Description and Analysis of Stand Structures

Abstract

As trees are firmly anchored in the ground and develop their structures gradually over long periods of time, the emerging structures can influence environmental conditions and resource supply within the stand (light, temperature, precipitation, deposition etc.). In this way, the tree and stand structures that have developed in forest ecosystems have a major influence on all life processes within the stand. The methods of description, quantification, three-dimensional reproduction, and the visualisation of tree, stand and landscape structures outlined in this chapter support the understanding, modelling and prediction of forest development. Forest management makes use of the central importance of structure in forest ecosystem processes by analysing and modifying them (extraction of trees, enhancing structural heterogeneity, variable plant spacing, etc.) to regulate growth processes, habitats, species diversity and stability of forest ecosystems. The horizontal distribution pattern, stand density, differentiation and species intermingling constitute the most important aspects of stand structure, and the most important conditions of growth for individual trees within a stand.