To understand the temporal dynamics of a forest, long-term direct observations are required. My study examined the long-term persistence of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in the boreal mixed-wood forests of Riding Mountain National Park. A set of 266, disturbance-free, permanent sample plots were established in 1947 (stand age = 120 years) and followed through time for 55 years. My results indicate that although the density and basal areas of aspen do decline over the 55-year period, a successful regeneration and establishment occurs around 140 years. The long-term persistence of aspen is a result of clonal reproduction following the canopy breakup beginning around 130 years or earlier. This implies that the long-term persistence of both aspen and spruce occur and the expected succession to softwood dominance does not occur.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/5234 |
| Date | 03 April 2012 |
| Creators | Levac, Joshua |
| Contributors | Kenkel, Norman (Biological Sciences), Ford, Bruce (Biological Sciences) Walker, David (Environment and Geography) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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