Assessing the effects of management on forest growth across France: insights from a new functional-structural model.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The structure of a forest stand, i.e. the distribution of tree size features, has strong effects on its functioning. The management of the structure is therefore an important tool in mitigating the impact of predicted changes in climate on forests, especially with respect to drought. Here, a new functional-structural model is presented and is used to assess the effects of management on forest functioning at a national scale.

Methods

The stand process-based model (PBM) CASTANEA was coupled to a stand structure module (SSM) based on empirical tree-to-tree competition rules. The calibration of the SSM was based on a thorough analysis of intersite and interannual variability of competition asymmetry. The coupled CASTANEA-SSM model was evaluated across France

SUBMITTER: Guillemot J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4217684 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature