Individual tree growth response to variable-density thinning in coastal Pacific Northwest forests

Roberts, Scott D.; Harrington, Constance A.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.01.043

Cited by 82 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Growth differences between edge and interior trees were correlated with the measured CI i ( Figure 4); this relationship has been reported in the literature [26,29,68]. Edge trees in younger stands of DS showed the lowest competition values, and it was the studied shelterwood with the highest growth response.…”

Section: Edge Effectsupporting

confidence: 81%

Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest

Girona

Morin

Lussier

et al. 2016

Forests

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Partial cutting is thought to be an alternative to achieve sustainable management in boreal forests. However, the effects of intermediate harvest intensity (45%-80%) on growth remain unknown in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands, one of the most widely distributed boreal species with great commercial interest. In this study, we analysed the effect of three experimental shelterwood and one seed-tree treatments on tree radial growth in even-aged black spruce stands, 10 years after intervention. Our results show that radial growth response 8-10 years after cutting was 41% to 62% higher than in untreated plots, with stand structure, treatment, tree position relative to skidding trails, growth before cutting and time having significant interactions. The stand structure conditioned tree growth after cutting, being doubled in younger and denser stands. Tree spatial position had a pronounced effect on radial growth; trees at the edge of the skidding trails showed twice the increase in growth compared to interior trees. Dominant trees before cutting located close to the skidding trails manifested the highest growth response after cutting. This research suggests that the studied treatments are effective to enhance radial wood production of black spruce especially in younger stands, and that the edge effect must be considered in silvicultural management planning.

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Section: Edge Effectsupporting

confidence: 81%

Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest

Girona

Morin

Lussier

et al. 2016

Forests

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“…Several studies (Castagneri et al, 2008;Contreras et al, 2011) have reported that SdrAng can describe a greater proportion of the investigated variation in growth models. Also, Heg demonstrated superior performance to non-spatial CIs in many stud- any superiority of spatial indices to non-spatial ones (Soares & Tomé, 1999;Stadt et al, 2007;Roberts & Harrington, 2008). The superiority of size-ratio CIs of SdrAng and Heg that used the d as indicator of size was probably because of the actual correlation between the subject tree's diameter increment and its d (Holmes & Reed, 1991); however, the strength of competitive stress explained by such correlations might be unclear (Brand & Magnussen, 1988;Larocque, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Individual Tree Competition on Diameter Growth of Silver Birch in Estonia

2015

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Aim of study: The present study evaluates a set of competition indices including spatially explicit indices combined with different competitor selection approaches and non-spatially explicit competition indices. The aim was to quantify and describe the neighbouring effects on the tree diameter growth of silver birch trees.Area of study: Region throughout Estonia. Material and methods:Data from the Estonian Network of Forest Research Plots was used. After quantifying the selected indices, the best non-spatial indices and spatial indices (combined with neighbour selection methods) were separately devised into a growth model as a predictor variable to assess the ability of the diameter growth model before and after adding competition measures. To test the species-specific effect on the competition level, the superior indices were recalculated using Ellenberg's light indicators and incorporated into the diameter growth model.Main results: Statistical analyses showed that the diameter growth is a function of neighbourhood interactions and spatial indices were better growth predictors than non-spatial indices. In addition, the best selections of competitive neighbours were acquired based on the influence zone and the competition elimination angle concepts, and using Ellenberg's light values had no significant improvement in quantifying the competition effects.Research highlights: Although the best ranking spatial competition measures were superior to the best non-spatial indices, the differences were negligible.

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“…In contrast, diameter growth of larger trees was still higher than those of smaller trees, but increased less or not at all after thinning, unless densities surrounding the trees were very open [15,29]. The spatial variability created, e.g., by including gaps, was also reflected in diameter growth responses, with trees adjacent to gaps showing higher increases in growth [15,30]. Thus, our results suggest that typical thinning treatments are not efficient at achieving tree sizes typically found in old-growth stands (e.g., [31]).…”

Section: Tree and Stand Growth Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest Restoration Using Variable Density Thinning: Lessons from Douglas-Fir Stands in Western Oregon

Puettmann

Ares

Burton

et al. 2016

Forests

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A large research effort was initiated in the 1990s in western United States and Canada to investigate how the development of old-growth structures can be accelerated in young even-aged stands that regenerated following clearcut harvests, while also providing income and ecosystem services. Large-scale experiments were established to compare effects of thinning arrangements (e.g., spatial variability) and residual densities (including leave islands and gaps of various sizes). Treatment effects were context dependent, varying with initial conditions and spatial and temporal scales of measurement. The general trends were highly predictable, but most responses were spatially variable. Thus, accounting for initial conditions at neighborhood scales appears to be critical for efficient restoration. Different components of stand structure and composition responded uniquely to restoration thinnings. Achieving a wide range of structures and composition therefore requires the full suite of silvicultural treatments, from leave islands to variable density thinnings and creation of large gaps. Trade-offs among ecosystem services occurred as result of these contrasting responses, suggesting that foresters set priorities where and when different vegetation structures are most desirable within a stand or landscape. Finally, the results suggested that foresters should develop restoration approaches that include multiple treatments.

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Individual tree growth response to variable-density thinning in coastal Pacific Northwest forests

Cited by 82 publications

References 17 publications

Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest

Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest

Analysis of Individual Tree Competition on Diameter Growth of Silver Birch in Estonia

Forest Restoration Using Variable Density Thinning: Lessons from Douglas-Fir Stands in Western Oregon

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