Johansson, Tord
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
In the study 104 stands of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.], silver birch ( Betula pendula Roth), downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), common alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner], grey alder (Alnus incana Moench) and European aspen (Populus tremula L.) were used for developing site index conversion equations by analysing stands where two or more species were growing close to each other. The stands were located at latitude 56 - 63 degrees N in Sweden. In most localities paired comparisons were made between Norway spruce and one of the broadleaved species, but in some cases paired comparisons were made with two of the broadleaved species. In all, 46, 39, 37, 21 and 20 pairings of Norway spruce with European aspen, silver birch, downy birch, common alder and grey alder, respectively, were measured and analysed in the study. Coefficients of determination for predicted equations varied between 0.31 and 0.51 for pairs of Norway spruce and the broadleaved species. The presented site index conversion equations could be used as tools for choosing appropriate species for a site. The information provided by the site indicator(s) should be used as one factor when making final management decisions regarding future forest stands for the production of wood products or for maintaining desired levels of biodiversity.
Keywords
common alder; grey alder; downy birch; European aspen; forest management; Norway spruce; silver birch; site index conversion equation
Published in
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
2006, volume: 21, number: 1, pages: 14-19
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Forest Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580500526015
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/8636