A spatially explicit empirical model of structural development processes in natural forests based on climate and topography.

ABSTRACT: Stand structure develops with stand age. Old-growth forests with well-developed stand structure support many species. However, development rates of stand structure likely vary with climate and topography. We modeled structural development of 4 key stand variables and a composite old-growth index as functions of climatic and topographic covariates. We used a hierarchical Bayesian method for analysis of extensive snap-shot National Forest Inventory (NFI) data in Japan (n = 9244) to account for differences in stand age. Development rates of structural variables and the old-growth index exhibited curvilinear responses to environmental covariates. Flat sites were characterized by high rates of structural development. Approximately 150 years were generally required to attain high values (approxi

SUBMITTER: Yamaura Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7027480 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature