Early growth and development of Douglas-fir in relation to interspecific competition
department or school: Forestry, Faculty of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Brand, David George
issued: 2010-06-11T11:41:56Z
issued: 1985
related degree: Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: An interlocking group of studies was carried out to address the concept of the free-to-grow seedling. This term is an attempt to define plantation establishment in a manner cognizant of early hazards from brush competition and other stresses. The studies were carried out on one- to five-year old Douglas-fir plantations on moist, rich sites in coastal British Columbia. Data were generated from field measurements and harvest sampling of the planted trees and their associated competing vegetation. On these productive sites, tree growth appears sensitive to interference from neighbouring brush species. An index implying competitive shading was derived and proved a useful measure of stress on the planted trees, particularly when measured as a relative production rate. Growth losses varied with the light environment at specific crown positions. Therefore, height growth was not affected by competition until the terminal leader was shaded. This allows height growth to remain independent of competition level until the tree is overtopped on these sites. The trees studied showed great ability to acclimate and survive relatively heavy shading by competing vegetation. After competition release treatment, trees were generally able to re-acclimate the current seasons growth to the increased light intensity. Growth following competition release was significantly improved by a chemical brush control treatment, while mechanical brushing resulted in little net change in competition levels after one year. The growth on these trees in the year following release from competition was also best measured as a relative production rate. The vegetation on untreated areas followed a strong successional trend during the period studied. The trend was a function of differences in height growth patterns between species modified by leaf area index. In general, woody species tend to succeed geophytes and microphanerophytes on these sites. A proposed free-to-grow definition in biological terms states …
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/25570
note: EARLY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF DOUGLAS-FIR IN RELATION TO INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION By DAVID GEORGE BRAND B. Sc. F., The University of Toronto, 1978 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Science) We accept t h i s thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A p r i l 1985 ©David George Brand In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make i t freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It i s understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of fotf&ST £ej£Mc£. The University of British Columbia 1956 Main Mall Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Y3 Date ii THESIS ABSTRACT An interlocking group of studies was carried out to address the concept of the free-to-grow seedling. This term is an attempt to define plantation establishment in a manner cognizant of early hazards from brush competition and other stresses. The studies were carried out on one- to five-year old Douglas-fir plantations on moist, rich sites in coastal British Columbia. Data were generated from field measurements and harvest sampling of the planted trees and their associated competing vegetation. On these productive sites, tree growth appears sensitive to interference from neighbouring brush species. An index implying competitive shading was derived and proved a useful measure of stress on the planted trees, particularly when measured as a relative production rate. Growth losses varied with the light environment at specific crown positions. Therefore, height growth was not…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0096544
language: eng
degree discipline: Forestry
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/25570