Interdependence of stocking rate and relative density in mixed spruce-dominated stands of the Yenisei ridge

Abstract

The study is focused on a particular issue in the field of analysis of the stands horizontal structure, which is of practical importance. The aim of the present research is to study the interdependence of stocking rate and relative density in mature and overmature mixed spruce-dominated stands of the Yenisei Ridge. The research was based on the materials obtained from 15 research plots where we felled and measured 159 model trees. Stocking and density are interrelated. Nevertheless, the relationship is complex since the stocking undergoes through two main stages - an increase in the number of trees and the following thinning of forest stands. The research was conducted in mature and overmature mixed Siberian spruce-dominated stands of different stocking rates. All the studied forests stands were of the same stage of development. As a result, we revealed the extent to which stands characteristics depend on stocking (at stand-wide level and for forest-forming species separately). We also defined equations stating the correlation between relative density and stocking.