silver fir restitution: The role of seedling stock type in adapting to various environmental conditions
Cherry spruce rust in the Wigry National Park and Suwałki Forest District: cone infestation and its implications
Abstract Thekopsora areolata and Chrysomyxa pirolata are pathogens preferentially infesting Norway spruce cones and lead to the complete failure of spruce seed yield. Thus, the presence of seed-injuring pathogens may be a crucial factor driving close association between cherry spruce rust occurrence on trees and limited natural regeneration of the preferred host. However, a major uncertainty remains as to which pathogens are responsible for cone infection and reduced seed viability, resulting in impeded renewal of young trees. Our study aims to investigate whether T. areolata or C. pirolata presence on the Norway spruce cones was responsible for cherry spruce rust in three sites within the Wigry National Park (one site) and the Suwałki Forest District (two sites) in North-Eastern Poland. We harvested randomly five infested Norway spruce cones from each location and analysed them to verify specific pathogen occurrence. We analysed rDNA fragments such as ITS regions and 28S to precisely identify the disease causal agent on the cones and estimate the potential of genetic diversity of the analysed fungus species. Thekopsora areolata was identified as the main fungus promoting cherry spruce rust, suggesting that host species regeneration is constrained by this pathogen’s distribution. We assumed that the apparent cherry spruce rust presence and lack of Norway spruce natural regeneration likely result from cone infection and the availability of healthy, high-quality seeds. Moreover, the occurrence of cherry spruce rust may explain the challenges associated with the deficit of seeds used for the artificial regeneration of spruce stands.
Ex situ germination of European acorns: data from 93 batches of 12 Quercus species
Abstract Key message We provide data on seedlot germination potential—a key trait related to regeneration—of 12 oak species. Germination was tested at the University of Granada following international protocols with 8985 acorns from 93 batches and 16 countries across Europe. Data on germination probability, acorn origin, mass, and moisture content measured on another 4544 acorns are available at https://doi.org/10.30827/Digibug.87318. Associated metadata are available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/a742c6d8-bc37-4ca2-8b81-2447c5a8858d.
The effect of commercial thinning in Scots pine stands on the growth of black cherry
Abstract Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is one of the most abundant invasive species found in Polish forests. The mass occurrence of this species in pine stands is one of the main problems of silviculture. Therefore, the paper addresses the problem of the effect of commercial thinning, which increases the access of light to the lower layers of the stand, on the annual growth of rings and the development of black cherry. The study attempted to determine the strength of the progression of the black cherry threat as expressed by increased diameter increment. It was assumed that the thickness increment of mature black cherry individuals after thinning would be significantly greater compared to the average thickness increment before thinning. Over time after the treatment, the average growth of sprouts of black cherry will decrease. Six pine stands differing in age and timing of the silvicultural treatment in the Golub–Dobrzyn Forest District (N 57°81′42″ E 50°20′19″) were analysed. A positive effect of commercial thinning on the thickness increment of black cherry was found in all the studied plots. Over time, the average increment of black cherries resulting from the clearance decreased. Conducting late thinning, in pine stands where black cherry occurs, results in an increased threat of its expansion. To limit the development of black cherry at this stage of pine stand management, two solutions are possible. The first is to abandon late thinning or reduce the intensity of the treatment, which will inhibit its rapid expansion. The second scenario is to limit the occurrence of black cherry a few years before thinning, perform thinning and introduce understorey or underplanting from native competitive tree species.
Effects of nursery production methods on fungal community diversity within soil and roots of Abies alba Mill.
AbstractThe aim of this study was to elucidate how different nursery production methods influence the composition of and relationship between soil and root community levels of Abies alba. In the Międzylesie Forest District, we quantified the responses of samples of both community-level fine roots and surrounding soil to environmental changes evoked by various seedling production methods. Fungi levels were identified based on their ITS 1 region and 5.8 S rDNA component. Analysis was conducted using Illumina SBS technology, and the obtained sequences were compared with reference samples deposited in the UNITE. Chemical analysis of the soil was also performed. Different nursery production methods resulted in a strong decoupling in the responses of fungal community levels between soil and roots. Changes in growth conditions imposed by production methods were significant in determining species composition. We found differences in fungal communities among functional groups of samples. In the soil, the dominant species of mycorrhizal fungi were Tylospora asterophora, Amanita rubescens, and Russula ionochlora. Mycorrhizal fungi in roots included Tuber anniae, Thelephoraceae sp., and Acephala applanata. Specific soil substrate conditions significantly influenced fungal community composition, leading to an increase in abundance of mycorrhizal fungi, specifically T. anniae.
Variability of Functional Groups of Rhizosphere Fungi of Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) in the Boreal Range: The Wigry National Park, Poland
Rhizosphere microbial communities can influence plant growth and development. Natural regeneration processes take place in the tree stands of protected areas, which makes it possible to observe the natural changes taking place in the rhizosphere along with the development of the plants. This study aimed to determine the diversity (taxonomic and functional) of the rhizosphere fungal communities of Norway spruce growing in one of four developmental stages. Our research was based on the ITS region using Illumina system sequencing. Saprotrophs dominated in the studied rhizospheres, but their percentage share decreased with the age of the development group (for 51.91 from 43.13%). However, in the case of mycorrhizal fungi, an opposite trend was observed (16.96–26.75%). The most numerous genera were: saprotrophic Aspergillus (2.54–3.83%), Penicillium (6.47–12.86%), Pyrenochaeta (1.39–11.78%), pathogenic Curvularia (0.53–4.39%), and mycorrhizal Cortinarius (1.80–5.46%), Pseudotomentella (2.94–5.64%) and Tomentella (4.54–15.94%). The species composition of rhizosphere fungal communities was favorable for the regeneration of natural spruce and the development of multi-generational Norway spruce stands. The ratio of the abundance of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi to the abundance of pathogens was high and promising for the durability of the large proportion of spruce in the Wigry National Park and for forest ecosystems in general.
Growth and productivity of European beech populations show plastic response to climatic transfer at the north-eastern border of the species range
Assessment of sodium chloride application for controlling invasive black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh.
Effect of Irrigation Dose on Powdery Mildew Incidence and Root Biomass of Sessile Oaks (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.)
The sessile oak is one of the most significant forest tree species in Europe. This species is vulnerable to various stresses, among which drought and powdery mildew have been the most serious threats. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of irrigation levels (overhead sprinklers) on the damage caused by powdery mildew to Quercus petraea growing in a nursery setting. Four irrigation rates were used: 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of the full rate. The area of the leaves was measured and the ratio between the dry mass of the roots and the dry mass of the entire plant was calculated after the growing season in years’ 2015 and 2016. Limiting the total amount of water provided to a level between 53.6 mm × m−2 and 83.6 mm × m−2, particularly in the months when total precipitation was low (VII and VIII 2015), a supplemental irrigation rate between 3 and 9 mm × m−2 resulted in a lower severity of oak powdery mildew on leaves and lead to a favorable allocation of the biomass of the sessile oak seedlings to the root system. The severity of infection on oak leaf blades was lower when irrigation rates were reduced. The greatest mean degree of infestation in 2015 was noted in the 100% irrigation rate (14.6%), 75% (6.25%), 50% (4.35%) and 25% (5.47%). In 2016, there was no significant difference between the mean area of leaves infected by powdery mildew depending on the applied irrigation rate. The shoot-root biomass rate showed greater variation under limited irrigation rates. Controlling the irrigation rate can become an effective component of integrated protection strategies against this pathogen.
Loranthus europaeus - A New Challenge for Silviculture and Protection of Deciduous Stands in Poland?
Fungal community taxa differ in diversity and number between live and dead Prunus serotina Ehrh. wood in a protected forest within its secondary range of distribution
Prunus serotina is an important invasive plant species in Poland. It was introduced to European forests, even in places currently protected by law, such as national parks. One major factor contributing to the spread of this species is the lack of infecting pathogens and incomplete knowledge about the relationship between the plant and microorganisms. This study aimed to identify fungal communities collected from freshly cut stumps of live and dead black cherry tree specimens growing in a protected forest. The main working hypotheses were as follows: (i) fungal communities inhabiting the wood of dead and living trees will differ in diversity and the number of taxa; and (ii) saprotrophic fungi will dominate in the wood of dead tree stumps. This study applied Illumina sequencing based on the amplification of the fungal ribosomal ITSI region. The average number of sequences (OTU) obtained from the analysis of dead tree wood was 101,758, while that of living trees was 94,150. These sequences belonged to 312 taxa, among which 254 were isolated from the wood of dead trees and 171 from that of living trees. Among the saprotrophs on dead trees, the following species were identified: Stereum rugosum, Ganoderma adspersum, G. applanatum, Peniophora cinerea, and Ascocoryne cylichnium. On the other hand, in the wood of living trees, Cytospora leucostoma and Botrytis cinerea were the most abundant saprotrophic species. The fungal communities inhabiting the wood of dead and living trees differed in the diversity and abundance of taxa, thus confirming our hypothesis. The results of our research conducted in a protected area indicate that black cherry wood can be naturally colonized by many pathogen species that can further limit its expansion.
Correction: Ex situ germination of European acorns: data from 93 batches of 12 Quercus species
Abstract Key message We provide data on seedlot germination potential—a key trait related to regeneration—of 12 oak species. Germination was tested at the University of Granada following international protocols with 8985 acorns from 93 batches and 16 countries across Europe. Data on germination probability, acorn origin, mass, and moisture content measured on another 4544 acorns are available at https://doi.org/10.30827/Digibug.87318. Associated metadata are available at https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/a742c6d8-bc37-4ca2-8b81-2447c5a8858d.
The Polish Provenances of European Larch Overperform the Expected Growth Dynamics Indicated by the Sigmoid Model
The tree-ring width and interval trend values as indicators of sensitivity to temperature and precipitation in different provenances of European larch
Abstract The study assessed the sensitivity of 20 provenances of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) growing at provenance experimental trials located in lowland (Siemianice) and upland (Bliżyn) climate in Central Poland to air temperature and precipitation, including drought. The measure of the tree’ sensitivity was their radial growth reactions, i.e. changes in the radial growth in years 1971–2015. We found that rainwater supplies in a soil stored in autumn of the previous year, length of the growing season and thermal conditions in its beginning, as well as thermal and moisture conditions of the year of tree ring formation had a significant impact on the wood volume formed by the larches, regardless of their origin and climatic region in which they grew. The degree of homogeneity of tree’ radial growth reactions to precipitation deficit and high temperature was the lowest in a warmer and drier climate in the lowlands in Central Poland. Larch provenances with the lowest and the highest values of drought resilience components (resistance, recovery, resilience, relative resilience of radial growth) originated in different regions of Poland. Greater resistance to drought was observed in larch provenances growing at the trial located in the uplands. The relative resilience index seems to be the most helpful in predicting the future radial growth reactions of the studied provenances, and consequently their viability and survival, as this index showed the highest variability among trees of a given provenance and was most often significantly different between pairs of provenances.
Results of a 57-Year-Long Research on Variability of Wood Density of the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from Different Provenances in Poland
This research was conducted in the forests of Poland between 2019 and 2022. The aim was to study Scots pine provenances and compare the wood density variability among the various provenances growing on one experimental plot (in situ). The experiment was established in 1962 in the Zielonka Forest Division, Potasze Forest District. In 2019, five model trees from each provenance, which grew on the experimental plot, were chosen. In total, 40 trees were cut down, from which samples were collected in order to determine their wood density variability. The results indicate significant differences among the Scots pine provenances. It is not necessary to repeat it in situ. It appears that genetic factors highly impact the process of forming the wood density of the Scots pine. The research revealed that the best-quality wood, as far as wood density is concerned, comes from the Zielonka provenance, whereas the lowest relative density comes from the Gleboki Brod provenance. Both the provenance experiments and the analyses allowed for the selection of the research material that indicated the best genetic properties. Moreover, the research provides analytical tools that will allow for the prediction of the Scots pine provenance with the best quality together with high resistance to exogenous factors, such as habitat conditions, which can be vital to improving wood quality.
