Article
 

Canopy gaps affect the shape of Douglas-fir crowns in the western Cascades, Oregon

Public Deposited

Contenu téléchargeable

Télécharger le fichier PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/0k225c97w

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • Silvicultural regimes that aim at an increased stand structural diversity typically promote small-scale heterogeneity in horizontal and vertical structures, e.g. through the creation of gaps. We used terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to investigate impacts of altered growing conditions on trees adjacent to artificial gaps as compared to responses of trees in a regularly spaced, thinned forest interior. Based on the TLS-based point clouds we calculated a number of structural tree crown properties that were hypothesized to be sensitive to spatial variability in growing conditions. We found several significant differences between structural properties of trees in the two growing conditions. Compared to trees in regular spacing, border trees near gaps had a lower crown base height (CBH) and a lower height of maximum crown projection. Crown surface area and crown volume of border trees were significantly larger than those of trees growing in a regular spacing. Also, the asymmetry of entire tree crowns of border trees, and in particular of the lower third of crowns, was directed towards the gap center, reflecting the increased light level in the gap. Our results raise concerns that the economic value of border trees is negatively affected by gap creation. These trees had shorter branch free boles and additionally, due to horizontal branch elongation, larger knots. Conversely, the overall increase in structural variability contributed by the border trees in stands with artificial gaps is likely to positively affect several ecosystem functions as well as biodiversity.
  • Keywords: Terrestrial laser scanning, Tree crown, Forest management, Complexity
Resource Type
DOI
Date Available
Date Issued
Citation
  • Seidel, D., Ruzicka, K. J., & Puettmann, K. (2016). Canopy gaps affect the shape of Douglas-fir crowns in the western Cascades, Oregon. Forest Ecology and Management, 363, 31-38. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2015.12.024
Journal Title
Journal Volume
  • 363
Déclaration de droits
Funding Statement (additional comments about funding)
  • This work was funded through a research scholarship granted to Dominik Seidel by the German Research Foundation (reference number: Se 2383/1-1) and the Edmund Hayes Professorship in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University.
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Replaces

Des relations

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Articles

La vignette Titre Date de téléchargement Visibilité actes
file details SeidelCanopyGapsAffectShape.pdf 2017-07-26 Public Télécharger