Varying rectangular spacing yields no difference in forest growth and external wood quality in coniferous forest plantations

FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

卷:489

Article

Ara, Mostarin¹  Barbeito, Ignacio^1,2  Elfving, Bjorn³  Johansson, Ulf⁴  Nilsson, Urban¹ 

[1] Swedish Univ Agr Sci, POB 49, SE-23053 Alnarp, Sweden

[2] Univ Lorraine, UMR Silva, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Nancy, France

[3] Swedish Univ Agr Sci, SE-90183 Umea, Sweden

[4] Swedish Univ Agr Sci, SE-31325 Simlangsdalen, Sweden

关键词: Lodgepole pine;    Norway spruce;    Scots pine;    Planting design;    Stand heterogeneity;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119040

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Historically square or almost square spacing design has been used in plantation forest, as it has been claimed to maximize productivity. In this study, based on field experiments established in the mid-1980s, we tested the effect of square or different rectangular planting designs (2 x 2, 1.33 x 3, 1 x 4, 0.8 x 5, 1.46 x 1.46 x 4 m) on productivity, stand heterogeneity, and external wood properties of three coniferous species: Scots pine, Lodgepole pine, and Norway spruce. Stand production (volume, diameter), external wood properties (ovality, branch thickness, living crown height, height-diameter ratio), and stand heterogeneity (Gini coefficient) were not significantly affected by the different rectangular designs. Based on this evidence, we propose that more flexibility is available than previously thought for rectangular spacing layouts and consequently for the choice of planting spots and machinery operations.

【 授权许可】

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