Stand Dynamics, Humus Type and Water Balance Explain Aspen Long Term Productivity across Canada

Forests

Kenneth A. Anyomi²  François Lorenzetti¹  Yves Bergeron²  Alain Leduc⁴  Robert Harrison³ 

[1] Institut des Sciences de la Forêt Tempérée, Université du Québec en Outaouais, 58 rue Principale, Ripon, QC J0V-1V0, Canada; E-Mail:;Chaire Industrielle CRSNG-UQAT-UQAM en Aménagement Forestier Durable, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), 445 boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X-5E4, Canada; E-Mail:;Chaire Industrielle CRSNG-UQAT-UQAM en Aménagement Forestier Durable, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), 445 boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X-5E4, Canada; E-Mail;Centre d’étude de la Forêt, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal QC H3C-3P8, Canada; E-Mail:

关键词: productivity;    trembling aspen;    climate;    soil;    stand dynamics;    site index;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f6020416

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This study examined the relative importance of soil, stand development and climate hypotheses in driving productivity for a species that is widely distributed in North America. Inventory plots, 3548 of such, either dominated by aspen or made up of species mixture of which aspen occurs in dominant canopy position were sampled along a longitudinal gradient from Quebec to British Columbia. Site index (SI), was used as a measure of productivity, and soil, climate and stand attributes were correlated with site index in order to determine their effects on productivity. Results show a decline in productivity with high moisture deficit. Soil humus correlates significantly with SI but does not sufficiently capture differential rates of litter deposition and decomposition effects over the long-term. Consequently, aspen composition, stand ageing, and stand structural changes dominate variability in productivity. Within the context where deciduous cover has being increasing, there are implications for forest productivity.

【 授权许可】

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