An Analysis of Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P.) Tree Rings as Indicators of Ghost Forest Development in a Globally Threatened Ecosystem

Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) swamps are a globally threatened type of wetland ecosystem and are a new form of ghost forest in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. Hydrogeomorphic regimes foster peat formation, resulting in unique biodiversity and carbon sequestration services. Our sites include regimes that are exposed to sea-level rise and storm-driven seawater intrusion, yet other sites are protected by higher elevations. In this study, we evaluated climatic variables to discern differences in tree ring formation as an indicator of growth among nine stands including micro-tidal, oligohaline sites as well as other protected areas which served as a control. Standard dendrochronological techniques were used, and series were divided into two sub-chronologies, 1895 to 1971 (early) and 1972 to 2018 (recent). AWC growth in response to precipitation parameters, e.g., Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), were largely non-significant but were somewhat reversed among sub-chronologies. Early correlations were primarily negatively correlated with PDSI, while recent correlations were mostly positive, which suggests that even though inundation may reduce photosynthate availability for growth, precipitation has begun to increase growth by alleviating osmotic and toxic stresses associated with seawater. Analysis of climatic variables and tree growth at the reference site found that other anthropogenic stressors associated with ditching exert a greater influence. Hurricane impacts on tree growth exhibited no lasting negative effects; however, an AWC ghost forest report from New Jersey connected mortality to a hurricane. Hydrogeomorphic regimes may delay rather than eliminate risks associated with sea-level rise and storm-driven seawater.

Efficiency of growth biostimulators in production of planting material of northern white cedar

An assessment of the efficacy of preparations (Kornevin, SP; Albit, TPS; Epin-extra) in the production of planting material of Northern white cedar by vegetative propagation with wood cuttings under the conditions of the Central Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation is given on the example of the Orel region. All the studied preparations had a significant effect on the rooting process of cuttings. The obtained and analyzed data of phenological observations showed that the greatest effect on the acceleration of the onset of the of root formation phase had preparation “Albit, TPS”, 3-4 weeks earlier than the control. The number of formed cuttings and their length were also mainly influenced by “Albit, TPS”, which increased the average number of roots by 3 pcs., and their average length by 44 mm, in comparison with the control. The effect of the use of the biostimulator “Albit, TPS” had a significant influence on the number of established cuttings, providing 20 rooted cuttings or 28% more than in the control.

Technological characteristics of two species of the genus Erisma sp. in the state of Mato Grosso

The state of Mato Grosso has several forest species that are widely used for originating various products that are important to the state's economy. The technological characteristics allow several uses of wood, however, there are species of the same genus that have little studied properties. The objective of this work was to characterize the technological properties of cedar wood (Erisma uncinatum) and white cedar wood (Erisma bicolor). Techniques for anatomical characterization and tests for physical properties tests were employed. Drying test was performed at 100º C, obtaining the drying temperature in different ranges: T1 (5%), T2 (30%) and T3 (30 and 5%) and drying speed: V1 (5%), V2 (30%) and V3 (30 and 5%). It was observed that the cedar species presented larger dimensions for most of the evaluated anatomical elements in relation to the white cedar species. However, the anatomical arrangement for both species was similar at the microscopic level. There were significant differences between the basic densities for the species which influenced the other physical properties, specifically the retractability and drying speed. With the drying program elaborated it was noticed that there was time difference for the wood of the species to reach the moisture content in the range of the saturation point of the fibers, while for 5% of moisture content they kept the same drying time, generating differences in absolute values between species in water loss velocity between 30 and 5% moisture content.

Harpalejeunea molleri subsp. integra (R.M. Schuster) Damsholt new to Atlantic Canada

Harpalejeunea molleri subsp. integra (R.M. Schuster) Damsholt is reported for the first time in Atlantic Canada. It was found on the base of a large Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) in a swamp in Nova Scotia. The specimen was examined using light microscopy, diagnosed using standard keys, and compared with reference specimens, including two European collections from the New Brunswick Museum, two North American collections annotated by R.M. Schuster, and the only material that may have been previously collected in Canada, by T. Drummond. We speculate on the original location of Drummond’s collection, and the implications of this finding for conservation.