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Tree Height Distribution in Young Naturally Regenerated Forests in Järvselja, Estonia

Journal article published in 2014 by Vivika Kängsepp, Ahto Kangur, Andres Kiviste
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Preprint: policy unknown
Question mark in circle
Postprint: policy unknown
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Published version: policy unknown

Abstract

Height distribution patterns of young, especially naturally regenerated mixed broadleaves stands, have not been extensively studied in Estonia. Still, the percentage of stands left for natural regeneration is increasing and today, 70% of clear-cut stands left for natural afforestation are regenerating by 76% with broadleaved species. Growth assessment of young stands, especially stands before canopy closure, gives possibility to assess forest site potential and to develop realistic predictions for following periods. In Estonia, the growth modelling of young stands is based on tree species abundance and average height estimation. At the same time it is different from for the older stands, where the modelling is based on tree species average basal area and average tree height after canopy closure. Data was collected from three test stands (final felling year respectively 1996, 2000 and 2002) with 9 study areas where 45 forest regeneration study plots were established and measured in 2005 at Järvselja Training and Experimental Forest Centre. The study plots were re-measured 4–6 times between the years 2006 and 2012. Suitability of Weibull distribution for height distributions on consecutive years was tested and Weibull parameters were analysed. Annual height growth model was created in order to assess yearly dynamics, where the effects of significant model parameters were separately assessed. Analysis indicates that empirical height distributions of young regenerated forests do not fit well to theoretical distributions, but in many cases, distribution configurations resemble. The annual growth analysis showed that annual increment is significantly influenced by particular calendar year.