Ecophysiological processes as determinants for understanding growth of poplars in the Canadian boreal zone

该项目是之前CRD资助的延续，通过该资助，我们在加拿大东北部安装和研究了几个快速生长的杂交杨树种植园。本研究旨在通过矿物或有机改良提高对北方寒带杂交杨树养分需求的认识，了解纯和混合人工林凋落物分解对土壤肥力和人工林生产力的影响。我们还想了解不同类型杂交杨树/白杨与其原生亲本相比的特定生态生理，并将其与施肥和水分水平联系起来。对于不可能或禁止使用外来树种的地区，我们希望了解天然苦杨林分的更新动态和遗传结构，以便能够利用它来设计适当的繁殖/部署方案，以重新造林天然硬木林分，或在不希望的地区限制其更新。该项目的结果将允许加拿大工业使用和种植杨树和快速生长的种植园，以缓解木材短缺和对公共土地的新采伐限制。

This project is a continuation of a previous CRD grant through which we had installed and studied several fast-growing plantations of hybrid poplars in north eastern Canada. We aim to improve our understanding of nutrient requirements of hybrid poplars in the boreal zone using mineral or organic amendment, and understand the role of litter decomposition in pure and mixed plantations on soil fertility and plantation productivity. We also want to understand the specific ecophysiology of different types of hybrid poplars/aspens compared to their native parents, and relate it to fertilization and moisture levels. For regions where the use of exotic species is impossible or prohibited we want to understand the regeneration dynamics and genetic structure of natural balsam poplar stands, in order to be able to use it to devise appropriate propagation/deployment scenarios to reforest natural hardwood stands or to limit its regeneration in areas where it is not desired. The results of this project will allow the Canadian industry to use and cultivate poplars and fast-growing plantations to alleviate wood shortages and new harvesting restrictions on public lands.