Effects of soil temperature and water table level on Picea glauca, Betula papyrifera, Populus tremuloides and Populus balsamifera seedlings

I studied the effect of various water tables and soil temperatures on growth and transpiration of Populus tremuloides Michx., Populus balsamifera L., Betula papyrifera Marsh. and Picea glauca (Moench) Voss to evaluate the potential of using deciduous species for control of high post-harvesting water table levels on boreal sites. A growth chamber experiment indicated that Betula papyrifera was able to maintain higher rates of transpiration than the other species at high water tables, especially at cold to moderate soil temperatures. In a field experiment conducted near Slave Lake, Alberta, Populus balsamifera utilized more water and maintained a high leaf area compared to the other species during a very wet year. The comparative responses of Populus balsamifera and Betula papyrifera to high water tables indicate that they are the most suitable species to plant where water table rise may occur on boreal mixedwood sites after harvesting.