Long-term stand dynamics of the boreal mixed-wood forests of west-central Manitoba
| dc.contributor.author | Levac, Joshua | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Ford, Bruce (Biological Sciences) Walker, David (Environment and Geography) | en_US |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Kenkel, Norman (Biological Sciences) | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-04-03T13:41:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-04-03T13:41:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2012-04-03 | |
| dc.degree.discipline | Biological Sciences | en_US |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Science (M.Sc.) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. | en_US |
| dc.description.note | May 2012 | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/5234 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.subject | forest ecology | en_US |
| dc.subject | succession | en_US |
| dc.subject | long-term | en_US |
| dc.subject | persistence | en_US |
| dc.subject | boreal mixed-woods | en_US |
| dc.subject | trembling aspen | en_US |
| dc.subject | white spruce | en_US |
| dc.title | Long-term stand dynamics of the boreal mixed-wood forests of west-central Manitoba | en_US |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |
| local.subject.manitoba | yes | en_US |