Long-term spatial dynamics in an old-growth deciduous forest |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Chemical Processes Engineering. University of Alicante, PO 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain. |
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| Abstract: | In 1926, 1976, and 1986 stems (≥ 10 cm diameter at 1.37 m (dbh)) were measured and mapped in a 4 ha interior study area on the Davis-Purdue Research Forest in east-central Indiana. Spatial pattern type was determined using the Clark and Evans's index, and Ripley's L function. The G function was used to examine spatial dispersion at intertree distances (< 20 m). Spatial pattern of combined size classes shifted from weakly non-random in 1926 to uniform in 1976 and 1986. Neighborhood density was depressed for 2 m in 1976 and 5 m in 1986. Peak in neighborhood density at 6 m suggested trees were spaced 6 m apart. Subcanopy (10–25 cm dbh) tree spatial pattern shifted from aggregated in 1926 to uniform in 1976. The spatial pattern of canopy (> 25 dbh) trees was uniform between 1926 and 1986. Density-dependent mortality and ingrowth processes are maintaining uniform spatial distributions. Initial neighborhood tree distribution was higher around trees which died in the periods 1926–1976 and 1976–1986 than for contemporary survivors, i.e. trees which survived this period had fewer neighboring trees within 6 m at the beginning of the period than did trees which died. The higher initial neighborhood densities around mortality trees than survivors supports density-dependent mortality. Ingrowth was inhibited in a 6 m zone proximite to established trees for both the 1926–1976 and 1976–1986 periods. |
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