Relation between social status and seed production in Norway spruce trees (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)

Warsaw

2006

S. 85-93

7 Abb., 7 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200139205

In the paper, the impact of social status of spruce trees on seed production is analyzed. The empirical material was collected in years 2000 and 2001 on permanent plots of the Department of Silviculture located in the Bialowieza Forest. To characterize a position of spruce trees in the forest canopy, three so called "canopy classes" were defined. The first class contained trees with free crowns, exposed to full light, regardless of their height. The second class contained partially overtopped trees, but having free tops. The third class contained clearly overtopped trees with tops in the crowns of other, higher trees. The largest number of cone-producing trees, bearing also the largest number of cones, was found in the first canopy class. Trees representing the second and third canopy class produced similar amount of seeds. Damaged tops in spruces belonging to he third canopy class did not influence significantly the amount of cones and seeds produced.