Publications [#259424] of James S. Clark
search PubMed.Papers Published
- Wyckoff, PH; Clark, JS, Tree growth prediction using size and exposed crown area,
Canadian Journal of Forest Research, vol. 35 no. 1
(January, 2005),
pp. 13-20, Canadian Science Publishing [doi] .
(last updated on 2024/04/24)Abstract:
We address the relationships between tree growth rate and growing environment for 21 co-occurring species. Tree growth rates are obtained from mapped plots at the Coweeta Long-Term Ecological Research site in the southern Appalachian Mountains. We employ high-resolution aerial photography to assess the light environment for trees growing in these plots, using exposed crown area (ECA) as a surrogate for light interception. The relationship between growth and ECA is compared with two other growth predictors: tree size and shade-tolerance classification. We find that ECA is an excellent predictor of tree growth (average R2 = 0.69 for nine species). When ECA is combined with tree size, growth rate prediction is improved (average R 2 = 0.76). Tree size alone is also a strong predictor of tree growth (average R2 = 0.68). Shade-tolerance classification, by contrast, is a poor predictor of tree growth. © 2005 NRC Canada.