Species diversity in young Douglas-fir plantations compared to old growth

Abstract

Plant species diversity in young Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco stands in the Western Cascades of Oregon was assessed using comparative diversity profiles. These profiles show, among other things, abundances of scarcer species only ( diversity in the tail). Abundances of scarcer species increased steadily through age 5 years (the last year of measurement) at which time the young plantations were more diverse than the antededent old growth. These results are index-free (i.e., not dependent on the choice of a diversity index).