Disturbance and Stand Development of a Colorado Subalpine Forest

摘要: Stand development patterns were examined in an Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii [Parry] Engelm.), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa [Hook.] Nutt), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta [Dougl.] var. latifolia Engelm.) forest Rocky Mountain National Park the northern Colorado Mountains. Two old-growth stands one c. 260-year-old post-fire stand sampled for tree sizes, ages, growth patterns, replacement windthrow gaps. Growth analysed both by visual assessment of frequency releases on increment cores dendrochronological techniques. In stand, initial colonization was but has become increasingly abundant over past 100 years development. Canopy dominance is gradually shifting from towards fir. oldgrowth stands, pattems indicate that they too initiated a stand-devastating fire. However, have entered phase which fine-scale windthrows dominate their dynamics. more common gap occupant its greater rate treefall longevity imply two species will continue to codominate these stands. Substantially different species' responses fire result relatively predictable pattern whereas canopy disturbance wind does not differentially favour or