Variability of Stand Structures and Development in Old-Growth Forests in the Pacific Northwest, USA

Forests

Pil Sun Park²  Chadwick D. Oliver³  Isabel Ca༞llas¹ 

[1] id="af1-forests-06-03177">1Department of Forest Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Kor;Department of Forest Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: species composition;    diameter distribution;    cluster analysis;    correlation;    Douglas-fir;    shade tolerant species;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f6093177

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The forest stand structure class “old-growth” has previously been qualitatively described as having several distinct “sub-structures.” Species composition, diameter distribution, and other structural features commonly associated with old-growth in the Pacific Northwest are quite variable. We determined which quantitative stand structure variables are commonly found together using the Spearman correlation and non-metric multidimensional analysis. Some features were more commonly found together than others, indicating different old-growth stand types, or sub-structures. Cluster analysis classified the old-growth forests into four groups: Douglas-fir dominance, shade tolerant species dominance, and intermediate groups. The intermediate groups were split by the density of large logs and large shade tolerant trees. The old-growth sub-structures appear to change from one to another as the old forest develops.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.