Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation
IntroductionStand density management is essential for adaptive silviculture, thinning decisions, growth modeling, and yield prediction in forestry, particularly for plantations. Despite extensive research on self-thinning rules and the maximum size-density law, significant gaps remain in the biophys...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1444807/full |
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| author | Shisheng Long Siqi Zeng Guangxing Wang |
| author_facet | Shisheng Long Siqi Zeng Guangxing Wang |
| author_sort | Shisheng Long |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionStand density management is essential for adaptive silviculture, thinning decisions, growth modeling, and yield prediction in forestry, particularly for plantations. Despite extensive research on self-thinning rules and the maximum size-density law, significant gaps remain in the biophysical understanding and validation of the relationships among key stand variables and parameters.MethodsThis study theoretically explored and validated the relationship between maximum size-density and two key metrics: average diameter at breast height (D) and tree height (H). We used time-series data from a 30-year clear-cut, fully stocked Chinese fir plantation, a fast-growing commercial species in China, for validation.ResultsA growth balance status for fully stocked stands was proposed, wherein prior to self-thinning, the growth rate of the stand basal area (G) aligns with that of the average tree height (H), expressed as G'/(G−b0)=H'/H and approaching a constant slope, b1. Generalized maximum size-density and stand density index (SDI) equations were developed: N1.0=A×D−2 and SDI=A⋅D−2 with A=4×(b0+b1H)/π, differing from traditional equations. Additionally, a generalized self-thinning equation, v=kHqN1.0−1 or w=c1HqN1.0−1, was introduced, indicating that in fully stocked stands, tree volume or biomass depends on both tree height and tree count.DiscussionThese findings advance understanding of the maximum size-density law and self-thinning boundary, providing refined tools for managing stand density in Chinese fir plantations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e26226a62fae4e09bcffb031d44b8642 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-e26226a62fae4e09bcffb031d44b86422024-11-15T04:50:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2024-11-011510.3389/fpls.2024.14448071444807Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validationShisheng Long0Siqi Zeng1Guangxing Wang2Faculty of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaFaculty of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Resources, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United StatesIntroductionStand density management is essential for adaptive silviculture, thinning decisions, growth modeling, and yield prediction in forestry, particularly for plantations. Despite extensive research on self-thinning rules and the maximum size-density law, significant gaps remain in the biophysical understanding and validation of the relationships among key stand variables and parameters.MethodsThis study theoretically explored and validated the relationship between maximum size-density and two key metrics: average diameter at breast height (D) and tree height (H). We used time-series data from a 30-year clear-cut, fully stocked Chinese fir plantation, a fast-growing commercial species in China, for validation.ResultsA growth balance status for fully stocked stands was proposed, wherein prior to self-thinning, the growth rate of the stand basal area (G) aligns with that of the average tree height (H), expressed as G'/(G−b0)=H'/H and approaching a constant slope, b1. Generalized maximum size-density and stand density index (SDI) equations were developed: N1.0=A×D−2 and SDI=A⋅D−2 with A=4×(b0+b1H)/π, differing from traditional equations. Additionally, a generalized self-thinning equation, v=kHqN1.0−1 or w=c1HqN1.0−1, was introduced, indicating that in fully stocked stands, tree volume or biomass depends on both tree height and tree count.DiscussionThese findings advance understanding of the maximum size-density law and self-thinning boundary, providing refined tools for managing stand density in Chinese fir plantations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1444807/fullself-thinning rulestand densitytree heightstand density indexChinese fir plantation |
| spellingShingle | Shisheng Long Siqi Zeng Guangxing Wang Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation Frontiers in Plant Science self-thinning rule stand density tree height stand density index Chinese fir plantation |
| title | Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| title_full | Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| title_fullStr | Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| title_short | Dynamics of stand density and self-thinning in Chinese fir plantations: theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| title_sort | dynamics of stand density and self thinning in chinese fir plantations theoretical insights and empirical validation |
| topic | self-thinning rule stand density tree height stand density index Chinese fir plantation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1444807/full |
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