Abstract
Competitive interactions between naturally regenerated lodgepole pine and trembling aspen in the SBSdw1 and IDFdk3 were assessed as the stands aged from 12 to 24 years. We identified density thresholds for tall aspen (as tall or taller than the target pine) that were associated with three separate lodgepole pine growth objectives: (1) achieving 80% pine survival, (2) achieving fair to good pine vigour for 80% of pine, and (3) achieving 90% of open-grown pine diameter growth. Aspen density was assessed within a 1.78 m radius around target pines. The pine diameter growth threshold was similar in both ecosystems: 1000 tall aspen stems/ha. However, the pine survival threshold was lower in the SBSdw1 (7000 tall aspen stems/ha) than in the IDFdk3 (9000 stems/ha). Similarly, the pine vigour threshold was lower in the SBSdw1 (1000 tall aspen stems/ha) than in the IDFdk3 (5000 stems/ha). Additional work is required to understand the management and operational implications of retaining aspen to these higher densities.
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Updated March 20, 2009
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