Abstract

If equilibrium is assumed in unmanaged forests, the volume of coarse woody debris (CWD), V-CWD, may be calculated from (i) the volume of living trees, V-living, (ii) average volume of a dead stem in relation to when it was alive, k, (iii) tree mortality rate, m, and (iv) residence time of CWD, t, by the equation V-CWD = V(living)kmt. We parameterized this equation with data from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) dominated forests in Fennoscandia. The V-living was assumed to be directly proportional to forest productivity. Tree mortality data were from the National Forest Inventory, while it was difficult to find quantitative data on k and t. The predicted amounts (74-138 m(3)/ha, with larger amounts in the south) and size distribution (a negative exponential distribution of the number of stems) of CWD corresponded fairly well to averages from field inventories. By using a computer simulation program, the variability in tree mortality, density of living trees, and residence time of CWD were considered. In the simulations, the amount of CWD varied widely between 1-ha plots, especially for individual decay classes. Therefore, this model could be used to predict averages from larger landscapes unaffected by large disturbances, while no model can predict the amount of CWD at individual plots

Published in

Canadian Journal of Forest Research
2004, Volume: 34, number: 5, pages: 1025-1034
Publisher: NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA

SLU Authors

• Ranius, Thomas

  • Department of Entomology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/X03-271

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/5005