Published in Journal of Forest Research 18: 168-178<\/b><\/p>\n
Composition, structure, and species-specific patterns of recruitment and growth were characterized in two yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis<\/em> Britt.)\u2013conifer stands in Quebec, Canada, to improve our understanding of the dynamics of these complex ecosystems. The mixture of mid- and shade-tolerant species in the canopy, the inverse J-shape stem diameter distribution, and the age distribution were indicative that the two stands were in a late-successional stage. Recruitment of mid-tolerant species above 1.3 m in height appeared to be periodic and synchronized with historical spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana<\/em> Clem.) outbreaks, while the coniferous component of these mixedwood stands recruited continuously. Results suggest that recruitment of yellow birch and red maple (Acer rubrum<\/em> L.) requires disturbances of a certain intensity that affect at least 25 % of the forest cover. In contrast, balsam fir (Abies balsamea<\/em> (L.) Mill.) and red spruce (Picea rubens<\/em> Sarg.) can recruit under the canopy without relying on moderate or large canopy disturbances. Results suggest that the historical disturbance regime, and differences in shade tolerance between species, largely govern the contemporary composition of these stands. This study improves the comprehension of mechanisms that regulate the dynamics of yellow birch-conifer stands and will be useful for the subsequent elaboration of forest management strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Published in Journal of Forest Research 18: 168-178 Composition, structure, and species-specific patterns of recruitment and growth were characterized in two yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.)\u2013conifer stands in Quebec, Canada, to improve our understanding of the dynamics of these complex ecosystems. The mixture of mid- and shade-tolerant species in the canopy, the inverse J-shape stem […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","format":"standard","cptt_secteur":[1179],"cptt_theme":[1183,1185,1180,1181,1182],"cptt_categ_publi":[1149],"cptt_auteurs_ministeriels":[1082,1109],"class_list":["post-82049","cpt_publication","type-cpt_publication","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","cptt_secteur-forests","cptt_theme-ecosystems-and-environment","cptt_theme-forest-ecology","cptt_theme-forestry-research","cptt_theme-forests","cptt_theme-silviculture","cptt_categ_publi-scientific-article","cptt_auteurs_ministeriels-duchesne-louis","cptt_auteurs_ministeriels-m-prevost"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n