A model to assess relationships between forest dynamics and spatial structure
Authored by MA Moravie, A Robert
Date Published: 2003
DOI: 10.1111/j.1654-1103.2003.tb02215.x
Sponsors:
GIP Ecofor
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
A spatially explicit model was developed to study the relationships
between the dynamics and spatial structure of forest stands. The
objective was to test whether tree spatial structure can be used as an
indicator of stand dynamics. The model simulates the growth, mortality
and recruitment of trees in a multi-specific and Uneven aged stand. It
includes deterministic and stochastic processes so that repeated
simulations do not lead to the same stand but provide several possible
results for a given dynamic (defined by a set of parameters).
Second-order neighbourhood analyses were used to characterize the
resulting spatial structures. They showed a high variability for a given
set of parameters. Only the main trends in the spatial Structure can be
interpreted. Sensitivity analyses, concerning the influence of
competition on spatial structure. showed that in heterogeneous stands
confounding effects can hinder the interpretation of the spatial
structure if all the trees are considered. The spatial structure of the
canopy trees alone proved easier to interpret as it is directly linked
to post recruitment competition. Inference on the dominant modality of
competition (one-sided or two-sided) based on the spatial structure
proved difficult.
Tags
Simulation
Light
pattern
Tree growth
Pine forest
Point-processes
Ecological field-theory
Competition indexes
Basal area
Individual
trees