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Tree crown structure indicators in a natural uneven-aged mixed coniferous forest in northeastern Mexico

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Characterization of tree crown structure provides critical information to assess a variety of ecological conditions for multiple purposes and applications. For biomass growth, for example, tree crowns have basic physiological functions: assimilation, respiration, and transpiration. How tree crowns spatially interact and grow can bring about a seamless landscape of unique features and microclimatic conditions that are highly relevant to biological diversity, soil processes, productivity, wildlife habitats, ecosystem health and sustainability. Approaches to measuring tree crown structure and variability within multiple diameter distributions are particularly important in uneven-aged, multispecies natural stands. Results of using the “Weibull bimodal probability distribution function” to model diameter distributions of multi-storied stands and various crown index measurements to describe their respective tree crown attributes and properties are presented and discussed. Specific patterns of values of these indices were found which suggest they have potential for use as indicators of crown structure complexity and variability across a wide spectrum of forest conditions and types. In light of these results, we also address the relevance of these results for forest inventory and monitoring programs. Funding for this research was provided by Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACYT; Project 333919-B) and Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.

Parent Publication

Keywords

monitoring, assessment, sustainability, Western Hemisphere, sustainable management, ecosystem resources, tree crown structure, Northeastern Mexico, biomass growth

Citation

Jimenez-Perez, Javier; Aguirre-Calderon, Oscar; Kramer, Horst. 2006. Tree crown structure indicators in a natural uneven-aged mixed coniferous forest in northeastern Mexico. In: Aguirre-Bravo, C.; Pellicane, Patrick J.; Burns, Denver P.; Draggan, Sidney, Eds. 2006. Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 649-654.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/26552