Abstract
Tree death is a natural part of forest dynamics, yet is not often studied over long periods, particularly in temperate mixed-species hardwood stands. In this study, we evaluated stand dynamics of four reference plots on each of the West Virginia Long-term Soil Productivity (LTSP) Studies. The Fork Mountain LTSP Study was initiated in 1996 and the Middle Mountain LTSP Study in 1997. The two locations represent distinct stand types (mixed mesophytic and cherry-maple) and site conditions (elevation, parent material, aspect). We found that after 20 years, there were differences in patterns of mortality and ingrowth between the two sites. Mortality rates ranged from 1.5 to almost 5 percent for a 5-year period on Fork Mountain to 1 to 1.5 percent on Middle Mountain. Generally, ingrowth exceeded mortality on Fork Mountain, while the reverse was observed on Middle Mountain. Possible reasons for differences in mortality and ingrowth between the two sites include differences in species composition related to soil and site characteristics and differences in past disturbance that have created different stages of stand development.
Keywords
tree mortality,
forest stand dynamics,
mixed hardwood forests,
LTSP
Citation
Adams, Mary Beth; Simpson, Brian; Kelly, Charlene; Schuler, Jamie L.; Juracko, John. 2020. Stand dynamics of reference plots in the West Virginia long-term soil productivity studies. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-192. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 20 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-192.
