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The effect of artificial drainage in waterlogged sites on the foliar nutrient status of planted interior spruce seedlings in the Central Interior BC Saraiva, Maria Fernanda

Abstract

Drainage of waterlogged sites following harvest is a silvicultural treatment to reduce water table levels; therefore, potentially improving seedling growth. The goal of this study was to assess foliar nutrient status changes of planted hybrid interior spruce (Picea glauca x Picea englemannii [Moench] Voss) seedlings as a result of artificial drainage of waterlogged sites located in the central interior of British Columbia. Ditches were constructed near the end of the 2007 growing season, and foliar samples were collected and analysed for foliar unit mass and macronutrient concentrations and contents in the fall of 2007 (pre-ditching conditions) and in the fall of 2008 (post ditching conditions). Two way ANOVA and correlation analyses were used to determine and interpret significant responses. Concentration and content of foliar B and Al decreased and foliar K increased near and away from the ditch. These trends can be used as immediate indicators of ditch effects. The effect of distance from the ditchline on changes of foliar nutrient status was not conclusive. Overall, ditching appeared to be detrimental to health of seedlings in the short term. Longer term trends need to be examined for an understanding of any improvement in plant productivity and establishment of a new steady state.

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Title
The effect of artificial drainage in waterlogged sites on the foliar nutrient status of planted interior spruce seedlings in the Central Interior BC
Creator
Saraiva, Maria Fernanda
Date Issued
2009-04-13
Description
Drainage of waterlogged sites following harvest is a silvicultural treatment to reduce water table levels; therefore, potentially improving seedling growth. The goal of this study was to assess foliar nutrient status changes of planted hybrid interior spruce (Picea glauca x Picea englemannii [Moench] Voss) seedlings as a result of artificial drainage of waterlogged sites located in the central interior of British Columbia. Ditches were constructed near the end of the 2007 growing season, and foliar samples were collected and analysed for foliar unit mass and macronutrient concentrations and contents in the fall of 2007 (pre-ditching conditions) and in the fall of 2008 (post ditching conditions). Two way ANOVA and correlation analyses were used to determine and interpret significant responses. Concentration and content of foliar B and Al decreased and foliar K increased near and away from the ditch. These trends can be used as immediate indicators of ditch effects. The effect of distance from the ditchline on changes of foliar nutrient status was not conclusive. Overall, ditching appeared to be detrimental to health of seedlings in the short term. Longer term trends need to be examined for an understanding of any improvement in plant productivity and establishment of a new steady state.
Subject
ditching; waterlogged sites; foliar macronutrient; foliar concentration; foliar content; distance effect; Interior Spruce
Genre
Graduating Project
Type
Text
Language
eng
Series
University of British Columbia. FRST 498
Date Available
2011-02-23
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
DOI
10.14288/1.0075617
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31673
Affiliation
Forestry, Faculty of
Campus
UBCV
Peer Review Status
Unreviewed
Scholarly Level
Undergraduate
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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DSpace

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International