Dear forestry-interested people, I am the time being in the process of developing a process-based, individuum-based, mixed species tree and forest stand growth model (Ph.D. thesis). Central in this model is the single tree and its growth dynamics and the spatial interaction between trees, mainly interaction through light above-ground, and nutrients and water below-ground. Often tree growth models postulate an optimal growth function that is reduced by environmental conditions. The implicit underlying assumption is that a tree living alone (without other trees in the immediate vicinity) grows optimal, whereas a tree in a forest is to some extent suppressed in its growth. Or with other words: A tree doesn't "like" to live in a forest. Why has evolution not developed single trees? e.g. trees with chemical weapons effectively destroying any others trees in its surrounding + far-flying seeds. Are the disadvantages of living in a forest maybe not strong enough? or are there advantages (e.g. reduced wind speed, altered micro-climate in a forest) ? It seems to me that for a tree living in a forest has some advantages. And these advantages should somehow be incorporated in a tree and stand growth model as a positive effect of other interacting trees. Questions: - Does the above scetched thoughts seem logical to you? - Do you know of an ansatz where these positive interactions or effects are incorporated in a tree and stand growth model? Thanking for your attention, Michael Sonntag Forschungsgruppe Umweltsystemanalyse University of Kassel Kurt-Wolters-Str. 3 34109 Kassel Germany Tel.: +49 561 804 31 78 Fax: +49 561 804 31 76 Mail: michael@usys.informatik.uni-kassel.de
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