Abstract
The canopy structure in terms of the vertical distribution of leaf mass and the degree of asymmetry of competition between individual trees was studied in two types of forest stand in Hokkaido, northern Japan: a naturally regenerated stand of Betulaspp. and an artificial plantation of Picea abies. The canopy structure in the Betulastand was more hierarchical; larger individuals were not heavily shaded even in the lowest part of their crowns and smaller individuals were heavily shaded by their larger neighbours. The canopy structure in the Piceastand was less hierarchical; even larger individuals were shaded in the lowest part of their crowns and smaller individuals were not heavily shaded by their neighbours. Application of the general formula of size-dependent mean growth rate revealed that competition in the Betulastand was more one-sided than that in the Piceastand. This result was consistent with the trends in the change over time in size equality in both stands. Even if competition is mediated by light, which often makes competition one-sided, the degree of one-sidedness in competition can be variable depending on canopy structure.
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