The impact of initial stand density and site index on maximum stand density index and self-thinning index in a stand self-thinning model

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 1995-07, Vol.75 (1), p.61-68
• Main Authors: Tang, Shouzheng, Meng, Fan-Rui, Meng, Chao Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACLAREO; Biological and medical sciences; CARACTERISTICAS DEL SITIO; ECLAIRCISSAGE; EUCALYPTUS REGNANS; FACTEUR LIE AU SITE; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; Growth model; Larix olgensis; MODELE; MODELOS; PLANT POPULATION; POBLACION VEGETAL; POPULATION VEGETALE; Production. Biomass; Self-thinning; SITE FACTORS; Stand density; Stocking deficiency; THINNING
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1127(95)03538-L

A procedure was developed to test the impacts of the initial stand density and site index on the parameters of a previously established stand self-thinning model. The model being tested has four parameters: maximum density index, self-thinning index, maximum self-thinning rate and stand stocking deficiency coefficient. Data from a spacing experiment with Australian mountain ash ( Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell) were used to test the impact of initial stand density on the maximum density index and the self-thinning index. Data from a plantation experiment of Changbai larch ( Larix olgensis Henry) from China were used to test the impact of the site indices. It was found that both maximum density index and self-thinning index are not significantly affected by initial stand densities. No significant site index effects on these two parameters were detected with the limited data on the Changbai larch. It was found that the stocking deficiency coefficient is site specific and decreases with increasing initial stand density. The model predictions based on the estimated parameters were found to agree closely with field observations.