Mortality and Annual Changes in Distribution of Above-Ground Biomass in an Aspen Sucker Stand

Abstract

Biomass (stems and branches) increased from 17 000 kg h−1 in the 4th year to 34 000 kg h−1 in the 7th year of development of an aspen sucker stand. The bulk of the biomass was distributed in the middle and upper diameter classes of shoots; net annual increases only occurred in the upper classes. About 80% of shoots dying in the 3 years of study were less than 2 cm dbh; the biomass lost in these amounted to 200 kg h−1 or less each year. The remaining 20% mortality occurred in the 7th year among shoots 2–5 cm dbh infected with Diplodiatumefaciens. Biomass lost in these larger shoots amounted to 4 900 kg h−1; this was close to the discrepancy between net production (stems and branches) in the 7th year (2600 kg h−1 per annum) and net production in the 5th and 6th years (about 7000 kg h−1 per annum.) Results suggest that although high rates of net annual production are obtainable in short rotations, the mean annual production is strongly influenced by disease because of insufficient time for enhanced growth of survivors.