Differences in leaf phenology between juvenile and adult trees in a temperate deciduous forest

In a deciduous forest, differences in leaf phenology between juvenile and adult trees could result in juvenile trees avoiding canopy shade for part of the growing season. By expanding leaves earlier or initiating senescence later than canopy trees, juvenile trees would have some period in high light and therefore greater potential carbon gain. We observed leaf phenology of 376 individuals of 13 canopy tree species weekly over 3 years in a deciduous forest in east central Illinois, USA. Our objectives were: (1) to quantify for each species the extent of differences in leaf phenology between juvenile and conspecific adult trees; and (2) to determine the extent of phenological differences between juvenile Aesculus glabra Willd. and Acer saccharum Marsh. trees in understory and gap microhabitats. All species displayed phenological differences between life stages. For 10 species, bud break was significantly earlier, by an average of 8 days, for subcanopy individuals than for canopy individuals. In 11 species, completion of leaf expansion was earlier, by an average of 6 days, for subcanopy individuals than for canopy individuals. In contrast, there were no significant differences between life stages for start of senescence in 10 species and completion of leaf drop in nine species. For eight species, leaf longevity was significantly greater for subcanopy individuals than for canopy individuals by an average of 7 days (range = 4-10 days). Leaf phenology of subcanopy individuals of both Aesculus glabra and Acer saccharum responded to gap conditions. Leaf longevity was 11 days less in the understory than in gaps for Aesculus glabra, but 14 days more in the understory than in gaps for Acer saccharum. Therefore, leaf phenology differed broadly both between life stages and within the juvenile life stage in this community. A vertical gradient in temperature sums is the proposed mechanism explaining the patterns. Temperature sums accumulated more rapidly in the sheltered understory than in an open elevated area, similar to the canopy. Early leaf expansion by juvenile trees may result in a period of disproportionately higher carbon gain, similar to gains made during summer months from use of sun flecks.     

林冠结构、辐射传输与冠层光合作用研究综述

林冠内辐射的分布常用泊松分布、二项分布等来描述,主要取决于叶片的空间散布和状态。冠形与辐射分布和冠层光合作用密切相关,影响程度与地理纬度、太阳高度、林分密度等有关。叶片方位角为随机分布通常是合理的假设。叶倾角分布对叶片尺度的辐射吸收和光合作用是十分重要的,但在冠层尺度上的影响则小得多,并与其它冠层结构因素有关。由于叶倾角的测定十分困难,因而球面和椭球面叶倾角分布是常用的假设。不同的树冠分布方式及在     

Canopy development in young sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) stands in relation to changes with age in crown morphology and structure

In young sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) stands, crown shape (crown length/crown diameter) ratio, average branch inclination, and spatial density of foliage in the crown increased with stand age. Within crowns, foliage distribution increased from the apex downward and, until crown closure, reached a maximum near the crown base. After crown closure, the maximum occurred near the middle of the crown. In each stand, foliage distribution in the canopy showed almost the same vertical change over time as it did in individual crowns. The vertical distribution of foliage in the canopy moved upward with stand age, accompanied by an increase in canopy depth and leaf mass. The shape of the vertical distribution was almost symmetrical between the upper and lower halves in the closed stands, although slightly skewed downward. The logarithm of average spatial density decreased linearly as cumulative leaf mass increased with distance from the top of the canopy. The total cross-sectional area of the crowns exceeded the stand area from the middle of the canopy downward in the closed stands because of crown overlap. However, partly because of changes in crown morphology and structure, the increase in leaf mass with stand age did not always cause more severe crown competition.     

Summary models for light interception and light-use efficiency of non-homogeneous canopies

The application of detailed models of canopy photosynthesis rely on the estimation of attenuation of light in the canopy. This attenuation is readily estimated with the Lambert-Beer law when the canopy is homogeneous. In reality, forest canopies are far from homogeneous, and this has led to the use of detailed light extinction models that account for grouping of foliage between and within trees. Because such models require detailed parameterization and fine resolution inputs, they are impractical in larger-scale applications. Thus, there is interest in simplified models that can be readily parameterized. We developed two equations that can be used to estimate mean annual light interception by single unshaded trees and by stands of Poisson distributed trees. Interception by single trees is a function of crown surface area, the ratio of leaf area to crown surface area, the extinction coefficient in a homogeneous canopy--which can be determined separately--and one empirical parameter that depends on the mean solar angle. The summary model was tested against a detailed model of interception, and showed good agreement, although with slight bias. The results showed that crown surface area is a good summary variable for crown size and shape, because errors are independent of crown shape (ellipsoids, cones and height:width ratios). We also tested whether canopy photosynthesis is proportional to light interception across canopies differing in structure and leaf area index, and found that light-use efficiency is influenced by canopy structure. The model is useful in larger-scale applications because it can be parameterized with available data without the need for additional empirical parameters. It can also be used to study the effect of stand structure on mean annual light interception and productivity.     

Inferred longevity of Amazonian rainforest trees based on a long-term demographic study

We used data from a long-term (14–18 years) demographic study to infer the maximum longevity for populations of 93 relatively abundant tree species in central Amazonia. We also assessed the influence of several life-history features (wood density, growth form, mortality rate, recruitment rate, stem diameter, growth increment, population density) on tree longevity. Data on 3159 individual trees were collected in 24 permanent, 1 ha plots in undisturbed forest arrayed across a large (ca. 1000 km²) study area. For each species, three estimates of longevity were generated (by dividing the stem diameter of the largest tree by the median, upper quartile, and upper decile of observed diameter-growth rates), and the mean of these three values was used as a longevity estimate. Longevity values ranged from 48 years in the pioneer Pourouma bicolor (Cecropiaceae) to 981 years for the canopy tree Pouteria manaosensis (Sapotaceae), with an overall mean of 336±196 years. These growth-based estimates of maximum tree age were concordant with those derived from analyses of mean mortality rates. Tree longevity was positively correlated with wood density, maximum stem diameter, and population density, and negatively correlated with annual mortality, recruitment, and growth rates. On average, pioneer species had much lower longevity than did non-pioneers, whereas among old-growth trees, emergent species had greater longevity than did canopy species. Our results are consistent with radiocarbon-based studies that suggest that Amazonian trees can occasionally exceed 1000 years of age.     

Crown characteristics of juvenile loblolly pine 6 years after application of thinning and fertilization

Total foliage dry mass and leaf area at the canopy hierarchical level of needle, shoot, branch and crown were measured in 48 trees harvested from a 14-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation, six growing seasons after thinning and fertilization treatments.

In the unthinned treatment, upper crown needles were heavier and had more leaf area than lower crown needles. Branch- and crown-level leaf area of the thinned trees increased 91 and 109%, respectively, and whole-crown foliage biomass doubled. The increased crown leaf area was a result of more live branches and foliated shoots and larger branch sizes in the thinned treatment. Branch leaf area increased with increasing crown depth from the top to the mid-crown and decreased towards the base of the crown. Thinning stimulated foliage growth chiefly in the lower crown. At the same crown depth in the lower crown, branch leaf area was greater in the thinned treatment than in the unthinned treatment. Maximum leaf area per branch was located nearly 3–4 m below the top of the crown in the unthinned treatment and 4–5 m in the thinned treatment. Leaf area of the thinned-treatment trees increased 70% in the upper crown and 130% in the lower crown. Fertilization enhanced needle size and leaf area in the upper crown, but had no effect on leaf area and other variables at the shoot, branch and crown level. We conclude that the thinning-induced increase in light penetration within the canopy leads to increased branch size and crown leaf area. However, the branch and crown attributes have little response to fertilization and its interaction with thinning.     

Semi-forest coffee cultivation and the conservation of Ethiopian Afromontane rainforest fragments

Coffea arabica shrubs are indigenous to the understorey of the moist evergreen montane rainforest of Ethiopia. Semi-forest coffee is harvested from semi-wild plants in forest fragments where farmers thin the upper canopy and annually slash the undergrowth. This traditional method of coffee cultivation is a driver for preservation of indigenous forest cover, differing from other forms of agriculture and land use which tend to reduce forest cover. Because coffee farmers are primarily interested in optimizing coffee productivity, understanding how coffee yield is maximized is necessary to evaluate how, and to what extent, coffee production can be compatible with forest conservation.Abiotic variables and biotic variables of the canopy were recorded in 26 plots within 20 forest fragments managed as semi-forest coffee systems near Jimma, SW Ethiopia. In each plot, coffee shrub characteristics and coffee yield were recorded for four coffee shrubs. Cluster and indicator species analyses were used to differentiate plant communities of shade trees. A multilevel linear mixed model approach was then used to evaluate the effect of abiotic soil variables, shade tree plant community, canopy and stand variables, coffee density and coffee shrub size variables on coffee yield.Climax species of the rainforest were underrepresented in the canopy. There were three impoverished shade tree communities, which differed in tree species composition but did not exhibit significant differences in abiotic soil variables, and did not directly influence coffee yield. Coffee yield was primarily determined by coffee shrub branchiness and basal diameter. At the stand level a reduced crown closure increased coffee yield. Yield was highest for coffee shrubs in stands with crown closure less than median (49 ± 1%). All stands showed a reduced number of stems and a lower canopy compared to values reported for undisturbed moist evergreen montane rainforests.Traditional coffee cultivation is associated to low tree species diversity and simplified forest structure: few stems, low canopy height and low crown closure. Despite intensive human interference some of the climax species are still present and may escape local extinction if they are tolerated and allowed to regenerate. The restoration of healthy populations of climax species is critical to preserve the biodiversity, regeneration capacity, vitality and ecosystem functions of the Ethiopian coffee forests.     

Canopy cover effects on mass loss, and nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics from decomposing litter in oak and pine stands in northern Lower Michigan

Patterns of litter decomposition and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release in relation to various levels of canopy cover were examined using litterbags placed on the forest floor of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in northern Lower Michigan, USA. A series of experimental plots consisted of four levels of canopy cover treatments, i.e. clearcut, 25% (50% during first sampling year), 75%, and uncut. Mass loss from decomposing leaves was higher for oak leaves in red oak stands (approximately 60% loss of the original mass) than for pine needles in red pine stands (approximately 40% loss of the original mass) during the 2 year study period. Leaf mass loss in the clearcut red oak treatment was significantly higher than in the uncut red oak treatment. In contrast, no canopy cover effects on litter mass loss were found in red pine stands. Nitrogen concentrations in decomposing litter increased during the 2 year period in all canopy cover treatments in both stand types, but they did not differ significantly among canopy cover treatments. These results indicate that various levels of red oak and red pine canopy removal generally have a minor impact on litter decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release during the first 2 years following canopy manipulation, except in red oak clearcuts.     

Effects of growth rates, tree morphology and site conditions on longevity of Norway spruce in the northern Swiss Alps

Longevity of trees is known to be associated with growth rates, but also with tree morphology and spatial influences. However, very little quantitative information is available on the effects of these biotic and abiotic influences on maximum ages of trees. The objectives of this study were to investigate the trade-off between longevity and growth rates of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and to quantify the effects of tree morphology and abiotic site conditions on longevity of this species. Data were collected along different topographical and climatic gradients in a 20?×?25?km study area in the northern part of the Swiss Alps (Glarus). The ages of the more than 100 sampled dead Norway spruces ranged between 50 and 367?years. Longevity of these trees was negatively related to tree growth, i.e. slow-growing trees tended to grow older than fast-growing trees. Tree height was positively associated with longevity for both upper and lower storey trees. Longevity of lower storey trees was increased with large crown diameter, but decreased with long crown length. Upper storey trees growing at higher altitude tended to get older than at lower altitude. We conclude that the combined effects of growth rates, variability in site conditions and different traits of tree morphology determine tree longevity of Norway spruce in the Swiss Alps. Because longevity is tightly linked to mortality rates of tree populations, our study may improve our understanding of long-term processes of forest dynamics under current and future climate.     

Species proportions by area in mixtures of Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) and European beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.)

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominate many of the European forest stands. Also, mixtures of European beech and Scots pine more or less occur over all European countries, but have been scarcely investigated. The area occupied by each species is of high relevance, especially for growth evaluation and comparison of different species in mixed and monospecific stands. Thus, we studied different methods to describe species proportions and their definition as proportion by area. 25 triplets consisting of mixed and monospecific stands were established across Europe ranging from Lithuania to Spain in northern to southern direction and from Bulgaria to Belgium in eastern to western direction. On stand level, the conclusive method for estimating the species proportion as a fraction of the stand area relates the observed density (tree number or basal area) to its potential. This stand-level estimation makes use of the potential from comparable neighboring monospecific stands or from maximum density lines derived from other data, e.g. forest inventories or permanent observations plots. At tree level, the fraction of the stand area occupied by a species can be derived from the proportions of their crown projection area or of their leaf area. The estimates of the potentials obtained from neighboring monospecific stands, especially in older stands, were poorer than those from the maximum density line depending on the Martonne aridity index. Therefore, the stand-level method in combination with the Martonne aridity index for potential densities can be highly recommended. The species’ proportions estimated with this method are best approximated by the proportions of the species’ leaf areas. In forest practice, the most commonly applied method is an ocular estimation of the proportions by crown projection area. Even though the proportions of pine were calculated here by measuring crown projection areas in the field, we found this method to underestimate the proportion by 25% compared to the stand-level approach.     

Decreased needle longevity of fertilized Douglas-fir and grand fir in the northern Rockies

Changes in nutrient availability significantly affect canopy dynamics in conifers. To elucidate these effects, we experimentally fertilized mixed conifer stands at several sites across the northern Rocky Mountains. We measured needle longevity, total branch length and foliated length along the main branch axis, and determined mean retained cohort length on mid-canopy branches of shade-intolerant Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) and shade-tolerant grand fir (Abies grandis Lindl.). Needle longevity ranged from 6 to 8 years in Douglas-fir and from 7 to 8 years in grand fir on unfertilized plots. Fertilization significantly decreased needle longevity by 26 and 27% in Douglas-fir and grand fir, respectively. However, the foliated branch length remained unchanged following fertilization and was similar for both species, indicating a 33% increase in mean branch length per needle cohort in Douglas-fir and a 27% increase in grand fir. These data are consistent with the theory that foliated branch length and needle longevity are a result of the ecological light compensation point (ELCP), which links the inherent physiology of the leaf with the availability of resources in the leaf environment. Mid-canopy ELCP was approximately 74 and 71 cm from the branch terminus in Douglas-fir and grand fir, respectively, regardless of fertilization. We hypothesize that fertilization-enhanced needle production and annual shoot growth resulted in a higher rate of shading of older needles. The shaded needles were unable to maintain a positive carbon balance and abscised. The results demonstrate that foliated branch length of Douglas-fir and grand fir in the northern Rocky Mountains can be treated as a homeostatic response to fertilization, whereas foliar turnover is plastic.     

Assessment of allometric algorithms for estimating leaf biomass, leaf area index and litter fall in different-aged Sitka spruce forests

The relationship between leaf area and diameter at breast height(d.b.h.) or sapwood area (AS) has been used to estimate standleaf area or biomass of forest canopies. It has been suggestedthat intra-specific variations in the relationship between standleaf area and d.b.h. or AS can introduce a systematic errorin these estimates for younger and older stands unless additionalparameters relating to canopy structure are included in allometricfunctions. We collected data from a Sitka spruce chronosequenceto parametrize and test different algorithms for the estimationof foliar biomass (FB) and litter inputs over a range of forestages. FB estimates were significantly improved when additionalbiometric information relating to crown structure (canopy opennessand height of live crown) was included in the models. Althoughthe use of the relationship between leaf area and AS for theestimation of leaf area is justified by theoretical considerations(pipe model theory), we show that d.b.h. and other canopy parametersprovided the most robust estimation of leaf area across different-agedstands. Our results also suggest that the accuracy of litterinput estimates depends on needle retention time and annualturnover rate, particularly immediately before and after canopyclosure.     

Canopy cover effects on nitrogen and phosphorus status in understory vegetation in oak and pine stands

The rate of change of leaf mass, N and P levels in understory vegetation at various levels of canopy cover were measured for 2 years following canopy cover manipulations in northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in northern Lower Michigan, USA. Canopy cover treatments consisted of clearcut, 25% (50% during first sampling year), 75%, and uncut. Leaf mass, and N and P contents were significantly higher in the clearcut treatment than in other canopy cover treatments, except for the 25% treatment in red pine stands. Leaf N concentrations in understory vegetation were also significantly higher in the clearcut (1991, 20.8mgg^–1; 1992, 22.4mgg^–1) than in the uncut treatment (1991, 16.5mgg^–1; 1992, 16.9mgg^–1). Canopy type (northern red oak and red pine) had little influence on understory nutrient status and leaf mass. In addition, fronds of bracken ferns in all canopy cover treatments in both northern red oak and pine stands were a major sink of nutrients in the understory. The results of this study showed that partial canopy removal generally had only a minor impact on understory leaf production and nutrient status compared with clearcuts during the 2-year period following canopy removal.     

Species diversity of broad-leaved trees in Cryptomeria japonica plantations in relation to the distance from adjacent broad-leaved forests

The species diversity of broad-leaved trees in relation to the distance from a broad-leaved forest was investigated in Cryptomeria japonica plantations with crown snow damage near the Japan Sea in central Japan. The number and diversity of species and stem density decreased with distance from the broad-leaved forest in maturing gap stands (51–58 years old; >10 years after crown snow damage), but not in recent gap stands (34–42 years old; <10 years after crown snow damage), and increased with improved light conditions in the interior of recent gap stands, but not in that of maturing gap stands. The stem densities of tall and small tree species and woody lianas were greater in the interior of recent gap stands than in maturing gap stands. Woody lianas, which are characteristically shade intolerant, had a high stem density in the interior of recent gap stands. In contrast, the stem density of shrubs was greater in maturing gap stands than in recent gap stands, irrespective of distance. Shade-tolerant shrubs had a high stem density in maturing gap stands. Wind-dispersed and frugivore-dispersed species were concentrated at the edges of maturing gap stands, but some frugivore-dispersed species, which may persist in soil seed banks, occurred in the interior of recent gap stands. Gravity-dispersed species tended to occur both at the plantation edge and in the interior. The differences in the occurrence patterns of broad-leaved trees in the two types of stands reflected the difference in the effect of both the distance from the adjacent broad-leaved forest and the light conditions related to canopy gaps, with the time since gap formation in a region where crown snow damage often occurs.     

Leaf traits in relation to crown development, light interception and growth of elite families of loblolly and slash pine

Crown architecture and size influence leaf area distribution within tree crowns and have large effects on the light environment in forest canopies. The use of selected genotypes in combination with silvicultural treatments that optimize site conditions in forest plantations provide both a challenge and an opportunity to study the biological and environmental determinants of forest growth. We investigated tree growth, crown development and leaf traits of two elite families of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and one family of slash pine (P. elliottii Mill.) at canopy closure. Two contrasting silvicultural treatments -- repeated fertilization and control of competing vegetation (MI treatment), and a single fertilization and control of competing vegetation treatment (C treatment) -- were applied at two experimental sites in the West Gulf Coastal Plain in Texas and Louisiana. At a common tree size (diameter at breast height), loblolly pine trees had longer and wider crowns, and at the plot-level, intercepted a greater fraction of photosynthetic photon flux than slash pine trees. Leaf-level, light-saturated assimilation rates (A(max)) and both mass- and area-based leaf nitrogen (N) decreased, and specific leaf area (SLA) increased with increasing canopy depth. Leaf-trait gradients were steeper in crowns of loblolly pine trees than of slash pine trees for SLA and leaf N, but not for A(max). There were no species differences in A(max), except in mass-based photosynthesis in upper crowns, but the effect of silvicultural treatment on A(max) differed between sites. Across all crown positions, A(max) was correlated with leaf N, but the relationship differed between sites and treatments. Observed patterns of variation in leaf properties within crowns reflected acclimation to developing light gradients in stands with closing canopies. Tree growth was not directly related to A(max), but there was a strong correlation between tree growth and plot-level light interception in both species. Growth efficiency was unaffected by silvicultural treatment. Thus, when coupled with leaf area and light interception at the crown and canopy levels, A(max) provides insight into family and silvicultural effects on tree growth.     

Snag longevity of Douglas-fir,western hemlock,and western redcedar from permanent sample plots in coastal British Columbia

Snags are important both as structural components and as animal habitat in forests, but abundance is often low and their dynamics poorly understood in young, managed stands. Using a large data set of 19,622 snags from permanent plots in second-growth forests of coastal British Columbia, we modeled snag longevity (time from tree mortality to snag fall) for three species: Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western redcedar (Thuja plicata). Snag longevity was strongly related to species and snag size (diameter): the median snag longevity was 16 years for Douglas-fir, 11 years for hemlock and 5 years for redcedar. Western redcedar was predominantly in the subcanopy and its rapid fall rate was related to the small size of its snags. In addition to diameter, other attributes (height to diameter ratio, height, and live crown ratio before death) contributed significantly to models for one or two of the species. However, site level variables did not contribute significantly to any of the models. Snags greater than 50 cm diameter, especially Douglas-fir snags, have the potential for persistence well beyond 20 years in these second-growth forests, and could be important for wildlife.     

Effects of moisture content and specific gravity on static bending properties and hardness of six wood species

This study was designed to investigate the effects of moisture content (MC) and specific gravity (SG) on the bending strength and hardness of six wood species including Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), red meranti (Shorea spp.), Selangan batu (Shorea spp.), and red oak (Quercus spp.). The experimental results are summarized as follows: Effects of MC and SG on the strength (MOR), stiffness (MOE), and hardness (H _B) could be represented by a multiregression formulas. A negative correlation existed between these properties and MC, whereas a postive correlation showed between them and the SG. The changing rate of these properties induced by 1% MC changes varied with the wood species: 2.6% change in MOR was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, western hemlock, red meranti, and Selangan batu; and 3.9% was found in red oak. For MOE, a 0.58% change was observed in Japanese cedar, China fir, and red meranti; western hemlock and Selangan batu exhibited 1.2% and red oak 2.5%. For hardness, a 1.1% change was observed in Japanese cedar, western hemlock, and red oak; red meranti and China fir exhibited 3.3%; and Selangan batu 1.8%.A part of this report was presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Shizuoka, Japan, April 3-5, 1998     

Canopy dynamics and aboveground production of five tree species with different leaf longevities

Canopy dynamics and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) were studied in replicated monospecific and dual-species plantations comprised of species with different leaf longevities. In the monospecific plantations, leaf longevity averaged 5, 6, 36, 46 and 66 months for Quercus rubra L., Larix decidua Miller, Pinus strobus L., Pinus resinosa Ait. and Picea abies (L.) Karst., respectively. Specific leaf area, maximum net photosynthesis per unit mass (A/mass), leaf N per unit mass (N(leaf)/mass) and maximum net photosynthesis on a leaf N basis (A/N(leaf)) were inversely correlated to leaf longevity (r(2) = 0.92-0.97, 0.91, 0.88 and 0.80, respectively). Maximum net photosynthesis per unit area (A/area) was not correlated to leaf longevity, whereas leaf N per unit area (N(leaf)/area) was positively correlated to leaf longevity (r(2) = 0.95). For a similar-diameter conifer, species with long-lived foliage supported a greater foliage mass than species with short-lived foliage; however, Quercus rubra did not follow this pattern. At the stand level, total foliage mass ranged from 3.3 to 30.5 Mg ha(-1) and was positively correlated (r(2) = 0.97) to leaf longevity. Leaf area index (LAI) was also positively correlated (r(2) = 0.82) to leaf longevity. Production efficiency (ANPP/LAI) was inversely related to leaf longevity and positively related to A/mass. Aboveground biomass and net primary production differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the five species but were not correlated to leaf longevity, total foliage mass or leaf area. In monospecific plantations, stem NPP for Larix decidua was 17% greater than for Pinus strobus and 14% less than for Picea abies, but in mixed-species plantations stem NPP for Larix decidua was 62 and 85% greater than for Pinus strobus and Picea abies, respectively. Similar aboveground net primary production rates can be attained by tree species with different leaf longevities because of trade-offs resulting from different structural and physiological leaf and canopy characteristics that are correlated to each other and to leaf longevity.     

Height models for Red Alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) in British Columbia

Interest in managing red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) for pulp, lumber and improving site quality is increasing. Proper management of this species requires growth and yield information. Height-age and years to breast height models developed for western Washington and northwestern Oregon are being used in British Columbia. It is unknown whether these models are suitable for British Columbia's conditions. Therefore, new models were developed from thirty stem analysis plots established in red alder stands in coastal areas of British Columbia. The sample trees in the plots were intensively sampled by taking sections out of the tree stems and counting the annual growth rings on each section. This led to height-age data for each tree, which was then averaged by age to get plot height-age data. Years to breast height and height-age models were developed from these data and are summarized in this paper. The height-age model was anamorphic, which contrasts with the model previously used in British Columbia. The new years to breast height model provides more resolution than the previous model.     

Canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests

Canopy fuel characteristics that influence the initiation and spread of crown fires were measured in representative Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) stands in Greece. Vertical distribution profiles of canopy fuel load, canopy base height and canopy bulk density are presented. Aleppo pine canopy fuels are characterized by low canopy base height (3.0–6.5 m), while available canopy fuel load (0.96–1.80 kg/m²) and canopy bulk density (0.09–0.22 kg/m³) values are similar to other conifers worldwide. Crown fire behavior (probability of crown fire initiation, crown fire type, rate of spread, fireline intensity and flame length) in Aleppo pine stands with various understory fuel types was simulated with the most updated crown fire models. The probability of crown fire initiation was high even under moderate burning conditions, mainly due to the low canopy base height and the heavy surface fuel load. Passive crown fires resulted mostly in uneven aged stands, while even aged stands gave high intensity active crown fires. Assessment of canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior can be useful in fuel management and fire suppression planning.