A Novel Approach to Evaluate the Effect of Neighboring Trees and the Orientation of Tree Social Area on Stem Radial Increment of Norway Spruce Trees

0542574 - ÚVGZ 2022 RIV CH eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Světlík, Jan - Krejza, Jan - Bednář, P.
A Novel Approach to Evaluate the Effect of Neighboring Trees and the Orientation of Tree Social Area on Stem Radial Increment of Norway Spruce Trees.
Forests. Roč. 12, č. 2 (2021), č. článku 163. E-ISSN 1999-4907
Grant CEP: GA MŠMT(CZ) LM2018123
Výzkumná infrastruktura: CzeCOS III - 90123
Institucionální podpora: RVO:86652079
Klíčová slova: Picea abies [L * ] Karts * competition * tree dimension * radial growth * tree increment * carbon sequestration * growing space
Obor OECD: Forestry
Impakt faktor: 3.282, rok: 2021
Způsob publikování: Open access
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/2/163

Tree growth depends on many factors such as microsite conditions, vitality, and variations in climate and genetics. It is generally accepted that higher growth indicates both an economic benefit and better vitality of any tree. Here we use a modified approach of evaluating tree social area to study mutual tree competition based on the orientation and shape of trees social area. The investigation was performed in nine Norway spruce stands in the Czech Republic. The objective of this study performed from 2008 to 2012 was to quantify relative tree radial increments with respect to the lowest and highest competition found in specific sectors of tree social area (AS). Specific groups of trees (tree classes) were evaluated according to their classes (dominant, co-dominant and sub-dominant) and their composition status in ninety-degree sectors of AS using established classifying rules. The results showed that a spatially-available area (AA) is an inappropriate parameter for predicting tree growth, whereas AS provided robust explanatory power to predict relative radial growth. Tree size was observed as an important indicator of relative radial increments. A significantly positive correlation was found for a radial increment of sub-dominant trees with the lowest competition from western directions, whereas a negative correlation was observed when the lowest competition was observed from eastern directions. For dominant trees, there was an evident growth reaction only when more than 50% of the AS was oriented towards one of the cardinal points. Individual differences in the orientation of tree AS may be important parameters with regard to competition and its spatial variability within an area surrounding a particular tree and deserve more detailed attention in tree growth models and practice.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0319959