Growth Reactions of Sub-Alpine Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) Following One-Sided Light Exposure (Case Study at Davos “Lusiwald”)

In 1982, several rectangular openings were cut in a 100 year old sub-alpine Norway spruce forest stand to initiate regeneration at the Lusiwald site at Davos, Switzerland. The openings on the steep, north-facing slope created rapid changes to the environment of the border trees. Growth reactions of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tree-ring research 2006-01, Vol.62 (2), p.67-73
Main Authors: Bräker, Otto U., Baumann, Ernst
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Davos
disturbance
forest gaps
forest openings
growth release
light limitation
Picea abies
Radial increment
regeneration
Research Reports
Switzerland
tree rings
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Summary:In 1982, several rectangular openings were cut in a 100 year old sub-alpine Norway spruce forest stand to initiate regeneration at the Lusiwald site at Davos, Switzerland. The openings on the steep, north-facing slope created rapid changes to the environment of the border trees. Growth reactions of these border trees were compared and analysed with reference trees from the adjacent closed canopy stand in 1997. The radial growth pattern of the two data sets differed within the 14-year period since the openings were cut; the border trees showed growth releases. The growth reaction at the stem base was larger than at breast height. Changes in wind exposure may have influenced border trees to adapt their root systems. Sub-alpine Norway spruce stands aged around 100 years, which are usually considered slow-growing on a north aspect, still seem capable of reacting to greater resource availability such as sudden light changes.
ISSN:1536-1098
2162-4585
DOI:10.3959/1536-1098-62.2.67