How do biophysical factors contribute to height and basal area development in a mixed multiaged coast redwood stand?

作者：Berrill John Pascal^*; O'Hara Kevin L

来源：Forestry, 2016, 89(2): 170-181.

DOI：10.1093/forestry/cpv049

• canonical correlation
• carbon allocation
• forest productivity
• growth and yield
• Sequoia sempervirens
• site quality

We studied biophysical (biotic and abiotic) factors correlating with dominant height and basal area (BA) development within 110 ha of evergreen mixed conifer forest dominated by coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.) in north coastal California. Various descriptors of species composition, topography, soil properties and moisture, light and harvest disturbance were assessed in a grid of 234 permanent sample plots. Within the study area characterized by heterogeneous topography and variable species composition, site descriptors alone were poor predictors of stand volume production in multiple linear regressions. Multivariate canonical correlation analysis revealed that redwood height growth was related to a different suite of biophysical variables than BA growth. Greater stand volume production was measured in areas with less hardwood, more Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii var. menziesii (Mirbel) Franco), higher soil pH and at lower slope positions. Sheltered lower slopes were more amenable to redwood height growth. Exposed upper slopes and ridges receiving more light favoured BA over height growth in redwood. Our analysis provides a framework for refining estimates of forest growth, yield and carbon stocks in natural forests in accordance with divergent dimensions of productivity and allied biophysical gradients.

• 出版日期2016-4