Title: Structure of high-elevation, old-growth stands in west-central British Columbia
Abstract: We described quantitatively the height distributions of three high-elevation, old-growth stands in the Engelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir zone of west-central British Columbia. The stands were composed of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), with very few Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) trees; had a two-storied canopy; and were multiaged. The height distributions were quantified by fitting curves to the cumulative frequency distributions. The diameter distributions of the study stands were reverse-J shaped and similar to those of other old-growth Engelmann spruce subalpine fir stands in the Pacific Northwest; however, the height distributions were different, indicating the presence of two canopy layers. We suggest that high-elevation, subalpine boreal, old-growth stands composed of shade-tolerant tree species may display a modal height distribution instead of a reverse-J shape. This structural pattern is suggestive of the transition between the gap-phase and tree-island regeneration models and of the cyclic mode of succession.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 9
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