Relating Ecological Properties of Habitat Types to Differences in Aspen Stand Structure and Succession for Managing Timber and Wildlife Resources

Abstract

Abstract Because aspen (Populus spp.) can grow on a range of site conditions, understanding spatial and temporal variability in aspen physiognomy is challenging but critical for developing plans to meet economic and ecological objectives. The objectives of this study were to quantify temporal differences in aspen physiognomy within and among different habitat types (HTs) in Michigan and to recommend how these results could be used to sustain timber and wildlife resources. We spatially defined HT boundaries and investigated ecological differences of aspen in three age classes (20‐29, 50‐59, and >70 years) and five HTs, ranging from xeric sand to mesic loamy soils. HTs characterized by xeric soils supported bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) and oak (Quercus), mesic sandy soils supported the greatest (P < 0.10) conifer cover, and mesic loamy soils supported a thick understory and mixed hardwood species. Timber (pulpwood) volume of stands >50 years differed (P < 0.10) between HTs (58.40‐82.15 m3/ha in the 50-year age class; 77.94‐100.84 m3/ha in the 70-year age class) and was lowest in HTs on extremes of the soil moisture and texture gradient. The results define geographic areas with different potentials for vegetation development, aspen structure, timber production, and wildlife habitat suitability.