Abstract
Three competition indices were tested against experimental data on the growth of individual trees in mapped forest stands and outputs of spatially explicit, process-based models of competition. The comparison showed the fundamental importance of taking into account the spatial structure of stands and, particularly, the relative spatial locations of individual trees (spatial asymmetry) when calculating the competition between trees. Although none of the competition indices are able to take into account the specific processes affecting the development of individual trees, these indices can be used in forest dynamics modeling as a simplified representation of competition between trees for resources.
Highlights
Explicit Simulation Models.The spatial structure of natural forest stands is usually complicated and defined by the location of individual trees, their size, and species-specific peculiarities
The correlation analysis between outputs from detailed mechanistic models of competition and competition indices (Figure 2) showed that the angular competition index represents the distribution of common resources among individual trees with the best similarity to models of competition, among three considered indices
The comparison with outputs from spatially explicit mechanistic models of aboveand belowground competition showed the fundamental importance of taking into account the spatial structure of stands and, the relative positions of individual trees when calculating the competition between them
Summary
The spatial structure of natural forest stands is usually complicated and defined by the location of individual trees, their size, and species-specific peculiarities. The dynamics of the spatial structure is driven by both external (various disturbances, including management) and internal (growth of trees, regeneration, competition-induced, and natural mortality) factors. It is a common view that local interactions among individuals are a substantial factor for the formation of plant communities [1], and the quantitative estimation of such interactions continues to be one of the most important research questions [2,3]. Important features of competition that need to be accounted for in the forest ecosystem models are species-specific strategies in the development of above- and belowground organs. The plasticity of crowns and root systems in response to competitive pressure from other individuals and heterogeneity of resources should be simulated with such models
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