scholarly journals Density Management Diagram for Northeastern Red Spruce and Balsam Fir Forests

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan S. Wilson ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Douglas A. Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Site Index ◽  
The Self ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Natural Stands

Abstract A stand-density management diagram is presented for use in northeastern red spruce and balsam fir forests. The diagram was derived from an extensive archived data set collected during the 1970s from fully stocked stands throughout northern Maine and a more recent study of precommercially thinned stands. The negative exponential relationship between mean stemwood volume per tree and stand density, commonly known as the "self-thinning rule, "was formulated to define a biological maximum stand density. The maximum size-density equation can be used to calculate the relative density of any stand and is accurate for thinned and unthinned natural stands as well as plantations. Equations for estimating quadratic mean diameter and stand top height are also derived for unthinned natural stands only. Data used to fit the self-thinning line are substantially above the A-lines on the familiar northeastern stocking guides, suggesting that these guides underestimate maximum density and thus overpredict self-thinning. Examples illustrate how to use the diagram to predict stand development under commercial and precommercial thinning scenarios, as well as natural stand development without thinning. Relevant site index and volume equations are included in an appendix. North. J. Appl. For. 16(1):48-56.

scholarly journals Evaluating a single tree-based growth model for even-aged stands against the maximum size–density relationship: Some insights from balsam fir stands in Quebec, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 90 (04) ◽  
pp. 503-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Fortin ◽  
Stéphane Tremblay ◽  
Robert Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Growth Model ◽  
Initial Density ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Diameter Distribution ◽  
Biological Behaviour ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Density Relationship

In this study, we addressed the issue of model evaluation when long-term monitoring data are unavailable or inappropriate. More specifically, we fitted a single tree-based growth model for pure even-aged balsam fir stands and we compared stochastic predictions with an existing maximum size–density relationship (MSDR). Growth trajectories for plots of different initial densities and diameter distributions were simulated over a 70-year period using 500 realizations for each combination of initial density-diameter distribution. Long-term predictions were consistent with the existing MSDR. The model properly reproduced the senescence phase in which the trajectories diverge from the MSDR. This phase was initiated when the average tree volume reached 0.2-0.3 m3 per tree, which roughly corresponded to a DBH (diameter at breast height, 1.3 m from the ground) between 19 and 23 cm. Although it cannot be generalized, our case study shows that a simple single tree-based growth model with a distance-independent competition index and no stand density index can reproduce an existing MSDR. The match between long-term predictions and an existing MSDR strengthens the confidence in the biological behaviour of the model.

scholarly journals Influence of Soil Site Class on Growth and Decay of Northern White-Cedar and Two Associates in Maine

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip V. Hofmeyer ◽  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic
Keyword(s):  
Light Exposure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
White Cedar ◽  
Basal Area Growth ◽  
Area Growth ◽  
Northern White Cedar ◽  
Mineral Soils

Abstract Basal area growth of outwardly sound northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) was compared with that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) across site and light exposure class gradients on 60 sites throughout northern Maine. Once adjusted for sapwood area, northern white-cedar basal area growth was not strongly affected by site or light exposure class; growth was similar to that of red spruce but generally lower than that of balsam fir. Site index did not differ appreciably among soil drainage classes for red spruce and northern white-cedar, although small sample size limited analysis on upland site classes. Incidence of central decay was higher in northern white-cedar than balsam fir, which was higher than red spruce. Incidence of decay in outwardly sound northern white-cedar and balsam fir was highest on well-drained mineral soils, and mean proportion of basal area decayed at breast height increased in outwardly sound northern white-cedar as drainage improved from poorly drained to well-drained soils. These data suggest that northern white-cedar on lowland organic and poorly drained mineral soils in Maine have less decay, similar basal area growth, and similar site index relative to upland northern white-cedar communities.

A stand density management diagram for balsam fir in New Brunswick

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 700-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Penner ◽  
D E Swift ◽  
R. Gagnon ◽  
J. Brissette
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Quadratic Mean ◽  
Stand Management ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Quadratic Mean Diameter ◽  
Stand Density Management

A stand management density diagram (SDMD) is presented for balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests in New Brunswick. The SDMD incorporates a maximum size density line, as well as quadratic mean diameter and top height isolines. Several mortality functions are evaluated. The resultant SDMD should be a useful tool for projecting early stand development and determining the timing and intensity of thinnings. Key words: Acadian Forest Region, mortality curves

Balsam fir self-thinning relationship and its constancy among different ecological regions

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 950-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bégin ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Louis-Paul Rivest ◽  
Stéphane Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Large Data ◽  
The Self ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ecological Regions ◽  
Density Relationship ◽  
Jackknife Procedure ◽  
Relationship Of

The constancy of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) self-thinning relationship has been investigated among four study areas located in different ecological regions of Quebec's humid boreal forest. These four study areas contained respectively 348, 252, 146, and 55 observations (plots × measures) sampled over a period of up to 40 years. A self-thinning fitting method was developed to position objectively the self-thinning lines but, moreover, to allow comparisons among the different study areas. This method relies on principal component analysis to estimate the self-thinning line parameters and on the "jackknife" procedure to provide a standard error of these estimates. Results demonstrate a concordance for the slope (p = 0.136) and the intercept (p = 0.148) among self-thinning relationships of those study areas. The combination of these four study areas in one large data set, to provide a general estimation of balsam fir self-thinning line, has given a slope of –1.441 with a 4.114 intercept which is in agreement with the –3/2 power law of self-thinning. In this study, this law was able to describe the size–density relationship of stands of various ages and growing within different conditions as expressed by the different ecological regions.

scholarly journals Influence of Prior Growth Suppression and Soil on Red Spruce Site Index

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Seymour ◽  
Mary Ann Fajvan
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth Suppression ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Stem Analysis ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Profile Characteristics

Abstract Dominant trees of shade tolerant species are often unsuitable for estimating site index because episodes of growth suppression can mask influences of site. A large-scale study in eastern Maine, based on 698 red spruce (Picea rubens) trees sampled with increment cores, and 92 trees sampled by stem analysis, addressed two objectives: (1) Can spruce trees with histories of suppression be used to estimate site index if suppressed periods are converted to free-growth equivalents? and (2) Do important differences in soil physical properties based on drainage and profile characteristics correspond to meaningful differences in site index? Forty-two percent of the cored trees experienced some form of radial growth suppression. Several methods of adjusting for suppression history, using only periods of stand development when trees grew freely, produced site index estimates that did not differ statistically from those of trees on the same soil class that showed no prior suppression. Statistically significant, but practically small, differences in site index were found between good and poor soils; however, high variability in site index within soils suggests that accurate productivity classification requires stand-specific site index estimates. North. J. Appl. For. 18(2):55–62.

scholarly journals Simulating Multiaged Coast Redwood Stand Development: Interactions between Regeneration, Structure, and Productivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Pascal Berrill ◽  
Kevin L. O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Coast Redwood ◽  
Stand Growth ◽  
Upper Limit

Abstract Multiaged management regimes and harvesting scenarios were simulated in coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don.] Endl.) stands using models of stand growth and yield (CRYPTOS) and stocking assessment (redwood MASAM). Various stocking and age-class combinations were modeled on site index 100 and 130 ft (50 years). Results demonstrated how the number of cohorts, upper limit of stocking, and cohort densities affected growth and yield. Board foot volume increment reached a plateau in stands with a prescribed upper limit of stocking above leaf area index 7.2 to 8.6. Productivity did not differ between stands with two to five cohorts producing the same tree size at harvest. It was affected by stand structure when a cutting cycle of 20 years was prescribed in stands with three to five cohorts. Stands with the same density returned to the upper limit of stocking much sooner on better sites. Prolonging the cutting cycle by reducing stand density resulted in larger tree sizes at harvest and greater productivity. The growth of trees remaining after cutting 10–50% of stand basal area and growth of new stump sprouts were also simulated. Stands quickly returned to preharvest stocking after light cutting, implying that heavy or frequent light cutting is needed to sustain growth and vigor of regeneration in multiaged coast redwood stands.

Reevaluating the self-thinning boundary line for ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 963-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianwei Zhang ◽  
William W. Oliver ◽  
Robert F. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Site Index ◽  
The Self ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Boundary Line ◽  
The Face

The self-thinning rule has been used extensively to predict population dynamics under intraspecific and interspecific competition. In forestry, it is an important silvicultural concept for maintaining stand health in the face of climate change and biotic stress, but uncertainty exists because traditional self-thinning limits were set subjectively without regard to site quality. We addressed this by analyzing ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) data from 109 research plots measured repeatedly and 59 inventory plots measured once across California. Self-thinning boundaries were fitted to the data with quantile regression and stochastic frontier function (SFF) techniques with and without site index (SI) as a covariate. The models from both methods fitted the data well with either research plots or all plots. Slopes for size-density trajectories were –0.45 with the 0.99 quantile and –0.47 for SFF. Maximum stand density indices (SDI) were 1250 trees per hectare (TPH) with the 0.99 quantile and 1050–1060 TPH with SFF. Mortality occurred when site occupancy from SFF reached 0.75, suggesting a zone of imminent mortality. Curvilinear trends in maximum SDI across SI for both methods indicate that self-thinning varies with site quality. Any management regimes that increase site quality and productivity will increase the self-thinning boundary.

scholarly journals Stand Density Management Diagram for Mixed Balsam Fir-Black Spruce Stands

1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. Sturtevant ◽  
John A. Bissonett ◽  
James N. Long
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Treatment Scenario ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Permanent Sample Plot ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Stand Density Management

Abstract Stand density management diagrams (SDMDs) provide a useful means of predicting the consequences of alternative density management regimes. The specific objectives of this project were to create a SDMD that could (a) be applied to mixed balsam fir-black spruce stands, and (b) allow structural predictions beyond the typical 60 yr pulpwood rotation period. We constructed the SDMD using data from 129 horizontal point samples from 24 stands and 17 permanent sample plot measurements within 9 stands, located in western and central Newfoundland. The model has not been tested with an independent data set, and should therefore be viewed as a first approximation. We further discuss the diagram's applicability, and provide an example of its utility by demonstrating a precommercial thinning treatment versus no treatment scenario. North. J. Appl. For. 15(1):17-22.

scholarly journals Impact of a spruce budworm outbreak in balsam fir and subsequent stand development over a 40-year period

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A MacLean ◽  
Allison R Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Balsam Fir ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Break Up ◽  
The Impact

Nine 0.04-ha plots were established in 1956 (age 35 years) in a balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) stand in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada to determine the impact of an uncontrolled spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) outbreak on stand development. The plots were measured annually from 1956 to 1961 and at five-year intervals from 1965 to 1995. Moderate to severe defoliation occurred from 1951 to 1957 and again in 1975 to 1977, 1981, and 1986 to 1988. Budworm-caused mortality from 1956 to 1961 (age 35 to 40 years) varied considerably among plots, reducing volume by 35 to 113 m3/ha (34%-84%), and resulting in a wide range of post-outbreak plot densities. Plots were grouped into three post-budworm outbreak (1965, age 45 years) basal area classes, of ≤ 20 m2/ha, 21 to 27 m2/ha, and ≥ 28 m2/ha, to examine stand recovery. Recovery of volume up to age 60 years ranged from 72 to 132 m3/ha, in the lowest to highest basal area classes, respectively. From age 60 to 75 years, five plots declined in volume due to the onset of stand break-up and four plots increased in volume. By age 60 years, survivor growth was greatest in the high basal area plots, ranging from 6.2 to 9.0 m3/ha/yr in seven plots, versus 2.6 to 3.2 m3/ha/yr in two low basal area plots. From age 60 to 75 years, survivor growth averaged only 2.8 to 5.2 m3/ha/yr, and the stand exhibited major decline, with 63%, 74%, and 78% mortality of fir ≤ 15 cm DBH in the low to high basal area plots, respectively. Budworm-caused "thinning" in the 1950s largely determined subsequent stand development and the rate of stand break-up 25 to 35 years later. The timing and rate of natural stand decline was strongly influenced by post-outbreak stand density. Key words: budworm-caused mortality, stand structure, stand development, growth, mortality, stand density

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